Detection of locking devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11745987-B2
Application number	US-201716333100-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 8, 2017
Priority date	Sep 14, 2016
Publication date	Sep 5, 2023
Grant date	Sep 5, 2023

Abstract

An image-processing unit, a system, an automatic loading and/or unloading system and a method for detecting a locking device on a movable object, wherein the locking device locks a plurality of movable objects to one other and is arranged in a locking region of the movable object and the movable object is moved via a loading device, where the locking region can be sensed in a sensing region of at least one camera and an image-processing unit evaluates a signal of the camera to detect locking devices in a locking region of a movable object so as to detect locking devices efficiently and reliably.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for detecting a locking device on a movable object, the locking device at least one of (i) locking a plurality of movable objects to one another and (ii) locking on an object carrier, and the locking device being arranged in a locking region of the movable object, the method comprising:
moving the movable object via a loading device, the locking region being sensed in a sensing region of at least one camera;
evaluating, by an image processing unit, a signal of a camera to detect locking devices in a locking region of the movable object;
outputting, by the image processing unit, an error message if presence of the locking device is identified based on failure to remove the locking device from the movable object; and
evaluating, by the image processing unit, the signal of the camera to check correct positioning of the movable object.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image processing unit evaluates the signal of the camera via a blob analysis.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image processing unit evaluates the signal of the camera via a difference image evaluation.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a controller interrupts at least one of (i) a loading process and (ii) unloading process if presence of the locking device is identified.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image processing unit only evaluates a signal from the at least one camera if the movable object is disposed in at least one sensing region.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
providing classification data of the current movable object to the image processing unit.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein detected locking devices are automatically removed from the movable object.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the removal of detected locking devices from movable objects is documented in a central logistics system.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image processing unit determines an identification code of the movable object.

10. An image processing unit, comprising:
at least one signal interface for connection to at least one camera;
a communications interface for communication with at least one controller; and
an evaluation unit for evaluating a signal of the at least one camera to detect a locking device;
wherein the image processing unit is configured to:
evaluate a signal of the at least one camera to detect locking devices in a locking region of a movable object;
output an error message if presence of the locking device is identified based on failure to remove the locking device from the movable object; and
evaluate the signal of the at least one camera to check correct positioning of the movable object.

11. A system for detecting locking devices on a movable object, having at least one image processing unit as claimed in claim 10 and the at least one camera.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the at least one camera is oriented such that solar radiation is avoided during operation by virtue of said orientation.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the at least one camera is oriented downwards at an inclination angle.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the at least one camera is oriented downwards at an inclination angle is oriented downwards at an inclination angle of 20 to 30 degrees downwards.

15. An automatic loading/unloading system having the at least the system as claimed in claim 12 , a loading device for moving a movable object, and a controller for controlling a loading/unloading process.

16. The system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the at least one camera is oriented downwards at an inclination angle.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the at least one camera is oriented downwards at an inclination angle is oriented downwards at an inclination angle of 20 to 30 degrees downwards.

18. An automatic loading/unloading system having the at least the system as claimed in claim 16 , a loading device for moving a movable object, and a controller for controlling a loading/unloading process.

19. An automatic loading/unloading system having the at least the system as claimed in claim 11 , a loading device for moving a movable object, and a controller for controlling a loading/unloading process.

Assignees

• Siemens Ag

Inventors

• Gerdhenrichs Ralf
• Dobler Thomas
• Willhoeft Alexander

Classifications

• B66C13/16 Primary

  Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices (in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08) · CPC title

• B66C13/48

  Automatic control of crane drives for producing a single or repeated working cycle; Program control · CPC title

• G05B19/0428

  Safety, monitoring (G05B19/0423 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B66C19/007

  for containers · CPC title

• G05B2219/24097

  Camera monitors controlled machine · CPC title