Dimensioning system and method of dimensioning

• US 20040151068A1
• Filed: 02/05/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quantronix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Quantronix Incorporated
• Inventors: Carlsruh, Eve A., Bailey, Craig R., Kennington, Robert L., Smith, Brian H., Midboe, Marie L., Taylor, Brandon M., Skeen, Clark P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,850,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/99
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/026 by measuring distance between sensor and object G01B11/0608 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 17/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00685 Measuring the dimensions of mailpieces
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00701 Measuring the weight of mailpieces

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing a cuboidal object. Four distance sensors are employed, one downwardly facing the top of the object, one facing one side thereof and two respectively facing mutually parallel sides of the object perpendicular to the one side. Distances are measured between the sensors and the top and sides of the object, and subtracted from known distances to determine the length, width, height and spatial volume of the object. The object may be weighed as it is being dimensioned. Spatial volume and a “dim weight” for the object may be calculated.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining dimensions of a cuboidal object, comprising:

a platform having a surface;

a first, downwardly facing distance sensor disposed above the surface of the platform;

a second distance sensor at one side of the platform and facing laterally thereacross; and

third and fourth distance sensors substantially facing each other and facing substantially longitudinally along an opposing side of the platform from the second distance sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a longitudinally extending, vertical alignment surface located along the opposing side of the platform.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vertical alignment surface is carried by the platform.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth distance sensors are oriented parallel or at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the platform.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth distance sensors are carried by the platform.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first distance sensor is carried by an arm extending over the platform.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second distance sensor is carried by a substantially vertically extending portion of the arm disposed at the one side of the platform.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third and fourth distance sensors are selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic sensors and laser range finder sensors.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform is supported on a support assembly by at least one device for measuring weight.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one device for measuring weight comprises at least one load cell.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one load cell comprises two longitudinally spaced load cells.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a processor for calculating a spatial volume of the cuboidal object and a dim weight thereof.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform surface carries a plurality of substantially equal diameter, rotatably mounted elements protruding therefrom.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a processor for calculating a spatial volume of the cuboidal object.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bar code reader.

16. A method for determining dimensions of a cuboidal object, comprising:

placing a cuboidal object on a surface of a platform;

aligning mutually perpendicular sides of the cuboidal object to be respectively substantially perpendicular to a downwardly facing first distance sensor, a second distance sensor facing across the platform from one side thereof, and third and fourth distance sensors facing opposing, mutually parallel sides of the cuboidal object perpendicular to the one side thereof;

determining a height of the cuboidal object by determining a first distance between the first distance sensor and the top of the cuboidal object and subtracting the determined first distance from a known distance between the first distance sensor and the platform surface;

determining a width of the cuboidal object by determining a second distance between the second distance sensor and a side of the cuboidal object and subtracting the determined second distance from a known distance between the second distance sensor and an alignment surface opposing the second distance sensor; and

determining a length of the cuboidal object by respectively determining third and fourth distances between the third and fourth distance sensors and the opposing, mutually parallel sides of the cuboidal object and subtracted the third and fourth determined distances from a known distance between the third and fourth sensors.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the length, width and height of the cuboidal object is effected using an ultrasonic distance sensor or a laser range finder distance sensor to measure the first, second, third and fourth distances.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining a weight of the cuboidal object substantially concurrently with determining the length, width and height thereof.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising calculating a spatial volume of the cuboidal object from the determined length, width and height and a dim weight for the cuboidal object from the calculated spatial volume, determined weight and a preselected dim weight factor.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising calculating a spatial volume of the cuboidal object from the determined length, width and height.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the aligning comprises aligning a side of the cuboidal object parallel with the one side thereof with an alignment surface.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein placing the cuboidal object on the platform comprises moving the cuboidal object onto the platform from a surface of a conveyor assembly of substantially the same height as a surface of the platform.