Object dimensioning system and related methods
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining dimensions of an object, comprising:
- a platform having a surface for supporting an object;
a first dimensioning device comprising first, second and third mutually orthogonal distance sensors, the first distance sensor oriented to sense distance in a first direction substantially orthogonal to the platform surface;
the second and third distance sensors oriented substantially parallel to the platform surface, each of the distance sensors aimed toward a common location; and
a second dimensioning device comprising a gate configured as a frame having an upper arm above the platform opposite a lower arm below the platform and having opposing side supports located between the upper arm and lower arm, wherein the gate is mounted for horizontal movement in an arc about the platform, and wherein the arms of the gate respectively carry a plurality of mutually aligned emitters and receivers and wherein the supports of the gate respectively carry a plurality of mutually aligned emitters and receivers.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing an object. A platform with a surface is used for supporting an object. A user selects between two different dimensioning devices of the apparatus. The first device employs three distance sensors to determine a distance between each of the distance sensors and a side of an object. The second device includes a movable gate which is passed over and about an object or objects on the platform. Sensor arrays, such as paired, aligned light emitter and receiver arrays, are used in combination with a plurality of sensed gate positions to determine the dimensions of the objects(s) as the gate passes around the object(s) based on whether or not light from an emitter on one side of the gate reaches a light receiver on another, opposing side of the gate.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining dimensions of an object, comprising:
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a platform having a surface for supporting an object; a first dimensioning device comprising first, second and third mutually orthogonal distance sensors, the first distance sensor oriented to sense distance in a first direction substantially orthogonal to the platform surface;
the second and third distance sensors oriented substantially parallel to the platform surface, each of the distance sensors aimed toward a common location; anda second dimensioning device comprising a gate configured as a frame having an upper arm above the platform opposite a lower arm below the platform and having opposing side supports located between the upper arm and lower arm, wherein the gate is mounted for horizontal movement in an arc about the platform, and wherein the arms of the gate respectively carry a plurality of mutually aligned emitters and receivers and wherein the supports of the gate respectively carry a plurality of mutually aligned emitters and receivers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for determining dimensions of one or more objects, comprising:
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selecting one of a first dimensioning device and a second dimensioning device, wherein the first dimensioning device comprises first, second and third mutually orthogonally oriented distance sensors aimed toward a common location over a surface of a substantially transparent platform; wherein the second dimensioning device comprises structure bearing dimensioning sensors including horizontally and vertically mounted cooperative beam emitters and receivers and mounted for movement about the substantially transparent platform; placing one or more objects on the surface of the substantially transparent platform; and measuring dimensions of the one or more objects using the selected dimensioning device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification