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 improved ophthalmic instrument for in-vivo examination of a human eye including a wavefront sensor that estimates aberrations in reflections of the light formed as an image on the retina of the human eye and a phase compensator that spatially modulates the phase of incident light to compensate for the aberrations estimated by the wavefront sensor Optical elements create an image of a fixation target at the phase compensator, which produces a compensated image of the fixation target that compensates for aberrations estimated by the wavefront sensor. The compensated image of the fixation target produced by the phase compensator is recreated at the human eye to thereby provide the human eye with a view of compensation of the aberrations the human eye as estimated by the wavefront sensor. The phase compensator preferably comprises a variable focus lens that compensates for focusing errors and a deformable mirror that compensates for higher order aberrations.

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: The improved diffractive-based laser scanning system of the present invention monitors portions of the laser light beams generated by a laser light source (e.g., VLD) employed therein to generate a mode switching signal indicative of a shift in the characteristic wavelength of the laser light beams emitted from the laser light source. In response thereto, a temperature controller selectively heats (or cool) the laser light source to minimize and avoid such wavelength changes, thereby mitigating any potential problems caused by such wavelength changes (for example, unwanted beam distortion and signal processing errors as described above). Preferably, mode switching (e.g., change in characteristic wavelength of light emitted from the laser light source) is detected by monitoring a zeroth diffractive order beam produced by a diffractive element of the system. Moreover, temperature control of the laser light source is preferably accomplished using active heating elements (e.g.

Abstract: An improved ophthalmic instrument including a wavefront sensor that estimates aberrations in reflections of the light formed as a spot image on the retina of the human eye. The wavefront sensor includes a beam splitter operably disposed between a lenslet array and multiple imaging devices. The lenslet array forms a first array of spots, and the multiple imaging devices capture multiple images of the first array of spots for use in estimating the aberrations of the eye in a manner that minimizes the adverse effects of eye movement on the accuracy of such estimates. The beam splitter preferably comprises a prismatic beam splitter that splits light incident thereto into multiple arms. The multiple image devices may capture at least a first image of the first array of spots at best focus and a second image of the first array of spots near best focus for use in dynamically identifying sub-arrays (pixel areas) of the Hartmann spot imaging device (e.g.

Abstract: A readerboard signage system which allows signage characters to be easily changed within a pair of parallel extending tracks. In the illustrative embodiments, the system includes an optically transparent character protective viewing panel that is placed over the sequence of characters held in place within the pair of parallel extending tracks. The panel includes a lip portion which cooperates with the lower character holding track, to prevent rain, ice, and snow from entering the tracks, while the viewing panel itself protects the underlying characters from such natural elements and vandalism, without detracting from the utility and aesthetic appearance of the system.

Abstract: A dispersed Hartmann sensor includes a Hartmann lenslet in combination with a dispersive element, whereby a Hartmann spot formed by light passing through the Hartman lenslet is dispersed parallel to the phase step of the light. The shape of the blur spot can then be examined at many wavelengths. Measuring the size of a discontinuity in the wavefront of light is then performed by forming a single image of the wavefront, dispersing the image in wavelength using a combination of a Hartman lenslet and a dispersive element, and analyzing the dispersed image along a dispersion direction of the dispersed image to measure the size of the discontinuity.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatically-activated omni-directional laser scanning bar code symbol reading system comprising a bar code symbol reading mechanism contained within a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture and manually-actuatable data transmission switch. During symbol reading operations, the bar code symbol reading mechanism automatically projects a visible omni-directional laser scanning pattern through the light transmission aperture 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 presents a bar code symbol on an object (e.g. product, bar code menu, etc.) within the omni-directional laser scanning pattern so that the bar code symbol is automatically 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: An improved ophthalmic instrument including a wavefront sensor that estimates aberrations in reflections of the light formed as a spot image on the retina of the human eye, wherein the wavefront sensor includes at least one subaperture that spatially samples incident light; at least one optical element that focuses each sample to a spot; and an image sensor and image processor for measuring location of the spot. The image sensor captures image data of an pixel subaperture defined around the spot and provides the image data to the image processor. The image processor analyzes the image data to identify a subarray of pixels around a peak in the pixel subaperture, fits a predetermined function to the image data for the subarray of pixels, and derives an estimate for spot location based upon location of the fit of the predetermined function.

