The way in which we use optical character recognition (OCR) systems in ports continues to evolve at an exciting pace. Where initially these systems may generally have been seen as a security measure, they have risen in prominence as automation becomes a necessity of efficient terminal operations.
This makes OCR big business. Indeed, a recent report from the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) noted that the OCR market for ports accounts for an estimated turnover of USD50 million a year. This vibrant market has grown steadily in contrast to the tough economic times as it evolves and diversifies. And while most large-scale deployments in ports currently remain focused on applications for automation at the gate, there are numerous new opportunities for OCR at traditional container terminals in vessel and yard operations.
Indeed, Finnish access control systems specialist Visy argues that the algorithms and methods used at normal terminal gate solutions have resulted in its natural progression to making solutions for STS cranes and other equipment.
The PEMA report states that there are more than 1,700 OCR system installations worldwide. It adds that, through OCR’s role in automation initiatives to reduce emissions, the technology can help underpin the environmental sustainability of ports around the world.
This market buoyancy led OCR developer APS Technology Group to declare 2012 its most successful year to date in terms of both completed projects and new business. Indeed, at the time of going to press, reports emerged that the multinational ABB corporation was in the process of acquiring the San Diego-headquartered APS on the back of such results.
Naturally, the more technology advances, the more accessible and impressive OCR solutions become. Increasing computer power, ever-improving connectivity and reduced costs are all resulting in more features and greater reliability.
The shifting limits of standard IT set-ups are drastically altering the ways in which we process cargo on the terminal floor. As Visy attests, standard Wi-Fi networks can now be utilised for remote OCR operations in real time, moving labour tasks away from dangerous quay areas to greatly increase the safety of operations. The Finnish solutions provider embraces the spirit of delivering advanced OCR systems on commercially available hardware, standard interfaces and in-house software. This, the company states, enables users to scale and cater solutions for their exact project requirements, and guarantees the long-term viability of the installation.
HOLDING IT TOGETHER
With OCR playing this increasingly fundamental role in the automated future of our ports, developers are already stressing the importance of its integration with terminal operating systems (TOS). This is particularly notable when OCR is just one important but single cog in the wider terminal or port machine. Meta Rotenberg, VP Marketing and Business Development at Israeli company Hi-Tech Solutions (HTS), is a strong exponent of this view.
While OCR could in isolation be linked directly to a TOS, Rotenberg’s company states that it has noticed terminals introducing a number of subsystems in parallel to OCR. This has led to HTS creating the ‘middleware’ software, Global Control System (GCS), which it developed with Dutch company IT Partner. This ‘layer’ of software is designed to operate as an intermediary between the various subsystems and the (terminal) host system. With a dedicated software module for each and every subsystem, GCS is designed to minimise the downtime and expense that can be associated with integration, while also offering a comprehensive tool to boost easy terminal management.
Developed in Microsoft.Net with an SQL Server database, HTS is continually, iteratively evolving GCS. The Israeli company states that, because the system is administered as a web-based application via the GCS WebClient, there is no need for deployment on a PC level, meaning it can be run from a standard web browser.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This holistic outlook is shared by APS, which identifies standardised integration for OCR and process automation as a key emerging trend. This relates to not only TOS/Host integration, but also peer systems operating, for example, on a crane. APS’s Chief Operating Officer, Allen Thomas says providers need to drive standardisation if they are t
o simplify and speed up what tend to be the most costly integration phases.
Thomas adds that the market is in need of even closer focus on guaranteeing reliability and performance: “OCR systems were once judged solely on the accuracy of their identification. While this can be a useful metric, what is equally important is ensuing the underlying system is available 100% of the time the operation needs it. While this requires an additional level of proactive service and maintenance on the equipment, the end result is a far greater reliability and uptime ratings for the operation.”
This dedication to proactive service is echoed by Visy as it stresses the need for careful planning and consultancy. For this very reason, the company provides its experienced consultants for no charge to analyse customer processes and develop ideas with customers to “get real benefits from development projects”.
To further add to that personnel experience, and in response to automation trends in ports and intermodal facilities, in December Visy appointed Jochen Gripp as Regional Sales Manager in the German-speaking region. The 49-year-old, who has two decades of experience in direct sales, will be based in Hamburg. He will be responsible for expanding Visy’s Scandinavian market position and intensifying customer focus in cooperation with long-term service partner MT.
PRODUCTIVE TIMES
With the industry’s continuing growth, now is a great time for the developers of OCR systems to innovate and grab a market share.
To this end, HTS last year announced that it had been awarded several product patents by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The most recent of these came in December for its License Plate Character Recognition Systems. The patent covers HTS’s system for providing automatic character recognition and, specifically, the multi-level neural network-based characters identification methods and system.
