WO2023057749A1

WO2023057749A1 - Goods monitoring and/or inventory system and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2023057749A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/052512
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Stacey; Aidan MASON; Tim Mason; Mike Roberts; Dan WHITTINGHAM
Original assignee: Wrs Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-05
Filing date: 2022-10-04
Publication date: 2023-04-13
Also published as: GB2620859A; GB202315226D0

Abstract

A goods monitoring and/or inventory system (100) is provided. The system includes goods and/or inventory monitoring means for tracking and/or monitoring one or more items or goods in use. The goods and/or inventory monitoring means are provided on and/or are associated with a vehicle (2), vehicle mounting means for mounting to a vehicle, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to material handling apparatus.

Description

GOODS MONITORING AND/OR INVENTORY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

This invention relates to a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system and to a method of use thereof. It also relates to a vehicle and/ or material handling apparatus that includes a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system for use on a forklift truck for the logistical management of pallet loaded goods, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the system of the present invention could be used on any movable vehicle used for the purposes of logistical management, moving and/ or tracking of any type of goods, goods containers, goods storage units, portable goods containers, units and/ or the like. The system could also be provided on material handling apparatus that is arranged to move goods, material and/ or items in and/ or around a warehouse, goods storage facility, a location, a dockside or riverside location and/or the like, such as for example on a crane or similar lifting equipment. The material handling apparatus can be fixed, movable and/or have one or more movable parts provided on and/or associated with the same.

In the logistics market, it is known to provide warehouse tracking systems which automatically scan pallets loaded with goods for tracking and inventory purposes. These known warehouse tracking and inventory systems are typically fixed systems associated with warehouse doors or other stationary checkpoints within the warehouse. A camera and bar code reader, together with associated software and a microprocessor, are provided at the warehouse doors or checkpoints and automatically and contactlessly scan pallet bar codes as a forklift truck carrying a pallet passes through or under the checkpoint. This technology has been found to be a more efficient and cost effective alternative to RFID pallet tracking systems or manual bar code scanning. However, a problem with these known systems is that due to the high speeds at which the fork lift trucks travel around the warehouses and through the checkpoints, the pallet bar codes are not always read and the camera images are not always sufficiently clear to detect damage to pallet goods. In fact the accuracy of these conventional systems is typically less than about 80%. Since conventional warehouse tracking systems are not able to determine if a pallet bar code has been correcdy read or not, this results in warehouse personnel still having to manually scan all pallets within a batch with a hand held bar code scanner to identify the 20% or more pallets that did not automatically scan when passing through the checkpoints.

In addition, the forklift trucks have to slow down significantly, or even stop, underneath the checkpoints in order to allow scanning to take place. This system is therefore not widely used because it significantly slows down the movement of goods around a storage facility.

Furthermore, these conventional scanning systems cannot determine whether the pallet was ever unloaded from the delivery truck arriving at the warehouse or whether any damage sustained to the pallet goods took place while moving the goods around the warehouse prior to a camera image being taken at a checkpoint or whether the damage took place during transit to the warehouse. The conventional system is not able to accurately tell whether all the goods that should be on the pallet are in fact on the pallet and so theft or accidental loss of goods cannot be accurately monitored.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system that overcomes the problems of the prior art.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system that overcomes the problems of the prior art.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a vehicle and/ or material handling apparatus including a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system that overcomes the problems of the prior art. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a vehicle and/ or material handling apparatus including a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system that overcomes the problems of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system, said system including goods and/ or inventory monitoring means for tracking and/or monitoring one or more items or goods in use, characterised in that the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means are provided on and/ or are associated with at least part of a vehicle, vehicle mounting means for mounting to at least part of a vehicle, material handling apparatus having a goods lifting mechanism or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to material handling apparatus having a goods lifting mechanism.

Thus, the present invention provides a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system wherein the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means are provided, in use, on a vehicle, such as for example on a vehicle moving the one or more items or goods in and/ or around a warehouse, location or goods storage facility or on the material handling apparatus (which has a lifting mechanism for lifting goods in use, such as for example a crane) moving the one or more items or goods at a warehouse, location, or goods storage facility. This allows automatic monitoring, tracking and/ or inventory checking of items or goods to take place from a start point when the items or goods arrive at the warehouse, location or goods storage facility and are being unloaded from a delivery vehicle; at the end point when the items or goods leave the warehouse, location or goods storage facility; and/or at any point in between said start and end points where the items or goods are being moved around said warehouse, location or goods storage facility.

Preferably the tracking and/ or monitoring of the one or more items or goods using the system of the present invention is undertaken automatically or substantially automatically and does not require direct or indirect driver/ operator and/ or third party intervention. For example, a driver or operator is not required to directly actuate any buttons in order for the system to track, activate, deactivate and/or monitor.

The vehicle or material handling apparatus on which the system of the present invention is provided and/ or associated with does not need to slow down one or more movement operations (i.e. goods or item movement operations) in order to pass through any static checkpoints, as is the case with prior art systems, because the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means are provided on the movable vehicle or material handling apparatus in use. This allows the movable vehicle or material handling apparatus to maintain their speed or movement (be it lifting movement and/ or movement across a surface in use) when operating in a goods storage facility and during operation, activation and/ or deactivation of the system, thereby making the system of the present invention very efficient. In addition, the driver/ operator of the vehicle or material handling apparatus is not required to actuate a separate mechanism or exit the vehicle or apparatus in order to actuate/ operate the system of the present invention.

The system of the present invention allows items or goods to be monitored at any point from goods pick up to goods dispatch.

In addition, by allowing the goods and inventory monitoring means to be provided on the movable vehicle or on material handling apparatus in use, one or more parameters and/ or characteristics of the goods or items can be monitored any or any combination of continuously, live, at any time, at one or more pre-determined times, different times or arbitrary time points and/or locations as required. For example, the one or more parameters and/ or conditions of the goods or items can include any or any combination of the condition of the one or more goods or items, the weight and/ or dimensions of the one or more goods or items being tracked and/or monitored, and/or the like. In addition, this data can be displayed to the operator of the vehicle or material handling apparatus and/ or captured for storage and/ or display to the operator and/ or a third party (i.e. to someone other than the operator of the vehicle or material handling apparatus, and preferably someone remote to the vehicle or material handling apparatus). The data can be used, for example, to provide feedback on operator efficiency , to reduce health and safety issues by reducing the potential for accidents, for vehicle or material handling apparatus efficiency and/ or the like. The present invention allows data capture, storage and/ or communication of the captured data. By recording and/ or storing weight and/ or dimension data, the user can ensure that their customer is charged the correct price based on the weight and/ or size of the items or goods and/ or pallet of items or goods.

The system of the present invention is preferably arranged to allow continuous, immediate and/ or real time or live feedback to a driver or operator of the movable vehicle, material handling apparatus and/or one or more other personnel as to whether one or more items or goods have been correcdy monitored and the associated data captured and/ or stored, thereby significantly increasing the accuracy and efficiency of the system.

The system of the present invention preferably allows one or more notifications to be issued to the driver or operator of the movable vehicle, material handling apparatus and/ or one or more other personnel if the goods and/ or monitoring of the item or goods has or has not been undertaken successfully. This allows immediate and/ or real time or live intervention to take place to allow re-monitoring, re-reading, re-capturing and/ or evidence of the goods or items to be retaken at the point in time if required.

Preferably the one or more notifications is or include an audio, visual and/or kinaesthetic notifications. For example, one or more lights, sounds, vibrations, visual messages, audio messages and/ or the like.

Preferably the term “monitoring” used herein also covers tracking, calculating, measuring, capturing, weighingand/ or monitoring per se. Preferably the one or more goods or items on which monitoring and/or tracking takes place are goods or items currently being lifted and/ or moved by the vehicle or material handling apparatus in use (i.e. the goods or items are on and/ or attached to the vehicle or apparatus), that are about to be lifted and/ or moved by the vehicle or material handling apparatus in use, or have just been lifted and/ or moved by the vehicle or material handling apparatus.

In one embodiment the vehicle on which the system is to be used or mounted onto is any vehicle that involved in the movement and/ or lifting of goods or items in a locality; is a vehicle that can move across a ground surface in use and also has a goods lifting mechanism (i.e. a mechanism for lifting goods in use); a crane; a vehicle with goods lifting apparatus; a fork lift truck; a boom truck; a vehicle with hydraulic goods lifting means; a vehicle with a goods lifting mechanism, or a powered vehicle or a manually powered vehicle.

In one embodiment the material handling apparatus with goods lifting mechanism is a crane, a lift, a pulley system, vertically movable platform apparatus, a movable platform with a height adjustment mechanism, material handling apparatus with a hydraulic goods lifting mechanism, apparatus with a manually powered goods lifting mechanism, or apparatus with a powered goods lifting mechanism.

In one embodiment the system, the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means, the vehicle mounting means and/ or the material handling apparatus mounting means are arranged to be provided on, or arranged to be attached or detachably attached to at least part of the goods lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus, the movable forks and/ or to a movable carriage of a fork lift truck, to a movable pulley of a pulley system, to a movable platform of a vertical movable or height adjustable platform apparatus, or to a movable boom of a boom truck.

Preferably the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means is arranged to allow the capture, storage, processing and/ or communication of data relating to the one or more items or goods in use, and/ or one or more parameters, condition and/ or characteristics of the one or more items or goods in use.

Preferably the system and/ or the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means are activated automatically or substantially automatically in use.

In one embodiment the system including sensing means or one or more sensors, and activation of the sensing means or one or more sensors automatically activates the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means and/ or automatically one or more processes of the system or goods and/ or inventory monitoring means. For example, the one or more processes can be a ID data reading process, an image capturing process, a weighing process, a dimensions measuring process, an illumination process and/ or the like.

