The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 15, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 31, 1996
Daniel F Dlugos, Shelton, CT (US);
Earl B Holtz, Shelton, CT (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
The invention is a method for measuring the dimensions of a parcel through point determination which is initiated by placing a parcel on a weighing scale within a field of measurement which comprises a first known spatial relationship. In a preferred embodiment, an ultrasonic emitter is positioned at the outermost corner of the parcel. A sensor is placed on a line along each of the three axes ending at the outermost corner of the parcel; the lines representing the length, width, and height of the parcel and comprising the second known spatial relationship. The emitter transmits a pulse to the sensors. Each of the lines is then measured by determining a length of time from emission of the pulse to reception of the pulse by the sensors. The measurement data is transmitted to a data processing system which converts the time length of the pulse into a distance; a three dimensional graphical representation of the parcel, as determined by the first and second known spatial relationships, can then be displayed together with the calculated weight of the parcel. The calculated dimensions can then be transmitted to a parcel processing system. In an alternative embodiment, data points are determined by positioning an electronic pointer with respect to the parcel. Points are marked on the parcel with the pointer and are transmitted to the data processing system. A position for each of the points is recorded and plotted and the dimensions of the parcel can then be calculated and processed.