Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system including an image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem having a linear image sensing array and optics providing a field of view (FOV) on the linear image sensing array. A spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem produces a first field of visible laser illumination produced from an array of visible VLDs, and a second field of invisible laser illumination produced from an array of IR laser diodes (LDs) that spatially overlap and intermix with each other so as to produce a composite planar laser illumination beam which is substantially with the FOV of the linear image sensing array. An illumination control subsystem controls the spectral mixing of visible and invisible laser illumination produced from the spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem, by adaptively controlling the relative power ratio (VIS/IR) of said fields of visible and invisible laser illumination.

Abstract: A tunnel-type digital imaging system for use within retail shopping environments such as supermarkets. The system includes a tunnel configuration arranged about a conveyor structure for transporting objects therethrough, and an image capturing and processing subsystem embodied within the tunnel configuration, for generating a 3D digital imaging volume above the conveyor structure and within the tunnel configuration, for capturing digital 1D images of objects transported through the 3D digital imaging volume. The image capturing and processing subsystem includes a plurality of illumination and imaging stations. Each station includes a 2D imaging array having optics providing a 3D field of view (FOV) on the 2D imaging array that is projected and extends into the 3D digital imaging volume, and one or more light emitting devices configured together to produce an illumination beam that extends into the 3D FOV of the 2D imaging array.

Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system comprising a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystem for producing a plurality of coplanar linear illumination and imaging planes which intersect within a 3D imaging volume defined relative to an imaging window. Each coplanar illumination and imaging subsystem includes a local object motion detection subsystem for detecting the motion of objects moving through the 3D imaging volume, and a local control subsystem for controlling the state of operations within each coplanar illumination and imaging station during system operation.

Abstract: An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having a horizontal housing section and a vertical housing section. The horizontal housing section has a horizontal imaging window, and contains a first plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations, for generating and projecting a first group of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the horizontal imaging window. The vertical housing section has a vertical imaging window, and contains a second plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting second group of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the vertical imaging window, which intersect and cooperate with the first complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the horizontal and vertical imaging windows.

Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having horizonal housing section, installable in a countertop surface at the POS environment, and supporting an area-type illumination and imaging station for generating and projecting an area-type illumination and imaging zone into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the system housing. An object motion detection subsystem automatically detects the motion of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generates motion data representative of detected object motion within the 3D imaging volume. And a control subsystem, responsive to the object motion detection subsystem, automatically controls operations within the area-type illumination and imaging station during system operation.

Abstract: A method employing automated real-time analysis of the exposure quality of captured digital images and automated reconfiguration of system control parameters (relating to illumination and exposure control operations) based on the results of such exposure quality analysis, so as to achieve improved system functionality and/or performance in diverse environments.

Abstract: A method of illuminating objects using adaptively controlled mixing of spectral illumination energy to form and detect digital images of objects at POS environments with sufficiently high image contrast and quality. The method comprises providing, at a POS environment, a digital image capture and processing system having a system housing with an imaging window, and a coplanar illumination and imaging station disposed within said system housing, for projecting a coplanar illumination and imaging plane through the imaging window into an imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. As the object is moved through the imaging volume, its motion is automatically detected, and signals indicative of said detected object are generated. In response to the generated signals, a first field of visible illumination is produced from an array of visible laser diodes (VLDs), simultaneously with a second field of invisible illumination from a array of infrared (IR) laser diodes (LDs).

Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, comprising a plurality of coextensive area-type illumination and imaging stations, an object motion detection subsystem, a digital image capturing and buffering subsystem, a digital image processing subsystem, and a control subsystem, each being disposed in a system housing having an imaging window. Each coextensive area-type illumination and imaging station has an area-type imaging array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) on the area-type imaging array that projects into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window.

Abstract: A POS-based digital image capturing and processing system for illuminating objects using automatic object detection and spectral-mixing illumination technique. The system comprises a coplanar illumination and imaging station for projecting at least one coplanar illumination and imaging plane into an imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. The coplanar illumination and imaging station includes an illumination subsystem for producing a first field of visible illumination from an array of visible VLDs, and producing a second field of invisible illumination from an array of infrared (IR) laser diodes (IR-LDs). Wherein the first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and are substantially coplanar with the FOV of the linear image sensing array.

Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system comprising a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystem for producing a plurality of coplanar linear illumination and imaging planes which intersect within a 3D imaging volume defined relative to an imaging window. The system further includes a global object motion detection subsystem for detecting the motion of objects moving through the 3D imaging volume, and a global control subsystem for controlling the state of operations within each coplanar illumination and imaging station during system operation.