The present invention therefore provides any or any combination of the following advantages:

- Increases the efficiency and accuracy of tracking and inventory management — in some embodiments an accuracy level of 97% is obtained;

- Provides rapid and optionally real time feedback to vehicle drivers, material handling apparatus operators and/ or personnel to inform them that accurate tracking and inventory monitoring has or hasn’t taken place;

- Saves time and cost;

- Is a cost efficient and easy to implement system;

- Reduces or eliminates theft or accidental item loss;

- Provides an accurate assessment of goods/item damage for insurance purposes;

- Improves the reputation of goods/ item suppliers and/ or distributors;

- Allows vehicle or material handling apparatus to maintain high speeds when moving around storage or warehouse facilities or when moving goods or items at or around a storage or warehouse facility; - Provides an accurate system for allowing customers to be charged the correct price for each pallet, goods or items based on size, weight and/ or condition. Removes the requirement of a driver or operator to exit the vehicle or apparatus in order for the system to operate;

- Provides an automated system which does not require driver or operator intervention;

- Can operate continuously if required, thereby monitoring goods or items at all stages of movement of goods around a storage facility or locality;

- Provides a system whereby part or all of the goods and/ or inventory monitoring system or means moves with a movable part or movable lifting part or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus to ensure greater accuracy in tracking and/ or monitoring;

- Provides an optical system for the calculation of size, weight and/ or condition of one or more goods and/ or items;

- Allows the system to be moved to different storage facilities or warehouses easily and efficiently as it is associated with the vehicles or material handling apparatus rather than the storage facility or warehouse itself.

In one embodiment the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means is any means or device(s) that allows the monitoring of goods and/ or items in use.

In one embodiment the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means includes any or any combination of identification data (ID) reading means or device for reading identification data (ID) provided on and/ or associated with the one or more items or goods in use; and/ or image capturing means or device for capturing one or more images, image data or one or more image data files of one or more items or goods in use.

In one embodiment the ID reading means or device includes any or any combination of bar code reading or image capture means or device , quick response (QR) code reading or image capture means or device, video live streaming means or device, visual or video imaging means, recorder or device, cameras and/ or the like.

For example, a pallet of goods is often identified via a bar code and a bar code reading device provided on and/ or associated with the vehicle or material handling apparatus or mounting means can be used to read the bar code in use.

In one embodiment the image capturing means includes one or more image capturing devices, cameras, video cameras and/ or the like.In one example, the image capturing means or device can be used for capturing image data, video data, at least one “snapshot” and/ or providing an image data file of the one or more items or goods in use. This could be used for example to measure, read and/ or assess one or more parameters, and/ or characteristics of the items or goods, such as whether there is any damage to the one or more items or goods, to assess the condition or appearance of the one or more items or goods, to measure the size, weight, height, length, depth, dimensions, width, volume, ID, for identification and/ or verification of the one or more items or goods and/ or the like.

In one example, the image capturing means or device can be used to capture and/ or record one or more images or visual data of the one or more items or goods for the purposes of measuring one or more of the dimensions, length, width, depth, height, volume and/ or number of the one or more items or goods.

Preferably the above parameters and/ or characteristics are measured, read and/ or assessed using a single image or a plurality of images captured via a single image capturing means for two or more or all the parameters and/ or characteristics. Alternatively, a number of image capturing means can be used to capture images to allow the measuring, reading and/or assessing of each or one or more of the parameters and/ or characteristics. For example, in one embodiment, image capturing means for capturing one or more images for the purposes of extracting dimension data from the same can be different to the image capturing means used for capturing one or more images for the purposes of assessing the condition of the goods and/ or for extracting ID data therefrom.

In one embodiment the image capturing means or device captures video data and one or more snap shots or video extracts (visual and/ or audio) are taken from the captured video data for the purposes of bar code reading, assessing parameters and/or condition of the one or more goods or items, measuring the dimensions and/ or weights and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the system includes first and at least second image capturing means or devices.

In one example the first image capturing means is for capturing one or more images for the purposes of reading ID data provided on and/ or associated with the one or more items or goods in use.

In one example the first or a further image capturing means is for capturing one or more images for the purpose of assessing the condition of the goods or items.

In one embodiment the second image capturing means is for measuring and/or calculating the dimensions, volume and/ or number of the one or more items or goods in use.

In one embodiment the first and/ or second image capturing means can include a single camera, video camera or image capturing device.

In one embodiment the image capturing means, first and/ or second image capturing means can include two or more cameras, video cameras or image capturing devices located a spaced distance apart from each other on the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, on the material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means to allow capturing of images of the one or more items or goods from different positions or view points on the vehicle, material handling apparatus and/ or to allow a wider area to be covered by the image capturing means. Preferably the image capturing means are arranged to capture one or more images, video or image data of the items or goods in use for the purposes of assessing, measuring and/ or reading any or any combination of one or more parameters, characteristics, appearance and/ or condition of the goods or items, a bar code, a code and/ or symbol, any damage to the one or more items or goods; the number of items or goods; the shape, arrangement of the one or more items or goods, the volume or surface area of the one or more items or goods and/ or dimensions of the one or more items or goods and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the image capturing means are arranged to take a single image of an item, a video stream or a plurality of images at any image capturing point in a monitoring, goods condition and/ or inventory process. For example, a plurality of images can be captured in rapid succession at an image capturing point in the system or a continuous live video stream can be captured at an image capturing point in the system. In one example, the best image or images of the plurality of images could be selected from the plurality of images for the purposes of the goods and inventory monitoring and/ or average data could be extracted from the plurality of images or video stream and could be used for the purposes of the goods and inventory monitoring. In one example, at least two images are used for capturing dimension data of the goods or items therefrom. In one example average image data is selected from 5-10 images for the purposes of measuring, reading and/or assessing one or more parameters and/ or characteristics of the goods or items. In one example, a plurality of images are processed using an algorithm which calculates dimension data therefrom.

In one embodiment the ID reading means and/ or image capturing means is reading ID, recording video and/ or capturing images continually or substantially continually, at least for the duration of when the vehicle and/ or material handling apparatus is being used, is operational, is moving and/ or the like. In one embodiment the ID reading means and/ or image capturing means is reading ID, recording video and/ or capturing images for a pre-determined period of time or at pre-determined time points when the vehicle and/ or material handling apparatus is being used, is operational, is moving and/ or the like.

Preferably the system, goods and/or inventory monitoring means, ID reading means, image capturing means and/ or sensing means are activated at least partly based on any or any combination of: a pre-determined distance, height and/or position of the vehicle material handling apparatus or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus within an area, facility or locality; within a pre-determined distance and/ or height from the goods or items to be monitored; on approach of the vehicle or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus from the one or more items or goods; on departure of the vehicle or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus from the one or more items or goods; when the one or more items or goods are being loaded onto the vehicle, or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; on movement of at least part of the vehicle, lifting means or lifting mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus from, between and/ or to one or more positions (such as for example a lowered position, a raised position, a lifting position etc); on detection of a pre-determined movement pattern or sequence of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; on detection of a pre-determined output from a gearbox provided in or associated with the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; on detection of a reverse gear followed by a forwards gear of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; or when the vehicle or material handling apparatus is in a particular gear or has gone through one or more pre-determined gear changes, after a predetermined period of time and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the goods and/or inventory monitoring or image capturing point or points in the goods monitoring and inventory process or system could take place once the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus, or the material handling apparatus has been placed in a reverse gear followed by a forwards gear; if reverse movement followed by forwards movement has been detected and/ or the like. For example, the output from a gearbox of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism, or material handling apparatus can be monitored. Alternatively, movement data from a gyroscope or global positioning system (GPS) system can be used to detect a pre-determined pattern of movement (i.e. such as reverse and forwards motion or vice versa).

By detecting a pre-determined gear movement or apparatus/vehicle movement pattern, the apparatus is typically able to determine what stage of the goods handling process it is in, such as for example, picking up a pallet of goods, dropping off a pallet of goods and/ or the like. This removes the risk of capturing and/ or processing unwanted or inaccurate data.

In one embodiment the image capturing means, two or more image capturing means and/ or the ID reading means are provided directly opposite each other, laterally of each other and/ or at the same height on the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means. For example, an image, image data or video can be taken from a left hand side of the apparatus and an image, image data or video can be taken from a right hand side of the apparatus. The image data provided in the left and right hand side captured images or video can then be processed using an algorithm to provide dimensional data for the goods or items.

In one embodiment two or more image capturing means and/ or the ID reading means are provided at different heights to each other on the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means and/ or offset from each other (i.e. not directly opposite to each other) on the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means. In one embodiment the image capturing means and/ or ID reading means are provided on or associated with a movable part of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus, lifting means or mechanism, or material handling apparatus mounting means. For example the vehicle or material apparatus mounting means, image capturing means and/ or ID reading means can be provided on and/ or associated with part of the lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus, such as for example the movable fork carriage or forks of a forklift truck, the movable boom or a boom truck, the movable platform of a height adjustable platform and/ or the like. This maximises the efficiency and accuracy of the system. The image capturing means and/ or ID reading means can move up and down with the movable parts or the lifting means or mechanism to provide improved accuracy of the system.

Preferably reference to a lifting means or lifting mechanism is apparatus that is able to be moved between two or more different and spaced apart heights or vertical positions in use.

In one embodiment one or more of the image capturing means and/ or ID reading means are provided on or associated with a fixed part of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means. For example, the one or more image capturing means which allow the volume, surface area and/ or dimensions of the one or more items or goods to be calculated can be provided on a fixed part of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means

In one embodiment illumination means are included in the system and/ or provided on and/ or associated with the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means, the vehicle or material handling means of the vehicle or material handling mounting means for providing sufficient and/ or a desired level of illumination for the same. For example, illumination means can be provided with the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means to ensure that the identification data reading means and/ or the image capturing means has sufficient illumination to take accurate readings and/ or to capture clear images, ID data or image data, of the one or more items or goods in use.

Preferably the illumination means are provided on and/or associated with the vehicle mounting means or the material handling apparatus mounting means.

In one embodiment the illumination means includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), lighting units, light arrays and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the illumination means are in an “on” condition or relatively high or bright powered condition, wherein light or a relatively brighter light is emitted from the illumination means. Preferably the light is emitted continuously or substantially continuously for at least the time the vehicle or material handling apparatus is operating for or for at least the time the image capturing means and/ or ID reading means are operating for.

