WO2014172883A1

WO2014172883A1 - A system and method for monitoring an object in an environment

Info

Publication number: WO2014172883A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/074746
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwong Yeung Simon WONG; Kwong CHU; Chin Chiu CHUNG
Original assignee: Hong Kong R&D Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Enabling Technologies Limited
Priority date: 2013-04-25
Filing date: 2013-04-25
Publication date: 2014-10-30

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring an object in an environment comprising the steps of receiving one or more environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment to generate an environmental model of the environment, receiving object signals associated with the object being monitored in the environment, and processing the object signals associated with the object with the environmental model to determine one or more attributes of the object, wherein the one or more attributes are used to identify one or more actions of the object within the environment.

Description

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING

AN OBJECT IN AN ENVIRONMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring an object in an environment, and particularly, although not exclusively, to a system and method for

monitoring an operation of a container in a container terminal.

BACKGROUND

Cargo containers are frequently used for transporting goods from locations to locations. A container terminal is facility where cargo containers are transshipped between

different transport vehicles for onward transportation.

In a container terminal, containers can be carried to a staging area for loading the container to container ship, or unloaded from the container ship to the staging area. The containers may also be temporarily stored in a container

stacking area. These containers are usually moved by container lift trucks, to facilitate logistics management within the container terminal, the records of the different operations of containers are logged, for locating certain containers for future operations, or other management purposes. Such record may facilitate a logistic company for tracking the status of a large number of containers in a number of container terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring an object in an environment comprising the steps of:

- receiving one or more environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment to

generate an environmental model of the environment;

- receiving object signals associated with the object being monitored in the environment; and - processing the object signals associated with the object with the environmental model to determine one or more

attributes of the object; wherein the one or more attributes are used to identify one or more actions of the object within the environment.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more attributes of the object includes one or more locations of the object over a defined time period

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more locations of the object are determined by mapping the object signals to the environmental model.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the step of mapping the object signals to the environmental model includes a step of comparing the object signals associated with the object with one or more environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more locations of the object are processed with one or more

operation heuristics to ident ify one or more actions of the object within the environment

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the operation

heuristics includes one or more rules associated with an action of the object.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more rules associated with the action of the object includes a

predetermined sequence of one or more locations of the object.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more rules associated with an action of the object further includes a predetermined proximity of the one or more locations of the object with one or more spatial locations. In an embodiment of first aspect, the environment is a predetermined operating within which the object performs predetermined actions.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the environmental signals are received from one or more emitters associated with the one or more spatial locations.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for monitoring an object in an environment comprising:

- a reader module arranged to receive one or more

environmental signals associated with one or more spatial

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actions of the object within the environment.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more attributes of the object includes one or more locations of the object over a defined time period.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more locations of the object are determined by mapping the object signals to the environmental model.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, mapping the object signals to the environmental model includes comparing the object signals associated with the object with one or more environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more locations of the object are processed with one or more operation heuristics to identify one or more actions of the object within the environment.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the operation heuristics includes one or more rules associated with an action of the object.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more rules associated with the action of the object includes a predetermined sequence of one or more locations of the object.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more rules associated with an action of the object further includes a predetermined proximity of the one or more locations of the object with one or more spatial locations.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the environment is ί predetermined operating area within which the object performs predetermined actions.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the environmental signals are received from one or more emitters associated with the one or more spatial locations .

In accordance with a third aspect of the present

invention, there is provided a device for tagging an object comprising :

a vibration detector arrange to detect a vibration of the device; and

a wireless communication module arrange to emit signals;

wherein the device is arrange to emit signals with a

predetermined signal pattern whereupon a motion with a

predetermined motion pattern is detected.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, the device is arranged to operate in a wake-up state whereupon the

predetermined vibration pattern is detected, and the device is arranged to operate in an active state to emit signals with the predetermined signal pattern after the wake-up state.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, the device is

arranged to emit signals with a different signal pattern whereupon a different vibration pattern is detected.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, the communication module includes an RF circuit arranged to communicate with an RF system.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, the communication module includes an RFID arrangement arranged to communicate with an RFID system.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring a cargo container in a container terminal, comprising the steps of:

- receiving one or more environment signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the container terminal to generate an environment model of the container terminal;

