Abstract: An object identification and attribute information tracking and linking computer system for connection to the communication medium of a data communication network.

Abstract: A programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking device integrated into an object identification and attribute acquisition system operated in either a singulated or non-singulated object transport environment. The programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking device comprises a first data element input unit, a second data element input unit, and a programmable data element tracking and linking module. The first data element input unit receives object identity data from an object identity data producing source embodied within the object identification and attribute acquisition system. The second data element input unit receives corresponding object attribute data from an object attribute data producing source embodied within the object identification and attribute acquisition 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: 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 multi-mode laser-based bar code symbol reading device having a hand-supportable housing with a light transmission aperture, wherethrough visible light can exit and enter the hand-supportable housing. A laser scanning engine, disposed within the hand-supportable housing, is controlled to selectively operate in either an omni-directional scanning mode or a single line scanning mode. In the omni-directional scanning mode, the laser scanning engine projects an omni-directional scanning pattern through the light transmission aperture, detects and decodes bar code symbols on objects passing through the omni-directional scanning pattern, and produces symbol character data representative of decoded bar code symbols.

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: 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) 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 the 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. A speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem is integrated with the IFD, for reducing the temporal-coherence of said planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) after the PLIB has illuminated and reflected/scattered off the target object.

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 modular omnidirectional laser-based bar code symbol scanning system having at least one scan module insert that is removably disposed (e.g., removably installed) within a system housing (or portion thereof) through a service port (e.g., opening) in the system housing (or portion thereof). The scan module insert is a self-contained unit including at least the following components (in addition to mechanical support structures for such components): at least one laser diode, a rotating scanning element, an electric motor that rotates the rotating scanning element, one or more photodetectors, and analog signal processing circuitry that conditions (e.g., amplifies and/or filters out unwanted noise in) the electrical signal produced by the one or more photodetectors. The scan module insert can optionally include additional components including one or more light collecting optical elements, one or more beam folding mirrors, circuitry for detecting and decoding bar code symbols scanned by the system, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is laser beam scanning apparatus in the form of an electronically-controlled mechanically-damped off-resonant laser beam scanning mechanism. The scanning mechanism comprises an etched scanning element having a small flexible gap region of closely-controlled dimensions disposed between an anchored base portion and a laser beam deflection portion The light beam deflection portion supports a permanent magnet and a light beam deflecting element (e.g., mirror or hologram). A reversible magnetic force field producing device (e.g., an electromagnet) is placed in close proximity with the permanent magnet so that it may be forcibly driven into oscillation in response to electrical current flowing through the electromagnet. The resonant frequency of oscillation of the laser beam deflecting portion relative to the anchored base portion is determined by the closely controlled dimensions of the flexible gap region set during manufacture.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLLIM) 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 any (PLIA) including a plurality of laser diodes for producing and projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB), 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 the 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. A speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem is integrated with the PLIA, for reducing the temporal-coherence of said planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) before the PLIB illuminates a target object.

Abstract: A hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device having a laser scanning engine that is controlled to selectively operate in either an omni-directional scan mode or a single line scan mode. In the single line scan mode of operation, symbol character data produced by the laser scanning engine is communicated to a host device in response to an activation signal produced by a data transmission switch. In the omni-directional scan mode, symbol character data is communicated to the host device irrespective of the activation signal. Preferably, mode selection means selectively operates the laser scanning engine in either the omni-directional scan mode of operation or the single line scan mode of operation in response to placement of the device in a support stand, thereby enabling automatic operation as a stationary hands-free omni-directional projection scanner (in stand), and automatic operation as a portable hand-held line scanner (out of stand).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A holographic laser scanner of ultra-compact design capable of reading bar and other types of graphical indicia within a large scanning volume using holographic optical elements and visable laser diodes. The holographic optical elements are arranged on the scanning disc in such a manner so that none of the laser scanning planes generated within the 3-D scanning volume of the system are spatially and temporally coincident with any other laser scanning plane within the 3-D scanning volume. This novel feature of the present invention ensures that there is substantially zero cross-talk at the plurality of photodetectors provided within the system, significantly improving the performance of the system.

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 and system for automatically cropping linear images of a moving object is disclosed. The method comprises automatically capturing a linear range and intensity data map from an object moving with respect to a coordinate reference system. The linear range and intensity data map includes a sequence of data sets taken along a sequence of sample points along the moving object. Each data set includes a set of coordinates specifying the location of the sample point and an intensity value specifying the intensity of light reflected from the moving object at the sample point. The intensity values in the linear range and intensity data map are automatically analyzed so as to determine the coordinates associated with a region of interest (ROI) on the moving object bearing object identifying information (e.g. bar code symbol, textual information, graphics, etc.) A linear image of the object moving within the coordinate reference is automatically captured.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically producing digital images of an object having a substantially uniform white level independent of the velocity of the object. The method comprising determining the velocity of an object moving relative to a planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based imaging system having a linear image detection array with a field of view (FOV), a planar light illumination array (PLIA) with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a linear array for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB) coplanar with the FOV, and a micro-controller for controlling the operation of the PLIIM based imaging 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: A laser scanning system including a multi-path scan data signal processor having multiple signal processing paths. Each signal processing path processes the same data signal (which is derived from the output of a photodetector) to detect bar code symbols therein and generate data representing the bar code symbols. And each signal processing path has different operational characteristics (such as low-pass filter cutoff frequencies, amplifier gain characteristics, and/or positive and negative signal thresholds). The varying operational characteristics of the signal processing paths are optimized to provide different signal processing functions (e.g., minimize paper noise, or maximize the scan resolution of the system). The data signal derived from laser scanning is supplied to each path of the multi-path scan data processor, where it is processed (preferably in parallel) to identify signal level transitions therein.

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.