Method and system for mapping to facilitate dispatching
A method at a server for container location verification within a container yard, the method including requesting image data from at least one image sensor apparatus affixed to a container within the container yard; receiving the image data; and processing the image data to identify a location of a target container.
1. A method implemented by a programmed server for container location within a container yard, the method comprising:
requesting image data from at least one image sensor apparatus, wherein the at least one image sensor apparatus is affixed to a first container of the container yard;
receiving the image data from the at least one image sensor apparatus, wherein the image data comprises images captured by the at least one image sensor apparatus, a location of the at least one image sensor apparatus and a direction the at least one image sensor apparatus was facing when the image data was captured;
searching for an image of a desired container within captured images of the image data, the desired container being distinct from the first container.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
when the image is found, dispatching a shunt vehicle to a location of the desired container.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
when the image is not found, requesting second image data from a plurality of image sensor apparatuses;
receiving the second image data from each of the plurality of image sensor apparatuses;
searching for the image of the desired container within the second image data.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of image sensor apparatuses are selected based on a threshold distance from an anticipated location of the desired container.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of image sensor apparatuses are selected based on a selected direction from an anticipated location of the desired container.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the searching uses optical recognition to identify markings on neighboring containers.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the searching comprises displaying the image data on a user interface and receiving an input using the user interface.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising dynamically updating a map of the container yard based on the captured images of the image data.
9. A server configured for container location within a container yard, the server comprising:
a processor; and
a communications subsystem, wherein the server is configured to:
request image data from at least one image sensor apparatus, wherein the at least one image sensor apparatus is affixed to a first container of the container yard;
receive the image data from the at least one image sensor apparatus, wherein the image data comprises images captured by the at least one image sensor apparatus, a location of the at least one image sensor apparatus and a direction the at least one image sensor apparatus was facing when the image data was captured;
search for an image of a desired container within captured images of the image data, the desired container being distinct from the first container.
10. The server of claim 9 , wherein the server is further configured to:
when the image is found, dispatch a shunt vehicle to a location of the desired container.
11. The server of claim 9 , wherein the server is further configured to:
when the image is not found, request second image data from a plurality of image sensor apparatuses;
receive the second image data from each of the plurality of image sensor apparatuses;
search for the image of the desired container within the second image data.
12. The server of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of image sensor apparatuses are selected based on a threshold distance from an anticipated location of the desired container.
13. The server of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of image sensor apparatuses are selected based on a selected direction from an anticipated location of the desired container.
14. The server of claim 9 , wherein the searching uses optical recognition to identify markings on neighboring containers.
15. The server of claim 9 , wherein the searching comprises displaying the image data on a user interface and receiving an input using the user interface.
16. The server of claim 9 , wherein the server is further configured to dynamically update a map of the container yard based on the captured images of the image data.
17. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing instruction code, which when executed by a processor of a server configured for container location verification within a container yard cause the server to:
request image data from at least one image sensor apparatus, wherein the at least one image sensor apparatus is affixed to a first container of the container yard;
receive the image data from the at least one image sensor apparatus, wherein the image data comprises images captured by the at least one image sensor apparatus, a location of the at least one image sensor apparatus and a direction the at least one image sensor apparatus was facing when the image data was captured;
search for an image of a desired container within the captured images of the image data, the desired container being distinct from the first container.