Log scaling system and related methods

A log scaling system to scale a plurality of logs, the plurality of logs each including a first end and a second end separated by a log length, the system comprising:

• motorized sliders operatively associated with one or more ground engaging mounts, wherein the motorized sliders are configured to move in vertical directions and horizontal directions;
• a plurality of 3D sensors and imagers positioned on motorized sliders, wherein the plurality of 3D sensors and imagers are configured to capture 3D sensor data and images for the plurality of logs from a vertical plane and from a horizontal plane as the motorized sliders move in vertical directions and horizontal directions, wherein tree-type information related to the log is determined from the one or more sensors, the tree-type information identifying one out of a plurality of types of trees, wherein the plurality of 3D sensors and imagers are positioned to capture one or more first images of the first ends of the plurality of logs and one or more first distances between the 3D sensors and the first ends of the plurality of logs, and wherein the plurality of 3D sensors and imagers are positioned to capture one or more images of lengths of the plurality of logs and one or more distances between the 3D sensors and the plurality of logs, after moving the plurality of 3D sensors and imagers using the motorized sliders;
• and
• a processor-enabled controller that is communicatively coupled to the plurality of 3D sensors and imagers, wherein the processor-enabled controller:
• determines lengths of the plurality of logs using the one or more images of the lengths of the plurality of logs and the one or more distances between the 3D sensors and the plurality of logs;
• determines diameter values for the plurality of logs based upon the one or more first images of the first ends of the plurality of logs and the distances between the 3D sensors and the first ends of the plurality of logs;
• and
• determines a product value for the plurality of logs, based at least in part upon the diameter values of the plurality of logs, the lengths of the plurality of logs, and the tree-type information of the plurality of logs.

A log scaling method to scale a plurality of logs, the plurality of logs each including a first end and a second end separated by a log length, the method comprising:

• enabling motorized sliders to move in vertical directions and horizontal directions, wherein the motorized sliders are operatively associated with a plurality of ground engaging mounts, and wherein a plurality of 3D sensors and imagers are positioned on the motorized sliders;
• capturing, via the plurality of 3D sensors and imagers, one or more first images of the first ends of the plurality of logs and one or more first distances between the 3D sensors and the first ends of the plurality of logs;
• capturing, via the plurality of 3D sensors and imagers, one or more images of lengths of the plurality of logs and one or more distances between the 3D sensors and the plurality of logs, after moving the plurality of 3D sensors and imagers using the motorized sliders;
• determining, using a processor-enabled controller that is communicatively coupled to the plurality of 3D sensors and imagers, lengths of the plurality of logs using the one or more images of the lengths of the plurality of logs and the one or more distances between the 3D sensors and the plurality of logs;
• determining, using the processor-enabled controller, diameter values for the plurality of logs based upon the one or more first images of the first ends of the plurality of logs and the distances between the 3D sensors and the first ends of the plurality of logs;
• and
• determining, using the processor-enabled controller, a product value for the plurality of logs, based at least in part upon the diameter values of the plurality of logs and the lengths of the plurality of logs.