Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring volumes. The apparatus includes a base having a central processing unit, a receiver and a dock; and a scanner having an inertial navigation system, a transmitter, a sensor, a reset control, and a trigger in communication with a microprocessor. An alternate embodiment scanner may include an exclude control, which instructs the central processing unit to exclude floor, ceiling, and walls from the volume calculation. The method of measuring volumes includes the steps of placing the scanner in the dock, actuating a reset control which establishes a reference point for the inertial navigation system, scanning objects, transmitting the data points scanned to the central processing unit, and calculating the volume of the object(s) scanned.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring volumes. The apparatus includes a base having a central processing unit, a receiver and 3-D radar; and a scanner having a transmitter, a penetrating sensor, and a trigger in communication with a microprocessor, and a plurality of radio frequency identification tags. An alternate embodiment scanner may include an exclusion control, which instructs the central processing unit to exclude floor, ceiling, and/or walls from the volume calculation. The method of measuring volumes includes the steps of the central processing unit determining a position of the scanner relative to the base, scanning an object with the penetrating sensor, transmitting the points scanned to the central processing unit, and calculating the volume of the object(s) scanned by summing a base vector with a scanner vector to determine a target position vector for each point scanned.

Abstract: A method for contracting transportation. A contractor uses scanning apparatus to accurately determine the volume of objects to be moved, and sends out contractor requests for quotation to a large number of moving companies. The contractor forwards the resulting moving company quotes to the customer, who communicates the winning quote to the contractor. The contractor may perform the transportation work himself for the winning quote price. In the alternative, the contractor may award the work to the moving company which supplied the winning quote, in which case the winning moving company remits a commission to the contractor for procuring the transportation work for the winning moving company.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring volumes. The apparatus includes a base having a central processing unit, a receiver and a dock; and a scanner having an inertial navigation system, a transmitter, a sensor, a reset control, and a trigger in communication with a microprocessor. An alternate embodiment scanner may include an exclude control, which instructs the central processing unit to exclude floor, ceiling, and walls from the volume calculation. The method of measuring volumes includes the steps of placing the scanner in the dock, actuating a reset control which establishes a reference point for the inertial navigation system, scanning objects, transmitting the data points scanned to the central processing unit, and calculating the volume of the object(s) scanned.

Abstract: A volume measurement apparatus and method of use. The volume measurement apparatus comprises a vertical leg attached to a horizontal leg, and at least one sensor attached to the legs. A trackball is rotatably attached to the volume measurement apparatus, and is electrically connected to a trackball movement detection means. A volume measurement means is electrically connected to the trackball movement detection means and to the at least one sensor. The method of use includes the steps of rolling the volume measurement apparatus past an object whose volume is to be measured, such that the sensor(s) will scan cross sectional areas of an object embraced within the volume measurement apparatus vertical leg and horizontal leg at pre-set intervals, figuring only the area that the sensor(s) report as solid, which is the object cross section return, and summing the products of the object cross section returns multiplied by the increment.

Abstract: A volume measurement apparatus and method of use. The volume measurement apparatus comprises a vertical leg attached to a horizontal leg, and at least one sensor attached to the legs. At least one measuring wheel is rotatably attached to the volume measurement apparatus, and is electrically connected to a measuring wheel travel detection means. A volume measurement means is electrically connected to the measuring wheel travel detection means and to the at least one sensor. The method of use includes the steps of rolling the volume measurement apparatus past an object whose volume is to be measured, such that the sensors will scan cross sectional areas of an object embraced within the volume measurement apparatus vertical leg and horizontal leg at pre-set intervals, figuring only the area that the sensor(s) report as solid, which is the object cross section return, and summing the products of the object cross section returns multiplied by the increment.