RU216782U1 - SENSOR MODULE FOR REGISTRATION OF VOLUME AND WEIGHT CHARACTERISTICS - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to the hardware components of systems used in electronic commerce for registering the physical parameters of a mail item, logistic control devices used in electronic commerce, namely, devices for measuring the volume-weight characteristics (VX) of goods and mail items. The technical problem solved by the utility model is to create a device for determining the physical parameters of mail items, including OVH, with the achievement of a technical result that consists in increasing the reliability of the parameters determined when using the device, as well as providing the possibility of identifying mail items. The technical result is achieved due to the fact that the utility model contains a frame in the form of a parallelepiped, at the corners of the bottom of which strain gauges are fixed, on which a flat weighing platform is fixed, within which there is a rectangular area for placing the item, limited by a coating layer of contrast material, two stereoscopic cameras depth cameras located in opposite corners of the upper part of the frame, so that the light-emitting illumination devices of each of the depth cameras are located between the video cameras of the corresponding depth cameras on vertical straight lines passing through the corners of the selected rectangular area, and the webcam is located in the center between the two depth cameras, located at the same distance from the weight platform, and the front part of the device is made with a hole, the distance between the side edges of which is not less than the width of the selected area, and the upper edge is located no higher than the height of the light-emitting devices of the depth cameras s. 10 z.p. f-ly, 7 ill.

Description

The utility model relates to the hardware of systems for registering volume-weight characteristics (OVX) of goods, mailings and other physical objects during logistics operations, such as transportation and sorting, warehouse operations, such as storage, accounting and packaging. The device is a sensor module for determining the OVH of postal items, including packaged and non-prepackaged goods intended for postal forwarding, courier delivery or other forms of transportation between the point of departure and the point of receipt (delivery). The device can be used in post offices, e-commerce enterprises. The utility model can be used as part of software and hardware systems that ensure the determination of the OVH of goods and items, as well as the compliance of the OVH of the parcel/goods with the characteristics stated in the description of the parcel/goods of the postal item with the characteristics stated in the description of the goods.

When operating network marketplaces and postal services, situations often arise in which many goods of the "grade" class (goods to be sorted and having the maximum overall dimensions of one side = 450 mm, the other two sides = 350 mm and weight up to 10 kg) arrive for acceptance from a seller or other sender with characteristics that have not been verified or specified in advance, which, in some cases, requires registration of volumetric and weight characteristics required, for example, for planning logistics or warehouse operations. For example, when transporting by air, it is required to comply with the established requirements for the weight of containers; when organizing warehousing, the volume of an object is an important parameter.

From the prior art, solutions are known related to the tasks of automating the process of determining the volume-weight characteristics of goods and mailings in warehouses and sorting centers of online stores to reduce the time for goods acceptance operations, reliable determination of the commission, optimization of the use of the mezzanine and highway.

For example, there is a device for digital measurement of volume-weight characteristics (VX) of goods, which is a table with a weight platform on strain gauges and three laser sensors for measuring cargo dimensions (https://infoscansize.ru/). Different versions of the device can be equipped with a monitor for data output, or connected directly to the operator's PC and transfer the received data to a PC for further processing. The disadvantage of the device is the high cost of the product, the need to allocate special space for installing the device.

A similar device, which is a table with two sides, turning into a rack on which the monitor is installed. Known from (https://vmlogo.ru/).

The closest analogue of the patented device is a device for digital measurement of the volumetric and weight characteristics of goods and mail, containing a housing; loading table; a size measurement device that measures the size of a package placed on a loading table, on the upper surface of which a protrusion is provided that abuts against the side surface of the package to prevent contact of the package with the side wall (CN109154524A, publ. 01/04/2019).

The disadvantage of the known solution is the presence of a side protrusion, which can be determined, when scanning the dimensions, as part of the packaging of the postal item. In addition, when using a known device, the contact of the mailpiece with the side walls is not excluded, for example, when using a soft package or a package whose shape is different from a rectangular one. In some cases, platform edges can be perceived by sensors as part of the package, or bends of mail items of low height, such as registered letters, can be recognized as weight platform edges and not taken into account when generating information about mail items. The device is not protected against the loading of oversized goods into it. All these circumstances significantly reduce the reliability of the ROV parameters determined using the device.

The technical problem solved by the utility model is to create a device for non-contact determination of physical parameters of goods, including OVH, with the achievement of a technical result that consists in increasing the reliability of the parameters determined when using the device, as well as providing the possibility of identifying goods by size and barcode. When using a utility model, it is possible to determine the dimensions of goods of any shape and with any type of packaging with an accuracy of 10% in terms of volumetric weight and a speed of no more than 15 seconds and automatic transmission of data to the company's systems

The technical result is achieved due to the fact that the sensor module for registering volume-weight characteristics contains

a frame closed by walls in the form of a parallelepiped, at the corners of the lower part of which strain gauges are fixed, on which a flat weighing platform is fixed, within which there is a rectangular area for placing the item, limited by a relief strip;

two stereoscopic depth cameras located in opposite corners of the upper part of the frame, so that the light-emitting illumination devices of each of the depth cameras are located between the video cameras of the corresponding depth cameras on vertical straight lines passing through the corners of the selected rectangular area, and the video cameras of the depth cameras are located at the same distance from the weight platform;

the front part of the device is made with a hole, the distance between the side edges of which is not less than the width of the selected area, and the upper edge is not higher than the height of the light-emitting devices of the depth cameras. In particular cases of implementation, the relief strip can be made in the form of a recess on the weight platform, or in the form of a polymer coating strip protruding on the surface of the platform, while the polymer coating can be made of a contrasting material with respect to the material of the platform, in addition, the weight the platform, with the exception of the embossed strip, may have a matte or textured surface. In a particular implementation case, the module may contain a barcode scanner installed above the placement level of the light emitting backlight devices, as well as a visible range lighting device located above the light emitting backlight devices. To improve functionality, the module can be provided with means for inputting and displaying information fixed on the front wall of the device, the lower edge of which forms the upper edge of the hole. The lighting device can be made in the form of a linear lamp fixed against the back wall of the device, and the weighing platform is made with a mesh relief marking.

Further, the solution is described with reference to the figures, which show the following.

Fig. 1 - general view of the device with walls.

Fig. 2 – top view of the device (without walls).

Fig. 3 - image of the device without walls.

Fig. 4 - an example of a graphical interface (output of a product card received from the seller after scanning the barcode).

Fig. 5 - an example of a graphical interface (output of measurement results).

Fig. 6 - examples of the arrangement of goods of various forms inside the device for measurements.

Fig. 7 is an example of a depth camera.

There are maximum and minimum values for each product category. The weight and dimensions of the goods in the package must comply with the allowable values. You cannot add a product whose weight and dimensions differ. The sensor module for recording the physical parameters of a mail item as part of a device for digitally measuring the volumetric and weight characteristics of goods and mail items contains a frame in the form of a parallelepiped with walls, a cover and a weighing platform made in the form of a base with a protective coating. As shown in FIG. 2, the weighing platform includes a rectangular area for receiving a shipment, bounded by a layer of coating of a contrasting material and can be additionally made with markings in the form of cells, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, with a chess marking made on the upper surface of a substance, in a particular case, contrasting for the light range of video cameras. At the same time, the use of the surface relief and the matte structure of the platform provides more reliable measurements, since the possibility of removing an additional layer during operation is excluded. For example, a protective coating can be made in the form of a polymer coating with a titanium dioxide filler, and contrast coatings with a carbon black filler. The relief can be made using laser engraving, or, in mass production, by using a press and a matrix. Also, the weighing platform can be made textured, which makes it possible to accurately determine the distance of the weighing platform from the depth cameras and to separate the product surface image from the platform surface image. The grid applied to the surface of the platform provides the possibility of calibrating the depth cameras. The weighing platform is fixed on four load cells located near the racks of the frame at the corners of the bottom of the frame and fixed relative to the frame. Load cells can be connected to form a measuring bridge. Two depth cameras are located diagonally in the upper corners of the frame, cameras and an analog-to-digital converter of the weighing platform are connected to a computing module installed inside the frame and connected to an information output device installed on the outer surface of the device wall, a video camera installed at the top center of the frame, for example, webcam or RGB camera (visible spectrum video camera). provides the possibility of a comprehensive analysis of the image of the goods both in the case of packaging with a low height, and in the case when the packaging occupies all the space available for placing the goods.

The computing module can be made in the form of a microcomputer for controlling cameras, installed in an individual housing, fixed inside the device frame. The microcomputer may contain a cooling unit and a microcontroller to control the weighing platform.

The microcomputer may contain a USB hub for connecting external devices, while the USB ports are brought to the outer surface of one of the side walls or the cover. In particular, a product barcode scanner can be connected to a USB hub, which transmits information about the read base station barcode via a corporate communication channel (bluetooth, wi-fi, etc.).

In a particular case, the utility model may contain a lighting unit that includes an LED light source in the form of LED strips placed around the perimeter of the top cover and along the perimeter of the weight platform on the side and rear covers. The proposed device optimizes the work of the warehouse, in particular, determining the overall dimensions of the goods (length, width, height) using cameras, determining the mass of goods using load cells on the weighing platform, reading the sticker with the barcode of the goods using a barcode scanner, displaying information from the goods card on the program interface for the operator, output of the obtained results of the OVKh measurement to the program interface for the operator, entering the received OVKh data for the measured warehouse accounting unit into the ISS (information-static server). Volumetric weight characteristics (OVX) are the weight and dimensions of the goods in the package, for example, in the original packaging. According to OVH, without the need to use other parameters, it can be calculated, among other things, the cost of delivery to the destination, the warehouse, the intermediate terminal, or the point of issue where the goods can be delivered. Also, according to the OVH, you can determine the volumetric weight of the goods that it occupies on the mezzanine and the amount of required packaging material.

Structurally closed design of the device housing provides protection of the sensitive elements of the device from external influences that may affect the measurement process. This allows the cameras to be calibrated by means of the staggered platform cover surface only during the first use after the device has been put into operation.

Frame 1 of the device consists of an easily assembled aluminum profile 30×30 mm. Side, back, top (cover) and front walls 2 are made of alucobond. These materials provide sufficient strength with low weight. On the outer surface of the housing, preferably on the front wall in the upper part, there is an information output device 3.

The main structural elements are placed on the frame and walls inside the device: a weighing platform, an optical sensor unit, a computing unit, lighting and scanning units, and a power supply module.

The weighing module contains a weighing platform 4 and is located at the base of the device. The weighing module consists of four 5 kg half-bridge load cells. As strain gauges, piezoresistive strain gauges or strain gauges of other known types can be used, preferably used in such a way that the readings of the strain gauges are read separately. The strain gauges are bridged and connected to an analog-to-digital converter, which in turn is connected to a microcontroller, such as an Arduino Nano. The use of these sensors provides a simple weighing device. The base of the load platform consists of a sheet of plywood to provide the necessary rigidity. To limit the movement of the frame of the weight platform in the horizontal direction, physical stops are provided in the form of protrusions. A sheet of alucobond is placed on top of the plywood, on which goods are directly placed for measurement. The top sheet has, on the one hand, the marking of a linear measurement with the dimensions of the measured product, on the other hand, a chess marking for calibrating the chambers. The alucobond sheet on the weighing platform is placed with the white side up. Cameras are calibrated once before putting the device into operation. Additionally, the device may contain a webcam 30 used to improve the accuracy of measuring the dimensions of the goods when determining the OVH.

An optical sensor module, an example of which is shown in FIG. 7 is used to determine the overall component of the OBX of the product (length, width, height) and consists of two depth cameras 5, for example, Intel RealSence D415. They are installed symmetrically with respect to the measurement scene on the corner posts in the upper corners of the frame diagonally. Depth cameras contain two video cameras 72 of the infrared range, providing the ability to determine the distance to points on the surface of an object using a stereoscopic effect. In addition, the use of infrared cameras and cameras in the visible range can improve the accuracy of determining the dimensions of the goods, if the packaging of the goods or the label applied to the packaging are transparent or partially transparent for one of the spectral ranges, ranges. To illuminate the object, infrared LEDs 71 are used as light-emitting illumination devices. To register the actions of the operator, as well as, for example, to read graphic information from the packaging of the item, video cameras 73 of the optical range can be used. Using video cameras of the optical range, the correct location of the item on the weighing platform can also be determined. Implemented versions of this technical solution This solution provides optimal measurement accuracy (accuracy up to 10% of the volumetric weight (key metric) with the camera's own error of 2%) of different-sized objects in the range from 30 mm to 500 mm in height, from 40 mm to 500 mm in length and it is 30 to 450 mm in width. When measuring dimensions using depth cameras, initially, using depth cameras, the height of the object is determined to enable the desired algorithm. At a height of less than 50 mm, a segmentation algorithm is used that works on the image from a webcam, at a height of more than 500 mm, the object shape is determined from a point cloud using depth cameras. When measuring dimensions from a point cloud, the point cloud generated by the depth cameras is cut according to the size and location of the table. Then, to highlight the item, the point cloud is clipped in height (points that are at a height above a certain threshold are considered part of the product) and clustered to filter out noise. Further, a parallelepiped bounding them is built along the points of the object, the dimensions of which are considered to be the dimensions of the object. Location of depth cameras in opposite corners of the upper part of the frame, so that the optical centers of the cameras of the depth cameras are located on lines normal to the surface of the weighing platform, passing through the corners of the selected rectangular area, provides a complete and effective view of objects located on the weighing platform within a limited area, and the additional use of checkerboard markings allows you to calibrate the cameras and the computational methods used in such a way that the measurement error becomes minimal.

The implementation of the front wall with a calibration rectangular hole, the width of which is not greater than the width of the selected area, and the height is not greater than the height of the optical centers of the video cameras, makes it possible to avoid loading objects on the weighing platform, the dimensions of which do not allow for the effective determination of the physical parameters of the items, which significantly reduces the time for processing a large number of shipments.