Abstract: A method of and system for automatically identifying packages during manual package sortation operations, wherein, a laser scanning system is supported above a workspace environment of 3-D spatial extent, which can be occupied by a human operator involved in the manual sortation of packages bearing bar code symbols. In the illustrative embodiment, the laser scanning system includes a housing having a light transmission aperture, and a laser scanning pattern generator disposed within the housing. During operation of the system, the laser scanning pattern generator employs a holographic scanning disc to project through the light transmission aperture, an omnidirectional laser scanning pattern which is substantially confined within the spatial extent of a predefined 3-D scanning volume that spatially encompasses a substantial portion of the workspace environment, through which packages are transported during sorting operations.

Abstract: An improved wavefront sensor for characterizing phase distortions in incident light including optical elements that spatially sample the incident light and form a dispersed spot with a fringe pattern corresponding to samples of the incident light. An imaging device captures an image of the dispersed spot with said fringe pattern formed by said optical elements. And an image processor that analyzes the spectral components of the fringe pattern of a given dispersed spot to derive a measure of the local phase distortion without ambiguity in the corresponding sample of incident light. The optical elements may comprise refractive elements, diffractive elements or a combination thereof (such as a grism). The wavefront sensor may be part of an adaptive optic system (such as a large-aperture space telescope) to enable the measurement and correction of large phase steps across adjacent mirror segments of a deformable mirror.

Abstract: A novel system and method for finding product and, service related information on the Internet. The system includes Internet Servers which store information pertaining to Universal Product or Service Number (e.g. UPC number) preassigned to each product and service registered in the system, with Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) that point to the location of one or more information resources on the Internet, e.g. World Wide Websites, related to such products or services. Each client computer system includes an Internet browser or Internet application tool which is provided with a “Internet Product/Service Information (IPSI) Finder” button and a “Universal Product/Service Number (UPSN) Search” button. The system enters its “IPSI Finder Mode” when the “IPSI Finder” button is depressed and enters the “UPSN Search Mode” when the “UPSN Search” button is depressed.

Abstract: A novel system and method of surfing Web-sites on the Internet and for composing and printing lists and sets of URL-encoded bar code symbols representing Web-sites within the WWW. 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 connect 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 connect the Internet Client System to the Internet Server supporting the Web-site specified by the read URL.

Abstract: An improved bar code symbol reading device includes a data transmission subsystem, operably coupled to a bar code reading engine, that communicates symbol character data to the communication interface of a host system over a communication link therebetween. During an interface configuration mode, the data transmission subsystem automatically cycles though at least one of a plurality of different communication interfaces (implemented by the subsystem) to test if the given communication interface corresponds to the communication interface of the host system. If this test is successful, subsequent data communication between the bar code symbol reading device and the host system is enabled over the active communication interface. In this manner, the data transmission subsystem is able to automatically configure itself for communication to the host system, and is capable of interfacing to a variety of different host devices in an automatic and error free manner with minimal human involvement.

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 hereon. The mathematical models area 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, homogenous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: An analog scan data signal processor is disclosed, in which a time-domain non-linear substrate noise filter is provided before a first derivative signal generation stage so as to produce, as output, a substantially fixed zero-reference signal level whenever a signal level indicative of a bar code substrate is detected, and the signal level analog scan data signal, whenever a signal level indicative of a bar code element is detected. By virtue of the present invention, it is now possible to reduce the level of substrate noise signals within input analog scan data signals, prior to deriving first derivative signals for subsequent signal processing. Consequently, the accuracy of binary signal level detection within such analog scan data signal processors can be significantly improved, thereby improving the performance of bar code symbol reading systems within which such analog scan data signal processors are employed.

Abstract: An improved method for treating the eye includes the step of providing an ophthalmic instrument including an integral wavefront sensor. The wavefront sensor measures phase aberrations in reflections directed thereto to characterize aberrations of the eye. The wavefront sensor may be operably coupled to a display device, which displays a graphical representation of the aberrations of the eye. Such graphical representation may include: two dimensional contour maps that graphically depict contribution of pre-specified terms (such as spherical aberration, astigmatism and coma) for the aberrations of the eye, coefficients corresponding to such pre-specified terms that characterize the aberrations of the eye, or predefined two-dimensional icons that provide a general graphical depiction of such pre-specified terms.