# US 12,002,302 B2 · Transport monitoring method, apparatus and system

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,002,302 B2
- Document ID: US12002302B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/437,743
- Filed: 2019-03-11
- Published: 2022-05-12
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2019-03-11
- Assignees: Suzhou Teknect Engineering Co., Ltd Xiangcheng Branch
- Applicants: Suzhou Teknect Engineering Co., Ltd Xiangcheng Branch
- Inventors: Heng Li
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12002302B2

## CPC

- G07C 5/04: using counting means or digital clocks
- B66F 9/075: Constructional features or details
- B66F 9/0755: {Position control; Position detectors}
- B66F 9/22: Hydraulic devices or systems
- G01L 5/0071: {Specific indicating arrangements, e.g. of overload}
- G06Q 10/06398: {Performance of employee with respect to a job function}
- G06Q 10/08: Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G07C 5/008: {communicating information to a remotely located station (transmission systems for measured values G08C)}
- G07C 5/085: {using electronic data carriers}
- H04L 67/125: involving control of end-device applications over a network
- H04L 67/52: specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
- G07C 2009/0092: {for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general}
- H04L 67/12: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
- G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00)
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for transportation monitoring are provided. The method includes: obtaining force change information of a transportation device detected by a detector; and monitoring, based on the force change information, a quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device loads a transportation object at an initial position, transports the transportation object to a target position, and unloads the transportation object at the target position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for transportation monitoring, comprising:
obtaining force change information of a transportation device detected by a detector; and
monitoring, based on the force change information, a quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device loads a transportation object at an initial position, transports the transportation object to a target position, and unloads the transportation object at the target position,
wherein the monitoring, based on the force change information, a quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device loads a transportation object at an initial position, transports the transportation object to a target position, and unloads the transportation object at the target position comprises:
determining, based on the force change information, status information of a transportation component for transporting the transportation object; and
updating the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object in a case that it is monitored, by using the status information, that the transportation component loads the transportation object, transports the transportation object to the target position, and unloads the transportation object at the target position;
wherein the determining, based on the force change information, status information of a transportation component for transporting the transportation object comprises:
determining that the transportation object is loaded on the transportation component of the transportation device, in a case that a force value detected by the detector increases to be greater than a first threshold; and
determining that the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded from the transportation component, in a case that the force value detected by the detector decreases to be less than the first threshold, and
wherein the method further comprises:
obtaining a first time difference between an unloading time when the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded from the transportation component and a loading time when the transportation object loaded this time is loaded on the transportation component; and remaining, in a case that the first time difference is less than a first duration threshold, the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object unchanged after determining that the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded, until a next obtained first time difference is no less than the first duration threshold; updating the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object, in a case that the next obtained first time difference is no less than the first duration threshold; wherein the next obtained first time difference is obtained by taking a time when the transportation object is unloaded next time as a new unloading time of the transportation object, and calculating a difference between the new unloading time and the loading time;
and/or;
obtaining a second time difference between the unloading time when the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded from the transportation component and a loading time when a transportation object loaded adjacent next time is loaded on the transportation component; and remaining, in a case that the second time difference is less than a second duration threshold, the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object unchanged, after determining that the transportation object loaded next time is unloaded.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining force change information of a transportation device detected by a detector comprises:
obtaining a motion travel of the transportation component of the transportation device;
obtaining the force value of the transportation device detected by the detector, in a case that the motion travel meets a preset condition; and
controlling the detector to stop detecting the force value of the transportation device or controlling the detector to stop responding to the force value detected by the detector, in a case that the motion travel does not meet the preset condition; and/or remaining a current status of the transportation component unchanged until the obtained motion travel meets the preset condition, and updating the current status of the transportation component in a case that the obtained motion travel meets the preset condition.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, further comprising:
obtaining a motion travel range of the transportation component of the transportation device and a second threshold corresponding to the motion travel range, wherein the motion travel range represents a motion route and a position of the transportation component, the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; and
performing a preset operation, in a case that the force value detected by the detector is greater than the second threshold.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
obtaining a first force value of the transportation device after the transportation object is loaded on the transportation device, and a second force value of the transportation device in a case that the transportation object is not loaded on the transportation device; and
obtaining, based on a force difference between the first force value and the second force value, a load value of the transportation object transported by the transportation device this time.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
obtaining identity information of a current operator of the transportation device;
establishing an association between the identity information and an updated quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object; and
sending the updated quantity of times of transportation and the association to a server.

