Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) method, computer-readable medium, apparatus, and system are provided. In one embodiment, the method acquires dimensions of an item. The dimensions and speed of the item are used to determine the item's location on a conveyor (i.e., to track the item on the conveyor). The location of the item is used to determine which switch RFID reader antenna in a plurality of RFID reader antennas is the most suitable RFID reader antenna to communicate with a transponder located on the item. In other embodiments, the apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also provided which perform similar features recited by the above method.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) method, computer-readable medium, apparatus, and system are provided. In one embodiment, the method acquires dimensions of an item. The dimensions and speed of the item are used to determine the item's location on a conveyor (i.e., to track the item on the conveyor). The location of the item is used to determine which switch RFID reader antenna in a plurality of RFID reader antennas is the most suitable RFID reader antenna to communicate with a transponder located on the item. In other embodiments, the apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also provided which perform similar features recited by the above method.

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 process for the production of a polymeric film comprising a copolyester having an acid component and a diol component, said acid component comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a sulfomonomer containing a sulfonate group attached to the aromatic nucleus of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, said process comprising the steps of: (i) melt-extruding a layer of said copolyester; (ii) stretching the extrudate in at least one direction; (iii) heat-setting the film by raising the temperature of the stretched film to a temperature T1 in a first heating zone such that (TM?T1 is in the range of from 5 to 30° C., and then raising the temperature of the film to a temperature T2 in a second heating zone such that (TM?T2 is in the range of from 0 to 10° C.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric film comprising a copolyester having an acid component and a diol component, said acid component comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a sulfomonomer containing a sulfonate group attached to the aromatic nucleus of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, said process comprising the steps of: (i) melt-extruding a layer of said copolyester; (ii) stretching the extrudate in at least one direction; (iii) heat-setting the film by raising the temperature of the stretched film to a temperature T1 in a first heating zone such that (TM-T1) is in the range of from 5 to 30° C., and then raising the temperature of the film to a temperature T2 in a second heating zone such that (TM-T2 is in the range of from 0 to 10° C.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based engine including; an engine housing having light transmission aperture; an image formation and detection module and having an image detection array and image formation optics with a field of view (FOV) extending from the image detection array, through the light transmission aperture and onto an object moving relative to the engine housing during object illumination and imaging operations; a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing device, and having at least one visible laser illumination source arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module, for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB), and projecting the planar light illumination beam through light transmission aperture and oriented such that the plane of the PLIB is coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module so that the object can be simultaneously illuminated by the planar light illumination beam and imaged within the field of view and

Abstract: A hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reader includes: a hand-supportable housing having a 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 laser illumination beam (PLIB). The code symbol reader further includes an 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 digital image from a series of buffered linear digital images, and an image processing computer for processing the two-dimensional digital image so as to read code symbols graphically represented in the two-dimensional digital image.

Abstract: A hand-supportable coplanar 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 a coplanar laser illumination and imaging based device having at least one visible laser diode (VLD) for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB). The code symbol reader further includes an 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 an image processing computer for processing the buffered digital linear images so as to read code symbols graphically represented in the digital linear images.

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: 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 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 imaging volume. The image capturing and processing subsystem includes a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations.

Abstract: A hand-supportable linear-type planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based device comprising a linear image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear array of image detection elements and also image formation optics having a field of view (FOV) focusing a linear image of an object onto the linear array of image detection elements. A pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) is arranged on opposite sides of the linear image formation and detection module, and produces a plurality of spatially-incoherent planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) components that are optically combined with respect to other PLIB components so as to produce a composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) that is arranged in a coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the FOV. Each PLIA includes a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM includes a laser diode and beam focusing and diverging optics for producing one spatially-incoherent PLIB component.

Abstract: A hand-supportable planar linear illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reading system comprising: a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture; and a planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM), disposed in the hand-supportable housing. The PLIIM includes (i) a linear image detection array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) on said linear image detection array that projects through the light transmission aperture, and (ii) at least one planar laser illumination module (PLIM) for producing a substantially planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) that extends substantially along the same plane as the FOV of the linear image detection array. This arrangement provides a coplanar illumination and imaging plane that projects through the light transmission aperture, for capturing a series of linear (1-D) digital images of an object intersecting therewith during object illumination and imaging operations.

Abstract: A hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based device having hand-supportable housing with a light transmission aperture. A linear image formation and detection (IFD) module is mounted within the housing, and has a linear array of image detection elements and also image formation optics with a field of view (FOV). When an object is presented within the FOV, the FOV focuses a linear image of the object onto the linear array. At least one planar laser illumination module (PLIM) is mounted on the support platform, with the linear IFD module, and produces a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) spatially aligned with respect to the FOV and arranged in a coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the FOV. A laser beam despeckling mechanism is integrated in the device, for reducing speckle-pattern noise observed the linear digital images formed and detected at the linear array of image detection elements.

Abstract: An automated package dimensioning subsystem comprising a Laser Detecting and Ranging (LADAR-based) scanning apparatus for capturing two-dimensional range data maps of the space above a conveyor structure, along which packages are transported, and an image contour tracing apparatus for extracting package dimension data from the two-dimensional range data maps.

Abstract: A hand-supportable planar illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based device having a hand-supportable housing with a light transmission aperture. A linear image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on the support platform in the housing, and has a linear array of image detection elements and also image formation optics having a field of view (FOV) projectable through the light transmission aperture. When an object is presented in the FOV for illumination and imaging, the FOV focuses a linear image of the object onto the linear array of image detection elements. A plurality of planar illumination modules (PLIMs) are arranged in a rectilinear manner, and produce a planar illumination beam (PLIB) that is spatially aligned with respect to the FOV and arranged in a coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the FOV. Each PLIM includes a visible light emitting diode (LED) and beam forming optics for producing the PLIB.

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: 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 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 images of objects transported through the 3D imaging volume. The image capturing and processing subsystem includes a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations.

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.