Method and apparatus for measuring dimensions of objects on a conveyor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for determining a size of an object on a conveyor, the object having a substantially rectangular shape, the apparatus comprising:
- first side determining means for determining a first locus of values corresponding to locations of a first side of the object as the object travels along the conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the first side determining means;
second side determining means for determining a second locus of values corresponding to locations of a second side of the object as the object travels along the conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the second side determining means;
third side determining means for determining a third locus of values corresponding to a height of the object;
a first capture buffer for receiving the first locus of values;
a second capture buffer for receiving the second locus of values;
a third capture buffer for receiving the third locus of values;
a processor configured to receive the first locus of values and to determine a first side of the object as having a first linear characteristics, the processor configured to receive the second locus of values and to determine a second side of the object as having a second linear characteristic, and the processor configured to receive the third locus of values and to determine the height of the object,wherein the processor outputs data corresponding to a size of the object based on the determined first side, the determined second side, and the determined height of the object.
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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.
152 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining a size of an object on a conveyor, the object having a substantially rectangular shape, the apparatus comprising:
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first side determining means for determining a first locus of values corresponding to locations of a first side of the object as the object travels along the conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the first side determining means; second side determining means for determining a second locus of values corresponding to locations of a second side of the object as the object travels along the conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the second side determining means; third side determining means for determining a third locus of values corresponding to a height of the object; a first capture buffer for receiving the first locus of values; a second capture buffer for receiving the second locus of values; a third capture buffer for receiving the third locus of values; a processor configured to receive the first locus of values and to determine a first side of the object as having a first linear characteristics, the processor configured to receive the second locus of values and to determine a second side of the object as having a second linear characteristic, and the processor configured to receive the third locus of values and to determine the height of the object, wherein the processor outputs data corresponding to a size of the object based on the determined first side, the determined second side, and the determined height of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 16)
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6. An apparatus for determining a size of an object on a conveyor, the object having a substantially rectangular shape, the apparatus comprising:
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a first side determining unit that determines a first locus of values corresponding to locations of a first side of the object as the object travels along the conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the first side determining unit; a second side determining unit that determines a second locus of values corresponding to locations of a second side of the object as the object travels along the conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the second side determining unit; a third side determining unit that determines a third locus of values corresponding to a height of the object; a first capture buffer for receiving the first locus of values; a second capture buffer for receiving the second locus of values; a third capture buffer for receiving the third locus of values; a processor configured to receive the first locus of values and to determine a first side of the object as having a first linear characteristic, the processor configured to receive the second locus of values and to determine a second side of the object as having a second linear characteristic, and the processor configured to receive the third locus of values and to determine the height of the object, wherein the processor outputs data corresponding to a size of the object based on the determined first side, the determined second side, and the determined height of the object. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 17)
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11. A method of determining a size of an object on a conveyor, the object having a substantially rectangular shape, the method comprising:
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determining a first locus of values corresponding to locations of a first side of the object as the object travels along the conveyor; determining a second locus of values corresponding to locations of a second side of the object as the object travels along the conveyor; determining a third locus of values corresponding to a height of the object; receiving and storing the first locus of values in a first capture buffer; receiving and storing the second locus of values in a second capture buffer; receiving and storing the third locus of values in a third capture buffer; receiving the first locus of values and determining a first side of the object as having a first linear characteristic; receiving the second locus of values and determining a second side of the object as having a second linear characteristic; receiving the third locus of values and determining the height of the object; and outputting data corresponding to a size of the object based on the determined first side, the determined second side, and the determined height of the object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 18)
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Specification