Patent ID: 7104454
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: G02B,G06K,G07F,G07G

Abstract:
1. An automated package identification and dimensioning system capable of (i) identifying packages by reading bar code symbols on said packages while transported through a three-dimensional laser scanning volume disposed above a conveyor belt structure, and (ii) measuring dimensional characteristics of said packages while said packages are transported along the conveyor belt structure through said three-dimensional laser scanning volume, said automated package identification and dimensioning system comprising: a conveyor belt structure for transporting packages along a predetermined direction; a scanner support framework arranged above said conveyor belt structure, for supporting a package identification subsystem providing a tunnel-like scanning arrangement above said conveyor belt structure through which said conveyor belt structure extends and along which said packages are transported in an automated manner, wherein said tunnel-like scanning arrangement as an entry port and an exit port; and a data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem for (1) queuing, handling and processing (i) scan beam data elements produced by said package identification subsystem, and (ii) package dimension data elements produced by a package dimensioning subsystem, and (2) generating an output data element for each package transported through said three-dimensional laser scanning volume, and wherein each said output data element contains a time-stamped scan beam data element correlated with a time-stamped package dimension data element, and whereby each said package transported through said three-dimensional laser scanning volume is identified, while providing a measure of the dimension-related characteristics thereof in an automated manner.