The computing module 6 consists of a Raspberry PI 4B single-board microcomputer, an Arduino Nano microcontroller board (for a tensoplatform) and a USB hub 7 for connecting external devices (the USB ports contained in the USB hub are routed to the outer surface of the device case, for example, to the outer surface of one of the side walls or cover). The Raspberry PI 4B is housed in an aluminum case with fans and comes with a memory card for data storage. This solution ensures the measurement of objects without the use of third-party PCs and cloud services, and the device parameters ensure the mobility of moving the installation throughout the warehouse / logistics center.

As an information output device 3, a touch display 3 with a diagonal of 10-12 inches is used, mounted on the upper part of the frame on the front side, which can be used as a means of input and output of information and for working with a graphical interface of the device software. An LCD screen can also be used to display information, a keyboard and/or a manipulator to enter information and work with the graphical interface of the device software.

The power supply module consists of three blocks. The first block provides the operation of the Raspberry PI 4B single-board microcomputer, the second is designed to power the USB hub, the third block is for lighting.

The scanning and lighting unit provides scanning of goods using a barcode scanner used in warehouses. It plugs directly into a USB port on a USB hub. Lighting is provided by an LED light source.

The following is an example implementation of the utility model.

To start working with the device, turn on the power to all actuators by connecting the device to the electrical network and to the Ethernet network using the appropriate cables. Next, turn on the toggle switch / power button inside the device by running the software. The readiness of the device for operation can be assessed by turning on the lighting inside the device and displaying the graphical interface on the information output devices.

Options for interacting with the graphical interface:

via touch screen;

by means of the keyboard and/or information input manipulator (mouse).

When the device is put into operation for the first time, an alucobond surface with a checkerboard pattern is used to calibrate the chambers; later, a white sheet surface is used to measure the RH of goods.

The weighing platform is calibrated automatically. For correct calibration, it is necessary to monitor its position relative to the device. Before taking measurements, the barcode of the product is read (for example, with a handheld scanner or a scanner built into the device), after which information about the product (product card) should be displayed on the screen, including the length, width and height, as well as the weight of the product.

After reading the barcode, the goods are placed on the weighing platform for measuring the OVH and the “Measure” button is pressed on the screen. This command is transmitted to the microcomputer, which reads the data from the cameras and the weighing platform. The system measures the goods within a period of time from 2 to 10 s. The microcomputer displays the measurement data on the graphical interface of the device, while highlighting (for example, by color fill) those values that have a deviation from the dimensions received from the seller by more than 20%.

To save the measurement results to the ISS warehouse database, press the button on the interface of the device "Save to ISS".

To scan a new item, repeat the script, starting with the step of scanning the barcode with a scanner.

All goods must be placed in the center of the weighing platform. Restrictions on the overall dimensions of the measured goods:

Length, mm - up to 400.

Width, mm - up to 400.

Height, mm - up to 350.

Weight, kg - up to 20.

In total, in order to obtain the most accurate values for the RH measurement, it is recommended to place the measurement object in the center of the measurement scene.

Examples of the arrangement of goods are shown in Fig. 6.

Claims (11)

1. A sensor module for recording volumetric and weight characteristics, containing a frame closed by walls in the form of a parallelepiped, at the corners of the lower part of which strain gauges are fixed, on which a flat weighing platform is fixed, within which there is a rectangular area for placing the item, limited by a relief strip; a webcam and two stereoscopic depth cameras located in opposite corners of the upper part of the frame so that the light-emitting illumination devices of each of the depth cameras are located between the video cameras of the corresponding depth cameras on vertical straight lines passing through the corners of the selected rectangular area, and the video cameras of the depth cameras are located on the same distance from the weight platform; the front part of the device is made with a hole, the distance between the side edges of which is not less than the width of the selected area, and the upper edge is not higher than the height of the light-emitting devices of the depth cameras. 2. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the relief strip is made in the form of a recess on the weighing platform. 3. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the relief strip is made in the form of a protruding strip of polymer coating. 4. The module according to claim 3, characterized in that the polymer coating is made of a contrasting material with respect to the platform material. 5. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the weighing platform, with the exception of the relief strip, has a matte surface. 6. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the weighing platform has a textured surface. 7. The module according to claim. 1, characterized in that it contains a barcode scanner installed above the level of placement of light-emitting backlight devices. 8. The module according to claim. 1, characterized in that it contains a lighting device in the visible range, located above the light-emitting backlight devices. 9. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with means for inputting and displaying information fixed on the front wall of the device, the lower edge of which forms the upper edge of the hole. 10. The module according to claim 8, characterized in that the lighting device is made in the form of an LED light source in the form of LED strips placed around the perimeter of the top cover and along the perimeter of the weight platform on the side and back covers. 11. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the weighing platform is made with a mesh relief marking.

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