Abstract: A laser scanning system and method for scanning symbology targets such as barcodes. The scanning system in one embodiment includes at least one laser source and a pair of wobbling mirrors generally disposed towards opposite ends of a centrally-positioned rotatable mirrored spinner. In one embodiment, the central spinner is double-sided having reflecting surfaces on opposites sides thereof. Laser beams projected onto each wobbling mirrors are in turn redirected onto each reflecting surface of the double-sided rotating spinner which produces a pair of rotating scanning beams for reading a symbology target.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system having a set of standard features and functions, and a set of custom features and functionalities said external host computer system, which can be extended by third parties to modify the standard behavior of the digital image capture and processing system into a custom behavior for the system, without permanently modifying the standard features and functions thereof.

Abstract: Digital image capture and processing engine of modular design and employing an optical waveguide structure for collecting and guiding LED-based illumination during object illumination and imaging operations. The digital image capture and processing engine also includes apparatus for automatically controlling the duration of illumination produced from LED illumination arrays during object illumination and imaging operations. Such automatic illumination control involves measuring the amount of illumination to which the object be imaged has been exposed, and controlling the duration of illumination produced from the LED illumination arrays based on such measurements during each object illumination and imaging operation. By virtue of the present invention, the digital image capture and processing engine ensures the reliable formation and detection of high quality images in diverse application environments in the digital image capture and processing engine can be used.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system having a housing with a light transmission window, and an illumination subsystem including an illumination board disposed adjacent the light transmission window, configured substantially within a plane, and having a central aperture mounted adjacent the imaging window. The illumination board supports an array of illumination sources mounted around at least portion of the central aperture, for producing and a field of illumination within the FOV of its image formation and detection subsystem during object illumination and imaging operations. A FOV folding mirror is mounted within the housing and beneath the illumination board, and folds the path of the FOV beneath the light transmission aperture and directs and projects the FOV out through the central aperture. Also, an automatic illumination control subsystem is provided for controlling the array of illumination sources during object illumination and imaging operations.

Abstract: An Internet-based product brand marketing communication network allowing members of a consumer product brand management team to communicate directly with consumers present at HTML-encoded pages of an electronic commerce (EC) enabled Web-site along fabric of the World Wide Web (WWW), using programmable Multi-Mode Virtual Kiosks (MMVKs) driven by server-side components and managed by product brand management team members and/or authorized parties. When a consumer's Web browser encounters an MMVK tag along the WWW, the MMVK is generated and automatically plays through its display modes, inviting and allowing the consumer to review and interact with advertising spots, promotional spots, and brand information resources displayed within the GUI of the MMVK, along the fabric of the WWW where the MMVK has been installed. Web-based subsystems are provided for programming these display modes.

Abstract: A hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system including a hand-supportable housing having an imaging window. A printed circuit (PC) board is mounted in the hand-supportable housing, and has front and rear surfaces and a light transmission aperture formed centrally therethrough. An image formation and detection subsystem has image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through the imaging window and upon an object within the FOV, and an area-type image detection array for forming and detecting 2D digital images of the object during object illumination and imaging operations. A first FOV folding mirror is supported above the rear surface of the PC board over the light transmission aperture, and a second FOV folding mirror is supported above the rear surface of the PC board and over the area-type image detection array. These mirrors fold and project the FOV through the light transmission aperture and the imaging window.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system including a housing having an imaging window; and an image formation and detection subsystem supporting a periodic snap shot mode of the operation. The system includes image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through said imaging window and upon an object within the FOV, and forming an image of the object on an area-type image detection array having a plurality of rows of image detection elements, and detecting 2D digital images of the object while object illumination and imaging operations. The system also includes an LED-based illumination subsystem, with a LED illumination array, for producing a field of narrow-band illumination within the FOV, and illuminating the object detected in the FOV, so that the illumination reflects off the object and is transmitted back through the light transmission aperture and onto the image detection array to form the 2D digital image of the object.

Abstract: A PC-based computing system employing a bridge chip with a routing unit to distribute geometrical data and graphics commands to multiple GPU-driven pipeline cores supported on a plurality of graphics cards and the bridge chip. The PC-based computing system includes system memory for storing software graphics applications, software drivers and graphics libraries, and an operating system (OS), stored in the system memory, and a central processing unit (CPU) supported on a motherboard, for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers and graphics libraries. The routing unit in the bridge chip interfaces with the CPU and the GPU-driven pipeline cores.

Abstract: A method of capturing processing digital images of an object, using a hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system having a trigger switch, an imaging window and a field of view (FOV) projected therethrough and onto an area-type image detection array. The method involves automatically detecting an object within the FOV, and generating a first trigger event indicative of automatic object detection within the FOV. In response to the generation of the first trigger event signal, the object targeting illumination subsystem automatically generates and projects a visible targeting illumination beam within the FOV. The human operator aligns the visible targeting illumination beam with the object in the FOV, and then manually actuates the trigger switch to generate a second trigger event signal.

