Apparatus and method for measuring volumes

• US 7,570,371 B1
• Filed: 05/12/2008
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elizabeth A. Whisman
• Original Assignee: Thomas W. Storm
• Inventors: Storm, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PUNNOOSE, ROY M
• Application Number:
  US12/151,982
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 356/627, 250/559.21
• US Class Current: 356/627
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 15/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electromagnetic waves or particle radiation, e.g. by the use of microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays or electrons characterised by the use of optical techniques G01B9/00, G01B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for measuring volumes. The apparatus includes a base having a central processing unit, a receiver and 3-D radar; and a scanner having a transmitter, a penetrating sensor, and a trigger in communication with a microprocessor, and a plurality of radio frequency identification tags. An alternate embodiment scanner may include an exclusion control, which instructs the central processing unit to exclude floor, ceiling, and/or walls from the volume calculation. The method of measuring volumes includes the steps of the central processing unit determining a position of the scanner relative to the base, scanning an object with the penetrating sensor, transmitting the points scanned to the central processing unit, and calculating the volume of the object(s) scanned by summing a base vector with a scanner vector to determine a target position vector for each point scanned.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring volumes comprising:

a base comprising a CPU in communication with a 3-D radar and a receiver;

a scanner comprising a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification targets; and

a microprocessor in communication with a trigger, a penetrating sensor, and a transmitter;

said transmitter communicating with said receiver;

said CPU determining a position of said scanner relative to said base and a direction in which said scanner is pointing based on radar returns from said scanner, said penetrating sensor informing said microprocessor points of entry and egress from an object being scanned;

whereby actuation of said trigger instructs said scanner to commence scanning an object at which said scanner is aimed and releasing said trigger instructs said scanner to cease said scanning.

2. The apparatus for measuring volumes of claim 1 wherein said scanner further comprises an exclusion control, whereby actuation of said exclusion control instructs said CPU to not include surfaces scanned when said exclusion control is actuated, and de-actuation of said exclusion control resumes normal scanning.

3. The apparatus for measuring volumes of claim 1 wherein said scanner further comprises a void control, whereby actuation of said void control instructs said CPU to not include any void scanned in its volume calculation of said object being scanned.

4. The apparatus for measuring volumes of claim 3 wherein said base further comprises a receiver antenna in communication with said receiver, and wherein said scanner further comprises a transmitter antenna in communication with said transmitter.

5. A method for measuring volumes comprising the steps of:

A. Providing a base comprising a CPU in communication with a receiver and a 3-D radar;

B. Providing a scanner comprising a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification targets, and a microprocessor electrically connected to a penetrating sensor, a trigger, and a transmitter;

C. Pointing said scanner at an object whose volume is to be scanned;

D. Actuating said trigger;

E. Said CPU determining the location of said scanner relative to said base, and a direction said scanner is pointing, from 3-D radar returns from said Radio Frequency Identification targets;

F. Scanning said object whose volume is to be determined with a penetrating sensor beam emitted by said penetrating sensor;

G. Said scanner sensing each entry and exit point of the penetrating sensor beam into and out of said object;

H. For each point scanned, determining such point'"'"'s location relative to said base by summing a base vector extending from said base to said scanner, with a scanner vector extending from said scanner to said object, to obtain a target position vector associated with each said point;

I. Said CPU creating a model of said object using said points which have been scanned with said scanner, each said point being defined by one said target position vector; and

J. Said CPU calculating a volume of said object.

6. The method of measuring volume of claim 5 comprising the additional steps of providing an exclusion control on said scanner, actuating said exclusion control, scanning surfaces to be excluded from the volume calculation, and de-actuating said exclusion control, whereby while said exclusion control is actuated said CPU is instructed to not include in its volume calculation said surfaces scanned while said exclusion control is actuated, nor any material behind such surfaces.

7. The method of measuring volume of claim 5 comprising the additional steps of providing a void control on said scanner, actuating said void control, scanning at least one void within an object being scanned so as to exclude such at least one void from said volume calculation, whereby said CPU is instructed to not include in its volume calculation internal voids scanned while said void control is actuated.

8. The method of measuring volume of claim 5 comprising the steps of scanning said object by sweeping said scanner vertically up and down said object, and/or scanning said object by sweeping said scanner horizontally back and forth across said object.

9. An apparatus for measuring volumes comprising:

a base comprising a central processing unit in communication with a receiver and a 3-D radar;

a scanner comprising a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification targets; and

a microprocessor in communication with a trigger, a penetrating sensor, and a transmitter;

said transmitter communicating with said receiver;

said trigger commanding said scanner to commence and cease scanning.

10. The apparatus for measuring volumes of claim 9 wherein said scanner further comprises an exclusion control, whereby actuation of said exclusion control instructs said central processing unit to not include surfaces scanned when said exclusion control is actuated, and de-actuation of said exclusion control resumes normal scanning.

11. The apparatus for measuring volumes of claim 10 wherein said scanner comprises a scanner barrel attached to a scanner grip, and wherein a first said Radio Frequency Identification target is attached to an end of said scanner grip opposite said scanner barrel, and a third said Radio Frequency Identification target is attached to an end of said scanner barrel opposite said scanner grip.

12. The apparatus for measuring volumes of claim 11 wherein said scanner comprises a second said Radio Frequency Identification target attached at an intersection of said scanner barrel and said scanner grip.

13. The apparatus for measuring volumes of claim 10 wherein said base further comprises an antenna in communication with said receiver, and wherein said scanner further comprises an antenna in communication with said transmitter.

14. The apparatus for measuring volumes of claim 12 wherein said first Radio Frequency Identification target reflects a first return to said 3-D radar, said second Radio Frequency Identification target reflects a second return to said 3-D radar, and said third Radio Frequency Identification target reflects a third return to said 3-D radar.