Profiler system for mail articles

Abstract

A profiler system is preferably mounted to a conventional roller conveyor frame rail used primarily in mail handling applications. The profiler system contains an array of photo sensors strategically placed to sense the height and length of a mail tray. The sensors are operably connected to a controller that is capable of filtering false signals and accommodating varying conveyor speeds. The controller classifies the object as one of the several types of mail trays or as an unknown object based upon blocked photo sensors. The tray type is reported to a higher-level control system via an industry standard controller communication bus for further processing downstream.

1 . An object handling system for use in conjunction with a conveyor system comprising: 
 first means for sensing an object that is being transported along the conveyor system, wherein said first means senses a height and a length of the object; and    second means for analyzing the height and the length of the object to classify the object as a type, wherein said second means being operably connected to the first means.    
   
   
       2 . A method for a mail tray profiler for use in conjunction with a conveyor comprising the steps of: 
 sensing information of an object as it is transported along the conveyor;    comparing the sensed information of the object with a standard, wherein the standard comprises an array of object types; and    assigning an object type to the object.