Patents Assigned to Quantronix, Inc.
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Patent number: 9581432Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing an object. A platform with a surface is used for supporting an object. A user selects between two different dimensioning devices of the apparatus. The first device employs three distance sensors to determine a distance between each of the distance sensors and a side of an object. The second device includes a movable gate that is passed over and about an object or objects on the platform. Sensor arrays, such as paired, aligned light emitter and receiver arrays, are used in combination with a plurality of sensed gate positions to determine the dimensions of the objects(s) as the gate passes around the object(s) based on whether or not light from an emitter on one side of the gate reaches a light receiver on another, opposing side of the gate.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Kennington, Eve A. Carlsruh, Craig R. Bailey, Marie L. Midboe, Brandon M. Taylor, Randy B. Neilson
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Patent number: 9528813Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for obtaining one or more dimensions of an object employing, at least in part, touch sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Kennington, Brandon M. Taylor, Eve A. Carlsruh
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Patent number: 9435637Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing an object. A platform with a surface is used for supporting an object. A user selects between two different dimensioning devices of the apparatus. The first device employs three distance sensors to determine a distance between each of the distance sensors and a side of an object. The second device includes a movable gate which is passed over and about an object or objects on the platform. Sensor arrays, such as paired, aligned light emitter and receiver arrays, are used in combination with a plurality of sensed gate positions to determine the dimensions of the object(s) as the gate passes around the object(s) based on whether or not light from an emitter on one side of the gate reaches a light receiver on another, opposing side of the gate. A conveyorized dimensioning system employing multi-row sensor arrays is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Keith Bradford, Brandon M. Taylor, Robert L. Kennington, Marie L. Midboe, Heath A. Pritchett
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Patent number: 8928896Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing an object. A platform with a surface is used for supporting an object. A user selects between two different dimensioning devices of the apparatus. The first device employs three distance sensors to determine a distance between each of the distance sensors and a side of an object. The second device includes a movable gate which is passed over and about an object or objects on the platform. Sensor arrays, such as paired, aligned light emitter and receiver arrays, are used in combination with a plurality of sensed gate positions to determine the dimensions of the objects(s) as the gate passes around the object(s) based on whether or not light from an emitter on one side of the gate reaches a light receiver on another, opposing side of the gate.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Kennington, Eve A. Carlsruh, Craig R. Bailey, Marie L. Midboe, Brandon M. Taylor, Randy Brown Neilson
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Publication number: 20120200862Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing an object. A platform with a surface is used for supporting an object. A user selects between two different dimensioning devices of the apparatus. The first device employs three distance sensors to determine a distance between each of the distance sensors and a side of an object. The second device includes a movable gate which is passed over and about an object or objects on the platform. Sensor arrays, such as paired, aligned light emitter and receiver arrays, are used in combination with a plurality of sensed gate positions to determine the dimensions of the object(s) as the gate passes around the object(s) based on whether or not light from an emitter on one side of the gate reaches a light receiver on another, opposing side of the gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: QUANTRONIX, INC.Inventors: Robert L. Kennington, Eve A. Carlsruh, Craig R. Bailey, Marie L. Midboe, Brandon M. Taylor, Randy Brown Neilson
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Patent number: 7277187Abstract: A system and method for dimensioning large or palletized freight of one or more pieces determines the dimensions of a rectangular prism having the smallest volume which would contain the freight. The system is capable of being positioned remotely from the freight. The system is further configured to determine the dimensions in varying levels of ambient light and varying object surface reflectance. The system still further is configured to first rapidly scan an area to determine the general location of the boundaries of the freight and then more precisely scan the determined general boundaries of the freight to determine the precise boundaries of the freight.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Melvyn Lionel Smith, Lyndon Smith, Eve Carlsruh
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Patent number: 7079558Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the output of a mode-locked laser by monitoring the temporal behavior of the pulse train profile and controlling the laser cavity optical length and/or loss modulation frequency accordingly. A mismatch of the cavity optical length and the loss modulation frequency will yield a first characteristic noise condition on the laser beam pulse train when the optical length is too short for a given loss modulation frequency and a second, different noise condition when the optical length is too long. The laser beam is monitored and analyzed to determine which noise condition is present. The cavity optical length is adjusted accordingly by movement of one or more optical elements or by changing the index of refraction of one or more optical elements. In the alternative, or additionally, the loss modulation frequency can be adjusted to bring the laser back into mode lock.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Excel/Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Faming Xu, Qiang Fu, Brian Rogers, Zhengyu Chen, Wentao Hu
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Publication number: 20050180468Abstract: A multi-headed laser apparatus combining a two or more lasers in a single housing with a single output beam. In addition to the housing, other components can be shared among the lasers such as the power supply, intracavity shutter, and excitation lamp. Additionally, the combination of two or more lasers with different characteristics makes possible a wide range of applications in the areas of materials processing and analysis, among others. A further multi-laser device is disclosed in which the wavelength of one or more of the lasers can be varied.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Applicant: Excel/Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Wentao Hu, Qiang Fu, Mark Ortiz
