Remote crane bar code system

Abstract

In general terms, the present invention provides a method of automatically scanning an inventory field to allow the selection of a desired item for retrieval. A camera is positioned in the crane trolley located above the field. The camera continuously performs a scan of the field displaying an image to the operator of the items being scanned. This real-time image allows the operator to distinguish between items scanned in the field. The operator can subsequently choose the desired item triggering the camera system to automatically capture desired information from the item which is in turn communicated to an inventory control system. The camera system mitigates the requirement of a second individual to communicate information between the field and the operator.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for retrieving an item from a field of inventory using an overhead crane system, comprising:
 receiving an identifier for an item to be retrieved from the field of inventory;   using the identifier to obtain, from an inventory control database, an item location, within the field of inventory, for the item to be retrieved;   positioning a trolley of the overhead crane system above the item location to target a picker on the trolley to retrieve a target item in the item location;   using an adjustable imaging system carried by the trolley to obtain an image of an identification tag attached to the target item;   reading information identifying characteristics of the target item provided by the identification tag to confirm that the target item is the item to be retrieved; and   responsive to confirmation that the target item is the item to be retrieved, using the picker to retrieve the item to be retrieved from the field of inventory.   
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein using the imaging system carried by the trolley to obtain the image of the identification tag attached to the target item comprises:
 obtaining an image having at least a portion of the identification tag visible in the image; and   aligning the identification tag within the image to obtain the image of the identification tag.   
     
     
         23 . An overhead crane system for retrieving items from a field of inventory, comprising:
 a bridge;   a trolley movably mounted on the bridge;   at least one trolley motor to facilitate translation of the trolley along the bridge;   the bridge being mounted on rails transverse to the bridge, allowing the bridge to translate fore and aft along the rails;   at least one bridge motor to facilitate translation of the bridge along the rails;   the trolley having a picker for vertically hoisting items from the field of inventory;   a range finder system for locating the trolley's position along each of an x-axis and a y-axis of the field of inventory; and   an adjustable imaging system carried by the trolley to obtain an image of an identification tag attached to an item disposed underneath the trolley; and   a processor coupled to the imaging system for reading information identifying characteristics of the item provided by the identification tag.   
     
     
         24 . The overhead crane system of  claim 23 , wherein the imaging system has:
 an adjustable lens for magnifying said image;   an interface for displaying an item image of the item disposed underneath the trolley and adapted for receiving a location input for the identification tag attached to the item disposed underneath the trolley based on a location in the item image;   wherein the processor uses the location input to orient the imaging system towards the identification tag and commands the adjustable lens to magnify the identification tag.   
     
     
         25 . The overhead crane system of  claim 23 , further including an inventory control system coupled to the processor, the inventory control system being used to receive the information identifying characteristics of the item disposed underneath the trolley from the processor, for identification thereof; wherein said inventory control system updates an inventory record according to the information identifying characteristics of the item disposed underneath the trolley from the processor when the item is moved by the overhead crane system. 
     
     
         26 . The overhead crane system of  claim 23 , wherein the overhead crane system is fully automated.