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 scanner 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. The holographic optical elements are arranged on the scanning disc in such a manner so that none of the laser scanning planes generated within the 3-D scanning volume of the system are spatially and temporally coincident with any other laser scanning plane within the 3-D scanning volume. This novel feature of the present invention ensures that there is substantially zero cross-talk at the plurality of photodetectors provided within the system, significantly improving the performance of the system.

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: 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 holographic laser scanners of ultra-compact and modular 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 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 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.

Abstract: A holographic laser scanning system comprising: a housing of compact construction; a plurality of laser beam sources; a holographic scanning disc supporting a plurality of holographic optical elements having fringe structure of variable spatial frequency; a plurality of laser beam folding mirrors disposed about the holographic scanning disc; a plurality of light focusing surfaces disposed below the holographic scanning disc; and a plurality of photodetectors disposed at the focal points of the light focusing surfaces. During laser beam scanning operations, each laser beam is transmitted through the outer edge portion of each holographic optical element at an angle of incidence substantially greater than twenty-three degrees relative to a normal vector drawn thereto, preferably forty-three degrees.

Abstract: Holographic laser scanning system employing a holographic scanning disc with holographic facets having dual-fringe contrast regions optimized for scanning and light collection operations. In the preferred embodiments, the first region of each holographic facet is optimized for laser light having a first polarization state, whereas the second portion thereof is optimized for laser light having a second polarization state. The dual-fringe contrast scanning disc construction of the present invention provides for improved laser scanning efficiency during scanning operation, and improved laser light collection efficiency during laser light collection/detection operation within the system.

Abstract: A holographic laser scanning system for scanning bar code symbols. The system comprises a holographic scanning disc having a plurality of holographic optical elements disposed thereon for scanning the plurality of laser beams directed at the same incident angle. Each holographic optical element as substantially the same Bragg angle. The parabolic light reflective surfaces are disposed beneath the holographic scanning disc. Each parabolic light reflective surface has an optical axis disposed off the Bragg angle of the holographic optical elements, for focusing towards a focal point above the holographic scanning disc, the reflected light rays collected by each holographic optical element. A photodetector is disposed at the focal point of the corresponding parabolic light reflective surface above the holographic scanning disc, and is radially aligned with the optical axis of one parabolic light reflective surface.

Abstract: A holographic laser scanner for producing a high-resolution raster-type 2-D laser scanning pattern within a 3-D scanning volume. The scanner comprises a housing, holographic laser scanning mechanism disposed within the housing for producing a high-resolution raster-type 2-D scanning pattern within a 3-D scanning volume. The holographic laser scanning mechanism includes a laser beam source for producing a laser beam, and a holographic scanning disc rotatable about an axis of rotation and supporting a plurality of holographic optical elements. The laser beam is directed towards the holographic laser scanning disc at an angle of incidence so that the laser beam is diffracted by the holographic optical elements and produce a raster-type 2-D laser scanning pattern for scanning code symbols within the 3-D scanning volume.

Abstract: A code symbol reading system comprising first and second scanners. The first scanner employs a holographic scanning disc to generate an omnidirectional laser scanning pattern within a large 3-D scanning volume. The first scanner detects the location of a code symbol within the 3-D scanning volume and produces data indicative of its location therewithin. Using this location data, the second scanner produces a high density scanning pattern to aggressively scan the region in which the code symbol has been detected, and collect scan data for decode processing. By virtue of the system and method of the present invention, it is now possible to read bar code symbols located anywhere within very large volume of space, with a high degree of accuracy hitherto impossible using prior art techniques.