Dimensioning system

• US 5,969,823 A
• Filed: 12/14/1998
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Datalogic Automation Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Martin, David L., Romaine, John E., Wurz, Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ratliff, Reginald A.
• Application Number:
  US09/211,228
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 356/386, 356/379, 356/373, 356/376, 356/375, 356/380
• US Class Current: 356/639
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/0608 Height gauges

Abstract

The present invention provides a dimensioning system for determining the minimum size box necessary to enclose an object traveling on a moving conveyor. The dimensioning system is comprised of a light source which generates a scan beam that is moved by a mirrored wheel. A line scan camera whose field of view tracks the moving scan beam receives images of the scan beam and outputs a signal which is processed to compute a three dimensional box structure of the scanned object.

Claims

1. A method for determining the dimensions of one or more objects on a conveyor, comprising the steps of:

a) directing light beams onto the conveyor at identified locations;

b) detecting interference with the light beams striking the conveyor;

c) collecting time and location data associated with the detected interference for the duration thereof;

d) examining the collected data and generating an interference outline;

e) determining if the interference outline represents one or more objects; and

f) outputting a signal based on the determination of step e.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating multiple interference outlines.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of determining if the multiple interference outlines represent multiple objects.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of directing the light beams in parallel.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of providing a parabolic reflecting surface for directing the light beams in parallel.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the provided parabolic reflecting surface is multi-faceted.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein a charged coupled device is provided for the data collecting.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the charged coupled device detects interfere with the light beams.