Franking system and method
First Claim
1. A billing system for determining transportation charges-for packages movable along a conveyor, said billing system comprising:
- a reader to read a package identifier associated with said package, said reader generating a package identification signal and transmitting the signal to a microprocessor;
a package sizer having a plurality of spaced non-contact optical sensors being positioned on at last an y and a z, axis for measuring a height and a width of a package, and a means for measuring a length of said package, each optical sensor being located at a known position and oriented relative to said conveyor so that packages passing past said sizer are detected by said optical sensors, said sizer determining a size of said package; and
a microprocessor to receive and correlate said package identification signal and said package size for billing purposes, said microprocessor including pre-input data on billing charges, whereby said measured package size can be compared to said pre-input data to determine a transportation charge for said package.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A billing system for determining package transportation charges. The billing system includes a reader to read a package identifier associated with said package and the reader generates a package identifier signal and transmits the same to a microprocessor. The billing system also includes a package sizer having a plurality of non-contact optical sensors located along each of an x, y and z axis, where each optical sensor is in a known position. The sensors are oriented relative to the conveyor so that packages passing over the sensors are detected by the sensors and produce a signal correlated to said package size. Also provided is a microprocessor to receive and correlate said package size and identifier signals, and to determine an appropriate shipping charge based upon the same. A weigh scale may also be incorporated into the system. A method of determining a transportation charge is also comprehended, which includes a selfdiagnostic initialization procedure.
34 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A billing system for determining transportation charges-for packages movable along a conveyor, said billing system comprising:
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a reader to read a package identifier associated with said package, said reader generating a package identification signal and transmitting the signal to a microprocessor;
a package sizer having a plurality of spaced non-contact optical sensors being positioned on at last an y and a z, axis for measuring a height and a width of a package, and a means for measuring a length of said package, each optical sensor being located at a known position and oriented relative to said conveyor so that packages passing past said sizer are detected by said optical sensors, said sizer determining a size of said package; and
a microprocessor to receive and correlate said package identification signal and said package size for billing purposes, said microprocessor including pre-input data on billing charges, whereby said measured package size can be compared to said pre-input data to determine a transportation charge for said package. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26)
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20. A method of determining transportation charges for packages by using a billing system having non-contact optical sensors, said method comprising the steps of:
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identifying a package by means of a reader;
passing the package past sensors located in a y and z axis and measuring a length of said package on an x axis;
determining a volume of said package from said sensor readings and said length of said package;
measuring a weight of the package;
correlating the package identifier with said measured weight and volume of said package in a database;
displaying the measured weight and volume; and
determining a charge for said package based upon said measured weight and volume upon acceptance of the displayed package parameters. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification