IP Library Granted Patent US 11,964,542
Granted Patent B2
US 11,964,542 · App. 17/452,914 · Granted Apr 23, 2024

Methods and systems for camera vision applications for perishable goods transportation visual aids to improve performance

Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher (Bloomington, MN); Matthew Srnec (Minnetonka, MN)
Assignee: THEMRO KING LLC
B60H1/3205B60H1/3232G06V20/59
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,964,542
App. No.
17/452,914
Granted
Apr 23, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transport climate control system includes a vision system having an image capturing device to capture an image. An image recognition system is configured to analyze the captured image to obtain analyzed image data, and determine an instruction for adjusting operation of the transport climate control system or the transport unit. A controller is configured to execute the determined instruction. A method of controlling a transport climate control system that provides climate control within a climate controlled space of a transport unit that includes an image capturing device capturing an image within a climate controlled space is provided. The method includes analyzing the captured image by an image recognition system communicatively connected with the image capturing device; determining an instruction; and a controller executing the determined instruction.

Claims (43)

1. A transport climate control system for providing climate control within a climate controlled space of a transport unit, the system comprising:

a vision system having

an image capturing device configured to capture an image within the climate controlled space, and

an image recognition system communicatively connected with the image capturing device and configured to:

analyze the captured image to obtain analyzed image data, and

determine an instruction based on the analyzed image data for adjusting operation of the transport climate control system or the transport unit;

the transport climate control system configured to provide climate control within the climate controlled space; and

a controller configured to execute the determined instruction to adjust operation of the transport climate control system or the transport unit.

2. The transport climate control system of claim 1 , wherein

the image recognition system is configured to recognize a door being opened or unlatched by detecting a visual aid that provides an amplified visual indicator.

3. The transport climate control system of claim 1 , wherein

the determined instruction includes an adjustment instruction to adjust an operating mode or an operating parameter of the transport climate control system according to a cargo recognized from the analyzed image data or a logistic planning and distribution system.

4. The transport climate control system of claim 1 , wherein

the determined instruction includes a recommendation instruction to recommend repositioning of a cargo recognized from the analyzed image data within the climate controlled space.

5. The transport climate control system of claim 1 , wherein

the determined instruction includes a notification instruction to transmit a notification for a door being opened or closed, a mismatch, or an unsecured item.

6. The transport climate control system of claim 1 , wherein

the mismatch includes the cargo recognized from the captured image being loaded or unload to a wrong zone of the climate controlled space or at a wrong location, wherein

the wrong zone is determined by comparing the cargo against a bill of lading, and

the wrong location is determined by a location information provided by a telematics system and a correct loading or unloading location provided by the logistic planning and distribution system communicatively connect to the transport climate control system.

7. The transport climate control system of claim 1 , wherein

the determined instruction includes a transport unit instruction to operate a transport unit device.

8. A method of controlling a transport unit with a transport climate control system that provides climate control within a climate controlled space of the transport unit, the method comprising:

an image capturing device capturing an image within a climate controlled space;

analyzing the captured image by an image recognition system communicatively connected with the image capturing device to obtain analyzed image data;

determining an instruction based on the analyzed image data for adjusting operation of the transport climate control system or the transport unit; and

a controller executing the determined instruction to adjust operation of the transport climate control system or the transport unit.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein

analyzing the captured image includes recognizing a door being opened or unlatched by detecting a visual aid that provides an amplified visual indicator.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprises

adjusting an operating mode or an operating parameter of the transport climate control system according to a cargo recognized from the analyzed image data or a logistic planning and distribution system.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprises

recommending repositioning of a cargo recognized from the analyzed image data within the climate controlled space.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprises

transmitting a notification for a door being opened or closed, a mismatch, or the unsecured item.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein

analyzing the captured image includes recognizing a visual aid in the captured image.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein

the mismatch includes the cargo recognized from the captured image being loaded or unload to a wrong zone of the climate controlled space or at a wrong location, wherein

the wrong zone is determined by comparing the cargo against a bill of lading, and

the wrong location is determined by a location information provided by a telematics system and a correct loading or unloading location provided by the logistic planning and distribution system communicatively connect to the transport climate control system.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein

the unsecured item is determined by the lack of a recognized securement in the captured image.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 17, 2022
From: THERMO KING CORPORATION
To: THERMO KING LLC
Reel/Frame 061956/0252 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2021
From: SCHUMACHER, RYAN WAYNE; SRNEC, MATTHEW
To: THERMO KING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058385/0117 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230139951A1 · May 4, 2023