Patents Assigned to Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 7515047Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, a first antenna, a second antenna, a radio frequency receiver, a barcode reader, and a processor. The processor associates information included in a response from a radio frequency identification tag with a first item if the processor receives the information from the receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a first area that includes at least part of a second area into which the first antenna radiates radio frequency signals. The processor associates barcode label information from the barcode reader with the first item if the barcode label information is received during a period in which the first item is within a predetermined area on the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Raymond R. Hillegass, Ronald M. Zsido
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Patent number: 7501956Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame having a generally planar top surface, a generally planar belt that is disposed moveably on the frame above the top surface and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. At least one antenna is disposed on the frame so that the antenna extends above the generally planar top surface between the generally planar top surface and the belt, the at least one antenna being oriented with respect to the belt so that the at least one antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass and receives responses to the radio frequency signals from radio frequency identification tags on the items.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventor: Raymond R. Hillegass
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Patent number: 7492259Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, at least one first antenna, at least one second antenna, a radio frequency receiver, and a processor. The processor is programmed to associate information included in a first signal corresponding to a response from a radio frequency identification tag with a first item if the processor receives the first signal while at least a portion of the first item is within a first area that includes at least part of a second area into which the first antenna radiates radio frequency signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventor: James N. Cox
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Patent number: 7468670Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, a first antenna, a second antenna, a radio frequency receiver, a processor, and radiation absorbing material disposed between the first and second antennas and the path of travel, so that the absorbing material shields a portion of the radiation that would otherwise radiate into an area through which the items pass.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Zhong-Min Liu, Raymond R. Hillegass
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Patent number: 7453614Abstract: A system and method for removing perspective distortion from an image of an object (112) moving along a transport device (114) having a top surface (124) is disclosed. A line scanner (110) to create a first image of an object. The first image is composed of a plurality of scan lines, each having a resolution. Each of the scan lines is then rescaled, so that the resolution of each scan line is equal to the resolution of every other scan line. Each of the scan lines is processed in two halves so that the center lines of the scan lines are co-linear after rescaling. The line scanner is optionally configured to vary its field of view as a function of the distance between the line scanner and the portion of the object being scanned.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Gagliano, Han Zhang, Richard J. Skokowski, Jr., Kurt Hecht
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Patent number: 7433590Abstract: A system for synchronizing image capture and a light source has a first strobing light emitting diode (LED) array with a plurality of LEDs located to light an illumination area. The LED array has an on cycle during which the LED array is activated and an off cycle during which the LED array is inactivated. The system also has a camera located with a view of the illumination area. The camera has an image exposure that coincides with the on cycle of the strobing LED array.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Alan Freyman
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Patent number: 7385743Abstract: A system and method for removing perspective distortion from an image of an object (112) moving along a transport device (114) having a top surface (124) is disclosed. A line scanner (110) to create a first image of an object. The first image is composed of a plurality of scan lines, each having a resolution. Each of the scan lines is then rescaled, so that the resolution of each scan line is equal to the resolution of every other scan line. Each of the scan lines is processed in two halves so that the center lines of the scan lines are co-linear after rescaling. The line scanner is optionally configured to vary its field of view as a function of the distance between the line scanner and the portion of the object being scanned.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Gagliano, Han Zhang, Richard J. Skokowski, Jr., Kurt Hecht
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Patent number: 7357327Abstract: A method for associating machine readable information (12) on singulated or non-singulated packages (15) on a conveyor (50) with dimensioning data provided. The method includes orienting a handheld scanner (14) toward package (15) on the conveyor (50) to read machine readable information on the package. A specific time and pose data of the scanner are determined when the machine readable information is read. A beam vector (44) is determined using the pose data, as well as a conveyor position at the specific time. When an associated portion of the conveyor reaches dimensioning station, dimensioning data for a package is obtained. The dimensioning data is correlated with the beam vector to associate the dimensioning data for the package with the corresponding machine readable information read by the handheld scanner. A system for providing the method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventor: James Paul Odenthal
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Publication number: 20060232825Abstract: A system for synchronizing image capture and a light source has a first strobing light emitting diode (LED) array with a plurality of LEDs located to light an illumination area. The LED array has an on cycle during which the LED array is activated and an off cycle during which the LED array is inactivated. The system also has a camera located with a view of the illumination area. The camera has an image exposure that coincides with the on cycle of the strobing LED array.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2005Publication date: October 19, 2006Applicant: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Freyman
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Publication number: 20060192013Abstract: A method for associating machine readable information (12) on singulated or non-singulated packages (15) on a conveyor (50) with dimensioning data is provided. The method includes orienting a handheld scanner (14) toward a package (15) on the conveyor (50) to read machine readable information on the package. A specific time and pose data of the scanner are determined when the machine readable information is read. A beam vector (44) is determined using the pose data, as well as a conveyor position at the specific time. When an associated portion of the conveyor reaches a dimensioning station, dimensioning data for a package is obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2004Publication date: August 31, 2006Applicant: Accu-Sort System, Inc.Inventor: James Paul Odenthal