In one embodiment the illumination means are on continuously or substantially continuously during use of the vehicle or material handling apparatus.

In one embodiment the illumination means are movable between an “on” condition or relatively high or bright powered condition, wherein light or a relatively brighter light is emitted from the illumination means, and an “off’ condition or relatively low powered or dim condition, wherein no light or a relatively dimmer light is emitted from the illumination means.

In one embodiment the user of the vehicle, system or material handling apparatus can manually move the illumination means between the on and off conditions in use.

In one embodiment the illumination means can be automatically moved between the on and off conditions when one or more pre-determined conditions or parameters are met or sensed by sensing means, such as for example using a photocell. These one or more pre-determined conditions or parameters can be met on detection or activation by one or more sensing means of the system, when the ambient illumination in the environment or locality falls below or is above a certain pre-determined threshold level and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the illumination means provides illumination between 3000 and 45,000 lux of white light, preferably between 25,000 and 45,000 lux of white light, and further preferably of about 40,000 lux of white light. In one example, the illumination means provide illumination between 3000 and 5000 lux of white light.

In one embodiment the system of the present invention can operate without illumination means being present.

Preferably the illumination means includes high intensity lighting.

In one embodiment the illumination means can emit light or relatively bright light continuously for a pre-determined period of time, in a pulsed manner, non- continuously, emit bursts of light or relatively bright light in a pre-determined sequence, in rapid succession and/ or the like.

In one embodiment adjustment means are provided on and/ or associated with the illumination means for allowing the strength, pulsing, bursts and/ or sequence of illumination provided by the illumination means to be adjusted in use. This allows the system to be adapted for different environments, different ambient environmental light conditions and/ or set ups.

In one embodiment the illumination means includes or consists of first and at least second light arrays.

In one embodiment the illumination means includes or consists of first, second and at least third light arrays.

Preferably the first, second and/ or at least third light arrays are provided a spaced distance apart from each other, and yet further preferably are provided a spaced distance apart from each other on the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means. In one example, the first and second light arrays are in the form of strip LEDs and/ or light arrays. Preferably the strip LEDs and/ or light arrays are arranged in a vertical, upright, substantially vertical or substantially upright arrangement on the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means.

Preferably the strip LED and/ or light arrays are arranged such that there are more lights and/ or LEDs provided in a vertical or upright direction than in a horizontal or cross wise direction in the array.

In one example, the at least third light array is arranged such that there are two or more rows of lights and/ or LEDs in a horizontal or crosswise direction and two or more columns of lights and/ or LEDs in a vertical or upright direction in the array. This can be referred to as a “brick array” in some examples.

Preferably the strip light arrays are arranged laterally on the vehicle or apparatus operator’s field of vision in use so as to not restrict the operators vision in use. For example, the strip light arrays can be provided on and/ or associated with a mast of a forklift truck, although it is preferable that they are provided on one or more members or upright members of the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means to ensure they move with the goods and inventory monitoring means and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the illumination means are attached to, provided with and/ or associated with the goods and inventory monitoring means, such that the illumination means and goods and inventory monitoring means are movable together in use, such as for example with the lifting mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus.

Preferably one or more of the light arrays, the illumination means, or the at least third light array is arranged centrally or substantially centrally of the lateral edges of the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means. In order to minimise the obstruction to an operator’s field of vision, preferably the one or more light arrays, the illumination means or the at least third light array is provided at a point on the vehicle or vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means where it is below the operator’s field of vision for as much time in the process as possible, such as on and/ or associated with the carriage of a forklift truck for example.

In one embodiment one or more lenses or lens means can be provided on and/ or associated with the illumination means or image capturing means to focus the light emitted from the same and/ or images captured by the same respectively in a required manner in use. For example, one or more lenses can be used to increase the intensity of the light emitted from the illumination in one or more directions in use. For example, one or more lenses could be used to focus the images or image data captured by the image capturing means in use.

Preferably the one or more lenses or lens means can be arranged to move to allow adjustment of the focusing of the light or images being captured in use.

In one embodiment weighing means or weight detection means are provided in the system or are provided on and/ or associated with the vehicle mounting means, vehicle, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means. This allows the weight of the one or more items or goods that are being transported or lifted by the vehicle mounting means, vehicle, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means to be detected and/ or measured in use. The weight data obtained via the weighing means or weight detection means can be used to assess whether a goods carrying pallet is attached to the apparatus, the correct number, weight and/ or type of the one or more items or goods are present on the vehicle mounting means, vehicle, material handling apparatus, material handling apparatus mounting means and/ or the like.

Preferably the weighing means or weight detection means includes any means, device or mechanism that allows the weight of one or more items or goods located on and/or associated with the vehicle mounting means, the vehicle, the material handling apparatus or the material handling apparatus mounting means to be detected, calculated and/ or captured.

In one example, the weighing means or weight detection means includes any or any combination of one or more weighing devices, one or more pressure switches or sensors, one or more differential pressure switches or sensors, hydraulic pressure measuring means or device, one or more hydraulic pressure sensing means or sensor, d and/ or the like.

In one example, the weighing means or weight detection means includes one or more load cells.

In one example, the weighing means or weight detection means uses a transducer to measure the differential in pressure during a loading, unloading and/ or transporting process to create an electrical signal, which can for example be measured by bar pressure.

In one embodiment the weighing means or weight detection means includes one or more pressure sensors or hydraulic pressure sensors. For example, a change in hydraulic pressure as a result of lifting a load, item or goods in use or picking up or dropping off a load, item or goods can be used to provide a corresponding predetermined weight value. For example, software or look up tables can be used by the system software to undertake a calibration calculation of weight based on known pressure values or change of pressure values corresponding to known weights.

Preferably the hydraulic pressure sensors measure a change in hydraulic pressure associated with the forks or carriage of a fork lift truck.

In one embodiment the weighing means or weight detection means detects a predetermined minimum weight, such as for example 25Kg or more, and preferably prior to undertaking a monitoring, weighing and/ or image capturing process. This helps to ensure that the pallet of goods and/ or items is firmly attached or in place on the apparatus prior to a measurement or action being undertaken. In one example, a plurality of weight readings or pressure sensor readings are taken using the weighing means or weight detection means and an average pressure value is calculated based on an average of these plurality of pressure readings. For example, 30 weight measurements could be taken in a particular weighing process and an average weight value can be calculated for that particular process (i.e. a process of lifting up a specific pallet of goods).

Preferably the pressure value or average pressure value can be compared to prestored tables or algorithms of known pressure values corresponding to known weights of pallets, items and/ or goods. The software of the system then calculates the weight of the items or goods based on the pressure sensor readings taken by the system. The weight of the items or goods can include a pallet or container (i.e. goods support apparatus) on or in which the items or goods are loaded or the weight of the items or goods can exclude a pallet or container on or in which the items or goods are loaded in use.

In one embodiment the system uses dimensional data calculated in relation to the present invention to assess the size of the goods, items, goods support apparatus and/ or pallet that the goods or items are loaded onto to assess the size of the goods support apparatus and/ or pallet (such as for example, small, medium and large pallet). Depending on the size of the pallet and/or goods support apparatus, an associated look up table or algorithm specifically for that particular pallet and/ or goods support apparatus size can be used to calculate the weight of the goods on the pallet and/or goods support apparatus. This improves the accuracy of the weighing system in use.

Preferably the weighing means or weight detection means are provided on and/ or associated with the hydraulics of the lifting system, means or mechanism(for lifting one or more items or goods in use) used in or with the movable vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus, material handling apparatus mounting means and/ or the like. Preferably the weighing means or weight detection means weighs the one or more items or goods after or at the time of one or more of the following: one or more images, image data files or image data has been captured by the image capturing means and/ or ID data has been read by the ID reading means; on or after detection of a pre-determined height or the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; on or after detection of a pre-determined gear sequence or gear movement sequence of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; and/ or on or after detection of a reverse gear followed by a forwards gear sequence of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus.

For example, once the one or more items or goods after one or more images, image data files or image data has been captured by the image capturing means and/ or ID data has been read by the ID reading means, the weighing means or weight detection means can be activated and/ or one or more dimensional data taken and/ or images or video can be captured or extracted.

In one embodiment sensing means are included in the system for sensing one or more parameters, conditions and/or characteristics associated with the goods monitoring and inventory system, the goods or items, the goods and inventory monitoring means, the vehicle, the vehicle mounting means, the material handling apparatus, the material handling apparatus mounting means, the illumination means; the position and/ or height of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism, vehicle mounting means, the material handling apparatus or the material handling apparatus mounting means, and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the sensing means can be activated and/ or deactivated manually by a user/ operator of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means. In one embodiment the sensing means can be activated and/ or deactivated automatically on detection of one or more pre-determined conditions, characteristics, positions, locations, heights, weights and/ or parameters.

In one embodiment the one or more pre-determined conditions, characteristics, positions, locations and/ or parameters include any or any combination of a distance the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means, lifting means or mechanism is from one or more goods or items and/ or a pre-determined location; the ambient lighting conditions; the height of at least part of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means, lifting means or mechanism from the one or more goods or items (such as for example the height of at least part of the lifting mechanism); the output of a gearbox, GPS and/ or gyroscope relating to the mounting means and/ or apparatus.

Preferably the sensing means includes one or more sensors. For example, the one or more sensors could be or include one or more distance sensors, height sensors, radar means, ultrasonic radar means, infra-red means, optical sensors, pressure sensors, hydraulic pressure sensors, and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the one or more sensors or distance sensors are arranged to sense a distance of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus, material handling apparatus mounting means, ID reading means, image capturing means and/ or the like from the one or more items or goods in use.

In one embodiment once the one or more sensors or sensing means sense one or more parameters and/ or characteristics associated with the one or more goods or items, are activated and/ or sense a value of one or more parameters and/ or conditions at a pre-determined level or within a pre-determined range, this can result in activation of any or any combination of: the ID reading means, the image capturing means, weighing means, control means, a dimension measuring operation relating to the one or more goods or items, display means, illumination means , the movement means, a data communication process, a notification alert, a data storage process and/ or one or more other functions of the vehicle or material handling apparatus.

