Method and apparatus for measuring dimensions of objects on a conveyor
AssigneePSC Inc.
InventorMark R. Woodworth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims18
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.
An apparatus for determining a size of an object on a conveyor, the object having a substantially rectangular shape, the apparatus comprising:
- 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.
A method of determining a size of an object on a conveyor, the object having a substantially rectangular shape, the method comprising:
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.