Depth Sensor Package Measurement Without Reference Labels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing package measurement techniques require a reference label of known size to be affixed to a package, which is burdensome and time-consuming for store clerks, as they need to manually measure the package dimensions for shipping calculations.
Innovation Solution
A package measuring apparatus equipped with a depth sensor that can capture images of three faces of a package simultaneously, allowing for the calculation of package dimensions without a pre-affixed reference label, by picking up background depth image data, specifying vertices, and calculating side lengths based on spatial coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reference label of known size is affixed to the package beforehand, then the package size can be measured using image pickup, but the process becomes burdensome and time-consuming for store clerks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing a background image of the mounting table before the package is placed, and storing it for later comparison. This preliminary capture of environmental data eliminates the need for reference labels and enables direct measurement of the package dimensions through image differencing, significantly reducing the time and burden on store clerks.
Solution Approach 2:
The background image serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the mounting table environment and the package measurement. By comparing the current image with the background image, the system extracts only the package-related depth information, enabling accurate measurement without requiring physical reference labels on the package itself.
2Measurement precision
If manual measurement of package dimensions is performed, then accurate size data can be obtained for shipping calculation, but the process is burdensome for store clerks
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service measurement by automatically capturing images, comparing them with background data, calculating vertex positions, and determining package dimensions without human intervention. The depth sensor and control unit work together to perform the entire measurement process autonomously, eliminating the manual measurement burden on store clerks while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual measurement process with an optical and computational system. Instead of physically measuring the package with tools, the system uses depth sensor imaging, background subtraction, vertex detection algorithms, and coordinate geometry calculations to automatically determine dimensions, significantly improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If a depth sensor is used to capture images of three faces simultaneously, then automated measurement is enabled, but complex vertex specification and coordinate calculation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the package measurement problem into distinct geometric components by identifying four key vertices (first vertex at closest position, second vertex at leftmost position, third vertex at rightmost position, fourth vertex at lowermost position). This segmentation of the measurement task into vertex identification and coordinate calculation steps simplifies the overall processing complexity while maintaining high automation efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A package measuring apparatus includes a depth sensor, the package having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and placed on a mounting table, and at least one processor. The processor obtains spatial coordinates of four vertices within a space in which the center of the depth sensor is set as the point of origin based on data of a distance from the depth sensor to each of the four vertices and data of a position of each sensor element of the depth sensor corresponding to each of the four vertices. The processor calculates, based on the spatial coordinates of the four vertices, a length of each of three sides defined between a first vertex and three other vertices.