- receiving container signals associated with the cargo

container being monitored in the container terminal; and

- processing the container signals associated with the cargo container with the environment model to determine one or more attributes of the cargo container; wherein the one or more attributes are used to identify one or more actions of the cargo container within the container terminal.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, the one or more attributes of the cargo container includes one or more

locations of the cargo container over a defined time period; and wherein the one or more locations of the cargo container are determined by mapping the container signals to the

environmental model.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, the one or more locations of the cargo container are processed with one or more operation heuristics to identify one or more actions of the cargo container within the container terminal.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for monitoring a cargo container in a container terminal:

- a reader arranged to receive one or more environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the container terminal to generate an environmental model of the environment; the reader is arranged to receive container signals associated with the cargo container being monitored in the container terminal; and

- a processing server arranged to process the container

signals associated with the cargo container with the

environmental model to determine one or more attributes of the cargo container; wherein the one or more attributes are used to identify one or more actions of the cargo container within the container terminal.

In an embodiment of the fifth aspect, the one or more attributes of the cargo container includes one or more

locations of the cargo container over a defined time period; and the one or more locations include a staging area, a land gate and a container stacking area.

In an embodiment of the fifth aspect, the at least one device for tagging an object is the device in accordance with an embodiment of the third aspect.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for monitoring an object in an environment in accordance with an embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the object is a cargo container and the

environment is a container terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer server for use in a system for monitoring an object in an environment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the system for monitoring an object in an environment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a

processing server used as a system for monitoring an object in an environment in accordance with one embodiment of the

present invention;

Figure 4 is a timeline diagram of an automation model of the operation of the system for monitoring an object in an environment ;

Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of an example of the operation of sea gate-in scenario of the system for monitoring an object in an environment operating in monitoring containers in a container terminal;

Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of an example of the operation of sea gate-out scenario of the system for

monitoring an object in an environment operating in monitoring containers in a container terminal;

Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of an example of the operation of land gate-in scenario of the system for

monitoring an object in an environment operating in monitoring containers in a container terminal; Figure 5D is a schematic diagram of an example of the operation of land gate-out scenario the system for monitoring an object in an environment operating in monitoring containers in a container terminal; and

Figure 6 is a timeline diagram of the operation states a device for tagging an object in accordance with one

embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment is arranged to provide a system for monitoring an object in an environment, comprising :

- a reader module configured to receive one or more

environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment to generate an environmental model of the environment; and receiving objects signals associated with the object being monitored in the environment; and

- a processing module arranged to process the object signals associated with the object with the environmental model to determine one or more attributes of the object;

wherein the one or more attributes are used to identify one or more actions of the object within the environment.

In this embodiment, the processing module is implemented by or for operation on a computer having an appropriate user interface. The computer may be implemented by any computing architecture, including stand-alone PC, client /server

architecture, "dumb" terminal/mainframe architecture, or any other appropriate architecture. The computing device is appropriately programmed to implement the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is a shown a schematic diagram of a computer server which in this embodiment comprises a server 100 arranged to operate, at least in part if not entirely, the system for monitoring an object in an

environment in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The server 100 comprises suitable components necessary to receive, store and execute appropriate computer instructions. The components may include a processing unit 102, read-only memory (ROM) 104, random access memory (RAM) 106, and

input/output devices such as disk drives 108, input devices 110 such as an Ethernet port, a USB port, etc. Display 112 such as a liquid crystal display, a light emitting display or any other suitable display and communications links 114. The server 100 includes instructions that may be included in ROM 104, RAM 106 or disk drives 108 and may be executed by the processing unit 102. There may be provided a plurality of communication links 114 which may variously connect to one or more computing devices such as a server, personal computers, terminals, wireless or handheld computing devices. At least one of a plurality of communications link may be connected to an external computing network through a telephone line or other type of communications link.

The server may include storage devices such as a disk drive 108 which may encompass solid state drives, hard disk drives, optical drives or magnetic tape drives. The server 100 may use a single disk drive or multiple disk drives. The server 100 may also have a suitable operating system 116 which resides on the disk drive or in the ROM of the server 100.

