A cargo container image capturing method and system applied to a bridge crane are provided. The cargo container image capturing method includes the following steps. A human-machine interface (HMI) image of an HMI of the bridge crane is captured. Several values are obtained from the HMI image using an image recognition algorithm. At least one camera is controlled to capture a cargo container image according to the values.

A system for the transfer, storage and distribution of intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The system comprises a first storage area comprising a first plurality of shafts arranged in a grid pattern along a first and second axis, a plurality of gantry cranes slidably disposed along the first axis and extending beyond the storage area, a roof structure disposed at a distance above the plurality of shafts, and a plurality of overhead cranes slidably associated with the plurality of tracks. The shafts disposed in rows along the first axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The shafts disposed in a given row along the second axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a corresponding length. The plurality of gantry cranes are each configured to attach to and transport an intermodal container from a first location to one of a plurality of platforms slidably disposed along the first axis. The platforms delivering the intermodal container to one of the rows of the shafts along the first axis are based on the length of the intermodal container. The roof structure comprises a plurality of tracks corresponding to the rows of the shafts along the second axis. The overhead cranes are each configured to attach to and transport the intermodal container from the platforms to either one of the shafts or to a second location.

A container crane has a trolley movable on a cross-member of a gantry. A harness for picking up and setting down a container and at least one laser scanner are arranged on the trolley. The laser scanner captures a depth image which, as a function of a first and a second angle, indicates the distance of object points detected by a laser beam. The captured depth image is evaluated. Based on the object points, objects are detected and their locations are determined. The objects comprise the harness and/or a container picked up by the harness, and further objects. Based on the detected object points, the contour of the harness and/or of the container picked up by the harness is determined. Detection of further objects within regions defined by the contour is suppressed. A control device takes the detected objects and their locations into account for controlling the container crane.

A crane system includes an elevated track spanning a first location to a second location; at least one spreader assembly configured to move along the elevated track using a tram assembly unit, and to move a shipping container from a first storage area to a second storage area, wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are between the first location and the second location; and a controller configured to identify the shipping container and control a movement of the shipping container using the at least one spreader assembly.

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.

A system for the transfer, storage and distribution of intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The system comprises a first storage area comprising a first plurality of shafts arranged in a grid pattern along a first and second axis, a plurality of gantry cranes slidably disposed along the first axis and extending beyond the storage area, a roof structure disposed at a distance above the plurality of shafts, and a plurality of overhead cranes slidably associated with the plurality of tracks. The shafts disposed in rows along the first axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The shafts disposed in a given row along the second axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a corresponding length. The plurality of gantry cranes are each configured to attach to and transport an intermodal container from a first location to one of a plurality of platforms slidably disposed along the first axis. The platforms delivering the intermodal container to one of the rows of the shafts along the first axis are based on the length of the intermodal container. The roof structure comprises a plurality of tracks corresponding to the rows of the shafts along the second axis. The overhead cranes are each configured to attach to and transport the intermodal container from the platforms to either one of the shafts or to a second location.

A container scanning system includes: a camera/sensor unit movably mounted on a container handling crane, having a camera and/or sensor for scanning the exterior surface of a container; a control unit configured to control movement of the camera/sensor unit; and a rail mounted on a support beam of the container handling crane, the camera/sensor unit being movably mounted on the rail. The container scanning system includes a washing station mounted on the support beam or the rail at a predetermined location. In a washing mode, the control unit moves the camera/sensor unit to the predetermined location and controls the washing station to wash at least a surface of the camera and/or sensor.

An apparatus and a method for remote crane control, the apparatus comprising: a memory for storing instructions; and a processing unit configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to control the apparatus to: receive one or more images comprising a view of a location on which a crane spreader is to land; display the one or more images on a display; receive user input to mark one or more markers on the one or more received images to facilitate landing of the crane spreader; and transmit position data of the one or more markers in the one or more received images to a processor for determining values defining positioning of the crane spreader relative to the position data of the one or more markers to offset so that the crane spreader proceeds to land based on the determined values.

The invention is a novel lower-trolley system, comprising a lower trolley (3), a lower-trolley hoisting system, and a lower-trolley travelling system. The lower trolley (3), the lower-trolley hoisting system and the lower-trolley travelling system are all arranged on a quay crane; the lower-trolley hoisting system drives a hoist (14) of the lower trolley (3) to rise and fall, and the lower-trolley travelling system pulls the lower trolley (3) to make same travel in the direction of a double-trapezoid four-track girder (1) of the quay crane; and the lower trolley (3) is hung upside down on outer-side tracks (15) of the double-trapezoid four-track girder (1), and a container (12) hoisted by an upper trolley (2) can pass through the lower trolley (3).

There is provided shipping container handling systems and methods that maximize the number of containers that can be stored on a predetermined property, as well as increasing the efficiency of the transfer of containers between transshipment vehicles, such as cargo ships/barges, trucks, airline, rail systems and the like.