Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic laser scanner of ultra-compact design. The scanner has a scanner housing having width, length and height dimensions, and a holographic scanning disc for scanning and focusing a plurality of laser beams so as to produce a plurality of laser scanning planes. A plurality of beam folding mirrors are disposed about the holographic scanning disc, for folding the laser scanning planes so as to project a complex scanning pattern within the spatial extent of a predefined 3-D scanning volume. A plurality of parabolic light collecting mirrors are disposed beneath the holographic scanning disc for collecting laser light reflected from scanned code symbols.

Abstract: An improved system and method of surfing Web-sites on the Internet. In the first illustrative embodiment, the Internet Scanning System includes a bar code symbol reader programmed to read URL-encoded bar code symbols printed on various types of print media which, when read thereby, automatically connects the Internet Client System to the Internet Server supporting the Web-site specified by the scanned URL-encoded bar code symbol. In a second illustrative embodiment, the Internet Scanning system includes optical character reader programmed to read URLs printed on various types of print media which, when read thereby, automatically connects the Internet Client System to the Internet Server supporting the Web-site specified by the read URL.

Abstract: An Internet enabled method and system (1) for designing, and manufacturing laser scanners of modular design and construction (231) using globally based information networks (3), such as the Internet, supporting the World Wide Web (www).

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based system having a linear image formation and detection module disposed in a system housing, and having image formation optics with a field of view projectable through an aperture in the housing and onto an object moving relative thereto during object illumination and imaging operations. A pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are disposed on the system housing. Each planar laser array (PLIA) includes a plurality of laser diodes arranged together in a linear manner. The planar laser illumination arrays are arranged in relation to the linear image formation and detection module, and produce a pair of planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs). The pair of stationary planar laser illumination beams are projected through light transmission apertures in the system housing and oriented such that the plane of the planar laser illumination beams is coplanar with the field of view of the linear image formation and detection module.

Abstract: In a planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system, a planar light illumination module (PLIM) of compact construction produces a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) which emanates substantially within a single plane along the direction of beam propagation towards an object to be optically illuminated and imaged. The PLIM comprises a module housing which has an axial extent, first and second end portions, a central bore formed along the axial extent, and a recess integrally formed in the second end portion. A visible laser diode (VLD) is mounted along the bore at the first end portion of the module housing, for producing a laser beam generally along the axial extent. A focusing lens is mounted along the bore between the first and second end portions, for focusing the laser beam to a predetermined focal point.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: A mobile bar code driven information access terminal for remotely accessing package delivery instructions for an Internet information server on the Internet. A programmed bar code symbol reader is integrated within a hand-supportable housing, for reading a bar code symbol encoded with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) specifying the location of an Internet information resource to be accessed and displayed. The bar code symbol is applied to a package to be delivered to a destination. A computing platform is disposed within the hand-supportable housing, and supports an Internet browser program for accessing and displaying the Internet information resource specified by a URL. A network communication device interconnects the Internet browser program to an Internet information server by way of a 2-way wireless telecommunication link.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging system for illuminating an object and forming an image thereof. The planar laser illumination and imaging system which comprises an image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV) focused at an image detecting array. A planar laser illumination array (PLIA) constructed from an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) is arranged in rectilinear manner.

Abstract: In a planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system, a planar light illumination module (PLIM) of compact construction produces a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) which emanates substantially within a single plane along the direction of beam propagation towards an object to be optically illuminated and imaged. The PLIM comprises a module housing which has an axial extent, first and second end portions, a central bore formed along the axial extent, and a recess integrally formed in the second end portion. A visible laser diode (VLD) is mounted along the bore at the first end portion of the module housing, for producing a laser beam generally along the axial extent. A focusing lens is mounted along the bore between the first and second end portions, for focusing the laser beam to a predetermined focal point.

Abstract: A method of extending the working distance of a planar laser illumination and imaging system without increasing the output power of the visible laser diode (VLD) sources employed therein. The method comprises the steps of: providing a planar laser illumination and imaging system having (1) a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) for producing a planar laser illumination beam, and (2) an image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem having a field of view along which the planar laser illumination beam extends, wherein each PLIM has a visible laser diode (VLD) source and beam focusing optics and beam planarizing optics, and the IFD subsystem has image formation optics for determining the maximum working distance of the system; adjusting the imaging optics of the IFD subsystem from an original working distance of the system to an extended working distance thereof; and adjusting the beam focusing optics so that the planar laser illumination beam is focused at the extended working distance.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based camera system capable of producing digital images with reduced levels of speckle-pattern noise. The PLIIM based camera system comprises a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) including a plurality of laser diodes for producing and projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) through a light transmission aperture, so as to illuminate an object as it is moving past said PLIIM based camera system. An image formation and detection (IFD) module is provided having a image detection array and imaging forming optics for providing said image detection array with a field of view (FOV). The PLIB and FOV are arranged in a coplanar relationship along the working range of the PLIIM based camera system so that the PLIB illuminates primarily within the FOV of the IFD module.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatically-activated code symbol reading system comprising a bar code symbol reading mechanism contained within a hand-supportable housing having a manually-activatable data transmission switch. During symbol reading operations, the bar code symbol reading mechanism automatically generates a visible laser scanning pattern for repeatedly reading one or more bar code symbols on an object during a bar code symbol reading cycle, and automatically generating a new symbol character data string in response to each bar code symbol read thereby. During system operation, the user visually aligns the visible laser scanning pattern with a particular bar code symbol on an object (e.g. product, bar code menu, etc.) so that the bar code symbol is scanned, detected and decoded in a cyclical manner.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: An Internet enabled method and system (1) for designing, and manufacturing laser scanners of modular design and construction (231) using globally based information networks (3), such as the Internet, supporting the World Wide Web (WWW).

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.