초록 ▼

A laser scanner sensor for measuring the spatial properties of objects in a scene within a range less than a predetermined maximum object distance. Applications of the laser scanner system includes measurement of the dimensional weight of parcel(s) being transported by a moving forklift. In the lase

A laser scanner sensor for measuring the spatial properties of objects in a scene within a range less than a predetermined maximum object distance. Applications of the laser scanner system includes measurement of the dimensional weight of parcel(s) being transported by a moving forklift. In the laser scanner sensor, a laser diode supplies a laser beam that is intensity-modulated by a reference waveform from a waveform generator. A variation of the optical scanning sensor system scans a field of measurement which the moving forklift traverses. The forklift has at least three retroreflectors attached to act as calibration targets within the viewing field. The scanner system intensity-modulates the laser beam, and receives reflected intensity-modulated light and supplies it to an optical processing system that includes an aperture that transmits a first percentage of light reflected from the maximum object distance and a second, lesser percentage of light reflected from objects closer than the maximum object distance. A photodetector receives the processed light and converts the energy into an amplitude-modulated range signal. Range values are then determined about every 0.1-inches along a scan line. A number of scan lines are assembled in the computer and displayed on a screen as a 3-D image. The 3-D image is then analyzed by the computer to extract the volume of the objects carried on the forklift tines. The volume is then converted to Dimensional Weight (DIM WT) which is used by the shipper to determine tare.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for measuring volume of a moving parcel, the method comprisingplacing a parcel on a forklift to which at least three retroreflectors are attached, the retroreflectors having a fixed geometrical relationship;transporting the parcel into a field of measurement;tran

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for measuring volume of a moving parcel, the method comprisingplacing a parcel on a forklift to which at least three retroreflectors are attached, the retroreflectors having a fixed geometrical relationship;transporting the parcel into a field of measurement;transmitting a laser beam from a scanner sensor system transverse to a velocity vector of the forklift carrying the parcel;reflecting the laser beam from the field of measurement containing the forklift and the parcel forming a scan image;determining an aspect and a length, width and height of the parcel by processing the scan image in relation to measured distances between the retroreflectors and rate of motion of the retroreflectors; anddetermining a volume of the parcel.