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 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 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 omni-directional digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having an imaging window, and a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations, disposed in the system housing, for generating and projecting a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through said imaging window. At least one area-type illumination and imaging station is also disposed in the system housing, for generating and projecting an area-type illumination and imaging zone through the imaging window, which intersects with the complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window, for omni-directional digital imaging of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume.

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: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having vertical housing section provided with an imaging window, and containing at least two area-type illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting area-type illumination and imaging zones through the imaging window, so that the area-type illumination and imaging zones intersect within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window. 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 stations during system operation.

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 image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having vertical housing section provided with an imaging window, and containing an area-type illumination and imaging station for generating and projecting an area-type illumination and imaging zone through the imaging window, and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window. 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: 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: Digital-imaging based code symbol reading system employing an event-driven multi-tier modular software architecture and supporting automatic operating system login and loading of a bar code symbol reading application.

Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system for installation at a retail POS environment comprising a system housing having an imaging window; and a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems for projecting a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through a 3D imaging volume defined relative to the imaging window, for digital imaging of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume. A globally-deployed object motion detection subsystem automatically detects and analyzes the motion of an object passing through at least a portion of the 3D imaging volume, and generates object motion data in response thereto. Object motion data, including object velocity data, is used to generate control data for controlling the operation of the coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems.

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 digital image capturing and processing system comprising a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations for producing a plurality of coplanar linear illumination and imaging planes which intersect within a 3D imaging volume defined relative to an imaging window. An object motion detection subsystem for automatically detecting the motion of an object passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generating motion data representative of the detected object motion. Each station includes an illumination subsystem having a linear illumination array including a plurality of light emitting devices for producing a substantially planar illumination beam (PLIB), and (ii) 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.

Abstract: A method of and system for identifying a consumer product in a retail store environment when a bar code symbol on a product is not readable or has been removed from the product's packaging. The system comprises a database system, and a digital image capturing and processing system installed in the retail environment and in data communication with the database system. The digital image capturing and processing system is capable of capturing one or more digital images for each consumer product sold in the retail store environment, and storing the digital images in the database subsystem, along with product identifying information for each consumer product. When the imaged bar code symbol happens to be unreadable, or when the bar code symbol label happens to have fallen off or have been removed from the packaging, then one or more digital images of the consumer product are compared with digital images stored in the database subsystem to identify the consumer product graphically represented in the digital images.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system for automatically recognizing objects at a point of sale (POS) station. The system comprising a system housing having an imaging window, and containing a digital image capturing and processing engine including a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations. The stations generate and project a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the imaging window, and within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window for omni-directional imaging of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generate digital linear images of the object as the object intersects coplanar illumination and imaging planes within the 3D imaging volume during system operation. A database is provided for storing one or more object libraries representing objects that can be recognized by the system.

Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system comprising a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations 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 station includes an array of planar illumination modules (PLIMs) for producing at least one substantially planar illumination beam (PLIB), and a linear image detection array having a field of view (FOV) on the linear image detection array and extending in substantially the same plane as the PLIB, to provide a coplanar illumination and imaging plane (PLIB/FOV). The PLIB/FOV is projected through the 3D imaging volume, for capturing linear (1D) digital images of an object passing therethrough, for subsequent processing and recognition of information graphically represented in the linear digital images.

Abstract: An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having horizontal and vertical housing sections. The horizontal housing section has a horizontal imaging window, and contains (ii) 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, and (ii) at least one area-type illumination and imaging station disposed in the horizontal housing section for generating and projecting an area-type illumination and imaging zone through the horizontal imaging window.

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

Abstract: A method for intelligently controlling the illumination and imaging of objects while being moved through a 3D imaging volume of a digital image capturing and processing system projecting a plurality of field of views (FOVs) through said 3D imaging volume during system operation. As an object is being moved within the 3D imaging volume, and prior to illumination and imaging, an initial position is determined for the object specifying the beginning of a projected trajectory which the object is likely to follow as the object is moved through the 3D imaging volume. The initial position is used to determine a projected trajectory of the object through the 3D imaging volume. The FOVs which intersect with the projected trajectory of the object, passing through said 3D imaging volume, are determined.

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.