The system has a database 120 residing on a disk or other storage device which is arranged to store at least one record 122. The database 120 is in communication with the server 100 with an interface, which is implemented by computer software residing on the server 100. Alternatively, the database 120 may also be implemented as a stand-alone database system in communication with the server 100 via an external computing network, or other types of communication links. Alternatively, the system may be implemented as a cloud computing systems, or implemented with similar technologies to achieve the same functionality desired. With reference to Figure 2, there is shown an embodiment of the system for monitoring an object in an environment. In this embodiment, the server 100 is used as part of a system 200 as an processing server 202 arranged to communicate with a reader module 204 arranged to read a signal associated with an object 208, such as but not limited to a container or vessel. In this example, a reader module 204 may be arranged to receive

environmental signals 212 emitted from one or more location tags 206 or object signals 214 emitted from one or more tag associated with the objects 208 being monitored. Once the signals are received, the reader module 204 is arranged to communicate with the server 202 such that once the reader module 204 receive the signals from an object 208, the signals is transmitted to the server 202 for processing.

Preferably, the tag is an active RFID tag with effective reading range of about 5 meters, although other operating ranges are possible depending on circumstances. While the tag may operate differently in different environmental conditions, only tags within the effective reading range may be read.

Alternatively, the tag is a RFID tag with different operation range and characteristics, or other passive tags such as

passive RFID tags.

In this example, the reader module 204 may be in the form of a scanner or a reader arranged to communicate with the server 202 to transmit the signals from an object 208, such as an identifier of a container. Preferably, the object 208 may include a tag device 210 associated with the object 208 which is arranged to tag the object 208. This tag device 210 is in turn readable by the reader module 204 for monitoring the object. The communication link 216 between the reader module 204 and the server 202 may be a wireless network, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, infra-red or radio frequency, an Ethernet connection, an intranet connection, an internet connection or a computer network which is operated on a telephone line or other types of communication links. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a block diagram of an embodiment of a processing server 202 used as a system for monitoring an object in an environment. In this embodiment, the processing server 202 includes a processing module 310, which may be implemented as individual or shared components by hardware or software on or in connection with a computer system to act or provided the functionality necessary for the server to operate as a system for monitoring an object in an environment . In this example, the processing server 202 is arranged to communicate with a reader module 204 to obtain one or more environmental variables 302 associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment, and one or more object signals 214 associated with the object 208 being monitored in the environment.

The environmental variables 302 such as environmental signals 212 emitted from tag devices located at specific locations (location tags 206), can then be combined with certain operation conditions 304 such as approaching to the specific locations, and this enabling the system 200 to generate an environmental model 306 of the environment. In an example embodiment, a number of location tags 206 located in different zones may be arranged to emit environmental signals 212 to the environment, a reader 204, located in certain zone or approaching certain zone, may receive the signals 212, and hence the system is able to identify the location or

approximate location of the reader 204 within the environment, and certain tag signals not received by the reader indicates that the reader is not in the zone associated with certain tags. Besides, by observing the pattern of the signal strength of the environmental signals 212 emitted from location tags 206, or the read count of the environmental signals 212 emitted from location tags 206, the operation condition may be determined, for example, approaching, leaving or at rest at certain location or zone area. The environmental model 306 may assist the system 200 to determine attributes of the reader, including the location over a period of time, and the activity of the reader such as moving from a zone to another zone, within the environment.

Optionally, navigation modules, such as but not limited to Global Positioning System (GPS) or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS or GLONASS) , may be associated with the reader to provide additional environmental variables or environmental models to the system for determining the attributes, including the locations and the operating conditions of the reader modules, the objects and the location tags. The navigation modules may be mounted to the reader module, the objects or at certain locations.

The object signals 214 such as signals emitted from tag devices 210 mounted on specific objects 208, enabling the system to detect the existence of the objects 208 within the detection range. In some occasions, more than one object signals 214 are detected by the reader module 204. By

observing the pattern of the signal strength of the signals 214 emitted from the objects 208, or the read count of the signals 214 emitted from objects 208, the condition of the object 208 may be determined, for example, passing by, moving or carrying the object 208 on a carrier. The object signals 214 and the environmental model 306 is then processed by the processing module 310 to determine one or more attributes of the object 208, wherein the attributes are used to identify one or more actions or situations of the object 208 within the environment. For example, the object 208 is determined to be at rest or moving.

