WO2000062089A1

WO2000062089A1 - Portable system for inventory control classification

Info

Publication number: WO2000062089A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/010227
Authority: WO
Inventors: James A. Aman; William R. Haller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-14
Filing date: 2000-04-14
Publication date: 2000-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2001-10-14
Also published as: AU4353700A

Abstract

Portable device (100) for remotely providing location information regarding surveyed objects, such as lumber units (10), which is used for inventory identification and classification. An operator carries the device within a defined area containing an object. Within this area, the locations of both the object and the device are monitored by a tracking computer system (80). The device uses a distance measurement unit (108) to determine the distance between an observation point (120) and a highlighted spot (121) on the object, a rotation measurement unit (100f) to ascertain tilt, and a vertical distance measurement unit (109) to calculate the distance of the point off the ground. All information is communicated by the device to the tracking computer system which, in turn, communicates with an office computer system (84). Thus, the device and the office computer system may exchange data, enabling the operator to determine pertinent information about the object.

Description

PORTABLE SYSTEM FOR INVENTORY CONTROL CLASSIFICATION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to portable systems for remotely providing location information regarding surveyed objects where such information may be used for classification and inventory identification purposes.

Related Applications

Automated End Tally System - U.S. Patent No. 5,307,294

Automated Lumber Unit Tracking System - Application Seπal Number 08/263,090 Description of Prior Art Lumber is most often transferred from primary manufacturer, to wholesaler and finally to retailer in bundled units. These units typically consist of lumber which is always of the same thickness but may vary m width and length. Units are constructed by stacking several layers of uniform width, called courses, on top of each other. Each course consists of several boards laid side by side. Typically, these units are constructed to be approximately four feet high by four feet wide by six to twenty feet long. These dimensions ensure that the unit may easily be transported by fork lift and other road vehicles. The lumber mill and especially the wholesaler may inventory hundreds of these lumber units at any given time. This requires that they maintain open yards where these units are segregated into like groups for easier location tracking and inventory control.

Any given unit of lumber may differ from any other given unit in several ways. First, it may be of a different specie, for example oak versus pine, or a different grade, for example "C" versus "C & better" or "B". In addition to these features, the boards within the units may also differ by width and length. Some lumber units may be green while others are dry. The boards in a given unit may all be rough, surfaced one side, two sides or on all four sides. Their ends may or may not be trimmed and they may or may not have surface patterns. Furthermore, lumber with the same specie, grade and thickness may be purchased from different mills and therefore may differ slightly in quality. These slight variations may be of importance to the wholesaler's customers. Lumber units are also received on different days and typically vary in age. Since all lumber tends to loose quality over time, it is important to the wholesaler to be able to identify the age of each unit. Because of all of these types of variations and more, lumber wholesalers have developed the practice of marking each unit They will either write with a marker on the side of one of the exposed boards for easy viewing and / or they will also create a paper tag to be attached to the unit Unfortunately, each of these two methods have significant drawbacks First, the outer surfaces of most boards do not make ideal writing surfaces and hence the markings which are all hand made may become illegible. It is also not practical to write a great amount of information, such as the original mill, received date or tally count of boards in the unit, on the side of one single board. Typically the information may just include specie, grade and perhaps thickness. Second, the use of paper tags, while they are not a poor writing surface, do present their own problems. For instance, tags may fade over time and / or they may fall off. Being made of special weather resistant paper, they do add additional mateπal cost, not to mention the labor costs of writing up the tags When units of lumber are opened and mixed with lumber from other units to create new units, they often must be re-tagged thereby taking additional time and paper costs Both methods, whether writing on the unit or tagging have the additional problem of not always being in a convenient location on the unit for later identification. For example, lumber units are often stacked four or five units high, several rows deeps, either in an open air yard or preferably in a shed of some sort. In these cases, the marking or tag on these units may not be easy to find and / or read.

The very nature of the aforementioned problem makes it difficult to maintain a computer based inventory control system which can accurately track the detailed characteristics of all units

Additionally, the constant movement of units makes it cost prohibitive to manually track the exact locations of each and every unit in the lumber yard at all times. There have traditionally been no methods of tracking this type of detail regarding individual units along with their current locations. The present inventors have previously submitted a patent application referred to as an Automated Lumber Unit Tracking System, seπal number 08/263,090. This system follows the movements of individual fork lifts as they engage, transport and disengage units throughout a yard. By doing this, an automated information system is established to track and record the exact location of each and every unit in a lumber yard and its sheds at any given instant. This information may then be associated with the characteπstics of each unit thereby maintaining a complete database which is constantly available for operator inquiry. However, the current state of the art would require that the operator either enter some identifying indicia to the computer system or have the unit engaged by a fork lift in order to retrieve the desired unit information. Rather than relying upon either of these two methods, the present inventors propose allowing the yard man to use a hand held device to remotely identify units based upon their location, after which all related unit information is provided on an LCD screen. It is further proposed that the present invention allow a yard man to classify a unit which has not yet had its location identified to a tracking system. This would be done by capturing the units image along with its current location and sending this to the remote tracking system for storage in its tracking database. At this same time, the operator could also enter any identifying indicia that may be on the unit by either using the keyboard or microphone Summary of the Invention

