Cubing apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. Dimensional weighing apparatus for use with object weighing apparatus and object pricing apparatus, the dimensional weighing apparatus including:
- sensing apparatus for determining size data for an object to be weighed; and
control apparatus which receives size data from the sensing apparatus and which includes an interface for communicating with the weighing apparatus and an interface for communicating with the pricing apparatus;
the control apparatus in use being connected between the weighing and pricing apparatus, and outputting weight information to the pricing apparatus dependent on weight data from the weighing apparatus and size data from the sensing apparatus.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides dimensional weighing apparatus (5) that may e.g. be placed transparently between the weighing scales (3) and POS terminal (4) of e.g. a postal outlet so as to provide dimensional weighing of a parcel (2). The apparatus (5) senses the parcel height with a sensor (10), and senses the parcel cross-section with a sensor (11) that obtains data points as the parcel (2) rotates on a turntable (12). A control unit (6) determines the parcel volume from the height and cross-section data, and determines a dimensional weight based on the volume and on a minimum chargeable weight per unit volume. It compares the dimensional weight with the actual weight from the scales (3), and outputs the larger value to the POS terminal (4). Various sensor arrangements and profile analyses are described.
79 Citations
46 Claims
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1. Dimensional weighing apparatus for use with object weighing apparatus and object pricing apparatus, the dimensional weighing apparatus including:
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sensing apparatus for determining size data for an object to be weighed; and
control apparatus which receives size data from the sensing apparatus and which includes an interface for communicating with the weighing apparatus and an interface for communicating with the pricing apparatus;
the control apparatus in use being connected between the weighing and pricing apparatus, and outputting weight information to the pricing apparatus dependent on weight data from the weighing apparatus and size data from the sensing apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28)
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3. (canceled)
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5. (canceled)
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8. (canceled)
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10. (canceled)
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13. (canceled)
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15-17. -17. (canceled)
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24-27. -27. (canceled)
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29. (canceled)
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30. Computer software for determining a dimensional weight of an object, the software including a component for receiving actual weight data of an object, a component for receiving size data for the object, a component for determining a dimensional weight for the object based on the size data, and a component for outputting weight data for the object based on the actual weight data and the dimensional weight.
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31-32. -32. (canceled)
- 33. A method of determining the dimensional weight of an object, the method including the steps of using one or more sensors to obtain size data of an object, using the size data to determine a dimensional weight of the object, intercepting actual weight data of the object from a set of scales, and outputting weight data to a pricing apparatus based on the actual and dimensional weights.
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35-37. -37. (canceled)
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38. Dimensional weighing apparatus including sensor means for obtaining a profile of distances between a reference point and the surface of an object in a cross-sectional plane of the object in a number of angular directions, and means for analysing the profile in order to determine dimensions of the object in that cross-sectional plane.
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39-40. -40. (canceled)
- 41. Dimensional weighing apparatus including weighing apparatus for weighing an object, sensor apparatus for providing information on the size of the object, and a controller for determining a dimensional weight of the object based on the size information and for determining the actual weight of the object from an output of the weighing apparatus.
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46-52. -52. (canceled)
Specification