Preferably, the one or more attributes includes one or more locations of the object 208, and preferably, the one or more locations of the object 208 are determined by mapping the object signals 214 to the environmental model 306. For example, the processing server 202 is able to locate a specific object 208 in a specific location. The processing server 202 may also determine that a specific object 208 is approaching/leaving a specific location from/to another specific location.

Optionally, by comparing the object signals 214 associated with the object 208 with one or more environmental signals 212 associated with one or more spatial locations within the

environment, more accurate mapping results could be obtained.

In an alternative embodiment, the one or more locations of the object 208 are processed with one or more operation

heuristics 312 to identify one or more actions of the object 208 within the environment. In an example embodiment, an

operation heuristics 312 may refer to a sequence of operations. For example, at certain time, the reader receives an object signal X and an environmental signal Y, after certain period of time, the reader receives the object signal X only, and finally the reader receives the object signal X and an

environmental signal Z, such sequence may indicate that an object associated with signal X is moved from a location Y associated with the environmental signal Y to a location Z associated with the environmental signal Z. The operation heuristics 312 may be predetermined, and the processing module 310 is able to compare the received object signals 214 and generated environmental model 306 with the predetermined

operation heuristics 312 to identify one or more actions 308 of the object within the environment. In the previous example embodiment, moving object X from location Y to location Z may indicate an operation W according to the predetermined

operation heuristics 312.

Preferably, the operation heuristics 312 includes one or more rules associated with an action 308 of the object 208, and the rules may include a predetermined sequence of one or more locations of the objects 208. Additionally, the one or more rules associated with an action 308 of the object 208 includes a predetermined proximity of the one or more locations of the object 208 with one or more spatial locations Examples will be given in later in the description of the preferred embodiment.

In one embodiment, the environment is a predeteremined operating area within which the object performs predetermined actions, wherein the environmental signals 212 are received from one or more emitters associated with the one or more spatial locations.

Preferably, the system for monitoring an object in an environment can be applied in different operating environment including but not limited to container yard and container terminal .

Advantageously, the system for monitoring an object in an environment supports an automation model which does not

require human input. The system is suitable for logistic management, specifically but not limited to, container

operation log in a container terminal. The system enables real-time logging of the container actions/situations and reduces errors or delay due to human factors, facilitates the back-end management, and optimize the operation of the

terminal by allowing containers movements at a dock or

terminal to be tracked and monitored automatically.

Advantageously, the system for monitoring an object in an environment minimizes the number of readers to be installed within a container terminal. A single mobile reader installed in a container lift truck may substantially monitor every container operated by the truck within a container terminal. While in certain area, such as the staging area of the

terminal, constructions including the installation of readers are not preferred.

In a container terminal, cargo containers are moved within the container terminal for different operations, which may include moving a container from a container stacking area to the staging area for a sea gate-out operation, moving a

container from the staging area to the container stacking area for a sea gate-in operation, moving a container from the

container stacking area to a land gate for a land gate-out operation, and moving a container from the land gate to the container stacking area for a land gate-in operation, etc.

Other operations may be included in a container terminal to facilitate the logistic process of different users of the container terminal.

With reference to Figure 4, preferably, the system for monitoring an object in an environment supports an automation model. The model defines four different periods which indicate four different operations of the objects associated with a staging area.

Pre-entering In-transit Period (PrIT Period) indicates that, before a container lift truck enters the staging area, the truck will travel for a certain distance with or without a container. This guard period is defined as the PrIT Period. In an example embodiment, the value is certain minutes before entering the staging area. Area Approaching Period (AA Period) is similar to the PrIT

Period, AA Period is defined as the short period, during which, the container lift truck is approaching the staging area. AA Period will be shorter than the PrIT Period. In an example embodiment, the value is certain seconds or minutes before entering the staging area.

Container Lifting / Un-lifting Period (CLU Period) is defined as the time duration, during which, the container lift truck is performing container lifting or un-lifting operation inside the staging area.

Post-entering In-transit Period (PoIT Period) is that, after completing container lifting or un-lifting operation, the container lift truck will leave the staging area and perform other operations, such as un-lifting the container carried or trying to locate another container. In an example embodiment, the associated guard period is defined as the PoIT Period which is set as certain minutes after leaving the staging area.

