Automatic reading of intermodal containers ID numbers (ownership codes)

Abstract

This paper is about the design of an automated system to read the “Ownership Code” [1] of intermodal containers as they are being loaded down from the ship. The system used machine vision with cameras attached to the crane to get images of container to be processed. Usefulness of this system lies in the implementation of an early detection system for handling errors. It is a huge problem that crane operator picks up the wrong container. If we discover it late, when the ship has gone, it becomes almost a catastrophe for the handler. Nowadays, there are human operators checking manually the correctness of loading/unloading. This new system arrives to help them, generating alarms that could be issued before the crane releases its load. Human supervision will still be necessary but will become more effective.