Abstract:
The design of this machine presents a simple and low cost solution for automatically canceling old labels and barcodes on packages. The unique design enables the machine to be completely independent from the conveying surface by locating labels with image processing and canceling with ink jets or other marking technologies which can be performed while the package is in motion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to an automated machine to automatically find and cancel labels on packages on a conveyor.  
         [0003]     2. Brief Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     The US Postal Service and other shipping/fulfillment companies package letters and customer goods in a trays or boxes with unique labels and barcode identification. The label and markings are used to identify the package and provide information as to the delivery address, method of shipment, contents, etc. This information can be written as text or in several different barcode formats and the label is generally applied to the top of the package itself.  
         [0005]     Many operations are now finding the need to re-use their shipping packages and serious routing problems have been created when the old labels have not been removed. Many of these operations require a person to watch for old labels and physically remove them or make them unreadable by marking them over with a heavy line marker or applying a blank label to cover the machine readable information. All of these approaches work. However, the current methods are inefficient, they are labor intensive and they are expensive since they require full time staffing in order to not miss a single label.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The object of this invention is to design an automated device which is mounted adjacent to a conveyor to automatically find and cancels labels on packages. The design for this machine is a unique combination of commercial equipment which results in a very cost effective solution to this automation problem  
         [0007]     The subject of this invention is a small and portable device to cancel labels or tags on re-used shipping containers. This automated machine automatically locates labels on packages and selectively activate ink-jet sprayers to render the labels unreadable for subsequent processing equipment. This machine is designed to be rolled up and positioned adjacent to a conveyor or other tray transport system. The head of the machine is positioned over the conveying surface and at a height which permits parcels to pass underneath. Inside the head is an optical scanner, which looks for barcode or label information on the top surface of the package as it passes underneath. If and when label information is found, its transverse position across the conveying surface is determined based on the relationship of when information is detected in the optical scan, which similarly sweeps across LIC conveying surface. Repetitive scans across the conveying surface locate all remaining label information.  
         [0008]     An electronic control module interfaces to the optical scanner, package presence sensors, and controls the electronic triggers for an array of ink jet sprayers, lasers, or other marker technology arranged in a linear array across the conveying surface. The electronics controls activate the correctly positioned marker for each tag detected on the package.  
         [0009]     The timing and duration of the marking process is determined by the control system. The marker array is positioned slightly downstream from the laser scan line. In this fashion, each marker is activated when the scan line detects label data and turned off when there label data is no longer detected. The control system allows for a certain delay to adjust any overlaps or labels and/or markings. An overall time-out is included in the SW to suspend operations should a tray become stopped under the machine. 
     
    
     BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     FIG. ( 1 ) illustrates the overall configuration of the machine and its operating position relative to a conveyor and transport package.  
         [0011]     FIG. ( 2 ) provides a more detailed look at the components of the scanning head module ( 1 ) and how they operate to automatically cancel package labels. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The overall configuration of the machine and its operating position relative to a conveyor and transport package is shown in  FIG. 1 . The scanning head module ( 1 ) is the central component of the tag canceller machine and incorporates the components to identify, locate, and cancel old package labels. It is supported by a structural base ( 2 ) which has locking caster ( 3 ) to facilitate movement and positioning of the machine in the facility. For operation, the machine is rolled up and positioned next to a conveyor ( 4 ) or other transport surface which carries the packages ( 5 ) with labels ( 6 ) that need to be cancelled.  
         [0013]     Other features of the overall machine could include a simple equipment enclosure ( 7 ) to provide a central location for power distribution components, fuse protection, on/off power switch and other industrial components typical for portable power equipment. A machine status lamp ( 8 ) provides a visual indication that the system is ON and can notify if a fault or other condition is present and operator intervention is needed.  
         [0014]     It is envisioned that the machine would be connected to the facility for electrical power and compressed air supply. For convenience the canceling machine could incorporate its own small air compressor ( 9 ) which could be used to operate ink-jet sprayers or other marking technologies.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  provides a more detailed look at the components of the scanning head module ( 1 ) and how they operate to automatically cancel package labels.  
         [0016]     The canceling machine is positioned next to the conveyor ( 4 ) with the scanning head module ( 1 ) centrally positioned over the package ( 5 ) being transported. As the package ( 5 ) moves underneath the scanning head module ( 1 ), the package sensor ( 9 ) detects its presence signals the CPU ( 10 ) through the I/O interface module ( 11 ). The CPU ( 10 ) interfaces directly with the LASER scanner ( 12 ), which begins scanning the top of the package ( 5 ) with the laser beam ( 13 ). The laser beam ( 13 ) repeatedly traverses across the top of the package ( 5 ) in an approximately crosswise orientation to the direction of travel. The successive sweep of the laser beam ( 13 ) combined with the linear motion of the package results in a raster scanning of the entire top surface of the package ( 5 ).  
         [0017]     The laser scanner ( 12 ) monitors the reflected energy of the sweeping laser beam ( 13 ) and through software attempts to decode label or barcode information. When information is detected, the laser scanner ( 12 ) determines the timing of the sweeping laser beam ( 13 ) where the data starts and stops. The timing information is sent to the CPU ( 10 ) where software determines the boundary angles ( 14 ) of the package label with respect head scanning module ( 1 ). From this relative position, the CPU ( 10 ) will output signals through the I/O interface module ( 11 ) to activate individual marking devices ( 15 ) which correspond with the position of the detected label. When activated, the marking devices ( 15 ) will render the label unreadable by drawing a line through the information with an inkjet ( 16 ) or other technique to mask or otherwise obliterate the information, making it unreadable by subsequent automation.  
         [0018]     There are other types of optical sensing technologies, (vision systems or optical sensors) which could be used to sense the label on the package and determine its longitudinal position. A “vision system” approach uses a camera to capture an image of the package surface. Computer processing of the captured image data can then locate the package label and determine its location for subsequent cancellation. This approach has been used successfully however it is generally more expensive and it is very sensitive to the different lighting conditions encountered in the operation environment.  
         [0019]     The distance between the head and the package is important for both the optical scanning and the marking process. In some applications the height of the packages may vary widely and this variation may happen from tray to tray. For these applications the head unit would have to automatically adjust in height to maintain the correct head to conveyor distance. We have also made this modification using an optical trigger and a pneumatic cylinder to raise and lower the head automatically.  
         [0020]     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Such modifications are all within the scope of the present invention.