Patents by Inventor Robert L. Kennington
Robert L. Kennington has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240347395Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dimensions of an object comprises a horizontal table and two mutually perpendicular walls above the table forming a junction, a first device positioned opposite one wall for emitting a horizontal laser line beam toward and perpendicular to the one wall and movable horizontally along the table parallel to the one wall, a second device positioned above the table for emitting a vertical laser line beam toward and perpendicular to table and movable horizontally parallel to the table and another wall above and across the table, and a third device positioned opposite to the one wall for emitting a horizontal laser line beam toward and perpendicular to the one wall and movable vertically parallel to the other wall. Other apparatus and methods of measuring one or more object dimensions are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2023Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventors: Brandon M. Taylor, Heath A. Pritchett, Justin G. Norman, Brett C. Behrmann, Robert L. Kennington, Randy B. Nielsen, Brandon L. Baker
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Publication number: 20210097904Abstract: A marker system for a vehicle comprises a marker structure bearing an augmented reality (AR) code visible on a surface thereof, and an illumination source configured and positioned to provide sufficient contrast between the AR code and adjacent portion of the marker structure at the surface to enable a camera aimed at the surface to detect the AR for recognition thereof. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Brandon M. Taylor, Robert L. Kennington, Heath A. Pritchett, Justin G. Norman, Rüdiger Elben
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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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Publication number: 20150168129Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Keith Bradford, Brandon M. Taylor, Robert L. Kennington, Marie L. Midboe, Heath A. Pritchett
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Publication number: 20150103335Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Robert L. Kennington, Eve A. Carlsruh, Craig R. Bailey, Marie L. Midboe, Brandon M. Taylor, Randy B. Neilson
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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: 20140373376Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for obtaining one or more dimensions of an object employing, at least in part, touch sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Robert L. Kennington, Brandon M. Taylor, Eve A. Carlsruh
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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: 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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Publication number: 20040151068Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: 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: 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: 5422861Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the dimensions and determining the three-dimensional, spatial volume of objects. An object detection system is employed to detect proper placement of an object to be measured, and waveguides are employed as standoffs and received wave isolators for reflected-wave sensors. An autocalibration method for ultrasonic sensors is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1993Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Stringer, Robert L. Kennington
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Patent number: 5105392Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for measuring the linear dimensions and determining the three-dimensional, spatial volume of objects. In the preferred embodiments, ultrasonic sensing is employed, alone or in combination with other measuring methods such as light curtains and the timing of moving objects, to ascertain linear dimensions. The preferred embodiments are particularly adapted to the measurement of large and irregularly configured objects, such as palletized loads, and to the measurement of moving, rectangular objects of random orientation with respect to the direction of travel.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1991Date of Patent: April 14, 1992Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Stringer, Brian H. Smith, Robert L. Kennington
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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