A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED US APPLICATIONS
This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/490,483 filed Jan, 24, 2000; now U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,189, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/275,518 filed Mar. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,642, and a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/274,265 filed Mar. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,515; Ser. No. 09/243,078 filed Feb. 2, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,505; Ser. No. 09/241,930 filed Feb. 2, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,467; Ser. No. 09/157,778 filed Sep. 21, 1998; now U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,004; Ser. No. 09/047,146 filed Mar. 24, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,947; Ser. No. 08/949,915 filed Oct. 14, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,659; Ser. No. 08/854,832 filed May 12, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,978; Ser. No. 08/886,806 filed Apr. 22, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,185; Ser No. 08/726,522 filed Oct. 7, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,846; and Ser. No. 08/573,949 filed Dec. 18, 1995, now Abandoned, each said application being commonly owned by Assignee, Metrologic Instruments, Inc., of Blackwood, N.J. and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.
A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.
A measuring device for measuring internal or external dimensions of a manufactured or machined component is provided with a laser source, a beam redirection member, and a beam receptor. The beam redirection member is adapted to be positioned within an internal bore of a subject component. The laser source directs a beam downwardly to be intercepted by the beam redirection member. The beam exits the beam redirection member at approximately 90.degree. from its original direction to strike a target area along the internal bore of the subject component. The beam is reflected back to the beam redirection member, which directs it at an upward angle to be received by the beam receptor. The beam receptor transmits the data to a control system, which calculates the dimension of the target area. Also provided are methods for optimizing the accuracy of measurements taken by the measuring device.
An apparatus for measuring the weight of items on a conveyor includes a scale that generates a first signal corresponding to the weight of the items. A movable platform transports the items to the scale and generates a second signal corresponding to position of the items in relation to the scale. A dimensioner examines the items and generates a third signal representative of whether the items are singulated or nonsingulated. A processor receives the second and third signals and determines whether to associate the first signal with information stored in memory about a particular item based upon whether the particular item is singulated or nonsingulated.
