Automated object dimensioning system employing contour tracing, vertice detection, and forner point detection and reduction methods on 2-d range data maps

Abstract

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED US APPLICATIONS[0001] This is a Continuation-in-Part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 305,896 filed May 5, 1999, which is a Continuation-in-Part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 275,518 filed Mar. 24, 1999, which is a Continuation-in-Part of copending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09 / 274,265 filed Mar. 22, 1999; 09 / 243,078 filed Feb. 2, 1999; 09 / 241,930 filed Feb. 2, 1999; 09 / 157,778 filed Sep. 21, 1998; 09 / 047,146 filed Mar. 24, 1998, 08 / 949,915 filed Oct. 14, 1997; 08 / 854,832 filed May 12, 1997; 08 / 886,806 filed Apr. 22, 1997; 08 / 726,522 filed Oct. 7, 1996; and 08 / 573,949 filed Dec. 18, 1995, 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.[0002] 1. Field of Invention[0003] The present invention relates generally to an automated tunnel-type laser scanning package identification and measuring system arranged about a hi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0094] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a laser scanning system, wherein the laser scan lines are optimally separated and tilted to assure that at least one scanner can read bar codes that are not in perfect picket fence or ladder orientations, yet provide some small degree of omni-d

Problems solved by technology

While over-the-head laser scanning systems are effective in scanning upwardly-facing bar codes on conveyed objects, there are many applications where it is not practical or otherwise feasible to ensure that bar code labels are upwardly-facing during transportation under the scanning station.

Notably, however, prior art tunnel scanning systems, including the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,714, are incapable of scanning bar code systems in a true omni-directional sense, i.e. independent of the di

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