Package dimension measurement system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10445949-B2
Application number	US-201715689410-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 29, 2017
Priority date	Aug 29, 2017
Publication date	Oct 15, 2019
Grant date	Oct 15, 2019

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for measuring package dimensions. The systems and methods may include determining, by a computing device comprising a processor, pixel locations of a plurality of corners of a package within an image. The systems and methods may also include determining, by the computing device, the package dimensions based on the pixel locations.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of determining package dimensions, the method comprising:
determining, by a computing device comprising a processor, pixel locations of a plurality of corners of a package within an image; and
determining, by the computing device, the package dimensions based on the pixel locations, including determining image distances in pixels between pixel coordinates defining the pixel locations and using the image distances and real-world cross ratios to determine the package dimensions, the cross ratios defined by four points, three of the four points representing an origin and two other known points along an axis, a fourth of the four points marking a corner of a side of the package.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving shipping information for the package; and
printing a shipping label, the shipping label including a shipping cost based on the package dimensions.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein receiving the shipping information includes extracting the shipping information from the image.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising calibrating a reference coordinate system in the image to a real-world coordinate system.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein calibrating the reference coordinate system includes determining a pixel coordinate for a known point within the reference coordinate system, the known point being a known distance from an origin of both the reference coordinate system and the real-world coordinate system.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the pixel coordinate corresponds to one of an x-axis, a y-axis, or a z-axis.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising capturing the image using an optical device.

8. A measuring system comprising:
a camera;
a processor in electrical communication with the camera; and
a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
receive, from the camera, an image including a coordinate system and a package, the package having a plurality of dimensions,
determine pixel locations of a plurality of corners of the package within the image, and
determine the plurality of dimensions of the package based on the pixel locations, including determining image distances in pixels between pixel coordinates defining the pixel locations and using the image distances and real-world cross ratios to determine the package dimensions, the cross ratios defined by four points, three of the four points representing an origin and two other known points along an axis, a fourth of the four points marking a corner of a side of the package.

9. The measuring system of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
receive shipping information for the package; and
transmit a shipping label to a printer, the shipping label including a shipping cost based on the package dimensions.

10. The measuring system of claim 8 , wherein receiving the shipping information includes extracting the shipping information from the image.

11. The measuring system of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to calibrate a reference coordinate system in the image to a real-world coordinate system.

12. The measuring system of claim 11 , wherein calibrating the reference coordinate system includes determining a pixel coordinate for a known point within the reference coordinate system, the known point being a known distance from an origin of both the reference coordinate system and the real-world coordinate system.

13. The measuring system of claim 12 , wherein the pixel coordinate corresponds to one of an x-axis, a y-axis, or a z-axis.

Assignees

• Ncr Corp

Inventors

• Sy Nico Ryan James Geguiera

Classifications

• G06V10/40

  Extraction of image or video features · CPC title

• G06V10/422

  for representing the structure of the pattern or shape of an object therefor · CPC title

• G07B17/00661 Primary

  Sensing or measuring mailpieces (weighing G01G19/00) · CPC title

• G07B2017/00685

  Measuring the dimensions of mailpieces · CPC title

• G06T7/62

  of area, perimeter, diameter or volume · CPC title