Abstract: Internet-based Enterprise-Level Brand Management And Marketing Communication Network based on an innovative brand command, control and communication architecture (BC3), which gives brand owners complete command and control over the wide range of brand-building assets, messaging and promotions scattered throughout the Web, and how they are communicated to directly consumers at diverse Web touch points, with the efficiency and automation of supply-chain management solutions. The Network supports the deployment, installation and remote programming of brand-building server-side driven Multi-Mode Virtual Kiosks on the World Wide Web (WWW), and provide brand managers, their agents and online trading partners the power to build stronger online brands, drive sales and eliminate existing friction in the retail chain through a collaborative carrier-class, industrial-strength e-marketing communication network.

Abstract: Novel POS-based bar code symbol reading systems are disclosed having an integrated customer-kiosk terminal. Also disclosed are novel POS-based bar code reading cash register Systems having integrated Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminals.

Abstract: A method of translating a shipping document regarding one or more shipment items being shipped, tracked and delivered to a final destination using a Web-based shipping, tracking, and delivery information network. At the point of shipment pickup, the method involves digitally imaging an original shipping document (or shipping label) in connection with a shipment, at one or more image resolutions. The bar-coded shipment tracking number graphically represented in the original shipping document is automatically read, and its character data string is automatically encoded into the header of the corresponding digital image file and/or the name of the digital image file. While the shipment is being delivered to the first scanning point in the network, the digital image file is transmitted over a wireless communication link to one or more digital image processing application servers supported on the network.

Abstract: A hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reader includes: a hand-supportable housing having light transmission aperture; a linear image formation and detection module having a linear image detection array; and a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing device having at least one visible laser diode (VLD) for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB). The code symbol reader further includes image grabber for grabbing digital linear images formed and detected by the image formation and detection module, an image data buffer for buffering the digital linear images grabbed by the image grabber and constructing a two-dimensional image from a series of buffered linear digital images, and an image processing computer for processing the buffered two-dimensional digital image so as to read code symbols graphically represented in the two-dimensional digital linear image.

Abstract: A high performance graphics processing and display system architecture supporting a cluster of multiple cores of graphic processing units (GPUs) that cooperate to provide a powerful and highly scalable visualization solution supporting photo-realistic graphics capabilities for diverse applications. The present invention eliminates rendering bottlenecks along the graphics pipeline by dynamically managing various parallel rendering techniques and enabling adaptive handling of diverse graphics applications.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for determining if an optical scanner is moving. In one embodiment the method for sensing movement of an optical scanner comprises the steps of providing an oscillating system comprising a flexible member, a magnet coupled to the flexible member, a coil disposed within a magnetically effective distance from the magnet, and sense circuitry coupled to the coil; generating a first electrical signal from the oscillations of the flexible member; amplifying the generated electrical signal; analyzing the first electrical signal to determine if the generated signal is indicative of movement of the optical scanner.

Abstract: Digital image capturing and processing network for use in a retail POS environment, comprising a plurality of digital image capturing systems, and a remote image processing server. Each digital image capturing system is installed at a POS station and includes a system housing having an imaging window and containing a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations, for generating and projecting a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the imaging window, and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window, and producing digital images of objects passed through the 3D imaging volume.

Abstract: A method of and system for returning a consumer product in a retail environment and preventing or reducing employee theft of returned merchandise in retail store environments and providing greater accountability for returned merchandise in retail store environments. The method comprises providing an image capturing and processing system at the retail environment, including a system housing having an imaging window and generating and projecting a field of view through the imaging window, and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window. The digital image capturing and processing system produces one or more digital images of consumer goods (i.e. products) passing within the 3D imaging volume. Identification (ID) data for the consumer returning the purchased goods is entered into a host system connected to the digital image capturing and processing system, as well as identification data for the employee to whom the goods are being returned.

Abstract: A method of modifying and/or extending the standard features and functions of a digital image capture and processing system. The method involves providing the system with a set of standard features and functions, and a computing platform which includes (i) memory for storing pieces of original product code written by the original designers of the system, and (ii) a microprocessor for running one or more applications by calling and executing pieces of the original product code in a particular sequence, so as support the set of standard features and functions which characterize a standard behavior of the system. The one or more pieces of original product code have a set of place holders into which third-party product code can be inserted or plugged by third parties, including value-added resellers (VARs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and also end-users of the system.

Abstract: An electronic tagging system for tagging a plurality of luggage items transported through a transportation system. The system includes a plurality of electronic-ink display labels coupled to a plurality of luggage items. Each electronic-ink display label displays graphical indicia representative of information relating to the status of the luggage item within the transportation system. One or more activation modules are provided throughout the transportation system for transmitting electromagnetic data signals to electronic-ink display labels and providing instructions to updateable electronic-ink display labels employed in the determination of graphic indicia to be displayed on electronic-ink display labels. Each electronic-ink display label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material.

Abstract: A PC-based computing system employing a silicon chip having a routing unit and a control unit for parallelizing multiple GPU-driven pipeline cores according to an object division mode of parallel operation, during the running of a graphics application. The PC-based computing system includes system memory for storing software graphics applications, software drivers and graphics libraries, and an operating system (OS), stored in the system memory, and a central processing unit (CPU), for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers and graphics libraries. The system also includes a CPU/memory interface module, a CPU bus, a silicon chip of monolithic construction interfaced with the CPU/memory interface module by way of the CPU bus.