In some examples, a "Container Inside / Outside Container Yard" table is help to achieve a faster performance on

automatically detecting the gate-in/out operations of the containers .

Preferably, this table contains two core fields: "Container Tag ID" and "Inside / Outside Container Yard" (IOCY) . The IOCY field may have an "I" which denotes that the container is located inside the yard and the container is ready for

performing gate-out operation, or an "0" which means that the container is located outside the yard and the container is ready for doing gate-in operation. There may be a possibility that the table does not contain any entry for certain

containers. In such case, these containers will be ready for doing gate-in/out operation. It also means that this table can be neglected in determining whether the operation is gate-in or gate-out .

Preferably, mobile reader devices store a copy of this table in its local cache to speed up the lookup process.

Optionally, the refresh rate is suggested to be 3 minutes (which is configurable) . During each refreshing process, handheld device get the latest version of this table from backend database. Then, this version is kept at the local storage of the handheld device and is not updated at the mobile reader devices. An example of the operation of the system for monitoring an object in an environment for use in a dock or terminal for monitoring containers and their operations will be described with reference Figures 4, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D . In this example, mobile reader devices with a reader module are mounted on container lift trucks arranged to detect object signals, or capture container tag information automatically. The devices are optionally battery-powered or powered by the power supply of the truck. The container lift trucks travel within the environment moving containers from locations to locations, and detect different environment signals and object signals when moving near the operation range of the tag

devices mounted on containers and those mounted on different locations. These detected signals will be further process by a server to determine the attributes of certain containers.

With reference to Figure 5A, there is shown an illustration of an example of sea gate-in scenario. Under normal situation, during the CLU Period, tag 51 shall be read together with the location tags. Then, tag 51 shall be read continuously during the PoIT Period. With this help and also the help of the

"Container Inside / Outside Container Yard" table, the system shall be able to determine the current gate-in container which is the one with tag ID 51.

When the vehicle has left the staging area, the reader will not be able to read the location tags anymore. This point of time can be regarded as the start time of the gate-in

operation.

When the vehicle has left the Container Stacking Area, the distance between the vehicle and the grabbed container will become longer and longer, and the signal strength shall become weaker and weaker (and/or the read count will become smaller and smaller) . Finally, the container tag cannot be read. At this point the time can be considered as the end time of sea gate-in process. With Reference to Figure 5B, there is shown an illustration of an example of sea gate-out scenario. During the CLU Period, tag 12 and the location tags shall be read. However, during the PoIT Period, none of these tags can be read. Tracing backward, tag 12 shall appear during the AA Period as well as the whole PrIT Period. Tags appear during the front portion of the PrIT Period but not at the AA Period shall be neglected. With this analysis and also the help of the "Container Inside / Outside Container Yard" table, tag 12 shall be determined.

When the truck is approaching the staging area, some or all of the location tags shall be read. This point of time can be regarded as the start time of sea gate-out process.

When the truck has left the staging area, the signal of the location tags and the tag of the dropped container will become weaker and weaker (and/or the read count will become smaller and smaller) . At the end, the tag of the dropped container cannot be read. The end-time of sea gate-out process shall be defined as this point of time.

With Reference to Figure 5C, there is shown an illustration of an example of land gate-in scenario. When comparing with the sea related operations, land related ones are much

straight forward. Fixed readers will be installed at the land gate. Tags associated with land gate-in / gate-out operations will be read by the fixed readers. With the help of a site server, which may be implemented as software or hardware for logistic management, associated with the processing server 202 of the system for monitoring an object in an environment, tags reading data will be available in a much useful way. In this example, tag 51 will firstly be reported by the site server, then by the mobile reader. The "Container Inside / Outside Container Yard" table can also help filter out tag 51.

The latest appear time of the tags as reported by the Site Server is recorded as the start time of land gate-in process. With the reading data provided by site server, the grabbed container can be directly filtered out. When the vehicle moves away from the grabbed container, the signal of the tag mounted will become weaker and weaker (and/or the read count will become smaller and smaller) , and finally cannot be received. This point of time will be regarded as the end time of land gate-in process.

With Reference to Figure 5D, there is shown an illustration of an example of land gate-out scenario. Tag 12 reading data shall be reported by the site server. When processing past data reported by the mobile reader, tag 12 shall be found. The "Container Inside / Outside Container Yard" table can also help when doing such.

