Abstract: Embodiments include a system configured to process location information for objects in a site comprising an imaging device configured to take a picture of an object, the picture containing a unique identifier of the object; a global positioning system (GPS) component associated with the imaging device and configured to tag the image of the object with GPS location information of the object to generate a tagged image; a communications interface configured to transmit the tagged image to a server computer remote from the imaging device over an Internet Protocol (IP) network; and a processor of the server configured to perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the picture and to create an indicator code corresponding to the identifier of the object, wherein the processor is further configured to create a processed result containing the indicator code and the location to locate the object within the site.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for making status reporting devices for container handlers, including: providing a micro-controller module, and installing a program system into memory accessed by a computer directing the micro-controller module. The micro-controller module communicatively couples with means for wirelessly communicating and for sensing a state of the container handler. Means for wirelessly communicating may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location. The micro-controller module may be communicatively coupled to a separate means for determining location. An apparatus making the devices may include a second program system directing the invention's method through a second computer, which may control an assembly device in creating the micro-controller, coupled with the means for sensing and for wirelessly communicating.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system configured to process location information for objects in a site comprising an imaging device configured to take a picture of an object, the picture containing a unique identifier of the object; a global positioning system (GPS) component associated with the imaging device and configured to tag the image of the object with GPS location information of the object to generate a tagged image; a communications interface configured to transmit the tagged image to a server computer remote from the imaging device over an Internet Protocol (IP) network; and a processor of the server configured to perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the picture and to create an indicator code corresponding to the identifier of the object, wherein the processor is further configured to create a processed result containing the indicator code and the location to locate the object within the site.

Abstract: Methods and several apparatus embodiments are disclosed operating Optical Characteristic Systems (OCS) in a container storage and/or transfer yard supporting the automated recognition of container codes displayed on various sides of the containers being stored and/or transferred. At least one processor may initiate an operational process by an OCS mounted on a container handler to create an operational result, select the operational process based upon an operational schedule and communicate with at least one OCS to receive an image of a container being handled by the container handler to at least partly create a container code estimate for a container inventory management system. A program system directing at least one computer implementing these operations, and may reside in computer readable memory, an installation package and/or a download server. The computer readable memory may or may not be accessibly coupled to the computer.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system configured to process location information for objects in a site comprising an imaging device configured to take a picture of an object, the picture containing a unique identifier of the object; a global positioning system (GPS) component associated with the imaging device and configured to tag the image of the object with GPS location information of the object to generate a tagged image; a communications interface configured to transmit the tagged image to a server computer remote from the imaging device over an Internet Protocol (IP) network; and a processor of the server configured to perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the picture and to create an indicator code corresponding to the identifier of the object, wherein the processor is further configured to create a processed result containing the indicator code and the location to locate the object within the site.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for making status reporting devices for container handlers, including: providing a micro-controller module, and installing a program system into memory accessed by a computer directing the micro-controller module. The micro-controller module communicatively couples with means for wirelessly communicating and for sensing a state of the container handler. Means for wirelessly communicating may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location. The micro-controller module may be communicatively coupled to a separate means for determining location. An apparatus making the devices may include a second program system directing the invention's method through a second computer, which may control an assembly device in creating the micro-controller, coupled with the means for sensing and for wirelessly communicating.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed for a gantry crane configured to lift containers from a truck driven chassis. The safety device estimates truck movement when the gantry crane lifts the container and sends an alert to avert lifting the truck when the container fails to decouple from the chassis. Motion sensors are disclosed that are configured to coupled to a trolley of a gantry crane and used to create an estimate of the front or back region near a container being lifted. A processor may use the motion sensor signals to avert lifting the truck and/or to avert an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system reporting a container identification failure when a hatch cover is lifted off of a ship. In various embodiments, the processor may be included in the safety device and/or in the OCR system.

Abstract: A processor is disclosed that may be configured to receive a status report for a vehicle in a container yard and/or a status reporting device configured to monitor the vehicle. The processor may respond to the received status report by creating a system action request and/or a system log. The system action request may include a fault condition problem report and/or a maintenance schedule request for the vehicle and/or the status reporting device. The processor automates generating responses to the received status reports, providing a fundamental tool to reduce down time for vehicles and improve their support of container transfer operations in the container yard. The system action request, system log and/or system action may be products of the processor's operation. A computer readable memory and/or a server may be configured to deliver a report, program system and/or an installation package to the end user.

Abstract: An optical characteristic system configured to couple to a container handler for transferring a container to/from a rail car. A server interface configured to receive from at least one container handler. An optical characteristic system configured to couple to a front end loader. A container handler configured to transfer at least one container to/from a rail car and to report its container image, optical characteristic, container code estimate of the container, a rail car identifier estimate and/or a container chassis identifier estimate. A rail kiosk configured to receive the container image, etc from at least one container handler to create the optical characteristic, the container code estimate, manifest for the rail car, confirmation of the manifest and/or an insurance record for the container. A method operating at least one of the server interface, the rail kiosk and a container inventory management system and the products of those operations.