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Publication number: 20050117614Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the output of a mode-locked laser by monitoring the temporal behavior of the pulse train profile and controlling the laser cavity optical length and/or loss modulation frequency accordingly. A mismatch of the cavity optical length and the loss modulation frequency will yield a first characteristic noise condition on the laser beam pulse train when the optical length is too short for a given loss modulation frequency and a second, different noise condition when the optical length is too long. The laser beam is monitored and analyzed to determine which noise condition is present. The cavity optical length is adjusted accordingly by movement of one or more optical elements or by changing the index of refraction of one or more optical elements. In the alternative, or additionally, the loss modulation frequency can be adjusted to bring the laser back into mode lock.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Applicant: Excel/Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Faming Xu, Qiang Fu, Brian Rogers, Zhengyu Chen, Wentao Hu
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Publication number: 20050088654Abstract: A multi-headed laser apparatus combining a two or more lasers in a single housing with a single output beam. In addition to the housing, other components can be shared among the lasers such as the power supply, intracavity shutter, and excitation lamp. Additionally, the combination of two or more lasers with different characteristics makes possible a wide range of applications in the areas of materials processing and analysis, among others. A further multi-laser device is disclosed in which the wavelength of one or more of the lasers can be varied.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2004Publication date: April 28, 2005Applicant: Excel/Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Wentao Hu, Qiang Fu, Mark Ortiz
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Patent number: 6850464Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Eve A. Carlsruh, Craig R. Bailey, Robert L. Kennington, Marie L. Midboe, Clark P. Skeen, Brian H. Smith, Brandon M. Taylor
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Patent number: 6801318Abstract: An apparatus and method to measure optical intensity and phase of one or several light pulses is described. The apparatus combines a spectrally resolved interferometric asymmetric single-shot optical autocorrelator and imaging spectrograph. The asymmetric design of the optical autocorrelator based on second harmonic generation eliminates time-direction ambiguity, while a spectrally resolved interferometric pattern allows the performance of self-check and self-calibration of the apparatus and substantially improves convergence, robustness and reliability of the computational retrieval algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Excel/Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Qiang Fu, Sergei Petrovich Nikitin, Anatoly Viktorovich Masalov
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Patent number: 6611787Abstract: An apparatus and method for weighing and non-contact measuring of dimensions of a stationary object, wherein a platen on which the object is isolated from a support assembly for dimension measuring sensors for greater sensitivity and accuracy in weight determination. A method of determining object speed of a linearly in-motion object, useful for determining object dimensions, is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Stringer, Michael K. Elwood
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Patent number: 6298009Abstract: An apparatus and method for weighing and non-contact measuring of dimensions of a stationary object wherein the platen on which the object is placed for weighing and measuring is isolated from the support assembly for the dimension measuring sensors for greater sensitivity and accuracy in weight determination. A method of determining object speed of linearly in-motion object, useful for determining object dimensions, is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventor: Bradley J. Stringer
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Patent number: 6151341Abstract: Stackable laser array elements may be configured to absorb heat effectively from laser elements, to be efficiently repaired and/or replaced, and to be effectively tested. An assembly includes readily replaceable cells having a cavity for the passage of coolant therethrough to cool the laser elements. The cells may be constructed individually for individual testing, and then stacked together and removably secured for easy replacement. The cavities of the cells form a substantially contiguous cavity through the entire assembly for the flow of coolant into and out of the assembly. The cavities of the cells include regions and surfaces which enhance the flow of coolant to regions substantially adjacent to the laser elements for the cooling thereof to provide enhanced cooling of the laser elements in the stack of cells. The flow of the coolant is oriented vertically with respect to horizontally oriented laser elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Excel/Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Douglas J. Bull, Qiang Fu
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Patent number: 6075803Abstract: A method and apparatus pump a laser gain medium of a laser rod having a first longitudinal axis. At least one pump light source emits pump light to the laser rod, and the pump light source has a second longitudinal axis which is perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. Radiation from various laser diode arrays is collimated and uniquely arranged in a vertical orientation in relation to the laser gain medium. Reflectors focus the collimated radiation from the diode arrays onto the laser gain medium to achieve fundamental mode operation or Transverse Electromagnetic mode (TEM00 mode) operation. Both laser gain medium and reflectors may be simultaneously cooled with appropriate fluids in the apparatus. The assembly of the apparatus may be extended to hold a plurality of vertically oriented laser diode arrays to increase the laser pump power.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Excel/Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Douglas J. Bull, Qiang Fu
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Patent number: 6064629Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring accuracy of weight measurement of objects on a conveyor and providing security against pilferage or miscoding of the objects. A series of sensors such as photocells linked to a process control unit sense passage of objects to respectively activate a scale and cubing system associated with the conveyor, to release an additional object for weighing and cubing, to sense overlong objects exceeding the length of the scale, and to detect when an object has been stolen or otherwise removed (as by falling off) the conveyor between various locations through the use of programmed timing "windows" between the various sensors. If an object does not trigger a sensor within the window measured from passage past a preceding sensor, an error message is generated.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Stringer, Robert L. Kennington
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Patent number: 6049386Abstract: An in-motion measuring system for determining the length and width of linearly-moving cuboidal objects through the use of object speed, the times during which six light beams oriented across the path of the object are obstructed by the object, and the angles of the light beams with respect to the direction of object movement. The height of an object may also be determined through use of a vertically-extending light curtain with horizontally-oriented light beams, or via an ultrasonic sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Stringer, Lee W. Badger
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Patent number: D490328Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Thomas W. Peterson, David O. Meyers, Marie L. Midboe
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Patent number: RE42430Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Eve A. Carlsruh, Craig R. Bailey, Robert L. Kennington, Marie L. Midboe, Clark P. Skeen, Brian H. Smith, Brandon M. Taylor