Preferably deactivation of the sensing means or sensing a parameter outside of a predetermined level or range results in deactivation of any or any combination of the above features.

In one embodiment the ID reading means and/ or the image capturing means are arranged to be operational or in a “on” condition continuously or substantially continuously during movement and/ or operation of the vehicle or material handling apparatus. Once the sensing means sense the ID reading means and/ or image capturing means are a pre-determined distance from the goods or items, the ID reading means and/or image capturing means start capturing and/or recording image data and/ or reading ID data.

In one embodiment the one or more sensors are height sensors and sense the height of at least a movable part of the vehicle and/ or lifting means provided on and/ or associated with the material handling apparatus. For example, in one embodiment, once the forks of a fork lift truck are moved a pre-determined height above a ground surface or above a pre-determined base line, this activates one or more goods characteristic operations to take place. In one embodiment, once part of a crane’s lifting means is moved a pre-determined height above a ground surface of above a pre-determined base line, this activates one or more goods characteristic operations to take place.

In one example, a notification may be sent to a driver/ operator of the vehicle or material handling apparatus to instruct them to move a movable part of the vehicle and/ or lifting means to a pre-determined height in order for at least one further operation to take place, and further preferably to take place automatically. In one example, once a reverse gear movement followed by a forwards gear movement has been detected by the vehicle or material handling apparatus, the operator is instructed to move the lifting means to a required height in order for a weighing process and/ or goods dimension measuring process to be activated or automatically activated. However, it will be appreciated that the system could detect the forks being moved to the pre-determined height without notification being required to the driver/ operator .

In one example, the system uses an algorithm to calculate dimensions of the goods or items taken from one or more of the captured images or image data.

Preferably the pre-determined height can be between 100mm-300mm +/-5mm, and preferably 200mm +/-5mm.

Preferably the one or more goods characteristic operations includes any or any combination of weighing the one or more items or goods, measuring or calculating the dimensions of the one or more items or goods, calculating the volume of the one or more items or goods, calculating or weighing the number of the one or more items or goods, reading an ID provided on and/ or associated with the one or more goods or items, activating image capture means and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the height sensor is in the form of or includes a toggle switch

Preferably a distance sensed by the one or more sensors or distance sensors can be adjusted in use via adjustment means. Thus, depending on the conditions of the locality, the vehicle or apparatus being used and/ or the like, the distance at which data is sensed and/ or an action is activated relating to the goods or items can be changed or adjusted.

In one embodiment two or more sensors or distance sensors are provided to sense two or more different distances of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus, material handling apparatus mounting means, ID reading means, image capturing means and/ or the like from the one or more items or goods in use. In one embodiment a distance sensor is used to activate and/ or deactivate the image capturing means and one distance sensor is used to activate and/ or deactivate the ID reading means.

In one further embodiment, a further distance sensor is used to activate and/ or deactivate illumination means. However, this is not required if the illumination means are in an illuminated condition continuously or substantially continuously on operation of the vehicle or material handling apparatus in use.

In one embodiment at least one sensor or sensing means is provided to activate when it is at approximately 0.8m +/- 0.1m from the one or more goods or items.

In one embodiment at least one sensor or sensing means is provided to activate when it is at approximately 0.9m +/- 0.1m from the one or more goods or items.

In one embodiment at least one sensor or sensing means is provided to activate when it is at approximately 1.1m +/- 0.1m from the one or more goods or items.

In one embodiment three, or at least three, sensors or distance sensors are provided in the system. Further preferably the three sensors or distance sensors include a short, middle and long range sensor or distance sensor. For example, the short range distance sensor can detect when the vehicle or vehicle mounting means is between approx. 0.2m-0.4m +/- 0.1m from the one or more items or goods in use. For example, the middle range distance sensor can detect when the vehicle or vehicle mounting means is between approx. 0.7m-1.2m (and preferably 0.8m) +/ -0.1m from the one or more items or goods in use. For example, the long range distance sensor can detect when the vehicle or vehicle mounting means is between approx. 1.0m- 1.4m (and preferably l.lm)+/-0.1m from the one or more items or goods in use. However, the distance sensed by the sensors can preferably be adjusted as required, such as for example from between 0.1m-2m allowing fine tuning of the sensitivity of the system in use. In one embodiment only the middle and long distance sensors (i.e. two sensors) are provided.

In one embodiment of operation of the system, when the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means is moving to pick up one or more items or goods in use, the long distance sensor is activated first. In one example, once the long distance sensor is activated, this signals to the image capturing means to capture one or more images or image data of the one or more items or goods that are to be picked up or lifted as the vehicle approaches said items or goods, or at least part of the material handling apparatus approaches said items or goods. As the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, at least part of the material handling apparatus moves closer to the one or more items or goods, the middle distance sensor is activated. In one example, once the middle distance sensor is activated, this signals to the ID reading means and/ or illumination means to activate ID reading and/ or switching on or increasing the brightness of the illumination means. Optionally, as the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, at least part of the material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means moves even closer to the one or more items or goods, the short distance sensor is activated. In one example, once the short distance sensor is activated, this signals to the image capturing means, ID reading means and/ or illumination means to switch off, decrease the brightness of the illumination means, reset the same and/ or the like.

In one example, resetting of the system, sensors or distance sensors can take place via software provided in or associated with the system.

In one embodiment of operation of the system, when the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus, material handling apparatus mounting means is dropping off one or more items or goods it has been carrying or lifting in use, the short range sensor or mid range sensor is activated first. In one example, once the short distance or mid range sensor is activated, this signals to the ID reading means and/ or illumination means to switch on or increase the brightness of the illumination means. As the vehicle , vehicle mounting means, at least part of the material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means moves further away from the one or more items or goods it has dropped off, the middle distance sensor or long distance sensor is activated. In one example, once the middle or long distance sensor is activated, this signals to the ID reading means and/ or illumination means to activate reading of ID on the one or more items or goods by the ID reading means and/ or switching on or increasing the brightness of the illumination means. As the vehicle or vehicle mounting means moves even further away from the one or more items it has dropped off, the long distance sensor is activated. In one example, once the long distance sensor is activated, this signals to the image capturing means to capture one or more images of the one or more items or goods dropped off.

In one embodiment of operation of the system, software, one of the distance sensors or the short range distance sensor is used to reset the system if successful ID reading and/ or image capturing is not detected.

In one embodiment of operation of the system, one of the distance sensors or the short range distance sensor is used by the system to determine if the vehicle or material handling apparatus is picking up goods or items or dropping goods or items off depending on whether it is activated first or last in the sequence of sensor activations.

Thus, it can be seen that the sensors or distance sensors can be used to activate and/ or deactivate and/ or allow adjustment to the levels of operation one or more other components of the system, to allow one or more parameters relating to the system and/ or one or more items or goods to be measured or monitored and/ or the like. The exact activation, deactivation and/or parameters can be adjusted or changed according to the requirements of the end user of the system. In one embodiment a single distance sensor is provided and activates the tracking and/ or monitoring means a pre-determined distance from the one or more goods and/ or items.

Preferably the system includes control means or unit for controlling and/ or monitoring one or more components and/ or parameters of the system in use.

In one embodiment the one or more parameters that can be controlled, measured and/ or monitored via the control means or unit includes any or any combination of the distance at which the one or more sensors or distance sensors are activated and/ or deactivated; activation and/ or deactivation of the weighing means or weight detection means; processing of weight data; activation and/or deactivation of dimension and/ or size measuring means; processing of dimension and/ or size data; activation and/ or deactivation of the illumination means; control of the amount, sequence and/ or timing of light emitted via the illumination means; activation and/ or deactivation of the image capturing means; control of the number of images, measurement data, average data and/ or the like extracted from the images or video, selection of one or more images, timing of the images being captured via the image capturing means and/ or the like; activation and/ or deactivation of the ID reading means; control of the ID reading means; processing of data obtained via the ID reading means and/ or the like.

Preferably the control means is in the form of one or more control units. For example, one or more control units can be provided on the movable vehicle or material handling apparatus and/or one or more control units can be provided remote to the movable vehicle or material handling apparatus.

In one example, the control means can be operated by one or more vehicle drivers, operators of the vehicle or operators of the material handling apparatus in use.

In one example, the control means can be operated by personnel located remote to the movable vehicle or material handling apparatus. In one embodiment the control means includes micro-processing means for processing data in the goods monitoring and inventory system.

Preferably the micro-processing means can include one or more micro-processors, computers, servers and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the goods monitoring and inventory system includes software or one or more computer programs for extracting data, manipulation of data, data calculation, data signalling, activation or deactivation of sensing means, calculation and/ or measuring volume, size, dimensions, condition of the goods or items, driver or operator effectiveness and/ or efficiency; vehicle, apparatus and/ or system effectiveness and/ or efficiency and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the goods monitoring and inventory system includes communication means for allowing one or more signals, data signals and/ or the like to be transmitted from and/ or received by the system.

Preferably the communication means includes one or more transmitters, receivers, transceivers and/ or the like.

In one example, the communication means includes a wired or wireless means or antenna fitted to the vehicle or material handing apparatus in use.

In one embodiment the goods monitoring and inventory system includes movement means for moving one or more components of the system in use. For example, the movement means is arranged to allow movement of one or more cables, electrical cables, wires, sensors, data cables associated with the system components and/ or the like. This can be the same as or separate to the conventional lifting mechanism provided on or associated with the vehicle or material handling apparatus.

Preferably the movement means are provided on and/ or associated with the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means.

In one example the movement means includes one or more pulley means or devices. Preferably the movement means allows movement of the one or more components or cables or wires associated with the one or more components for the system with one or more movable parts of the vehicle, material handling apparatus or lifting means of the material handling apparatus.

For example, the movement means can allow movement of the one or more components or cables or wires associated with the one or more components of the system with movement of the forks of a fork lift truck in use.

