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Franking system and method

  • US 7,403,900 B2
  • Filed: 05/30/2003
  • Issued: 07/22/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A billing system for determining transportation charges for a package movable along a conveyor, said billing system comprising:

  • a microprocessor;

    a reader to read a package identifier associated with said package, said reader generating a package identification signal and transmitting the signal to the microprocessor; and

    a package sizer to measure a size of said package, the package sizer having a plurality of spaced non-contact optical sensors being positioned on at least 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, said width being determined by the package blocking one or more of said sensors positioned along said z axis to create a reduction in the amount of ambient light reaching said one or more sensors and by at least one of said sensors positioned alone said z axis sensing said reduction, said means for measuring a length of said package comprising an apparatus to measure a speed of the package and a length of time the package takes to pass by the optical sensors;

    the microprocessor being configured to receive and correlate said package identification signal and said package size for billing purposes, said microprocessor including a data table for billing charges based on package sizes, the microprocessor further being configured to calculate a length of said package based on said speed and time measurements, whereby said measured package size can be compared to said data table to determine a transportation charge for said measured package.

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