The present invention utilizes a similarly constructed omni-directional signal tracking system as disclosed m the aforementioned Automated Lumber Unit Tracking System patent application incorporated herewith along with a portable hand held device. The hand held device is in constant communication with a data base containing the location of each lumber unit within the yard along with the corresponding lumber characteπstics. The tracking system determines the location of the portable device at all times. The device compπses an LCD screen and small keyboard as well as electronic oπentation and range finding devices. The device further compπses a visible laser pointer. A particular lumber unit is selectively identified by shinning the visible laser beam onto any surface of the desired unit thereby creating a visible spot on the chosen unit. The exact position of the spot based upon the known coordinates and onentation of the hand held device as well as the distance to the spot is then calculated This information would then be passed to the computer system which is used to track each individual unit The current unit could then be identified and all known information would then be transmitted back to the hand held for display on the LCD screen for review by the yard man Such information could include all of the above mentioned specifications including specie, grade, thickness, width, length, dryness, surfacing etc. and could also include mill, received date, current tally, out of kiln date, moisture content, as well as who last transported the unit to this particular location. This system, if combined with order processing office computer software, could also tell the yard man if any of his customers are looking for such a unit. Such a device would eliminate the need to mark or tag any unit thereby saving both mateπal and labor costs. If the yard man can see a unit, he will be able to project a spot on the unit and therefore will have the ability to easily identify it. If the tally changes during repacking, there is no need to re- tag. Furthermore, it is anticipated that such a device may also be used to help find a desired unit by using the LCD screen to direct the yard man to the unit. Additionally, in the normal course of business, stacks of lumber units may fall to the ground. The bands around the units may then also break such that the boards of several fallen units mix together In this case, there is no unique lumber unit to identify. To resolve this problem, the operator will place the present invention withm the "space" that was occupied by any one of the fallen units and then initiate the inquiry sequence without first domg a range find operation. Hence, the associated unit tracking system would then feed back the last known unit to occupy the current location of the portable device, rather than the location of the projected spot. The system also determines that the device was effectively withm the inteπor of the "space" of the last known unit. Knowing this, the system assumes that the unit has fallen and also reports on any units which may have occupied the "space" above the current unit. Such simplicity is also useful for units which have not fallen. The device operator could point at a single unit, get its identity from the tracking system, and then use an up or down arrow key on the device key pad to request the identity of the unit above or below the present unit. Finally, in those cases where a particular unit has not yet been "located" by the use of a system such as fork lift tracking, the present invention will allow the operator to easily classify the unit. This would be accomplished by usmg the portable device to place a spot on one of the unit's exposed surfaces while at the same time either enteπng or speaking a command to direct the device to capture the current image. The operator would then also either enter or speak into the portable device the uniquely identifying code (if there is one) for the unit in question. All of this mformation would then be passed to the tracking computer system which would then be able to calculate the location of the spot as well as the size of the unit's surface. This location information would then be associated with the entered unit code so that any pertinent information contained on the companion office computer system could then be related to the newly located tag. The present inventors are not aware of any other portable devices, of any k nd, capable of working with a tracking system to identify and or classify individual units. Nor are the present inventors aware of any device capable of remotely identifying a unit simply based upon its location.

Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, the objects and advantages of the present invention are: 1. To provide a portable device which can be earned about by an operator and used to recall information regarding any desired object withm a group of mventoπed objects;

2. to provide a system where the operator may simply point at the desired object in order to identify it to the system;

3. to provide a system for identifying objects within a group, where the objects are not required to bear any indicia;

4. to provide a system where the operator may hold the portable device in an area once occupied by an object, as in the case where it has fallen or has been displaced, in order to identify it to the system;

5 to provide a system which can capture the current location, image and uniquely identifying code (if one exists) of a unit which has not yet been tracked so that it may then be tracked and classified by the accompanying computer systems; and 6. to provide a system where the operator has a minimum number of commands that need to be entered via keyboard for identifying mventoπed objects and retπevmg related mformation.

Further objects and advantages are to provide a system with a minimum of moving parts capable of withstandmg a large vaπation of environmental conditions. Still further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the consideration of the drawings and ensuing descnption.

Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective diagram of the present invention showing the proposed portable device being used to spot and identify a specific lumber unit from amongst several units stacked in rows Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the present invention showing its electronic circuit.

Fig. 3 is a perspective diagram of the present invention alternatively being used to measure the diameter and length of a log, from which it may then calculate the log's scale and classify the log.

Fig. 4a depicts three stationary locating modules placed about a parcel of land to be surveyed. One of the modules has been placed directly over a pre-surveyed pomt whose coordinates are known. Also represented is the tracking grid created by the overlapping signals generated by the locating modules.

Fig 4b is identical to 4a except that the portable observation pomt device has been added and shown pointing at the pre-surveyed pomt in order to calibrate the measurement system

Fig. 4c is identical to 4b except that the portable observation point device has been moved and shown to be pointing at some desired location withm the parcel of land. This desired pomt is then located based upon the tracked position of the calibrated observation device and the extrapolated location of the projected spot in the exact same manner as depicted m preferred embodiment.

Specification

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a perspective drawing of the present invention of the portable observation point device 100 along with several stacked rows of lumber units similar to 10. It is presumed that the units such as 10, have been tracked to their current resting positions by a system similar to the Automated Lumber Unit Tracking System, seπal number 08/263,090, as previously disclosed by the present inventors Compπsmg such a system, and also mcorporated mto the present invention, is office computer system 84, which stores pertinent information related to each unit such as 10 as may have been previously input by human effort or gathered by devices similar to the

Automated End Tally System, patent number 5,307,294, as previously disclosed by the present inventors. Computer system 84 is capable of bi-directional communications with unit trackmg computer system 80 via data link 82. Trackmg computer system 80 further connects with two or more stationary elevated locating modules such as 74a and 74b, via wires 78a and 78b respectively. Modules 74a and 74b are constantly emitting trackmg and mformation signals 76a and 76b which are then capable of bemg received by trackmg antenna 107 on device 100. Antenna 107 itself is also capable of emittmg trackmg and mformation signal 107a which is then capable of be g received by modules 74a and 74b.

Portable device 100 also compπses distance to spot measurement unit 108 as well as gravity directed ultrasonic vertical distance to ground measurement unit 109 mounted m a conventional gimbal. Distance measurement unit 108 is capable of emittmg visible focused energy beam 108a which, when directed at a lumber unit such as 10, is capable of creating projected spot 121 on the surface of units such as 10 and of measuring the distance to spot 121. Distance measurement devices, such as laser range finders, are well known m the art. Vertical distance measurement unit 109 uses a conventional gimbal to allow omni-directional rotation under the force of gravity to direct its ultrasonic signal emitter m the downward direction. Unit 109 further emits ultrasonic signal 109a towards the ground from which it then receives back signal 109a's reflections. Unit 109 uses ultrasonic signal 109a and its reflection to calculate the distance from observation pomt 120, withm device 100, to the nearest ground point directly beneath device 100. Device 100 additionally compπses image capture unit 110, such as a conventional CCD camera. Unit 110 is capable of captuπng images of objects such as unit 10, which are currently in the Ime of site as marked by projected spot 121. Finally, device 100 further compπses housmg 102 which holds keyboard 103, microphone 104, speaker 105 and LCD 106.

Refemng now to Fig. 2, there is shown a block diagram of the electronic circuit of device 100. Controller 100c receives mput from keyboard 103 and microphone 104 and communicates to the operator through speaker 105 and LCD 106. Distance measurement unit 108 passes obtained distance information to encoder lOOe which also receives rotation mformation from rotation measurement unit lOOf and tilt mformation from azimuth measurement unit lOOg. Units 108, lOOf and lOOg determine the polar coordmates of the projected spot with respect to observation pomt 120 withm device 100. Image capture unit 110 also passes captured images to encoder lOOe. Encoder lOOe then passes translated information to transmitter lOOt which further communicates this mformation as signal 107a via trackmg antenna 107 to locating modules 74a and 74b. These signals are then communicated to unit tracking computer system 80, which in turn communicates them over wire 82 to office computer system 84. Computer systems 80 and 84 are also capable of transmitting mformation as represented by signals 76a and 76b via modules 74a and 74b to receiver lOOr via antenna 107. Receiver lOOr then passes this mformation to, and receive commands from, controller 100c. Controller 100c also outputs commands to transmitter lOOt, distance measurement unit 108, rotation measurement unit lOOf and azimuth measurement unit lOOg

First Operation The present invention is intended to work in conjunction with an object trackmg system such as that descπbed by the present inventors m their application for an Automated Lumber Unit Trackmg System. In this mvention, it was shown that the location of objects such as units of lumber could be uniquely tracked withm a prescπbed area as they were transported about by a vehicle such as a fork lift. Hence, a unit trackmg computer system such as 80 and an office computer system such as 84, as depicted in Fig 's 1 and 2, can be employed to track the current locations of units of lumber such as

10 and to associate with these current coordinates selected meaningful mformation about unit 10. As will be descπbed in the ensuing text, the operation of the present invention will allow the yard man to recall selected pertinent mformation regarding desired units of lumber by simply "spoting" them with the present mvention which itself is bemg tracked by a system similar to that which is employed to track the lumber units.

Referring to Fig. 1, the unit trackmg computer system 80 automatically tracks and records the exact location of each and every unit, such as 10, bemg transported by a fork lift about a lumber yard or withm any of its sheds. This positional mformation, when combined with the known physical size of each individual unit, includes the entire area taken up by the unit's volume. The physical size can be determined by usmg a device similar to the Automated End Tally System, as patented by the present inventors. This device is not only capable of determining the actual tally count of boards withm a given unit, but it can also determine the actual size of the unit itself based upon the unit's scanned end topologies. The unit trackmg computer system 80 extrapolates the actual coordmates of the corners of the rectangular volume of each unit from the exact position of the forks when the unit was disengaged and the known size of the unit.

Referring to Fig.'s 1 and 2, operation of the portable device 100 commences when a yard man enters the pre-scπbed area covered by the unit tracking computer system 80 and its network of locating modules similar to 74a and 74b. Once withm this area, device 100 is itself constantly tracked in a means similar to that descπbed by the Automated Lumber Unit Trackmg System patent for trackmg fork lifts Hence, at any given moment, at least the exact relative X-Y location of observation pomt 120 withm device 100 is known by trackmg computer system 80. Although a modified tπangulation tracking system could be relied upon to also calculate the current Z coordinate of device 100, the present mvention will rely upon gravity directed ultrasonic vertical distance measurement unit 109 to emit signal 109a directly towards the ground below device 100. Unit 109 will then receive back the reflections of signal 109a, thereby calculating the distance between observation point 120 and the ground.

Eventually, it is anticipated that the yard man will point device 100, and therefore distance measurement unit 108, at a lumber unit such as 10. As he pomts device 100, it will be rotated and tilted about observation point 120. As is well known m the art, a conventional electronic compass may be employed withm the rotation measurement unit lOOf to ascertain device 100's exact rotation about the reference north-south vertical plane. Furthermore, a conventional electronic level may be employed withm azimuth measurement unit lOOg to ascertain device 100's exact tilt off the reference hoπzontal plane Also well known withm the art, a conventional laser range finder may be employed by measurement unit 108 to project a visible beam 108a upon the desired unit such as 10 Once projected, beam 108a will then create a visible spot 121 on the desired unit and distance measurement unit 108 automatically calculates the distance to spot 121. The operator will then either speak a command mto microphone 104 or enter a command mto keyboard 103 which will then be electronically translated and passed to controller 100c. This command will direct controller 100c to identify the presently "spotted" unit m which case controller 100c will then pass signals to distance measurement unit 108, rotation measurement unit lOOf, and azimuth measurement unit lOOg, instructing each of them to transmit their current readings to encoder lOOe. At this time controller 100c will also direct vertical distance measurement unit 109 to emit ultrasonic signal 109a for the purposes of measuring the current distance from observation point 120 to ground. This measurement will then also automatically be passed from unit 109 to encoder lOOe. Encoder lOOe then translates these separate measurements mto a defined information protocol and transmits them to transmitter lOOt. Under the direction of controller 100c, transmitter lOOt then communicates to unit trackmg computer system 80 via signal 107a the exact location of observation pomt 120 with respect to device 100 and the relative measurement mformation just captured from observation pomt 120 to projected spot 121.

Tracking computer system 80 then uses this mformation to extrapolate the relative X-Y-Z location of projected spot 121 Computer 80 then correlates this extrapolated position with the last known locations of all previously mventoπed and tracked units, such as 10. These locations are stored as the separate X-Y-Z coordmates of each of the eight corners of any given lumber unit. The

X-Y-Z coordinate of spot 121 will be found to substantially e withm one of the four to five exposed surfaces of the desired unit. Hence, each exposed surface, such as the two sides or ends of unit 10, form a plane defined by the coordinates of its corner pomts Computer system 80 will expand the plane defined by the corners of a given side mto a larger rectangular volume to encompasses more space than occupied by the unit's side itself. By checking its database for the proximity of other units similar to 10, known to be neighbors of the surface under consideration, computer 10 can selectively increase or decrease the expanded volume as needed to help uniquely identify the unit surface. Usmg these calculations, computer 80 will attempt to place projected spot 121 withm an expanded surface as defined by the coordmates of the four corners plus an expansion factor. If computer 80 is unable to do this, it will then transmit back to device 100, via signals 76a and 76b, instructions to be output via speaker 105 and / or LCD 106, directing the operator to move the spot either left, πght, up or down upon the desired surface after which an second spot reading may be taken. This process can be repeated as necessary until the coordinates of spot 121 are conclusively placed withm one of the expanded surfaces of a smgle unit similar to 10.

Once trackmg computer 80 has identified the desired unit such as 10, it then communicates a unique electronic specification for the unit to office computer system 84. System 84 then feeds back to computer 80 all known and pertinent mformation about the identified unit such as specie, grade, thickness, width, length, dryness, surfacing, mill, received date, and other inventory related information Computer 80 then transmits this information to device 100 via modules 74a and 74b.

Antenna 107 mputs the transmitted inventory information and outputs this mformation to receiver lOOr. Receiver lOOr then demodulates and outputs the data to controller 100c. Controller 100c subsequently outputs the mformation via either or both speaker 105 and LCD 106 to the yard man, depending upon his preference. It is anticipated that the yard man may subsequently desire additional mformation concerning the identified unit, or may wish to update the unit's mformation base withm office computer system 84. In either case, it is well known to anyone skilled m the art that mformation either spoken or entered on the keyboard by the operator may then be transmitted to office computer 84 via established communication links as previously descπbed after which further responses from computer 84 may be received by device 100 and output to the yard man. As discussed earlier m the background section, an additional function of portable device 100, is to help direct the yard man to a desired unit. It is anticipated that the yard man will either speak or enter usmg the keyboard, selection cπteπa indicating the desired unιt(s). For example he may enter a specie code for red oak, a thickness code for 4/4 and a grade code of "FAS". Once this mformation is mput, controller 100c will then direct the communication of this selection cπteπa to office computer system 84 via the previously specified communication links. Once received, computer system 84 may then suggest one or more units fitting the desired cπteπa. System 84 then communicates the unique electronic specification for the possible units to unit trackmg computer system 80 which then inquires mto its database of current unit locations for each of the possible units. Based upon the current position of device 100, trackmg computer 80 may then direct the yard man left, πght, forward and / or backwards, with either or both spoken or displayed directions, until the yard man has reached the nearest unit matchmg the desired cπteπa. It is anticipated that the operator may then use device 100 to project spot 121 upon what he perceives to be matchmg units based upon the communicated instructions, after which the aforementioned system will either confirm or reject the spotted unit Often enough, one or more units m a stack may tip and fall over to the ground When this happens the banding on the units may break and the boards may mix with other fallen units In this case, the portable observation point device 100 may operate m a slightly different mode to help identify the fallen units. To do this, the yard man would simply hold device 100 somewhere withm the "space" of where one of the fallen units was suspected to have been At this point a slightly different procedure is executed when the yard man either enters the appropπate key sequence or speaks the appropπate command Controller 100c then follows a similar process as discussed above except that it disables measurement units 108, lOOf and lOOg from providing mput to encoder lOOe Hence, the currently known coordinates of observation pomt 120 are used mstead of those of projected spot 121 for the purposes of the identification of the fallen unit. Encoder lOOe will also transmit a special code indicating that the spatial matchmg algoπthms should now presume that spot