### Claim 6

An apparatus for transportation monitoring, comprising:
a force information obtaining module configured to obtain force change information of a transportation device detected by a detector; and
a monitoring module configured to monitor, based on the force change information, a quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device loads a transportation object at an initial position, transports the transportation object to a target position, and unloads the transportation object at the target position,
wherein the monitoring module comprises:
a status determination unit configured to determine, based on the force change information, status information of a transportation component for transporting the transportation object; and
a monitoring and updating unit configured to update the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object in a case that it is monitored, by using the status information, that the transportation component loads the transportation object, transports the transportation object to the target position, and unloads the transportation object at the target position,
wherein the status determination unit comprises:
a first determination subunit configured to determine that the transportation object is loaded on the transportation component of the transportation device, in a case that a force value detected by the detector increases to be greater than a first threshold; and
a second determination subunit configured to determine that the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded from the transportation component, in a case that the force value detected by the detector decreases to be less than the first threshold, and
wherein the apparatus further comprises:
a timer configured to obtain a first time difference between an unloading time when the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded from the transportation component and a loading time when the transportation object loaded this time is loaded on the transportation component; and a controller configured to remain, in a case that the first time difference is less than a first duration threshold, the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object unchanged after determining that the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded, until a next obtained first time difference is no less than the first duration threshold, and update the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object, in a case that the next obtained first time difference is no less than the first duration threshold, wherein the next obtained first time difference is obtained by taking a time when the transportation object is unloaded next time as a new unloading time of the transportation object, and calculating a difference between the new unloading time and the loading time;
and/or;
the timer configured to obtain a second time difference between the unloading time when the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded from the transportation component and a loading time when a transportation object loaded adjacent next time is loaded on the transportation component; and the controller configured to remain, in a case that the second time difference is less than a second duration threshold, the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object unchanged, after determining that the transportation object loaded next time is unloaded.

### Claim 7

A system for transportation monitoring, comprising:
a detector configured to detect force change information;
a memory configured to store a program; and
a controller configured to load and execute the program stored in the memory, wherein the program is executed to:
obtain the force change information detected by the detector; and
monitor, based on the force change information, a quantity of times of transportation that a transportation device loads a transportation object at an initial position, transports the transportation object to a target position, and unloads the transportation object at the target position,
wherein the monitor, based on the force change information, a quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device loads a transportation object at an initial position, transports the transportation object to a target position, and unloads the transportation object at the target position comprises:
determining, based on the force change information, status information of a transportation component for transporting the transportation object; and
updating the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object in a case that it is monitored, by using the status information, that the transportation component loads the transportation object, transports the transportation object to the target position, and unloads the transportation object at the target position,
wherein the determining, based on the force change information, status information of a transportation component for transporting the transportation object comprises:
determining that the transportation object is loaded on the transportation component of the transportation device, in a case that a force value detected by the detector increases to be greater than a first threshold; and
determining that the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded from the transportation component, in a case that the force value detected by the detector decreases to be less than the first threshold, and
wherein the program is further executed to:
obtain a first time difference between an unloading time when the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded from the transportation component and a loading time when the transportation object loaded this time is loaded on the transportation component; and remain, in a case that the first time difference is less than a first duration threshold, the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object unchanged after determining that the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded, until a next obtained first time difference is no less than the first duration threshold; update the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object, in a case that the next obtained first time difference is no less than the first duration threshold; wherein the next obtained first time difference is obtained by taking a time when the transportation object is unloaded next time as a new unloading time of the transportation object, and calculating a difference between the new unloading time and the loading time;
and/or;
obtain a second time difference between the unloading time when the transportation object loaded this time is unloaded from the transportation component and a loading time when a transportation object loaded adjacent next time is loaded on the transportation component; and remain, in a case that the second time difference is less than a second duration threshold, the quantity of times of transportation that the transportation device transports the transportation object unchanged, after determining that the transportation object loaded next time is unloaded.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system according to claim 7, wherein the detector comprises one or more of a pressure sensor, a tension sensor, and a metal deformation switch;
wherein the pressure sensor is installed on a transportation component or an oil path of the transportation device;
the tension sensor is installed on the transportation component; and
the metal deformation switch is installed on the transportation component.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system according to claim 8, wherein in a case that the pressure sensor is a hydraulic pressure sensor, the system further comprises:
a power mechanism configured to control the transportation component to move according to a preset trajectory, to cause the transportation component to load the transportation object, and to unload the transportation object after the transportation object is transported to the target position;
wherein the detector further comprises one or more of a position sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a travel sensor, and a proximity switch which are installed on the transportation device.