In one embodiment the vehicle or material handing apparatus can be any vehicle or apparatus that is involved in the movement and/ or lifting of goods or items in a locality in use. The vehicle or apparatus can be fixed or movable across a surface in use. Preferably the vehicle or apparatus has lifting means associated with or provided on the same for raising and/ or lowering goods or items in a locality of in use. For example, the vehicle or apparatus could be in the form of or include a crane, goods lifting apparatus, fixed crane, stationary crane or mobile crane, fork lift truck, boom truck, a powered vehicle, a powered material handling apparatus, a manually powered vehicle, material handling apparatus or lifting equipment, stationary or fixed equipment with movable lifting means, goods container lifting device, pallet moving device movable vehicle and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the one or more items or goods can include a pallet, goods, goods or items loaded onto a pallet, goods or item container, ID and/ or the like.

Preferably the one or more items include unique identification data (ID) provided on the same to allow the items to be identified in use, such as for example a bar code, QR code, VR code, one or more numbers, letters, symbols, images, data matrix code and/ or the like.

In one example visual, audio and/ or kinaesthetic means are provided in the system to provide visual, audio and/or kinaesthetic signals relating to the system to an operator of the system or personnel. This allows the operator or personnel to be informed that an operation has been completed successfully or unsuccessfully by the system, that one or more parameters have been measured or not measured by the system and/ or the like.

For example, a display means or unit can be provided with one or more lights that are lit, or display visual means, an image, message or signal and/ or the like when a parameter has been successfully and/ or unsuccessfully measured.

In one example, data storage means are provided on and/ or associated with the system.

In one embodiment the goods and inventory monitoring means can be retrofitted to an existing movable vehicle via the vehicle mounting means or to existing material handling apparatus via the material handling apparatus mounting means.

In one embodiment the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means includes any means or device that allow the system of the present invention to be attached, detachably attached, integrally formed or mounted to a movable part(s) or lifting part(s) of a vehicle or material apparatus in use. For example, the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means can include any or any combination of one or more frames, one or more brackets, attachment devices, frame members, screws, nuts and bolts, ties, clips, recesses, apertures, protrusions, inter-engaging members, bands, adhesive, welding and/ or the like. This allows one or more components of the system to be fitted to a vehicle or material handling apparatus in use.

For example, the vehicle mounting means or material handling apparatus mounting means could be arranged to allow the ID reading means, the illumination means, the image capturing means, the sensing means and/ or the like to be attached to a moving part and/ or a stationary part of a vehicle or material handling apparatus in use.

For example, the vehicle mounting means or the material handling apparatus mounting means can be arranged to be mounted to a movable part of the vehicle or material handling apparatus used to lift the goods or items between raised and/ or lowered positions in use.

Preferably one or more conduits, and further preferably one or more flexible conduits, are provided in the system for allowing any cabling, wiring, electrical cabling and/or the like provided in and/or associated with the system to be protected in use.

In one embodiment the system includes power means for powering one or more components of the system in use and/ or power connection means for connecting one or more components of the system to a power source in use.

Preferably the power means and/ or power source includes any or any combination of a vehicle’s own power source, such as a motor or engine; a motor, engine, electrical power source, generator, battery, rechargeable battery, solar power means, wind turbine generating means and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the power connection means includes a connection unit or enclosure, an IP67 connection housing and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the image capturing means, sensing means and/ or the ID reading means includes one or more housings for supporting and/ or protecting the same in use.

Preferably engagement means are provided on and/ or associated with the housing, image capturing means, sensing means, the vehicle or material handling apparatus and/ or ID reading means for allowing engagement with or between the same in use.

For example, the engagement means can include any or any combination of one or more inter-engaging members, protrusions, apertures, slots, recesses, screws, clips, ties, hook and loop fastening (VELCRO), friction fit, adhesive, welding and/ or the like.

In one embodiment global positioning system (GPS) means are included in the system or on the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means to allow the position of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting to be calculated at one or more time points or live.

In further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided a vehicle or material handling apparatus including the goods monitoring and inventory system and/ or a method of using a vehicle or material handling apparatus including the goods monitoring and inventory system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system, said method including the steps of tracking and/ or monitoring one or more items or goods using goods and/ or inventory monitoring means, characterised in that the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means are provided on and/or are associated with a vehicle, vehicle mounting means for mounting to a vehicle, material handling apparatus having a goods lifting mechanism or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to material handling apparatus having a goods lifting mechanism.

Preferably the method includes the step of capturing one or more images, image data or image data file of the items or goods and/ or reading ID data provided on and/ or associated with the items or goods.

Preferably the method includes the step of weighing the one or more items or goods.

Preferably the method includes the step of extracting data from the one or more captured images or using the image data or image data file to calculate any or any combination of one or more dimensions of the items or goods, a condition of the items or goods, an appearance of the items or goods, volume and/ or surface area of the items or goods, or the number of items or goods.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a goods monitoring and inventory system, said system including identification data reading means for reading identification data provided on and/ or associated with one or more items or goods in use, and/ or image capturing means for capturing one or more images of one or more items or goods in use, characterised in that the identification data reading means and/ or image capturing means are provided on and/ or associated with vehicle mounting means for mounting to a movable vehicle in use or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to at least part of material handling apparatus in use.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using goods monitoring and inventory system, said method including the steps of reading identification data provided on and/ or associated with one or more items or goods using identification data reading means, and/ or capturing one or more images of one or more items or goods in use using image capturing means, characterised in that the identification data reading means and/ or image capturing means are provided on and/ or associated with vehicle mounting means for mounting to a movable vehicle in use or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to at least part of material handling apparatus in use.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a goods monitoring and inventory system, said system including illumination means for providing illumination sufficient to allow one or more items or goods to be visualised in use; characterised in that the illumination means are provided on and/or associated with vehicle mounting means for mounting to a movable vehicle in use or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to at least part of material handling apparatus in use.

Preferably the illumination means are provided on and/or associated with image capture means and/ or ID reading means.

Preferably the illumination means are moved from an “off” condition or relatively dimmer light condition to an “on” condition of relatively brighter light condition on sensing of one or more parameters relating to the system and/ or vice versa. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a goods monitoring and inventory system, said method including the steps of activating illumination means at one or more pre-determined points in a process in order to provide sufficient illumination at said one or more pre-determined points to allow one or more items or goods to be visualised in use.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a goods monitoring and inventory system, said system including sensing means for sensing one or more parameters relating to a vehicle or material handling apparatus on which the system is provided with or forms a part thereof and/ or for sensing one or more parameters relating to one or more items that are to be or are being transported by the vehicle or moved by the material handling apparatus in use, said sensing means arranged such that when one or more pre-determined conditions are sensed, this causes one or more other components of the system to be activated and/or deactivated.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a goods and monitoring and inventory system, said method including the steps of activating and/or deactivating sensing means when the vehicle or material handling apparatus on which the system is provided with or forms a part thereof reaches a pre-determined point, position or threshold value in use.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a goods monitoring and inventory system, said system including weighing means or weight detection means provided on and/ or associated with a vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means for weighing or detecting a weight of one or more items or goods that are being transported by the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus in use.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a goods monitoring and inventory system, said method including the steps of activating weighing means or weight detection means for weighing or detecting a weight of one or more items provided on and/ or associated with a vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means in use.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer implemented method for operating a goods monitoring and inventory system according to any embodiment set out herein.

In one embodiment the goods monitoring and inventory system is a goods condition monitoring and inventory system.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed, causes a computer to carry out a method of operating a goods monitoring and inventory system according to any embodiment set out herein.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a pulley system for a crane, vehicle or forklift truck to allow one or more electronic devices to be mounted to the crane, vehicle or forklift truck in use.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a pulley system for a crane, vehicle or forklift truck to allow one or more electronic devices to be mounted to the crane, vehicle or forklift truck.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system, said system including goods and/ or inventory monitoring means for tracking and/or monitoring one or more items or goods in use, the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means are provided on and/ or are associated with a vehicle, vehicle mounting means for mounting to a vehicle, material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to material handling apparatus; characterised in that the system includes sensing means for sensing one or more parameters, conditions and/ or characteristics associated with the goods monitoring and inventory system, the goods or items, the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means, the vehicle, the vehicle monitoring means, the material handling apparatus, the material handling apparatus mounting means and/ or the illumination means.

Preferably on sensing of one or more pre-determined threshold values, value ranges and/ or values by the sensing means, this allows activation and/ or deactivation of the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means or a goods and/ or inventory monitoring process to take place. For example, this could include activation and/ or deactivation of the illumination means, image capturing means, bar code reader, weighing means, weight detection means, dimension measuring operation and/ or the like.

Preferably the sensing means allows automation of activation and/ or deactivation of the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means or a goods and/ or inventory monitoring process to take place without operator intervention. However, the system could also allow operator intervention in addition or instead of automation.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle or material handling apparatus with lifting means or mechanism including a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system.

It will be appreciated that any aspect(s) or embodiment(s) of the present invention can be used in combination or independently with any other aspect(s) or embodiment(s) of the present invention described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Figure la (PRIOR ART) is an simplified view of a conventional movable vehicle in the form of a forklift truck; Figure lb is a simplified view of a movable vehicle in the form of a forklift truck including the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of vehicle mounting means including components of the goods monitoring and/or inventory system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a detailed view of image capturing means provided on part of the vehicle mounting means according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a detailed view of brackets forming part of the vehicle mounting means according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the image capturing means and lighting arrays according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a detailed view of a lighting array that can be used with the goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a simplified view of the movement mechanism forming part of the vehicle mounting means in one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a simplified view of sensing means forming part of the goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a simplified flow diagram showing a goods monitoring and inventory process using the system of the present invention in one embodiment.

