Method and apparatus for measuring dimensions of objects on a conveyor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for determining a location of an object relative to a side of a conveyor on which said object is travelling, comprising:
- a light source configured to output a light beam along a path from said side of said conveyor towards said object;
a CCD camera located above said conveyor and configured to receive light from said light beam reflected off said object, said CCD camera including a plurality of light detecting elements for performing an electronic scan to determine a location at which said light beam impinges a first side of said object; and
a processor configured to receive outputs from said plurality of light detecting elements and to determine said location of said first side of said object relative to said side of said conveyor,wherein said CCD camera is fixed in position and orientation with respect to said conveyor during said electronic scan of said CCD camera.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring the length, width, and height of rectangular solid objects moving on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a light curtain, two laser triangulation range finders, and a pulse tachometer mounted on a frame around a conveyor. As an object is conveyed through the frame, measurements from each of the sensors are correlated by a digital computer to estimate the length, width and height of the object. The method and apparatus does not require a break in the surface of the conveyor, and is insensitive to object placement and orientation on the conveyor.
155 Citations
11 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for determining a location of an object relative to a side of a conveyor on which said object is travelling, comprising:
-
a light source configured to output a light beam along a path from said side of said conveyor towards said object; a CCD camera located above said conveyor and configured to receive light from said light beam reflected off said object, said CCD camera including a plurality of light detecting elements for performing an electronic scan to determine a location at which said light beam impinges a first side of said object; and a processor configured to receive outputs from said plurality of light detecting elements and to determine said location of said first side of said object relative to said side of said conveyor, wherein said CCD camera is fixed in position and orientation with respect to said conveyor during said electronic scan of said CCD camera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An apparatus for determining a size of an object on a conveyor, comprising:
-
a light source configured to output a light beam towards said object; a CCD camera located above said conveyor and configured to receive light from said light beam reflected off said object, said CCD camera including a plurality of light detecting elements for performing an electronic scan to determine a location at which said light beam impinges said object; a measuring circuit configured to determine one of a current speed of said conveyor and a distance traveled by said conveyor, said measuring circuit configured to output a measuring signal indicative thereof; a height measuring circuit configured to determine a height of said object and to output a height signal indicative thereof; and a processor configured to receive said measuring signal, said height signal, and outputs from said plurality of light detecting elements for at least a time period corresponding to a first time when said light beam is initially incident on said object up to a second time when said light beam is finally incident on said object, said processor configured to determine an array of locations of said object and to determine a length of a first side of said object based on said array of locations and said measuring signal, wherein said CCD camera is fixed in position and orientation with respect to said conveyor during said electronic scan of said CCD camera, and wherein said processor is configured to determine said size of said object based on said length of said first side of said object and a height of said object as determined from said height signal. - View Dependent Claims (11)
-
Specification