System, method, apparatus, and computer program product for monitoring the transfer of cargo to and from a transporter

A method of managing the transfer of cargo to or from a transporter, the method comprising:

• providing a transporter identification code capturing device;
• providing a cargo identification code capturing device;
• capturing a transporter identification code from the transporter using the transporter identification code capturing device during the transfer of the cargo to or from the transporter;
• attempting to capture a cargo identification code from the cargo using the cargo identification code capturing device subsequent to a determination that a loading operation is being performed with the cargo;
• determining transporter identification information from the transporter identification code;
• and
• determining cargo identification information from the cargo identification code.

A computer program product for identifying a transporter and cargo during a cargo loading or unloading operation in which a cargo moving apparatus performs the loading or unloading of the cargo, the transporter having a transporter identification code, the cargo having a cargo identification code, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code logic stored therein, the computer-readable program code logic comprising:

• a first code logic configured for receiving a machine-readable representation of the transporter identification code;
• a second code logic configured for determining transporter identification information from the machine-readable representation of the transporter identification code;
• a third code logic configured for storing the transporter identification information in a memory;
• a fourth code logic configured for receiving a machine-readable representation of the cargo identification code in response to determining a loading operation has begun involving the cargo;
• a fifth code logic configured for determining cargo identification information from the machine-readable representation of the transporter identification code;
• and
• a sixth code logic configured for storing the cargo identification information in a memory.

A cargo transfer system comprising:

• a cargo moving apparatus structured to move cargo between a first location and a second location, the second location being on a transporter;
• a transporter identification device configured to determine transporter identification information from a transporter identification code associated with the transporter, wherein the transporter identification device is configured to capture the transporter identification code as the cargo moving apparatus is loading or unloading the cargo to or from the transporter;
• and
• a cargo identification device configured to determine cargo identification information from a cargo identification code associated with the cargo, wherein the cargo identification device is configured to capture the cargo identification code in response to the loading apparatus beginning a loading or loading operation with the cargo.

A system for monitoring movement of cargo, the system comprising:

• a crane configured for loading or unloading cargo to or from a truck;
• and
• one or more cameras configured to:
• capture, only while the crane is loading or unloading the cargo to the truck, one or more images of a cargo identification code associated with the cargo, and
• capture a truck identification code associated with the truck.