Referring firstly to figure la, there is illustrated a movable powered vehicle in the form of a conventional fork lift truck 2. A fork lift truck is typically used within a goods storage facility for moving goods loaded onto pallets within the facility. The forks of the truck are slidable in and out of apertures provided in the pallet for lifting and transporting purposes. The fork lift truck 2 typically comprises an operator’s cabin 4 containing an operator’s seat 6, a steering wheel 8 and associated vehicle controls. The fork lift truck 2 has four wheels 10 to allow the truck to move across a ground surface in use. A mast 12 is provided at the front of the truck 2 on which a carriage 14 is movably mounted. A pair of outwardly protruding and spaced apart forks 16 are mounted on the carriage 14 for location in location holes on a goods pallet in use. A guard 18 is also mounted on carriage 14 to prevent any goods loaded on the forks 16 from moving towards the operator in use. A lifting mechanism 20 is provided on the mast 12 for allowing reciprocal linear movement of the carriage 14 along the mast 12 in use between raised and lowered positions. A tilting mechanism 22 is also associated with mast 12 to allow the same to be moved at angles with respect to the vertical in use. Lights 24 are provided on the truck 2 to help an operator of the truck to see in poor light conditions and to allow other people within the vicinity of the truck 2 to see the truck in use.

The movable carriage 14 typically includes two lateral spaced apart arm members or cheek plates with a joining arm member located therebetween. The lateral spaced apart arm members or cheek plates move within the mast structure 12 to allow movement of the movable carriage 14 in use.

In accordance with an embodiment the present invention, and as shown in figures lb-8, a goods monitoring and inventory system 100 is provided on the fork lift truck 2 to improve the tracking and monitoring of one or more items or goods for inventory purposes in use.

The goods monitoring and inventory system 100 includes identification data (ID) reading means in the form of a barcode reader 102 for reading one or more bar codes provided on a pallet and/ or goods loaded on a pallet in use; image capturing means in the form of a first camera or video recorder 104 for capturing one or more images or image data of the pallet and/ or goods in use; illumination means in the form of first and second light arrays 106, 108 which provide illumination for the barcode reader 102 and the first camera 104. A third light array for providing further illumination could be provided if required; sensing means in the form of a set of two or three distance sensors 112, 114, 116 for sensing a short range distance, a medium range distance and/ or a long range distance in use; further image capturing means in the form of second and third cameras or video recorders 118, 120 provided a spaced distance apart in a fixed position on the truck 2 towards a top of the mast 12. It will be appreciated that more or less distance sensors could be provided if required.

Height detection sensing means in the form of a lower level toggle arm switch 117 and/ or a higher level toggle arm switch 119 can be provided on the movable carriage 14 and/ or the fixed mast 12 respectively. When the forks 16 of the truck are sensed by either or both of the toggle switches 117, 119 this can be used to activate and/ or deactivate a dimensions and/ or weighing process of the system.

It is to be noted that the light arrays 106, 108 are in addition to the normal conventional lighting 24 provided on the truck 2 and are for the purposes of providing sufficient light for the bar code reader 102 and the cameras or video recorders 104, 118, 120. In this regard, light array 106 is associated with and provided adjacent bar code reader 102 and light array 108 is associated with and provided adjacent first camera or video camera 104. The light arrays can move simultaneously and together with the bar code reader and the first camera in use in one example. They are arranged such that the light arrays minimise obstruction of the vehicle driver’s view. The light arrays 106, 108 can be moved between “on” and “off’ conditions or can be moved between a relatively bright lighting condition and a relatively dim lighting condition depending on the requirements of the user and the ambient environmental lighting conditions in the locality of the system. In either lighting condition the LED light arrays can provide additional light for illuminating the routes taken in the storage facility by the truck 2 if required. It is to be noted that the illumination means are only optional and the system of the present invention can work without any additional illumination means being provided, illumination means that are only continuously or substantially continuously, or a different number or arrangement of light arrays.

The position of the components of the system 100 are located in the illustrated embodiment to maximise the viewing window for the operator of the truck and so as to not obscure the operator’s line of sight. However, the components of the system could be located in any suitable place on the vehicle depending on the make and type of vehicle or material handling apparatus.

Light arrays 106, 108, which in this example are in the form of strip LED light arrays, are vertically arranged and have a longitudinal length that is parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mast 12, whereas a third optional lighting array could be in the form of an LED brick light array. The use of the different types of light arrays is at least partly due to the restrictions created by the guard 18 of the truck. However, any suitable size and/ or shaped high intensity lighting arrangement can be used as required and the light arrays are not limited to strip or brick light arrays. In the illustrated example of the brick light array in figure 6, the array comprises 11 columns of LED lights and 9 rows of LED lights provided in a uniform spaced distance array. Such an arrangement in one example provides 40,000 lux of white light sufficient to allow clear and accurate image capturing and bar code reading for most warehouse settings. However, it will be appreciated that the arrangement or provision of the LED lights on the light arrays can be adjusted or removed to suit any type of vehicle, material handling apparatus and for any required lighting or environmental conditions.

The multiple positions of the cameras on the truck allow images of the goods and/ or pallet to be captured at different raised and lowered positions of the carriage and forks in use. The distance sensors 112-116 can be used to detect where the truck 2 is relative to a pallet in order to activate and/or deactivate the LED light arrays 106, 108 the bar code reader 102 and/or the cameras 104, 118, 120 at the required time and/or to start recording of data via the bar code reader and/or cameras. In some embodiments, only one, two, three or more distance sensors are required.

In one embodiment the bar code reader and/ or the cameras are reading bar codes and/or capturing images continuously or substantially continuously but recordal/ storage of the data only takes place following activation of a distance sensor. This means that only part of the captured data or images are stored to memory or recorded to reduce the amount of data that is being recorded. For example, data and/or images can be recorded one second before the goods are picked up and/ or dropped off by the fork lift truck.

In one embodiment, data can be compared at the start of a pick up process of goods and at the end of a drop off process of the goods to check that the same goods are being monitored during the pick up and drop off process. For example, a bar code reading on the goods at the start of the pick up process can be read and compared to a bar code reading taken of the goods at the end of the drop off process of goods to ensure that the measurements and/ or parameters being measured relate to the same goods. Thus, a hand shake or comparison process can take place with captured data at the start and end of a lifting process to ensure that the captured data relates to the same goods or items. This allows other bar codes, that may have been read by the bar code reader accidentally as a result of being in close proximity to the actual goods being transported, to be discounted. It also allows the right bar code data and image data to be associated together.

In one embodiment, the short range distance sensor can detect when the truck is between approx. 0.2m-0.4m +/- 0.1m from the pallet in use. This is only optional in some systems. The middle range distance sensor can detect when the truck is between approx. 0.7m-1.2m +/-0.1m, and preferably 0.8m +/-0.1m from the pallet in use. The long range distance sensor can detect when the truck is between approx. lm-1.4m +/- 0.1m, and preferably 1.1m +/- 0.1m from the pallet in use.

The goods monitoring and inventory system of the present invention includes vehicle mounting means in the form of a frame or sub-structure 122. The frame or sub-structure 122 is mounted, in one example, to the movable carriage 14 of the truck 2. Thus, the sub-structure can move with the movable carriage of the truck in use. Power and data cabling for the components (items 102, 104, 106, 108, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120) are provided on the sub-structure 122. The cabling is typically provided in flexible conduits 124 to protect the same. For example, the power and data cabling can be terminated within an IP67 enclosure attached to the substructure 122. The IP67 rating provides suitable weatherproofing for the system. The enclosure allows for “plug and play” type of connections to allow easy exchange and/ or fitting of components in the system when required.

The components of the system can be provided on mounting means, such as vehicle mounting means for mounting to a vehicle in use or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to material handling apparatus in use The mounting means can take any suitable form, such as a frame, sub-structure, one or more brackets and/ or the like. An example of the mounting of the components of the system to mounting means is provided below in respect of one specific embodiment of the present invention. However, it will be appreciated that the components can be mounted to the mounting means, vehicle or material handling apparatus in any suitable configuration.

Referring to figure 3, the cameras or video recorders 118, 120, the bar code reader 102 and/or the camera or video recorder 104 can be each mounted to the substructure 122 via device location units 126 provided on brackets 128. The brackets 128 are in turn mounted to the cheek plates of the movable carriage 14. Inter-engaging means provided on the cameras or video recorders 118, 120, bar code reader 102 and/or camera or recorder 104 and device location units 126 allows for secure engagement of the same together in use. In one example, the inter-engaging means includes location keys or protrusions 130 provided on the cameras and/or bar code reader that engage with complementary location apertures or slots 132 provided on the device location units 126. The brackets 128 allow the cameras and/ or bar code reader to be positioned in any required position in use. The device location units 126 provide impact protection for the cameras, video recorders and/ or bar code reader.

Movement means can be provided with the sub-structure 122 in the form of a pulley system 134. The pulley system allows the flexible conduits 124 to move with the movable carriage 14 in use.

Referring to figure 8, the distance sensors 112-116 are provided in a sensor location unit 136 that is mounted to the movable carriage 14. Inter-engaging means can be provided on the sensor location unit 136 and movable carriage or substructure 122 to allow engagement between the same in use. In one example, the inter-engaging means includes a location key or protrusion 138 provided on the location unit 136 that engages with a complementary location aperture 140 provided on sub-structure 122, which in turn is mounted on movable carriage 14.

A control unit including micro-processing means are mounted in the truck 2 for controlling the system 100 of the present invention. The micro-processing means can communicate with the components of the system via wired means/ cabling passing through the flexible conduits 124 or a wireless system could be provided if required.

The components of the system 100 can be powered via the electrical power supply means of the truck 2 and/or the engine of the truck 2. For example, a 12 Volt or 24V volt supply can be used to power the system of the present invention and can be taken from the electrical power supply of truck 2. In one embodiment of operation of the system, when the truck 2 is moving to pick up a pallet of goods in use (i.e. is in a “loading” or “pick up” condition), as the truck 2 approaches the pallet of goods, the long distance sensor 116 on truck 2 is activated first. This sends a signal to the control unit which in turn activates a switch for the first camera or recorder 104 to capture one or more “snap shot” images of the pallet or undergo video and/ or image extraction. In one example, five snap shot images are taken in rapid succession or 2-3 seconds of image data is extracted, and software in the system identifies the best image, or takes an average data reading of all the images, to use for assessing the status or condition of the pallet and goods on the pallet. This can be used to determine if there is any damaged goods on the pallet prior to the goods being loaded. It can also be used to identify if all the goods are present on the pallet that are expected to be on the pallet. The ideal distance for these “snap shot” images or image data extraction to be taken is between 0.9m- 1.3m but any distance can be set for these images as required. The long distance sensor 116 in this example detects the pallet at 1.1m distance.

