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 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 is 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 occupied by the human operator, through which packages are transported during sorting operations.

Abstract: A novel Web-based package routing, tracking and delivering system and method that uses URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar code symbols on parcels and packages. The system comprises one or more Routing, Tracking and Delivery (RTD) Internet Server Subsystems connected to the Internet infrastructure and updated at any instant of time with package tracking information. A Package Log-In/Shipping Subsystem is located at each shipping location and connected to the RTD Internet Server by way of the Internet infrastructure. A Package Routing Subsystem is located at a hub station and connected to the RTD Internet Server by way of the Internet infrastructure. A Portable Package Delivery Subsystem is carried by each package delivery person, and connected to the RTD Internet Server by way of the Internet infrastructure communication link.

Abstract: A Web-based television system for enabling an operator to access and display HTML-encoded documents located on the WWW. The system comprises one or more Internet information servers, an Internet terminal unit, and television set having a wireless remote control device and an audio-visual monitor. The Internet information servers store a plurality of HTML-encoded documents at a plurality of storage locations specified by a plurality of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs). The Internet terminal unit is operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet and embodies a GUI-based Internet browser program, supporting the TCP/IP networking protocol. The television set is operably connected to the Internet terminal unit. The wireless remote control device includes a bar code symbol reader for reading bar code symbols, and an IR-based communication circuit for establishing a wireless communication link with the Internet terminal unit. A WWW-site guide is provided to television viewers.

Abstract: A digitizer/sequencer device (10) for the processing of scanner digital input data including bar code data is disclosed. The device is flexible and universal in nature in that it can provide inputs to both a fixed program decoder (20) for the decoding of the Universal Product Code (UPC) code as well as a programmable processor (26) which can decode UPC as well as a variety of many other bar codes. Further, the device can handle inputs from various types of scanners (11) include high-speed counter top, hand-held scanners and light pen scanners and magnetic card readers, which provide input data over a wide range of frequencies. A large number of individual frequencies are made available in the device. One of these frequencies may be optimally selected by the programmable processor (26) to provide an internal clock for the device and a clock frequency for the digitizer counters (S clock) and another of these frequencies may be selected to provide a clock frequency (M clock) for the hard wired decoder.

Abstract: A laser scanning system capable of producing information specifying the subregion of space within a 3-D scanning volume within which a bar code symbol is detected by a laser scanning pattern. The system comprises a laser scanning pattern generator, a scan data processor, a bar code symbol position data generator and a system controller. In the illustrative embodiment, the laser scanning pattern generator employs a holographic scanning disc to generate an omnidirectional laser scanning pattern within the 3-D scanning volume for scanning a bar code symbol presented therein, and in response thereto, automatically produces scan data indicative of the scanned bar code symbol. The scan data processor automatically processes the produced scan data so as to detect the scanned bar code symbol within the 3-D scanning volume.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in whic 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. Mathamatical 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 mathamatical 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 bar code symbol scanning system having a holographic laser scanning disc utilizing maximum light collection surface area thereof and having scanning facets with optimized light collection efficiency. The holographic scanning disc has a plurality of holographic optical elements for scanning a laser beam and producing a laser scanning pattern for scanning code symbols. Each holographic optical element being supported on a support disc between the inner and outer perimeters thereof, and each has a surface area for carrying out light collecting operations and at least a portion of the surface area is disposed adjacent the outer perimeter of the support disc for carrying out laser beam scanning operations. The sum of all of the facet surface areas of the plurality of said holographic optical elements is substantially equal to the surface area of the available light collecting region of the support disc.

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 holographic laser scanners of ultra-compact design capable of reading bar and other types of graphical indicia within a large scanning volume using holographic optical elements and visible laser diodes, and also a method of designing and operating the same for use in diverse applications.

Abstract: A bar code scanner for stationary disposition at a counter to projecting a scanning pattern comprising first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of parallel scan lines within a relatively narrow, yet diverging, volume, e.g., pyramid, cone, etc., centered about a projection axis. The scanner includes a compact housing mounted on an adjustible base. The housing includes a window, five stationary mirrors, a laser diode, a rotating reflective polygon for sweeping the laser beam from the diode across the mirrors and out a window so that the projection axis is substantially but not precisely perpendicular to the window. The scanner also includes a fixed curved collecting mirror and a concentrating lens to focus light which is reflected off of a bar code to a photodetector. One mirror extends along an axis parallel to the transverse axis to produce the first group of scan lines.

Abstract: A portable automatic code symbol reading system having a laser scanning engine mounted upon the hand of its operator to provide hands-free automatic laser scanning capabilities. The automatic code symbol reading system includes a battery power supply aboard its hand-mounted housing, and a power-conserving control subsystem for conserving the consumption of electrical power during automatic portable laser scanning operations. The control subsystem of the present invention has a plurality of control centers which control the operation of the system components in accordance with preselected system control operations. Each of the control centers is responsive to control activation signals generated by certain of the system components upon the occurrence of predefined conditions. Certain of the control centers are capable of overriding other control centers to provide diverse control capabilities.

