A tunnel-type automatic package identification system for automatically
identifying packages transported along a conveyor belt structure. The
tunnel-type automatic package identification system comprises a data
communications network, a package dimensioning subsystem and a package
identification unit. The package identification subsystem is mounted above
a conveyor belt structure in a work environment, and includes: a linear
imaging subsystem having a field of view (FOV) with variable zoom and
variable focus characteristics, for producing linear images of packages as
said packages are transported along said conveyor belt structure and
beneath said package identification subsystem; and a camera control
computer operably connected to the linear imaging subsystem and the
package dimensioning subsystem, and the communication medium of the data
communications network. The camera control computer receives the package
dimension data producing zoom and focus control signals for automatically
and dynamically controlling the variable zoom and variable focus
characteristics of the linear imaging subsystem as the package is
transported beneath the package identification subsystem. The camera
control computer receives the package dimension data, and producing zoom
and focus control signals for automatically and controlling the variable
zoom and variable focus characteristics of the linear imaging subsystem as
the package is transported past the package identification subsystem. An
image keying station, located remotely from the work environment, is
connected to the communications medium by way of an
Ethernet-over-fiber-optic data communication link, and enables the
operator of the image keying station to visually display images of
packages which can not be identified by computer-based image processing,
so that the operator may read such images and manually keyed into a
database, information which identifies the package associated with the
operator-read image. By virtue of the present invention, images of
packages can be captured with constant dpi resolution, and if necessary,
manually identified at a highly remote image keying station, thereby
providing increased flexibility in setting up tunnel-type automatic
package identification systems in industrial environments where high noise
levels and other distractions to carrying out manual image reading
operations are predominant.