The start-time of the land gate-out operation can be found by obtaining the latest appear time of the tag that has been read by the mobile reader.

When the container truck goes through the land gate, the tag mounted will be read by the fixed readers installed.

Reading data will be provided by site server. The latest disappear time of the tag shall be regarded as the end-time.

Additionally, in the land gate-in and the land gate-out operation, a matrix of readers may be applied, and different readers are assigned into different groups. Advantageously, the system can determine the sequence of specific tags

detected by different reader groups to determine the in/out direction of the specific cargo.

With reference to Figure 6, there shown a diagram

illustrate different working state of A device for tagging an object comprising: a vibration detector arrange to detect a vibration of the device; and a wireless communication module arrange to emit signals; wherein the device is arrange to emit signals with a predetermined signal pattern whereupon a motion with a predetermined motion pattern is detected. Preferably, the communication module includes an RFID circuit arranged to communicate with an RFID system. Preferably, the device for tagging an object is arranged to operate in a wake-up state whereupon the predetermined

vibration pattern is detected, such as a detection of at least one vibration per second is detected for 5 seconds, then the device is arranged to operate in an active state to emit

signals with the predetermined signal pattern after the wake- up state, such as emitting two messages per seconds for a predetermined period of five seconds. Optionally, the device may further operate in a cool down state and an idle state arranged to wait for a next detection of the predetermined vibration pattern be activated to the wake-up state.

Alternatively, the device is arrange to emit signals with a different signal pattern whereupon a different vibration

pattern is detected, such as emitting one message per seconds for a predetermined period of five seconds whereupon no

vibration is detected.

Alternatively, the device is arrange to operate in the following sequence: In "wake-up state", the device emit

signals for every two seconds; if the device detects vibration for five consecutive seconds, it will enter the "Active State"; in "Active State", the device emit signals for every seconds (with at least 6 seconds) , after that, every vibration

incident will trigger the device to emit signals for two

seconds at the rate one message/sec; if the device has no vibration for ten consecutive seconds, the device will cool down and enter "idle state"

Advantageously, the device for tagging an object provides additional attributes to the object, which is the vibration status of the object being monitored. When an object is

transported on a vehicle, such as a container lift truck, it is vibrated due to the rough surface of the road, thus

containers being transported is differentiated from the stacked containers, thus increasing the accuracy of the system for monitoring an object in an environment.

Although not required, the embodiments described with reference to the Figures can be implemented as an application programming interface (API) or as a series of libraries for use by a developer or can be included within another software application, such as a terminal or personal computer operating system or a portable computing device operating system.

Generally, as program modules include routines, programs, objects, components and data files assisting in the

performance of particular functions, the skilled person will understand that the functionality of the software application may be distributed across a number of routines, objects or components to achieve the same functionality desired herein.

It will also be appreciated that where the methods and systems of the present invention are either wholly implemented by computing system or partly implemented by computing systems then any appropriate computing system architecture may be utilised. This will include stand alone computers, network computers and dedicated hardware devices. Where the terms

"computing system" and "computing device" are used, these terms are intended to cover any appropriate arrangement of computer hardware capable of implementing the function

described .

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without

departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring an object in an environment

comprising the steps of:

- receiving one or more environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment to generate an environmental model of the environment;

- receiving object signals associated with the object being monitored in the environment; and

- processing the object signals associated with the object with the environmental model to determine one or more

2. A method for monitoring an object in accordance with claim

1, wherein the one or more attributes of the object includes one or more locations of the object over a defined time perioc

3. A method for monitoring an object in accordance with claim

2, wherein the one or more locations of the object are

determined by mapping the object signals to the environmental model .

4. A method for monitoring an object in accordance with claim

3, wherein the step of mapping the object signals to the environmental model includes a step of comparing the object signals associated with the object with one or more

environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment.

5. A method for monitoring an object in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the one or more locations of the object are processed with one or more operation heuristics to identify one or more actions of the object within the

environment .

6. A method for monitoring an object in accordance with claim 5, wherein the operation heuristics includes one or more rules associated with an action of the object.

7. A method for monitoring an object in accordance with 6, wherein the one or more rules associated with the action of the object includes a predetermined sequence of one or more locations of the object.