121 is withm a unit, rather than on one of its outer surfaces. All other functionality is identical to that previously descπbed. It should be noted that m any case, once a unit such as 10 is identified, the yard man may then simply move from unit to unit to view its pertinent mformation by looking at LCD 106 and moving the πght, left, up and down arrows keys on keyboard 103. In such cases the unit trackmg computer system 80 is working conjunction with the office computer s v tem 84 to provide visual mformation as to what has been tracked to be on either side as well as above and below the currently identified unit. Hence, this visual display may then be navigated by the yard man usmg the arrow keys or spoken commands rather than having to point at each unit m question

In the cases where a particular unit such as 10 has not yet been tracked by computer system 80, the present mvention may optionally be used to classify such units. This is accomplished when the yard man uses device 100 in a manner similar to that descπbed above to project spot 121 on the desired unit after which tracking system 80 feeds back to the operator that unit 10' s identity is not known and that nothing else has been determined to occupy that unit's measured location The operator may then either enter a command usmg keyboard 103 or microphone 104 to direct image capture unit 110 to capture the current image as sensed by the CCD camera The yard man may then also use either keyboard 103 or microphone 104 to enter a uniquely identifying indicia, if there is one, for this particular unit 10 This unique indicia as well as the captured image and the units location, are then transmitted by antenna 107 to trackmg system 80 for classification m its database Hence, computer system 80 is now tracking previously unknown unit 10 and may then communicate this same location and identity mformation to office computer system 84. Office computer 84 may have additional mformation associated with the units indicia such as unit 10's current size as last determined when the unit was end tallied using a device similar to the Automated End Tally System This unit size mformation is then passed back to trackmg system 80 which may in turn use it to complete the location information with respect to unit 10's other surfaces for which an image was not captured. At this pomt, unit 10 is now available for identification by device 100 in the same way as all other units are that have been tracked by a Automated Lumber Unit Trackmg System similar to that proposed by the present inventors.

Alternate Second Operation of the present invention Background

The pπmary manufacturers of lumber are sawmills who purchase their lumber m log form When the logger brings in a truck load of logs to a mill, each log must be evaluated so that a pπce may be set. This evaluation typically consists of determining the specie and grade of each log as well as the logs rough total board footage, referred to as its scale. To calculate scale, the mill operator measures the average diameter of the smaller end of the log and multiplies this times the log's length.

In the current state of the art, this is a manual process that is both time consuming and somewhat inaccurate. The present mvention as specified is capable of automatically scalmg logs for the mill operator thereby saving time while also mcreasmg accuracy.

After a load of logs have been graded and scaled, the mill operator will then typically store all of the logs from the same purchase together m segregated rows. Eventually, the operator will then mill some or all of the logs from a given purchase mto individual boards which are then graded, tallied, packaged and sent to a wholesaler. Durmg this millmg process, the mill operator is desirous of knowing what the yield of boards ended up to be from any given purchase load of logs. This is not always easy to determine because very often logs from different purchase lots end up bemg mixed together to help maximize the efficiencies of the mill. What is needed is an easy method to uniquely identify each log as it is about to be milled which would then allow for a yield analysis down to the actual log. The present invention offers the additional benefit of uniquely classifying each and every log based upon the image that is captured of the given logs smaller end when it is automatically scaled Using this image database of all log ends, it is then possible to use a camera to capture the images of logs about to be milled and to match this image with the existmg images previously captured by the present invention. The mills computer system would then be aware of all pertinent mformation concerning each log about to be milled, such as the logger and received date This mformation would then be joined up with the yield of the log which is determined after milling Alternate Specification

The construction and circuitry of the present invention as already specified is capable of providing the necessary functions to automatically scale and classify logs. Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a perspective drawing of log 11 from which device 100 is bemg used by the operator to take two separate measurements. The first measurement is from observation pomt 120a to projected spot

121a, while the second measurement is from observation pomt 120b to projected spot 121b. Also depicted is office computer system 84 which is capable of bi-directional communications with unit trackmg computer system 80 via data link 82. Trackmg computer system 80 further connects with two or more stationary elevated locatmg modules such as 74a and 74b, via wires 78a and 78b respectively. Modules 74a and 74b are constantly emitting trackmg and mformation signals 76a and

76b which are then capable of bemg received by device 100 as previously descπbed. Device 100 itself is also capable of emittmg trackmg and information signal 107a which is then capable of being received by modules 74a and 74b. In all ways device 100 is exactly similar m construction as previously descπbed m the specification of the preferred embodiment. Alternate Second Operation

Referring to Fig.'s 2 and 3, the alternate operation begins when the operator pomts device 100 at the smaller end of log 11 such that spot 121a is visible somewhere on the log's end surface. The operator then initiates the classification function by either usmg device 100's keyboard or microphone. In this function, controller 100c directs unit 110 to capture the current image from the CCD camera and to pass that image to encoder lOOe. This mformation is then combmed with the location mformation determined by distance measurement unit 108, rotation measurement unit lOOf and azimuth measurement unit lOOg and passed from encoder lOOe to transmitter lOOt. Under the direction of controller 100c, this mformation is then transmitted via antenna 107 as signal 107a to be received by modules 74a and 74b. The information is then passed to trackmg computer 80 which calculates the location of spot 121a in a manner exactly similar as previously descπbed in the first operation. In addition, tracking computer 80 will now also calculate the average diameter of the log end usmg standard image analysis techniques which are well known to those who are skilled m the art. Computer 80 then transmits the log end's location, average diameter and image to office computer system 84 via link 82. Office system 84 then adds the present log 11 to its database and assigns it a new trackmg code which it then passes back to computer 80 and ultimately to device 100 for display on its screen to the operator.

