AUTOMATED END TALLY SYSTEM

Either a focused beam (22) or a spatial (42) movable scanning unit which is attached to a moveable horizontal arm (27) which is attached to a stand (26) such that the scanning unit can be controllably directed throughout a prescribed vertical-horizontal plane which is parallel to one end of a unit of lumber (10). Separate stands (26) are placed at either end of the unit (10). Throughout the automatic directed movement, the scanning unit either emits focused beam (38) and/or receives reflected energy beams (38 and 48) which have reflected off the end of unit (10). These reflected beams are in accordance with the surface pattern of unit (10) and are input to a topological processor (22b or 42b) which translates this information into the geometric attributes of thickness, width and length. The exact count of distinct pieces of lumber of distinct geometric attributes is then transmitted to computer (28) as the unit's end tally. The computer (28) may accept related information through input means of a keypad (33) or bar code reader (34). The unit's end tally and related information may be transmitted via a bi-directional communications link (36) to a companion computer system which may in return transmit an associated identification number to be assigned to unit (10). Any or all of this determined and collected information may also be transmitted via link (36) to an automatic tagging sub-system (60). This sub-system is capable of printing tag (11) which is taken by grasping and stabling hand (72) which is further attached to movable arm (70) such that sub-system (60) may then automatically stable tag (11) to unit (10).