8. A method for monitoring an object in accordance with claim 7, wherein the one or more rules associated with an action of the object further includes a predetermined proximity of the one or more locations of the object with one or more spatial locations .

9. A method for monitoring an object in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the environment is a predetermined operating area within which the object performs predetermined actions .

10. A method for monitoring an object in accordance with claim 9, wherein the environmental signals are received from one or more emitters associated with the one or more spatial

locations .

11. A system for monitoring an object in an environment comprising :

- a reader module arranged to receive one or more

environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment to generate an environmental model of the environment; the reader module is arranged to receive objects signals associated with the object being monitored in the environment; and

- a processing module arranged to process the object signals associated with the object with the environmental model to determine one or more attributes of the object; wherein the one or more attributes are used to identify one or more actions of the object within the environment.

12. A system for monitoring an object in accordance with claim

11, wherein the one or more attributes of the object includes one or more locations of the object over a defined time period.

13. A system for monitoring an object in accordance with claim

12, wherein the one or more locations of the object are

determined by mapping the object signals to the environmental model .

14. A system for monitoring an object in accordance with claim

13, wherein mapping the object signals to the environmental model includes comparing the object signals associated with the object with one or more environmental signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the environment.

15. A system for monitoring an object in accordance with any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the one or more locations of the object are processed with one or more operation heuristics to identify one or more actions of the object within the

environment .

16. A system for monitoring an object in accordance with claim 15, wherein the operation heuristics includes one or more rules associated with an action of the object.

17. A system for monitoring an object in accordance with 16, wherein the one or more rules associated with the action of the object includes a predetermined sequence of one or more locations of the object.

18. A system for monitoring an object in accordance with claim 17, wherein the one or more rules associated with an action of the object further includes a predetermined proximity of the one or more locations of the object with one or more spatial locations.

19. A system for monitoring an object in accordance with any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the environment is a predetermined operating area within which the object performs predetermined actions.

20. A system for monitoring an object in accordance with claim 19, wherein the environmental signals are received from one or more emitters associated with the one or more spatial

locations .

21. A device for tagging an object comprising:

a vibration detector arrange to detect a vibration of the device; and

a wireless communication module arrange to emit signals;

wherein the device is arrange to emit signals with a

predetermined signal pattern whereupon a motion with a

predetermined motion pattern is detected.

22. A device for tagging an object in accordance with claim 21, wherein the device is arranged to operate in a wake-up state whereupon the predetermined vibration pattern is detected, and the device is arranged to operate in an active state to emit signals with the predetermined signal pattern after the wake- up state.

23. A device for tagging an object in accordance with any one of claims 21 and 22, wherein the device is arrange to emit signals with a different signal pattern whereupon a different vibration pattern is detected.

24. A device for tagging an object in accordance with any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the communication module includes an RFID arrangement arranged to communicate with an RFID

system.

25. A method for monitoring a cargo container in a container terminal, comprising the steps of:

- receiving one or more environment signals associated with one or more spatial locations within the container terminal to generate an environment model of the container terminal; - receiving container signals associated with the cargo container being monitored in the container terminal; and

26. A method for monitoring a cargo container in accordance with claim 25, wherein the one or more attributes of the cargo container includes one or more locations of the cargo

container over a defined time period; and wherein the one or more locations of the cargo container are determined by mapping the container signals to the environmental model.

27. A method for monitoring a cargo container in accordance with any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the one or more locations of the cargo container are processed with one or more operation heuristics to identify one or more actions of the cargo container within the container terminal.

28. A system for monitoring a cargo container in a container terminal :

- a processing server arranged to process the container signals associated with the cargo container with the

29. A system for monitoring a cargo container in accordance with claim 28, wherein the one or more attributes of the cargo container includes one or more locations of the cargo

container over a defined time period; and the one or more locations include a staging area, a land gate and a container stacking area.

30. A system for monitoring a cargo container in accordance with any one of claims 28 and 29, wherein at least one device for tagging an object in accordance with any one of claims 21 and 25 arranged to emit container signals.

31. A method for monitoring an object in an environment in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the object is a cargo container and the environment is a container terminal .

32. A device for tagging an object in accordance with any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the communication module includes an RF circuit arranged to communicate with an RF system.