Abstract:
A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing a cuboidal object. Four distance sensors are employed, one downwardly facing the top of the object, one facing one side thereof and two respectively facing mutually parallel sides of the object perpendicular to the one side. Distances are measured between the sensors and the top and sides of the object and subtracted from known distances to determine the length, width, height and spatial volume of the object. The object may be weighed as it is being dimensioned. Spatial volume and a "dim weight" for the object may be calculated.
Abstract:
A system (10) and method for fast weighing of items such as mailpieces. The system (10) includes a scale system (12) having a platform (22) connected to a load cell (20) that provides an output signal to an analog-to-digital converter (24). The resulting digital output signal is processed by a low pass filter (26) and analyzed by a microprocessor (30) to determine weights of items on the platform (22). The microprocessor (30) also determines postage amounts of items on the platform (22). The microprocessor (30) also determines postage amounts as functions of the weights and outputs these postage amounts to a postage meter (16). The microprocessor (30) determines the weights as the median of the peak to valley difference of the digital output signal when the digital output signal peak to valley difference is less than a predetermined value. The microprocessor (30) identifies peaks and valleys of the digital output signal by determining when the derivative of the signal changes sign. The microprocessor (30) uses the determined first peak value to determine if the weight is below the first weight break point. The microprocessor (30) also estimates the weight as an average of a sum of medians for N preceding cycles if the digital output signal does not converge. The postage meter (16) initially assumes that all mailpieces have a minimum postage amount due and corrects the postage amount when a weight signal is received from the microprocessor (30) so as to take advantage of the fact that the majority of mailpieces requirê only a minimum postage amount.
Abstract:
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for determining return delivery charges is described. In one aspect related to the present invention, the return delivery charges is determined on the basis of a cost factor. The weight cost factor is determined for a sample of a shipment. The weight cost factor is then utilized to determine the return delivery charges for the shipment.
Abstract:
An information system for storing, retrieving, processing and displaying information captured about objects passing an information capture system. The captured and processed object information may include, for example, a visual representation of the object, a height representation of the object, an identification code from the object, dimensional information about the object, chemical signature information from the object, temperature information, date and time information, and a three dimensional model of the object. The various types of information can be accessed by users via a software interface.
Abstract:
A self-service apparatus (100) capable of automatically handling envelopes and packages through various stages of processing, including touch screen (110) to handle various inputs from the customer, digitized voice (112) to prompt the customer and instruct him in the processing, electronic weighing (138), electronic printing (142) of the ZIP+4 barcode, electronic printing of the shipping label (140), electronic printing of the receipt (128), electronic printing (140) of the manifest documentation for both the letters and packages, and maintaining of the manifest documentation for both the letters and packages. Mailing charges are deducted from a prepaid magnetic card through the use of a magnetic card reader (122). Maintaining postage and shipping rates, ZIP+4 CD-ROM directory in order to locate the ZIP+4 information. A dual floppy disk system (124, 126) to allow the mailer to send electronic mail. A built-in facsimile apparatus (120) to allow the customer to send "FAX" information through the telephone line.
Abstract:
An improved postage scale (2). The scale contains a central processing unit (200) which calculates the amount of postage required for an article to be mailed. The central processing unit inputs rate information from battery augmented random access memory (208). A user programs the random access memory using the same keyboard (6) used for normal weighing operations. In preferred embodiments memory pack, including the battery augmented random access memory (208), is inserted in external slot (10) in the postage scale for added versatility.
Abstract:
An automated transaction sytem employs a user card (10) maintaining an account balance and a transaction terminal (20) for dispensing an article of value and debiting the card's balance. The card (10) has a secure, resident microprocessor (60) which executes an interactive handshake recognition procedure with a secure, resident microprocessor (30, 41) in the value dispensing section of the terminal (20) prior to carrying out a requested transaction. In the preferred form, the handshake procedure operates by an exchange of encrypted words between the card microprocessor (10) and the dispenser microprocessor (36, 41) using corresponding encryption algorithms and a secret key number. The system is applied as a postage metering terminal (20) having a postmark printer (40) as the value dispensing section.
Abstract:
An apparatus for enrolling a package is disclosed including: a receiving surface for receiving the package; at least one weight sensor in communication with the receiving surface which generates a weight signal indicative of the weight of the package; at least one RGB video camera which generates a first video signal indicative of an image of the package on the receiving surface; at least one infrared three-dimensional camera which generates a second video signal indicative of an the dimensions of the package; and a processor in communication with the at least one weight sensor and the at least one video camera.
Abstract:
Eine Waage, die bei Vermeidung der mechanisch aufwändiger Konstruktionen auch für sperriges Wiegegut - insbesondere von Gegenständen, die so groß sind, dass sie während des Wiegevorganges das Display verdecken oder die so groß sind, dass durch Auflegen des Gegenstandes auf die Wiegefläche ungewollt Funktionstasten der Waage betätigt werden - zuverlässig verwendbar ist, ist mit einer Sperrgutwiegefunktion ausgerüstet, die das Gewicht des Sperrgutes ermittelt und den ermittelten Gewichtswert für eine - vorzugsweise vorgebbare - Zeitspanne nach Entfernen des Gegenstandes von der Wiegefläche anzeigt und/oder die zumindest eine Funktionstaste der Waage vorübergehend deaktiviert.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a franking device comprising a plurality of boxes (2) provided with doors (3), a managing unit (11), locks (4) adapted each to lock one door and individually controlled, position sensors (5) for the doors adapted to inform the management unit of a closed position, a weight sensor (9a, 9b) adapted to transmit to the managing unit an indication of the weight of a parcel placed in the box, and data input means (14). When a position sensor (5) for one door of a box detects a closed position, the managing unit (11) is adapted to: calculate a franking price of the parcel placed in said box based on the data supplied and the parcel weight indication; control the locking of the door; and maintain the door locked until of a code for recovering the parcel is identified.