Abstract: A stationary dimensioning apparatus dimensions a load on a movable conveyance by detecting a barcode fiducial that is situated on the conveyance and by detecting a large number of points in space that represent points on the surface of the load. The barcode fiducial fluoresces as a predetermined wavelength, and the points in space are detected in the form of electromagnetic energy at the same predetermined wavelength. The electromagnetic energy is subjected to a band pass filter that rejects all but the predetermined wavelength before the remaining electromagnetic energy is impinged on a camera sensor. The location of the barcode fiducial on the conveyance is compared with a reference location of a reference barcode fiducial, and a translation vector and a rotation vector between them are calculated.

Abstract: A stationary dimensioning apparatus dimensions a load on a movable conveyance by detecting a barcode fiducial that is situated on the conveyance and by detecting a large number of points in space that represent points on the surface of the load. The location of the barcode fiducial on the conveyance is compared with a reference location of a reference barcode fiducial, and a translation vector and a rotation vector are calculated to characterize the difference in translation and rotation between the reference barcode fiducial and the barcode fiducial that was detected on the conveyance. The translation and rotation vectors are then employed in a transformation matrix that is used to transform each of the detected points in space into transformed points in space that correspond with a reference coordinate system, such as might be defined in terms of horizontal and vertical directions.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus is usable in conjunction with a device such as a forklift and includes a front plate upon which a set of forks are placed, a rear plate that is mounted to a lift mechanism of the forklift, a pair of connection apparatuses that are situated between the front and rear plates, and a load cell apparatus that extends between the front and rear plates. Each connection apparatus includes an inboard rail and an outboard rail between which a number of rollable engagement structures are generally situated. The front plate is movable along a movement direction while being resisted from moving in any direction other than the movement direction. The connection apparatuses are configured to avoid binding between the inboard and outboard rails and enable the load cell apparatus to accurately provide an output that is representative of the weight of a load situated on the forks.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus is usable in conjunction with a device such as a forklift and includes a front plate upon which a set of forks are placed, a rear plate that is mounted to a lift mechanism of the forklift, a pair of connection apparatuses that are situated between the front and rear plates, and a load cell apparatus that extends between the front and rear plates. Each connection apparatus includes an inboard rail and an outboard rail between which a number of rollable engagement structures are generally situated. The front plate is movable along a movement direction while being resisted from moving in any direction other than the movement direction. The connection apparatuses are configured to avoid binding between the inboard and outboard rails and enable the load cell apparatus to accurately provide an output that is representative of the weight of a load situated on the forks.

Abstract: A detection system is usable on a vehicle such as a forklift. The detection system includes a sensor apparatus and a processor apparatus that are configured to detect the proximity of objects and structures that are situated in the vicinity of the forklift, and are further configured to initiate some type of action if the processor apparatus determines that the likelihood of a collision has reached a predetermined threshold. In the event of a collision determination, the processor apparatus outputs a collision signal to an output apparatus that performs any one or more of a variety of predetermined operations responsive to the collision signal. The operations can include reducing an engine speed of the forklift, reducing the velocity of the forklift, operating a movement mechanism to move the forklift platform away from the object or structure, producing audible and/or visual indications of the potential for a collision, and the like.

Abstract: An improved method of determining the weight of the contents of a container involves using a roll-off truck's own container loading system to remove a container from a number of weight measure elements. Another improved method of weighing the contents of a container involves employing support elements which enable a container that is engaged with the number of weight measurement elements to be lowered out of engagement with such weight measurement elements. An improved weighing apparatus includes a number of weight measurement elements and a number of support elements. Such an improved weighing apparatus can be retrofitted onto an existing truck to provide an improved truck on which such methods can be performed.

Abstract: An improved method of determining the weight of the contents of a container involves using a roll-off truck's own container loading system to remove a container from a number of weight measure elements. Another improved method of weighing the contents of a container involves employing support elements which enable a container that is engaged with the number of weight measurement elements to be lowered out of engagement with such weight measurement elements. An improved weighing apparatus includes a number of weight measurement elements and a number of support elements. Such an improved weighing apparatus can be retrofitted onto an existing truck to provide an improved truck on which such methods can be performed.

Abstract: An improved activity detection system for use on a lift truck can be generally stated as including a detection apparatus and a processor apparatus. The detection apparatus can be generally stated as including at least one of a load detector and a movement detector. The processor apparatus can be generally stated as including a storage for storing an output from the detection apparatus.

Abstract: An improved dimensional detection system is portable and can be used to characterize a workpiece. The dimensional detection system employs as few as a single focused light source and as few as a single camera along with a calibration data set to convert the illuminated pixels of an image of a beam on the workpiece into a cloud of real world points in space on an outer surface of the workpiece. The cloud of points can be processed to characterize the workpiece, such as by determining the right hexahedron that would encompass all of the real world points in space and which could be used to determine a dimensional weight of the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved dimensional detection system is portable and can be used to characterize a workpiece. The dimensional detection system employs as few as a single focused light source and as few as a single camera along with a calibration data set to convert the illuminated pixels of an image of a beam on the workpiece into a cloud of real world points in space on an outer surface of the workpiece. The cloud of points can be processed to characterize the workpiece, such as by determining the right hexahedron that would encompass all of the real world points in space and which could be used to determine a dimensional weight of the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved dimensional detection system is portable and can be used to characterize a workpiece. The dimensional detection system employs as few as a single focused light source and as few as a single camera along with a calibration data set to convert the illuminated pixels of an image of a beam on the workpiece into a cloud of real world points in space on an outer surface of the workpiece. The cloud of points can be processed to characterize the workpiece, such as by determining the right hexahedron that would encompass all of the real world points in space and which could be used to determine a dimensional weight of the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved dimensional detection system is portable and can be used to characterize a workpiece. The dimensional detection system employs as few as a single focused light source and as few as a single camera along with a calibration data set to convert the illuminated pixels of an image of a beam on the workpiece into a cloud of real world points in space on an outer surface of the workpiece. The cloud of points can be processed to characterize the workpiece, such as by determining the right hexahedron that would encompass all of the real world points in space and which could be used to determine a dimensional weight of the workpiece.