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Publication number: 20060098433Abstract: A system for scanning objects having at least two linear array sensors, adapted to detect light input signals, is provided. A lens is optically connected to each of the linear array sensors, and are adapted to receive and transmit an optical image located in a respective lens field of view along a respective lens axis to the respective one of the at least two linear array sensor. A light source which generates an illumination stripe in general linear alignment with the lens axis across a depth of the field of view is provided. A cylindrical lens is positioned between the light source and an object to be scanned. The cylindrical lens adapted to collect, transmit and focus light from the light source to form the illumination stripe. This arrangement provides a wider system field of view with generally more uniform resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2005Publication date: May 11, 2006Applicant: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward Chaleff, Thomas Brobst, Richard Skokowski
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Patent number: 7026606Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus and method for scanning a surface of an object is provided. The scanner has an image sensor having a sensor plane and an image data output. An optics system defines an optical path having an axis and a first end whereat a scan object surface is locatable for scanning and a second end at the sensing plane. Preferably, the optics system includes a lens subsystem and a movable mirror for adjusting the length of the optical path. A linear actuator is coupled to the mirror such that movement of the mirror adjusts the focus of an optical image on the image sensor. A linear actuator is also operatively coupled to the image sensor to control the orientation of the plane of the image sensor relative to the optical path axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Hecht, Thomas J. Brobst, Ronald C. Wurz
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Patent number: 7000838Abstract: A method for processing scanned code data, including a plurality of strings, to determine whether the scanned code data is part of a valid code begins by examining a first string of a first scanned code data. A cluster is opened with the first string if the first string contains a start pattern. At least one valid middle portion of the first string is identified and a transition position count associated with the at least one valid middle portion is stored. A second scanned code data is searched for a second string matching at least part of the first string in the cluster. If a match is found, then the second string is added to the end of the cluster. The cluster is closed upon detection of a stop pattern and is then decoded.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles Lapinski, Charles Eckert, Richard Skokowski, James Cox, William Scott, Edward Chaleff, Jeffrey G. Sharpe, David A. Wurz
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Patent number: 6912076Abstract: A system for scanning objects having at least two linear array sensors, adapted to detect light input signals, is provided. A lens is optically connected to each of the linear array sensors, and are adapted to receive and transmit an optical image located in a respective lens field of view along a respective lens axis to the respective one of the at least two linear array sensor. A light source which generates an illumination stripe in general linear alignment with the lens axis across a depth of the field of view is provided. A cylindrical lens is positioned between the light source and an object to be scanned. The cylindrical lens adapted to collect, transmit and focus light from the light source to form the illumination stripe. This arrangement provides a wider system field of view with generally more uniform resolution.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward I. Chaleff, Thomas J. Brobst, Richard J. Skokowski, Jr.
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Publication number: 20050094236Abstract: A system for scanning objects having at least two linear array sensors, adapted to detect light input signals, is provided. A lens is optically connected to each of the linear array sensors, and are adapted to receive and transmit an optical image located in a respective lens field of view along a respective lens axis to the respective one of the at least two linear array sensor. A light source which generates an illumination stripe in general linear alignment with the lens axis across a depth of the field of view is provided. A cylindrical lens is positioned between the light source and an object to be scanned. The cylindrical lens adapted to collect, transmit and focus light from the light source to form the illumination stripe. This arrangement provides a wider system field of view with generally more uniform resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2004Publication date: May 5, 2005Applicant: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward Chaleff, Thomas Brobst, Richard Skokowski
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Patent number: 6871993Abstract: A system for focusing light on an illumination area. The system includes a reflector having a focusing reflective surface and a focal region and an LED array having a plurality of LEDs located within the focal region. Each of the plurality of LEDs in the LED array is positioned to emit light toward the focusing reflective surface. The focusing reflective surface reflects light from each of the plurality of LEDs of the LED array toward the illumination area.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventor: Kurt Hecht
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Patent number: 6856440Abstract: A system for scanning objects having a linear array sensor, adapted to detect light input signals, is provided. A lens is optically connected to the linear array sensor, and is adapted to receive and transmit an optical image located in a field of view along a lens axis to the linear array sensor. A light source which generates an illumination stripe in general linear alignment with the lens axis is provided. A cylindrical lens is positioned between the light source and an object to be scanned. The cylindrical lens adapted to collect, transmit and focus light from the light source to form the illumination stripe.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: ACCU-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward I. Chaleff, Thomas J. Brobst
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Patent number: 6808115Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive scanner that can scan at near to medium focal lengths. A light beam is generated to illuminate a target area on the scanned object. A mirrored surface directs the light beam towards the object and light reflected from the object to a detector. The detector is positioned to receive a constant amount of reflected light from the mirrored surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Alves, Thomas J. Brobst
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Patent number: 6805449Abstract: A presentation imaging system used for imaging machine readable information on an object is provided. The system includes an imaging device coupled to a processor. The imaging device senses the presence of an object within a field of view. A light source projects a structured beam at a first intensity to define an imaging area generally co-extensive with the field of view. Upon detection of the object, the processor signals the light source to project the beam at a second, higher intensity for imaging.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventor: Kurt Hecht
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Publication number: 20040201875Abstract: A system for scanning objects having a linear array sensor, adapted to detect light input signals, is provided. A lens is optically connected to the linear array sensor, and is adapted to receive and transmit an optical image located in a field of view along a lens axis to the linear array sensor. A light source which generates an illumination stripe in general linear alignment with the lens axis is provided. A cylindrical lens is positioned between the light source and an object to be scanned. The cylindrical lens adapted to collect, transmit and focus light from the light source to form the illumination stripe.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward I. Chaleff, Thomas J. Brobst