Abstract: Holographic laser scanning system employing a holographic scanning disc which generates a laser scanning pattern having overlapping astigmatic scanning planes for omni-directional code symbol scanning within a 3-d scanning volume.

Abstract: A Web-based system and method for enabling an operator to access and display HTML-encoded documents located on the WWW. The system comprises one or more Internet information servers, an Internet access terminal, and an audio-visual monitor. The Internet information servers store a plurality of HTML-encoded documents at a plurality of storage locations specified by a plurality of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs). The Internet access terminal is operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet and embodies a GUI-based Internet browser program, supporting the TCP/IP networking protocol. The Internet access terminal includes a bar code symbol reader for reading bar code symbols. The bar code symbol reader is programmed for reading bar code symbols encoded with URLs specifying the location of HTML-encoded documents on the WWW, and producing data representative of each encoded URL.

Abstract: A holographic laser scanning system for scanning bar code symbols and the like, comprising: a holographic scanning disc; a plurality of laser beam sources; a plurality of beam folding mirrors adjacent the holographic scanning disc; a plurality of light focusing elements disposed beneath the holographic scanning disc; and plurality of photodetectors disposed above the holographic scanning disc. The light focusisng elements below the holographic scanning disc focus reflected laser light collected through the elements of the holographic scanning disc and retransmit the same therethrough off Bragg for direct detection by the photodetectors which are proximately dispposed to and above the holographic scanning disc. Several important advantages are obtained by providing light collection optics disposed below the holographic scanning disc, and retransmitting focused/collected laser light through the holographic scanning disc at an angle substantially off a Bragg angle of about 44 degrees.

Abstract: A holographic laser scanning system employing laser beam production module with optical components geometrically constrained so as to be capable of producing a laser scanning beam having a controlled beam aspect-ratio substantially reduced astigmatism and minimal dispersion during laser beam scanning operations.

Abstract: A holographic laser scanning system comprising a support disc rotatable about an axis of rotation, and having an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, and an available light collecting region defined between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter. A laser light source produce a laser beam having first and second components characterized by first and second polarization states, respectively. A plurality of holographic optical elements are supported on the support disc between the inner and outer perimeters, for scanning the laser beam and producing a laser scanning pattern for scanning a code symbol. Each holographic optical element has a beam steering portion disposed adjacent the outer perimeter for scanning the laser beam, and a light collecting portion disposed between the inner and outer perimeters for collecting laser light reflected off a code symbol scanned by the laser beam.

Abstract: A computer-based system is provided for composing menus of URL-encoded bar code symbols specifying the location of Internet-based information resources on the Internet. In the illustrative embodiment, the system comprises a computer system operably connectable to the Internet and including a visual display screen, a keyboard, and printer. The system also includes a GUI-based Internet browser program and a URL-menu composition program supported by the computer system. The function of the GUI-based Internet browser program is to enable a user to access and display Internet-based information resources stored on an Internet information server at a location specified by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The function of the URL-menu composition program is to enable the user to compose a menu of URL-encoded bar code symbols while surfing the Internet using the GUI-based Internet browser program.

Abstract: A portable hand-held WWW access terminal for accessing HTML-encoded documents located on the WWW. The terminal includes a bar code symbol reader in a hand-supportable housing for reading URL-encoded symbols specifying the location of HTML-encoded documents stored in information servers connected to the Internet and supporting the TCP/IP standard. A computing platform is provided for supporting a GUI-based WWW browser program integrated with the bar code symbol reader in the hand-supportable housing. A telecommunication modem is operably connected to the computing platform in order to establish a two-way telecommunication link between the GUI-based WWW browser and an Internet service provider (ISP) connected to the Internet. In response to reading a URL-encoded bar code symbol, the WWW browser program automatically accesses a corresponding HTML-encoded document on the Internet, for display on a visual display panel integrated with hand-supportable housing.

Abstract: A holographic laser scanning system for producing a highly defined 3-D scanning volume for omni-directional laser scanning of bar code symbols therein having a minimum element width on the order of about 0.017 inches or less. The holographic laser scanning system comprise a housing, a plurality of laser sources, a holographic scanning disc and a plurality of photodetectors. The plurality of lasr sources are disposed within the housing, for producing a plurality of laser beams. The holographic scanning disc is disposed within the housing, and has a plurality of holographic optical elements for scanning the laser beams and producing a plurality of laser scanning planes for scanning a code symbol. Each laser scanning plane has predefined beam characteristics and is spatially confined within a highly-defined 3-D scanning volume having at least three focal zones, a depth of field of at least 10 inches, and a scanning volume of at least 1,440 cubic inches.