Earlier in the year in June, the USPTO awarded HTS patents for its SeeContainer and SeeUTR products. SeeUTR is a system that provides the means for identifying a container and a transporting vehicle under a crane and reporting both the container ID and vehicle ID to a centralised data system.
Among Visy’s innovations is its Intelligent Recognition and Imaging Software (IRIS) solution. When fitted to straddle carriers (SCs), this collects information from every container the SC passes. A small fleet of SCs, or even a lone machine, equipped with IRIS can regularly roam the stacks and compare the actual yard inventory to the anticipated yard inventory. The SC can use a radio link to easily raise the alarm with land-based systems about lost containers or other issues (it could also be equipped with radiation detection equipment, for example).
On STS crane operations, Visy’s OCR can extract information and features such as ID, damage assessment pictures, seal presence and door direction from images that are taken when the box is moving. Higher quality images can be taken when a container is stationary, moving over a platform, or positioned on a trailer.
ORDERS COMING REGULARLY
We mentioned at the outset of this article how the OCR market is flourishing, and it certainly looks like it will continue to do so as automation becomes increasingly integral to operations.
HTS has had a great start to the year with its most recent order from the Port Authority of Panama (AMP). This is to provide OCR to 53 cranes spread across four terminals. It is part of the authority’s drive to implement an automated system for the purpose of auditing data provided by terminal operators in compliance with government requirements.
There is currently no system in place for the authority to audit data. The intention is that the OCR technology fitted to these cranes will introduce an automated system to create a new, streamlined audit process. This will also mean statistics regarding the movement of containers will be available in real time, whereas currently the information is provided on a monthly basis.
In 2012, the Israeli company also sealed two further, major contracts, both via the Brazilian arm of HTS. The first, notched in April, was for 20 truck OCR SeeGate 3 gate systems and two rail OCR SeeTrain portals from the TECONDI Terminal in Santos, Brazil. The second came in September, from Libra Terminals. This was for 20 OCR truck gate systems to for Libra’s operations in Santos and Rio de Janeiro. Both orders were prompted by changes in the legal requirements for automation across Brazilian ports. However, HTS adds that expert consensus is that, even without legislation, commercial competitiveness would have dictated that such OCR updates were made sooner rather than later.
APS’s Allen Thomas states that the company is excited by two recently secured contracts for large, automated terminal developments with TraPac in Los Angeles, and Global in New Jersey: “These will be tremendously challenging projects, as both require that we deliver gate, crane and rail process automation solutions into functioning facilities, converting the terminal from manual to fully automated operations.”
Additionally, APS enthuses that relatively new customers such as Grupo TCB, ICTSI and Hutchinson Ports are all continuing to put trust in its products by dedicating to “even more new contracts at multiple global facilities for 2013.” The company has also seen a mutually beneficial partnership with Navis continue to expand. Navis’ new owner, Cargotec, has played an important role in this respect by helping to secure new business with the global petro chemical producer, Sabic, multiple marine terminals in Brazil (Wilson & Sons) and at an APM Terminals facility in NJ.
THE FINAL LINK
We live in a time when it’s hard to keep pace with the boundless progress of information technology, as evidenced by the burgeoning importance of OCR in ports. As Visy states, advanced OCR can help reduce operating expenses, optimise safety and security, and increase throughput capacity.
“Gate operating systems (GOS) for road and rail are well established and until recently were well ahead of the usage of OCR on the waterside and on container handling equipment (CHE) operations in terms of functionality,” the Finnish company tells WPD. “The crane OCR is the final link of the safety and operational chain that supports an efficient port and terminal automation. By implementing crane OCR, quayside processes can be managed with the same efficiency as road and rail processes and it can deliver a substantial return on investment.”
But even with the immediate differences that the technology is making in the present, it seems there is a lot more to come from OCR as a key element of port automation in the future. Indeed, APS’s Thomas cites eliminating randomness – a concept Tom Ward, Chief Engineer for Ports America, presented at TOC Europe – as the next step in maximising terminal efficiency.
“Operators are spending many millions per year on process improvement initiatives, while still allowing randomness to flourish in their facilities,” details Thomas. “For instance, most terminals allow outside truckers to drive unassisted in a container yard (and cause most of the accidents). Additionally, operators still rely on clerical staff to juggle paperwork and technology under a moving STS or RTG crane. If we compare any evolved, efficient industrial process (for example an assembly line or package sorting facility), we see smart people being moved away from dangerous, mundane work and into control rooms where they can manage systems and exceptions.”