# US 7,746,460 B2 · Device and method for scanning pieces of solid wood

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,746,460 B2
- Document ID: US7746460B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/145,534
- Filed: 2008-06-25
- Published: 2008-12-25
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2007-06-25
- Assignees: GreCon Dimter Holzoptimierung Süd GmbH & Co. KG
- Inventors: Walter Fahrenschon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7746460B2

## CPC

- G01N 21/8986: {Wood}
- G01N 21/8901: {Optical details; Scanning details (per se G02B)}
- G01N 33/46: Wood
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A device for scanning pieces of solid wood has a pusher movable across a length of a piece of solid wood and at least one scanning unit mounted on the pusher. At least one side of the piece of solid wood is scanned by the at least one scanning unit as the at least one scanning unit moves together with the pusher. The at least one scanning unit has at least one camera with which the piece of solid wood is scanned. The at least one camera is adjustably mounted on the pusher.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for scanning pieces of solid wood, the device comprising:
a pusher movable across a length of a piece of solid wood;
at least one scanning unit mounted on the pusher, wherein the at least one scanning unit scans at least one side of the piece of solid wood.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one scanning unit comprises at least one camera with which the piece of solid wood is scanned.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one camera is adjustably mounted on the pusher.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one scanning unit comprises several cameras distributed about a circumference of the piece of solid wood with which cameras the piece of solid wood is scanned.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, wherein the cameras are adjustably mounted on the pusher.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, wherein the cameras each are assigned to one side of the piece of solid wood, respectively.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, wherein the cameras each are assigned to two sides of the piece of solid wood, respectively.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one scanning unit comprises one camera and at least one mirror cooperating with the camera for detecting all four sides of the piece of solid wood.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The device according to claim 8, wherein the camera is adjustably mounted on the pusher.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The device according to claim 8, wherein the camera scans two of four sides of the piece of solid wood and the at least one mirror scans the other two of the four sides.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one mirror is adjustably arranged on the pusher.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, comprising supports on which the piece of solid wood is resting.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, comprising two rotating devices between which the piece of solid wood is clamped.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the rotating devices is driven.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the rotating devices is adjustable in a travel direction of the scanning unit.

### Claim 16

A method for scanning pieces of solid wood with a device comprising a pusher movable across a length of a piece of solid wood and at least one scanning unit mounted on the pusher, the method comprising the step of:
moving the at least one scanning unit at least once across a length the piece of solid wood for detecting flaws and wood quality of the piece of solid wood.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of keeping at rest the piece of solid wood while moving the at least one scanning unit.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of moving is a return stroke of the at least one scanning unit away from a sawing station.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of moving comprises an advancing stroke toward a sawing station and a return stroke away from the sawing station, wherein the piece of solid wood is at rest during the advancing and return strokes, further comprising the step of rotating the piece of solid wood about a longitudinal axis of the piece of solid wood between the advancing and return strokes.