The operator will then move to a position off to the side of log 11 so that a second set of measurements may be taken as represented by point 120b and spot 121b. For this measurement, the operator will use a command that does not direct device 100 to capture an image but rather to simply calculate the coordinates of spot 121b as previously descπbed m the first operation. Ultimately, this second location of spot 121b will be used by trackmg computer 84 in combination with the first measurement of spot 121a, to calculate the length of log 11. This length mformation is then transmitted to office computer 84 which then updates its relevant database and calculates the log's scale as equal to its average diameter times its length.

Note that at this point log 11 has been both measured for scale and uniquely classified for later reference. Hence, if the saw mill were to be outfitted with recognition cameras at the mfeed to its saws, log 11 could be identified just pπor to being cut mto boards. This would further allow the mill operator to track the yield of his purchased lumber down to the individual log.

Alternate Third Operation of the present invention for Surveying

Description of Prior Art

The surveying of parcels of land has traditionally been at least a two man job m which one surveyor operates a transit scope mounted on a tπpod while the other walks about the parcel with a surveyor ' s stick. After the stick has been placed on the point of interest, the transit operator then lines up the scope with the stick and reads of the rotation and azimuth of the current lme of sight based upon the markings on the stick. After taking several different measurements, the surveyor may then use tngonometry to calculate the exact locations of the measured pomts. This process has several drawbacks as follows: 1. It requires two men to perform efficiently

2. It can be time consuming to lme up the lme of sight of the scope with the stick.

3. It can be time consuming to read the current measurements off the stick and the transit

4. Measurements are most often manually transcπbed to be transferred to a computer database at some later time 5. The lme of sight of the scope must be free and clear of obstruction such as foliage.

6 The range of surveying is limited by the power of the scope.

7. The entire process is susceptible to human error.

Newer technology currently exists for automatically determining the coordmates of a particular location based upon the Global Positioning Satellite System known as GPS. With this technology it is possible to build devices which are able to automatically determine the current location of a given pomt withm a portable device to an accuracy of one centimeter or less Hence, usmg a GPS based device, it would be possible to simply walk up to any desired location to be surveyed and to hold the device at the pomt of mterest after which an absolute measurement could be taken.

Indeed, the present inventors are aware of two such systems. The first, from Leica, Inc. of Switzerland, is generally referred to as their "Real-time GPS surveying" product. It consists of either of two sensors being used with either of two controllers and a radio modem data link. The sensors are also referred to as "reference stations" and their purpose is to remain at fixed location and to continuously receive GPS signals and to then broadcast their own "observation data" mformation to any and all associated controllers. A controller is referred to as a "rover". These "rovers" may be earned about by a person and they are designed to also continuously receive their own GPS signals as well as the broadcasted "observation data" from the "reference station". Usmg a technique called differential GPS (DGPS), the "rover" then combines both GPS signals to calculate the exact position of the "rover" to a centimeter or less, in real time Usmg the GPS signal to the "rover" alone, the system would not be able to achieve centimeter level accuracies nor real time performance due to restπctions placed on the system by the U.S. Military Similarly,

While both Leica's and NovAtePs GPS based surveymg products have overcome many of the problems of traditionally surveying, their contmue to be limitations even with these systems, such as-

1 These devices can only measure locations which are accessible to their human operators and cannot "extend" themselves to reach pomts which otherwise cannot ^e surveyed. 2 The accuracy of the height measurement is typically a factor of two less than that of the position

What is needed is a system capable of assisting the surveymg process so that it may be performed by a smgle operator while at the same time mcreasmg both the speed and accuracy of the process. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a system capable of allowmg for the surveymg of locations that are remote to the operator. Given the current state of the art m ground based trackmg systems, electronic rotation and tilt measurement devices and laser range finders, it is now possible to significantly improve upon the current state of the art in surveying

Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, the objects and advantages of the present mvention are:

1 to provide a surveymg system capable of bemg operated by a smgle individual, 2 to provide a system which will allow the operator to measure remote pomts which are otherwise physically inaccessible, 3. to provide a system which eliminates the manually adjusted scope and therefore the time it takes to lme it up,

4. to provide a system which can automatically save all measurements as they are taken for later transmission to a companion computer system therefore eliminating the time required to transcπbe and reenter such mformation,

5. to provide a system which is capable of working without concern for any lme of sight obstructions such as foliage,

6 to provide a system which has minimal susceptibility to human error, and

7. to provide a system which can survey to at least the same accuracy as the present state of the art. Further objects and advantages are to provide a system with a minimum of movmg parts capable of withstandmg a large vaπation of environmental conditions. Still further objects and advantages of the present mvention will become apparent from the consideration of the drawings and ensuing descnption.