Abstract: A method of reading bar code symbols comprising the steps of: (a) projecting an image cropping zone (ICZ) framing pattern within the FOV of an image sensing array during wide-area illumination and image capturing operation; (b) visually aligning an object to be imaged within the ICZ framing pattern; (c) forming and capturing an wide-area image of the entire FOV, which spatially encompasses the ICZ framing pattern aligned about the object to be imaged; (d) using automatic software-based image cropping algorithm to automatically crop the pixels within the spatial boundaries defined by the ICZ framing pattern, from those pixels contained in the entire wide-area image frame captured during step (c); and (e) automatically decode processing the image represented by the cropped image pixels in the ICZ framing pattern so as to read a 1D or 2D bar code symbol graphically represented therein.

Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system having a horizontal housing section, installable within a countertop surface at the POS environment, and supporting at least two area-type illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting at least two area-type illumination and imaging zones within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to system housing. An object motion detection subsystem automatically detects the motion of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generates motion data representative of detected object motion within the 3D imaging volume. A control subsystem, responsive to the object motion detection subsystem, automatically controls operations within the area-type illumination and imaging stations during system operation.

Abstract: An automatic digital-imaging based code symbol reading system supporting a presentation mode of system operation, automatic object direction detection and illumination control, and video image capture and processing techniques. By virtue of the present invention, the automatic digital-imaging based code symbol reading system ensures the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, in high-throughput point-of-sale and other environments.

Abstract: An automatic omni-directional bar code symbol reading system for use in a POS environment. The system comprises a system housing having a horizontal housing section with a first light transmission window, and a vertical housing section with a second light transmission window. A plurality of linear-type bar code symbol reading stations are disposed in the horizontal housing section, for generating and projecting a complex of linear illumination planes through the first light transmission window and into a 3D volume definable relative to the system housing. At least one area-type bar code reading station is disposed in the vertical housing section, for generating and projecting an area illumination beam through the imaging window, and into the 3D volume. The complex of linear illumination planes and the area illumination beam enable the omni-directional reading of bar code symbols on an object passing through the 3D volume, and generation of symbol character data representative of the read bar code symbol.

Abstract: An digital image capturing and processing system comprising a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations projecting a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes into a 3D imaging volume so as to support pass-through and presentation modes of digital imaging at a point of sale (POS) environment. Each station includes an illumination subsystem having a linear illumination array including a plurality of light emitting devices for producing a planar illumination beam (PLIB), and an image formation and detection subsystem including a linear image sensing array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) on the linear image detection array, and extending substantially along the PLIB. A plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging planes (PLIB/FOVs) are formed and projected through the imaging window and into the 3D imaging volume, for capturing linear (1D) digital images of objects moving through the 3D imaging volume.

Abstract: A method of illuminating objects using adaptively controlled mixing of spectral illumination energy to form and detect digital images of objects at POS environments with sufficiently high image contrast and quality. The method comprises provides, at a POS environment, a digital image capture and processing system having a system housing with an imaging window, and an area-type illumination and imaging station disposed within said system housing, for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) through said imaging window into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. As the object is moved through the 3D imaging volume, its motion is automatically detected, and signals indicative of said detected object motion are generated. In response to the generated signals, a first field of visible illumination is produced from an array of visible LEDs, simultaneously with a second field of invisible illumination from a array of infrared (IR) LEDs.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system providing a high degree of adaptability to ambient illumination levels and having great dynamic range. The system includes a multi-mode illumination subsystem, having an active illumination mode and a passive illumination mode. During object illumination and image capturing operations, the exposure quality of a captured digital image is analyzed, and based on the results of such exposure quality analysis, system control parameters are automatically reconfigured. In the event that the exposure quality analysis indicates excessive exposure levels in a captured digital image, then a new set of SCPs is reconfigured, controlling the multi-mode illumination subsystem to operate in its passive illumination mode, whereby, ambient illumination flooding the field of view forms digital images in the image detection array during s object illumination and imaging operations.

Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system comprising a system housing having an imaging window, a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems disposed in the system housing. Each coplanar illuminating and linear imaging station includes a dual-type coplanar linear illumination and imaging engine that supports automatic image formation and detection along each pair of coplanar illumination and imaging planes generated by the coplanar illuminating and linear imaging station. Each pair of coplanar illumination and imaging planes are projected into the 3D imaging volume, for capturing of linear digital images of objects moved therewithin, and subsequent processing thereof for recognizing information graphically represented in the captured linear digital images, and automatic imaging-processing based object motion and velocity detection within the 3D imaging volume.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system employing automated real-time analysis of digital image exposure quality to automatically reconfigure system control parameters, and dynamically control illumination and imaging operations within the digital image capture and processing system.

Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system for use in retail point of sale (POS) environments. The system comprises a system housing having an imaging window, and a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations mounted beneath the imaging window in the system housing. The stations generate and projects a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the imaging window and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window. An imaging window protection plate is mounted over the imaging window and has an aperture pattern that corresponds to the plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging planes projected through the imaging window, so that the plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging planes are allowed to project through the aperture pattern and into the 3D imaging volume, while the imaging window protection plates protects the imaging window during system operation.