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: 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: Digital image capturing and processing system comprising a digital image capturing and processing module, and an integrated electronic weigh scale module having a load cell that is centrally located with respect to the digital image capturing and processing module. The digital image capturing and processing module electrically interfaces with the electronic weigh scale module by way of touch-fit electrical inter-connectors that automatically establish all electrical interconnections between the two modules when the digital image capturing and processing module is placed onto the electronic weigh scale module, and the electronic load cell bears the weight of the digital image capturing and processing module.

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 objects 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 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: 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 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: 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: A softball which includes a spherical core, a vapor block made of yarns which imbeds the spherical core and then is immersed into an adhesive agent to fill up clearances between the yams, and a cover made of two sheets of flexible material stitched together to enclose the vapor block, whereby even if the softball is stored in a humid environment or comes into contact with water when playing, no water or moisture can pass through the separation layer to the spherical core thereby extending the service life of the softball.

Abstract: A browser interface for providing financial services is provided. The interface comprise a toolbar; a menu for presenting one of an application menu and a market data function menu; and at least one view window for presenting information from at least one of an application and a market data function. Also provided is a network based financial service system comprising a client computer having Internet access; a browser interface operable on the client computer, the browser interface having a toolbar, a menu for presenting one of an application menu and a market data function menu, and at least one view window for presenting information from at least one of a financial application and a market data function; and a server having access to a plurality of applications and a plurality of market data functions, the applications and functions being accessible from the browser interface of the Internet access. The interface and system provides timely, proactive financial advice.

Abstract: Methods and corresponding systems are provided for exercising employee stock options between an employee and a company. The stock option exercise generally includes the steps of establishing a plurality of escrow accounts including a company escrow account, a third party escrow account, and an employee escrow account, receiving notice of intent to exercise a stock option from an employee, transferring securities to satisfy the stock option exercise from the company to a company escrow account, transferring property equivalent to a third party purchase price from a third party to the third party escrow account, transferring the notice of intent to exercise a stock option to the employee escrow account, and transferring property held in the plurality of escrow accounts to the employee, the company, and the third party in accordance at least in part with the stock option.

Abstract: A novel system and method for programming one or more functional parameters of programmable bar code symbol readers and scanners, while avoiding the need to connect a data communication port of a computer system to a bar code symbol reader that is to be programmed. In a first illustrative embodiment, the function-encoded parameters of a master bar code symbol reader are determined using a computer-based-function-parameter device and subsequently buffered in memory buffer contained therein; the buffered function-encoded parameters are used to produce a list of function-encoded bar code symbols which are printed in a specified reading sequence; and the list of printed-function encoded bar code symbols are read in the specified reading sequence so as to configure the bar code symbol reader with the same set of function-encoded parameters that were programmed in the master bar code symbol reader.

Abstract: An enhanced scanner is equipped with a novel interfacing mechanism for communicating directly with a data communications network. This eliminates the requirement of using intelligent network interface devices to access data generated by any of a plurality of bar code scanners coupled to a communications network. This novel interfacing mechanism may include a program stored on a memory device within the scanner and executed by a scanner processing mechanism. The scanner processing mechanism is adapted to perform two functions—bar code scanning and network communications—thereby reducing the cost and complexity of a communications network that includes one or more bar code scanners coupled to a host device through the network.

Abstract: A bar code scanner is equipped with a keyboard emulation mechanism so as to provide an enhanced interface to a keyboard controller port of a computing device such as a personal or laptop computer. The keyboard emulation mechanism eliminates the necessity of connecting an actual computer keyboard to the port by responding to the computing device's standard power-on diagnostic procedure as if it were effectively an electrical equivalent of a computer keyboard. The keyboard emulation mechanism can also be equipped to detect a keyboard inhibit signal at the keyboard controller port. If the keyboard emulation mechanism detects a keyboard inhibit signal while a data byte is being transmitted to the keyboard controller port, the keyboard emulation mechanism retransmits this data byte to the keyboard controller port. The data byte may specify a scan code corresponding to a keyboard key press or all or part of a decoded bar code.

Abstract: A novel system and method for programming one or more functional parameters of programmable bar code symbol readers and scanners, while avoiding the need to connect a data communication port of a computer system to a bar code symbol reader that is to be programmed. In a first illustrative embodiment, the function-encoded parameters of a master bar code symbol reader are determined using a computer-based-function-parameter device and subsequently buffered in memory buffer contained therein; the buffered function-encoded parameters are used to produce a list of function-encoded bar code symbols which are printed in a specified reading sequence; and the list of printed-function encoded bar code symbols are read in the specified reading sequence so as to configure the bar code symbol reader with the same set of function-encoded parameters that were programmed in the master bar code symbol reader.

Abstract: A novel system and method of programming the function parameters of programmable bar code symbol readers and scanners, while avoiding the need to couple the data communication port of a function parameter computer system and the programmable bar code symbol reader to be configured. In a first illustrative embodiment, the function-encoded parameters of a master bar code symbol reader are determined using a computer-based function-parameter device and subsequently buffered in memory buffer contained therein; the buffered function-encoded parameters are used to produce a list (i.e., ordered set) of function-encoded bar code symbols which are printed in a specified reading-sequence; and the list of printed function-encoded bar code symbols are read in specified reading sequence so as to configure (i.e., program) the bar code symbol reader with same set of function-encoded parameters that were programmed in the master bar code symbol reader.

Abstract: An enhanced scanner is equipped with a novel interfacing mechanism for communicating directly with a data communications network. This eliminates the requirement of using intelligent network interface devices to access data generated by any of a plurality of bar code scanners coupled to a communications network. This novel interfacing mechanism may include a program stored on a memory device within the scanner and executed by a scanner processing mechanism. The scanner processing mechanism is adapted to perform two functions—bar code scanning and network communications—thereby reducing the cost and complexity of a communications network that includes one or more bar code scanners coupled to a host device through the network.