Alternate Specification Referring now to Fig. 4a there is depicted alternative use of the present mvention for surveymg a parcel of land. It should be noted that no new features or capabilities have been added to the present mvention beyond those already depicted in Fig.'s 1 through 3 and descπbed m the precedmg sections of this application. In this alternate specification the present inventors simply wish to show m detail one of the many perceived additional uses for this novel technology This alternative use compπses computer system 84 which is in bi-directional communications via data link 82 with unit tracking computer system 80 which is in further communication via wires 78a, 78b and 78c with fixed elevated locating modules 74a, 74b and 74c, respectively. Modules 74a, 74b and 74c are constantly emitting trackmg and mformation signals 76a, 76b and 76c and which are then capable of bemg received by trackmg antenna 107 (as depicted m Fig. 1) on device 100. Overlapping signals 76a, 76b and 76c effectively create trackmg gπd 79. Gπd 79 is only depicted for claπty of discussion and is well known with the art of electronic tracking systems. Furthermore, these same overlapping signals existed m the preferred embodiment but were not portrayed. The size of gπd 79 is merely representational and in practice is capable of locatmg a tracked object to withm centimeters are required. Antenna 107 itself is also capable of emitting tracking and information signal 107a (also depicted m Fig. 1) which is then capable of being received by modules 74a, 74b and 74c. Also depicted in Fig. 4 are Lot's 101 through 112 which clude designated lot corners 290, 291, 292, 293 and 299 Note that point 290 has been pre-surveyed such that its coordinates are known. Refernng now to Fig. 4b there is shown the first use of portable observation pomt device 100 as it is directed at pre-surveyed pomt 290. Refernng now to Fig. 4c there is shown the second and subsequent use of portable device 100 as it is directed at first of many unknown locations such as 299. Alternate Operation for Surveying

Refernng now to Fig.4a operation of the alternative use of the present invention for surveying beg s when fixed elevated locating modules such as 74a, 74b and 74c are setup withm the region to be surveyed and placed m communication with unit tracking computer system 80 and computer system 84. More specifically, one of these locating modules such as 74c, should be placed directly over a pre-known location such as pre-surveyed pomt 290. The other two modules should ideally be placed towards the outer edges of the area to be surveyed roughly forming a tπangle to maximize their distance from each other. Once activated, locating modules 74a, 74b and 74c emit information signals 76a, 76b and 76c that are capable of being received by tracking computer system 80. These signals 74a, 74b and 74c together overlap to form what is depicted as electronic trackmg gπd 79. Refernng now also to Fig.'s 1 and 2, after the system has been set up and activated, operation of the portable device 100 commences when an operator enters the pre-scπbed area covered by trackmg computer system 80 and its network of locating modules similar to 74a, 74b and 74c. Once within this area, the device 100 is itself constantly tracked m a means similar to that descπbed by the Automated Lumber Unit Tracking System patent. Hence, at any given moment, at least the exact relative X-Y location of observation point 120 withm device 100 is known by tracking computer system 80. Although a modified tnangulation trackmg system could be relied upon to also calculate the current Z coordinate of device 100, the present mvention will rely upon gravity directed ultrasonic vertical distance measurement unit lOOg to emit signal 109 directly towards the ground below device 100. Unit lOOg will then receive back the reflections of signal 109, thereby calculating the distance between point 120 and the ground.

The operator will first use portable observation pomt device 100 to pomt at pre-surveyed point 290 as depicted m Fig. 4b. Once visible focused energy beam 108a that is emitted by device 100 has been projected at pomt 290, the present mvention will act as previously descnbed m the preferred embodiment to extrapolate the relative location of pomt 290 with respect to observation pomt 120a. Thus the current location of device 100 is known with respect to pre-surveyed pomt 290 and also known with respect to gnd 79. As shown m Fig 4c, as device 100 is moved withm gπd 79 to new observation point 120b, device 100 responds to gπd 79 and determines the new X, Y, and Z coordmates with respect to point 290 The operator then focuses energy beam 108a onto the desired pomt 299 to be surveyed. Device 100 then calculates the relative coordmates of point 299 with respect to observation point 120b. Thus the relative coordmates of pomt 299 with respect to the pre- surveyed pomt 290 are determined and further transmitted back to computer system 80. Likewise, the operator may continue on to measure a multiplicity of points withm the prescnbed tracking area. It should be noted that the exact method of tracking device 100 withm the prescnbed area, hence the creation of gπd 79, may be implemented with other known techniques such a global positioning system in cooperation with a land based positioning system. Furthermore, the present mvention has value even if pomt 290 is not pre-surveyed m as much as it will then be determmmg a senes of coordinates of remote spots with respect to pomt 290 which is acting as an ongin. Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope of Invention

In conclusion, it can be seen that the present invention has many advantages. For instance, it is capable of working with an existing unit trackmg and office computer system to easily provide information concerning any given unit without requiring the operator to enter any indicia identifying the unit m question. The device is portable and by projecting a visible beam is able to identify "spotted" units which are otherwise difficult for the operator to reach. It may optionally be used to request information about units which have fallen and no longer occupy their last known location. It may also be used to lead the operator to a desired unit. The operator may give spoken commands rather than having to depress keys thereby mcreasmg ease of use. And finally, with the ability to capture images, the present mvention is capable of both analyzing the dimensions of and classifying units of lumber or logs which as of yet have not been identified to the companion trackmg computer system.

