Method and apparatus for making status reporting devices for container handlers

An apparatus for reporting the status of a container handler, comprising:

• a microcontroller controlled by a processor executing program instructions;
• at least one sensing component coupled to the microcontroller and configured to sense a state of the container handler to create a sensed state of the container handler with respect to a characteristic of at least one of a container handler operator and a container manipulated by the container handler, wherein the characteristic of the container manipulated by the container handler comprises a location of the container relative to the container handler as derived from the sensed state of the container handler, and including a sensor component sensing a state of a structure comprising part of the container handler;
• a wireless communication component coupled to the microcontroller and configured to transmit the sensed state of the container handle to a remote server, the wireless communication module using a serial wireless communications protocol and a wireless modulation-demodulation scheme;
• a programmable logic controller coupled to the at least one sensor component, and configured to provide at least one member of a crane state list specifying a configuration of a structure element of the container handler;
• and
• a memory coupled to the microcontroller and storing the program instructions to control the sensing component and the wireless communication component.