The “snap shot” images or video data extraction are uploaded to the microprocessing means and can be stored in memory means or data storage means associated with the micro-processing means. Once the images or video data have been captured, the control unit can optionally switch the first camera or video recorderl04 off.

Once the truck is within 0.8m of the pallet in one example, the middle distance sensor 114 is activated. This optionally sends a signal to the control unit, which in turn sends a signal to the light arrays 106, 108 to increase the illumination of the light being emitted from the same from a relatively low intensity to a relatively high intensity if additional light is required. It can also activate a switch for activating bar code reader 102. The bar code reader 102 scans the bar code on the pallet to read the same. The bar code data is sent to the control unit and is stored in the memory means or data storage means. Once the bar code data has been successfully captured, the control unit switches the bar code reader 102 off and, optionally, a signal is sent to the light arrays 106, 108 to reduce the light intensity from the relatively high intensity to the relatively low intensity. In one example, the relatively high intensity output for all the light arrays used in the system is 40,000 Lux of white light but the amount of light used or required depends on the environmental lighting conditions in the locality of use of the system.

As a fail safe, and as an optional feature, as the vehicle or vehicle mounting means moves even closer to the pallet, typically within 0.3m of the pallet, the short distance sensor 112 can be activated. This resets the control unit in the event it has not already been reset by the above set out process. Thus, once the short distance sensor is activated, signals are sent to the image capturing means, ID reading means and/ or illumination means to switch off, decrease the brightness of the illumination means, reset the same and/ or the like.

In an alternative embodiment, software of the system resets the system and/or switches one or more components of the system to an on or off condition.

The above process is undertaken in reverse when the truck 2 is unloading the pallet. Thus, once the truck is about 0.3m from the pallet and is reversing from the same, the short range sensor 112 is optionally activated and sends a signal to the control unit to move the light arrays 106, 108 from a relatively low light intensity to a relatively high light intensity. It also switches the bar code reader on. When the truck is about 0.8m from the pallet the bar code reader 102 scans the bar code on the pallet and takes a reading. The bar code data is sent to the control unit for processing and storage. Once the control unit has successfully scanned the bar code, the control unit sends a signal to the bar code reader 102 to switch off.

Once the truck 2 has moved even further from the pallet, the long range distance sensor 116 is activated, which sends a signal to the control unit to activate the camera 104. The camera takes ten or five snap shot images in one example in rapid succession as previously. The images are transmitted to the control unit which uploads and processes them. The camera 104 is then moved to an “off” condition and the light arrays 106, 108 are optionally moved from the relatively high lighting condition to the relatively low lighting condition.

It will be appreciated that the distances activating and/ or deactivating the sensors can be varied, as can the number of distance sensors used. For example, more sensors could be provided to provide a more sensitive system or less sensors can be used. In addition, activation of one or more of the sensors can optionally take place via system software or manually.

In addition, the image and bar code data processed by the control unit can be associated together to provide the operator and/ or other personnel with tracking and inventory information about the pallet at both the loading and unloading points of the process.

In one example, the goods monitoring and/or inventory system of the present invention can be used to capture, store and/ or communication the shape, size and/ or dimensions of goods. Cameras or video recorders 118, 120 in one example, are mounted on bespoke brackets located either side of the fixed mast of the forklift truck. The two cameras are synchronised or substantially synchronised to allow an integrated image to be created for use by algorithm software of the system to establish the size, shape and/ or dimensions of the goods.

In one example, the cameras or video recorders 118, 120 are arranged to establish the height, depth and/or width of goods loaded onto a pallet of up to 2.5m high, 3.1m wide and 1.4m in depth in the image capture area of the system.

The cameras or video recorders are typically arranged to create an image capture area and when the goods are moved to a location within the image capture area, the dimensions, shape and/ or size of the goods can be calculated.

The cameras or image recorders are preferably provided at a fixed height with respect to a ground surface and/ or the forks of the forklift truck. The cameras are typically angled towards the ground surface and in front of the vehicle or forklift truck forks in use.

The cameras 118, 120 are activated at a required point in the sequence of operation of the system using one or more of the distance sensors to ensure the goods are in the required image capture area.

In one embodiment one or more height sensors or toggle switches 117, 119 are provided on or associated with the sub-structure 122. Once the height sensors detect that the sub-structure 122, and therefore the forks 16 of the truck 2, are at or above a pre-determined height, such as 200mm off the ground for example, the one or more height sensors activate the cameras 118, 120 to take one or more images of the goods or items. The software of the system then extracts data from these one or more images to allow one or more dimensions of the goods or items to be calculated. It will be appreciated that the one or more height sensors could be activated automatically on detection of a pre-determined height, but activation of the dimension measuring operation could be activated manually by an operator of the fork lift truck 2.

In one embodiment, a notification can be sent to the vehicle operator to inform them to move the forks or truck to a certain height in order for the dimension measurement and/ or weighing part of the process to take place. The driver moves the forks to the required height and, on detection of the required height by the system, the dimension and/ or weighting part of the process can take place.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a single distance sensor is provided on the forklift truck which is activated at approximately 0.9m from the goods/ items being collected (although this distance of activation can be any suitable distance of activation) by the fork lift truck. It is also to be noted that a single sensor can sense a single distance or multiple distances as required. On activation, the bar code reader is activated ( this can be the activation of the bar code reader from an off condition to an on condition or, if the bar code reader is on continuously, can be activation of a recording of the bar code reading data) and starts to scan for a bar code on the goods, item and/ or pallet. The image capturing device also captures one or more images and/ or image data (i.e. snap shots or video data) for use in establishing one or more parameters and/ or conditions of the goods or items collected or being collected. Once the control unit confirms that the bar code reading and image capturing has been performed successfully, the control unit then optionally waits for a signal from the output of a gearbox of the forklift truck to detect when it is moved into a reverse gear followed by a forwards gear. This corresponds to the forklift truck having undergone a rearwards and forwards motion corresponding to dropping off or picking up a pallet of the goods/items just scanned. Once the movement or gearbox patterns has been detected, the weighing means or weight detection means is then optionally activated and/or a notification can be sent to the driver to tell them to move the forks of the truck to a height that activates the toggle switch to allow the weighing process and/or goods dimension measuring process to take place.

It will be appreciated that the weighing and/ or dimension measuring step can be independent of the bar code reading and image capturing step or can be dependent of the same as required.

In one example, the image capturing step takes place before the bar code reading step (i.e. a few seconds before) but it can be done in the reverse order if required.

The weight detection means in one example includes pressure sensors which sense when a pre-determined weight of at least 25Kg is on the forks of the forklift truck. If this minimum weight is detected, image capturing means are then activated to capture one or more images or image data to allow the weight and/ or dimensions of the goods or items to be calculated.

In one example, once the system has detected the reverse and forward gear moves, an instruction is displayed to the operator to lower the forks to a correct driving height. Once the correct driving height has been achieved, this is confirmed by a height sensor on the forklift truck and the system then automatically requests dimension data to be captured and/ or pressure data for the weight measurement is recorded by the system or system software. A message can then be sent to the operator to confirm that all measurements have been captured/ taken.

When the operator is ready to place the pallet in a location from the forklift truck, the forks of the truck are lowered to a required height, further images may be taken to record the condition of the goods.

Images of bar codes before and after gear movements can be compared to see if bar codes match and whether the pallet is present or not on the forks of the truck.

Data can be sent in any suitable format from the vehicle to the clients portal. As the vehicle may be continuously moving, the data can be transferred by wireless communication, such as via WIFI if available.

The image capturing means can optionally be capturing video and/ or images at all times when the forklift truck is moving. This allows video and/ or images to be captured for health and safety reasons to allow, for example, an accident or collision to be recorded. Alternatively, the image capturing means can be capturing video and/ or images at one or more pre-determined points.

In one example, the dimensional data in only extracted from image data once the system detects an image where the goods being carried are in a relatively clear area, such as for example once the truck is within a 2 metre free space. This prevents unwanted items being measured as part of the dimensional data.

In one example, the dimensional data calculated from the image data is used to assess the size of the pallet the goods are loaded onto. Different weight calibrations could be used depending on the size of the pallet being lifted. For example, the pallet sizes could be separated into small, medium and large and different weight calibrations or algorithms could be used to adjust the weight measurement taken via the system depending on the size of the pallet. This allows variations in weight calculations to be taken into account that, in some cases, are found to be more sensitive for goods loaded onto smaller pallets than for goods loaded onto larger pallets.

Figure 9 is a flow diagram of a goods monitoring and inventory process using the system of the present invention according to one embodiment of the present invention. The process is described as follows:

1. A fork lift truck approaches a trailer carrying pallets of goods loaded onto the same, as per step 200.

2. Once the truck is within a pre-determined distance of the trailer, a distance sensor located on the fork lift truck is automatically activated, as per step 202. For example, the pre-determined distance can be 0.8-lm.

3. Automatic activation of the distance sensor, sends a signal to the system software to start recording ID data on the goods and/ or pallet, as per step 204. In one example, the ID data is one or more bar codes. The bar code reader is, in one example, on continuously but recording of the bar code data is only activated on activation of the distance sensor.

4. If a bar code is detected, the system then looks for a weight being placed on the forks of the fork lift truck using suitable weighing means, as per step 206. The weighing means, in one example, is a hydraulic pressure sensor associated with the fork lifting mechanism which detects a change of weight as a result of a pallet being loaded onto the forks.

5. If no bar code is detected or the bar code cannot be read clearly, the bar code reading is disregarded, as per step 208 and the process of looking for a barcode at step 204 or looking for a clear barcode starts again either repeats itself or the process is cancelled as per step 210.