It is evident from the descnption of the Portable System for Inventory Identification and Classification, that it has applicability beyond that of identifying tracked units of lumber. For example, lumber yards also handle plywood, large timbers and engineered wood product beams which are also moved via fork lift and may have their current locations constantly tracked. There are other mdustπes, such as paper and metal, which handle large products which must be transported by fork lifts about geographical areas. Rolls of paper, metal I-beams, bundles of extruded bars, bundles of sheet metal, coils of steel, plates, etc. are all examples of such products. It is therefore considered that the Portable System for Inventory Identification and Classification is m general capable of working with any existing object tracking system In fact, the objects do not have to be large enough to only be transported by fork lift and may, for example, be smaller pieces of steel which have been moved about by human hands which are either weaπng special trackmg gloves or wnstbands. It is also evident that there are other uses for the classification functions of the present mvention For example, the value of a particular plot of forest to a logger or mill is based upon the amount of lumber they anticipate that the forest will yield. Before purchasing a new plot, the logger or mill will first attempt to inspect roughly two to three percent of the trees on the land. Durmg this inspection they will use large calipers to help measure each trees average diameter and they will use range finders to determine the height of a tree at the pomt at which its top will be cut off to form the log. This current process is very time consuming. The present invention in its current form could be used to automatically measure this same mformation in a much more efficient and accurate way This would be done by first setting up a portable trackmg system and then using the hand held device to first point to the base of the tree and then the point of the tree where the top will be cut off This will allow the present invention to not only automatically scale each tree but also to record its visual image and exact location. And since this same mformation can be gathered more efficiently than with current methods, more of the same plot of forest can be measured in the same amount of time. This increased measurement should help the logger or mill operator to better estimate the true yield of the land and therefore to provide a better bid.

Furthermore, it is also evident that the novelty of the present invention is not dependent upon the particular embodiments of its parts. For mstance, instead of usmg a ground based tnangulation approach to trackmg, a conventional Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system could be employed In such a case, the GPS system at its fullest accuracy would be capable of determmmg the X-Y-Z coordmates of the portable device's observation pomt without needmg the separate ultrasonic vertical distance measurement unit to measure the Z distance of the device off of the ground below. What is important is that the X-Y-Z coordmate is first determined for the observation pomt so that it may then be used as a basis for extrapolating to the coordmates of the spot. The particulars of how this is determined should not be construed as limitations on the present mvention. Also, while the present state of the art m electronic compasses and tilt measurement devices have been employed m the present mvention, these particular components may evolve.

Thus the reader will see that the Portable System for Inventory Identification and Classification embodies the following five basic capabilities-

1. The ability to establish the current three dimensional coordmates of an observation pomt withm a portable device with respect to a fixed coordmate system;

2 the ability to project a visible spot from the observation point device to an object of mterest under the control of an operator, 3 the ability to determine the coordmates of the projected spot relative to the location of the observation point withm the portable device;

4 the ability to extrapolate from the coordinates of the observation pomt to those of the projected spot and then to inquire upon a trackmg system to determine which object was known to last exist at these extrapolated coordinates; and

5 the ability to capture an image of the object centered around the projected spot, the image and location of which may then be used to both analyze and classify the object.

Note that the first three capabilities of the present invention have many uses by themselves without the need to have the portable observation pomt device work m conjunction with an object trackmg system. For example, when multiple spot locations are measured on the same object, the present mvention could begin to construct a surface image of the mquired upon object. This could be especially useful for emergency workers who are attempting to ascertain mformation about collapsed structures. If the device was further equipped with the ability to generate different frequencies to be used for distance measurement, it could in effect "see through" selected matenals which visually block emergency workers from seeing pertinent structural supports or impediments.

Alternatively, the device could also be of use to mountain climbers who need to judge the relative distances and shapes of portions of cliff they will soon be attempting to scale. Again, by usmg different frequencies, the unit can effectively "see through" such matenals as snow and ice which may appear to be solid but m fact would not support a person's weight. Hence, the device could take the place of manual prodding sticks used to poke at the snow m front of a climber to help them avoid dangerous pockets As can be seen by those skilled m the art, the Portable System for Inventory Identification and Classification may either mteract with an object trackmg system to help locate, identify and / or classify objects by location, or it may act alone to measure randomly surfaced objects, such surfaces having one or more layers with only the outer layer bemg visible to the human eye. Other uses are apparent. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but rather by the appended claims and their legal equivalents

Claims

In the Claims:

Claim 1. An automatic means for remotely surveymg a topology compnsmg: means for creating an electronic trackmg gnd geographically covering said topology; means for determining the coordmates of one or more remote spots withm said topology with respect to a portable observation point device; means for determmmg the coordinates of said portable observation point device with respect to said gπd, and means for collecting said coordmates of said remote spots to form said topology.

Claim 2 A method for remotely surveymg a topology compnsmg the steps of: creating an electronic tracking gnd geographically coveπng said topology oπented to a specific location withm said topology; projecting a focused energy beam from a portable observation pomt device onto said specific location withm said topology; determmmg the relative coordinates of said specific location with respect to said portable observation pomt device; determining the coordmates of said portable observation point with respect to said electronic tracking gπd; projecting focused energy beams from said portable observation pomt onto one or more distinct pomts with said topology remote from said observation pomt; determmmg the coordmates of said distinct pomts with respect to said portable observation pomt device for each projection of said focused energy beam onto said distinct points; determmmg the coordmates of said portable observation pomt with respect to said electronic tracking gπd for each projection of said focused energy beam onto said distinct points; and determining said topology from said coordinates.