6. If no weight is detected or the weight detected does not meet a predetermined minimum weight at step 206, such as for example 25kg, the system cancels the process as per step 212 and waits for further activation and/ or deactivation as this suggests no pallet has been collected by the fork lift truck and the fork lift truck has not undergone a pallet collection movement pattern.

7. If a pre-determined minimum weight is detected at step 206, and a reverse and forwards gear pattern is detected for the fork lift truck, this tells the system that a pallet has been picked up by the truck and is moving away from the trailer.

8. The system then sends a message to the driver of the fork lift truck to lower or move the forks of the truck to a pre-determined height or the system detects the lowering or movement of the forks to the pre-determined height automatically, as per step 216.

9. On detection of the forks being at the pre-determined height, the system is activated to capture accurate weight data of the pallet weight and/ or to capture dimensional data of the pallet and/ or goods on the pallet, as per step 218.

10. If no accurate weight data and/or dimensional data is captured by the system, the system does not record any weight and/ or dimensional data as per step 220. If accurate weight data and/ or dimensional data is captured by the system, this data is recorded.

11. The system then detects the truck is a pre-determined distance from a pallet having placed the pallet at a required location and moved away from the location by a pre-determined distance. This deactivates the distance sensor, as per step 222.

12. The system then requests images, snap shot images or bar code images relating to the pick up and drop off of the pallet and performs a “handshake” in that the system checks the data recorded by the system in the process relates to the same barcode data and/ or image data, and thus the same pallet data, as per step 224.

14. If the system detects the image and/ or barcode data is not the same (i.e. the “handshake” failed), all data is still included, as per step 226, but the data together with an indication of a “fail” is communicated and/ or uploaded onto the system or client’s system, as per step 228.

15. If the system detects the image and/ or barcode data is the same (i.e. the “handshake” was successful), the images and data are communicated and/ or uploaded onto the system or client’s system, as per step 230.

Claims

1. A goods monitoring and/or inventory system, said system including goods and/or inventory monitoring means for tracking and/or monitoring one or more items or goods in use, characterised in that the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means are provided on and/ or are associated with at least part of a vehicle, vehicle mounting means for mounting to at least part of a vehicle, material handling apparatus having a goods lifting mechanism or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to material handling apparatus having a goods lifting mechanism.

2. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is any vehicle that is involved with the movement and/or lifting of goods or items in a locality, a vehicle that can move across a ground surface and has a goods lifting mechanism, a crane; a vehicle with goods lifting apparatus, a fork lift truck, a boom truck, a vehicle with hydraulic goods lifting means, a vehicle with a goods lifting mechanism, a powered vehicle, or a manually powered vehicle..

3. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to claim 1, wherein the material handling apparatus with goods lifting mechanism is a crane, a lift, a pulley system, vertically movable platform apparatus, a movable platform with height adjustment, material handling apparatus with a hydraulic goods lifting mechanism, apparatus with a manually powered goods lifting mechanism, or apparatus with a powered goods lifting mechanism. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system, the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means, the vehicle mounting means and/ or the material apparatus mounting means are arranged to be provided on, or is arranged to be attached to or detachably attached to at least a

54 movable part of the goods lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus, to movable forks and/ or to a movable carriage of the fork lift truck, to a movable pulley of a pulley system, to a movable platform of vertically movable platform apparatus, or to a movable boom of a boom truck.

5. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means are arranged to capture, store, process and/ or communicate data, one or more parameters, one or more characteristics and/ or the condition relating to the one or more items or goods in use.

6. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system or goods and/ or inventory monitoring means is activated automatically or substantially automatically in use.

7. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system includes sensing means or one or more sensors, and activation of the sensing means or one or more sensors automatically activates the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means and/ or automatically activates one or more processes of the system or goods and/ or inventory monitoring means in use.

8. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the goods and/or inventory monitoring means includes any or any combination of identification data (ID) reading means for reading ID data provided on and/ or associated with the one or more items or goods in use; image capturing means for capturing one or more images, video, image data file or image data of one or more items or goods in use; bar code reading means; quick response (QR) code

55 reading means, video live streaming reading means and/ or recording visual imaging means.

9. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means includes at least one camera or video recorder for capturing the image data, video data, the at least one “snapshot” or for providing the image data file.

10. The goods monitoring and/or inventory system according to claims 8 or 9, wherein the system is arranged to use the captured image data, at least one “snapshot” or the image data file to assess, read and/ or measure one or more parameters, characteristics, appearance and/ or condition of the goods or items in use; a bar code, ID, a code and/ or symbol, any damage to the one or more items or goods, the number of items or goods, the volume or surface area of the items or goods, and/ or the dimensions of the one or more items or goods.

11. The goods monitoring and/or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means includes first image capturing means and at least second image capturing means.

12. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to claim 11, wherein the first image capturing means is for capturing identification data (ID) and/ or for reading a barcode relating to the goods or items, and the at least second image capturing means is for calculating the conditions, appearance, dimensions, volume and/ or the number of items or goods.

56

13. The goods monitoring and/or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system, goods and/ or inventory monitoring means, ID reading means, image capturing means and/ or sensing means are activated at least partly based on any or any combination of a pre-determined distance, height and/or position of the vehicle, material handling apparatus or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus within an area, facility or locality; within a pre-determined distance and/ or height of the one or more goods or items to be monitored; on approach of the vehicle or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus to the one or more items or goods; on departure of the vehicle or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus from the one or more goods or items; when the one or more items or goods are loaded onto the vehicle or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; on movement of at least part of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; on detection of a pre-determined movement pattern or sequence of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; on detection of a predetermined height of at least part of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; on detection of a pre-determined output from a gearbox provided in or associated with the vehicle, material handling apparatus, lifting means or mechanism; on detection of a reverse gear, followed by a forwards gear of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus.

14. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, including illumination means, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), lighting units, or light arrays.

15. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to claim 14, wherein the illumination means are automatically movable between on and off conditions

57 when one or more pre-determined conditions or parameters are met or sensed by one or more sensing means, and/ or when the ambient illumination in the locality of the system falls below or is above a pre-determined threshold level.

16. The goods monitoring and/or inventory system according to any preceding claim, including weighing means for weighing one or more items or goods in use.

17. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to claim 16, wherein the weighing means includes a weighing device, one or more pressure sensors, one or more hydraulic pressure sensors, a pressure switch, a differential pressure switch, a load cell and/ or hydraulic pressure measuring or sensing means.

18. The goods monitoring and/or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the weighing means is arranged to weigh the one or more items or goods on or after the one or more images have been captured by the image capturing means; after the ID data has been read by the ID reading means in use; on or after a pre-determined height of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus has been detected; on or after a pre-determined gear movement sequence of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus has been detected; and/ or on or after a reverse gear followed by a forwards gear sequence of the vehicle, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus has been detected.

19. The goods monitoring and/or inventory system according to any preceding claim, including sensing means or one or more sensors for sensing the one or more parameters, conditions and/ or characteristics associated with the goods monitoring and inventory system, the goods or items, the goods and inventory monitoring means, the vehicle, the vehicle mounting means, the material handling apparatus, the lifting means or mechanism, the illumination means and/ or the material handling apparatus mounting means.

20. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing means, or one or more sensors or system are activated and/or deactivated manually by a user/ operator of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, the material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means.

21. The goods monitoring and/or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing means, one or more sensors or system are activated and/ or deactivated automatically on detection of the one or more pre-determined conditions, characteristics and/ or parameters.

22. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more pre-determined conditions, characteristics and/or parameters include any or any combination of a distance the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus, the material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting means is from one or more goods or items or a pre-determined location; the ambient lighting conditions; the height of at least part of the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus, the material handling apparatus or material handling apparatus mounting from the one or more goods or items; pre-determined movement pattern of the vehicle, material handling apparatus or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus; or output of a gearbox provided in or associated with the vehicle, material handling apparatus or lifting means or mechanism of the vehicle or material handling apparatus.

23. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing means or one or more sensors include one or more distance sensors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more light or illumination sensors, one or more optical sensors and/ or one or more height sensors.

24. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, wherein once the sensing means or one or more sensors are activated and/ or have sensed a parameter at a pre-determined threshold , this can result in activation, or activation of recording, of any or any combination of: the ID reading means, the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means, the image capturing means, the weighing means, control means, a dimension measuring operation relating to the goods or items, display means, illumination means, movement means, a data communication process, a data storage process, a notification alert, a global positioning system and/ or one or more functions of the vehicle or material handling apparatus.

25. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to any preceding claim, further including control means for controlling, processing and/ or monitoring one or more components and/ or parameters of the system in use; software; communication means; movement means for moving one or more components of the system in use; a display unit; and/ or data storage means.

26. The goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to claim 25, wherein the movement means includes one or more pulleys, pulley means or devices or any means for allowing movement of one or more electrical cables, wires, sensors, data cables or cables provided on and/ or associated with the one or more system components in use.

27. A method of using a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system, said method including the steps of tracking and/ or monitoring one or more items or goods using goods and/ or inventory monitoring means, characterised in that the goods and/ or inventory monitoring means are provided on and/ or are associated with a vehicle, vehicle mounting means for mounting to a vehicle, material handling apparatus having a goods lifting mechanism or material handling apparatus mounting means for mounting to material handling apparatus having a goods lifting mechanism.

28. The method according to claim 27, including the step of capturing one or more images, image data or image data file for the items or goods and/ or reading ID data provided on and/ or associated with the items or goods.

29. The method according to claims 27 or 28, including weighing the one or more items or goods using weighing means provided on and/or associated with the vehicle, vehicle mounting means, material handling apparatus or material handling mounting means.

30. The method according to claim 28, including extracting data from the one or more captured images or using the image data or image data file to calculate any or any combination of: one or more dimensions of the items or goods, a condition of the items or goods, an appearance of the items or goods, volume and/ or surface area of the items or goods, or the number of items or goods.

31. A vehicle or material handling apparatus with lifting means or mechanism including a goods monitoring and/ or inventory system according to claim 1.

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