Patents by Inventor Michael D. Schnee

Michael D. Schnee has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • LED-based planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) systems
    Publication number: 20030150916
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Timothy Good, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, Thomas Amundsen, C. Harry Knowles
  • Planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system employing led-based planar light illumination arrays (PLIAS) and an area-type image detection array
    Publication number: 20030150917
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Timothy Good, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, Thomas Amundsen, C. Harry Knowles
  • Bioptical product and produce identification systems employing planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIM) based subsystems
    Publication number: 20030146282
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Allan Wirth, Timothy A. Good, Andrew Jankevics, Steve Y. Kim, Thomas Amundsen, Charles A. Naylor, Russell Joseph Dobbs, Patrick A. Giordano, Jeffery Yorsz, Mark S. Schmidt, Stephen J. Colavito, David M. Wilz, Ka Man Au, William Svedas, Sankar Ghosh, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, C. Harry Knowles
  • LED-based planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) engine
    Publication number: 20030102379
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Timothy A. Good, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, Thomas Amundsen, Mark C. Schmidt, Patrick A. Giordano
  • Planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) engine
    Publication number: 20030098353
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Thomas Amundsen, Mark C. Schmidt, Patrick A. Giordano
  • Hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) devices employing linear electronic image detection arrays and optically-combined planar laser illumination beams (PLIBS) produced from a multiplicity of laser diode sources to achieve a reduction in speckle-pattern noise power in said PLIIM devices
    Publication number: 20030098349
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Timothy A. Good
  • Handheld imaging device employing planar light illumination and linear imaging with image-based velocity detection and aspect ratio compensation
    Publication number: 20030098352
    Abstract: A hand-held imaging device includes a plurality of linear imaging arrays, image formation optics, at least one illumination module and image processing circuitry that are embodied within a hand-holdable housing that is moved by hand movement past a target object to capture images of the target object. The plurality of linear imaging arrays and image formation optics provide field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear image arrays. The at least one illumination module produces planar light illumination that substantially overlaps the field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear imaging arrays. The image processing circuitry performs image-based velocity estimation operations, which analyzes pixel data values of a plurality of composite 2D images each derived from sequential image capture operations of a corresponding one linear imaging array to derive velocity data that represents an estimated velocity of the imaging device with respect to target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, C. Harry Knowles
  • Method of and system for automatically producing digital images of a moving object, with pixels having a substantially uniform white level independent of the velocity of said moving object
    Publication number: 20030089778
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Ka Man Au, Allan Wirth, Timothy A. Good, Sankar Ghosh, Thomas Amundsen
  • Imaging engine employing planar light illumination and linear imaging
    Publication number: 20030091244
    Abstract: An imaging engine includes a plurality of linear imaging arrays, image formation optics, at least one illumination module and supporting circuitry that are embodied within a modular engine housing. The plurality of linear imaging arrays and image formation optics are mounted on an optical bench (which is integral to the engine housing) and provide field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear image arrays. The at least one illumination module produces planar light illumination that substantially overlaps the field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear imaging arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, C. Harry Knowles
  • Method of and system for automatically producing digital images of a moving object, with pixels having a substantially uniform white level independent of the velocity of said moving object
    Publication number: 20030080190
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Ka Man Au, Allan Wirth, Timothy A. Good, Andrew Jankevics, Sankar Ghosh, Charles A. Naylor, Thomas Amundsen, Robert Blake, William Svedas, Shawn Defoney, Edward Skypala, Pirooz Vatan, Russell Joseph Dobbs, George Kolis, Mark C. Schmidt, Jeffery Yorsz, Patrick A. Giordano, Stephen J. Colavito, David W. Wilz, Barry E. Schwartz, Steven Y. Kim, Dale Fisher, Jon Van Tassell
  • Neutron-beam based scanning system having an automatic object identification and attribute information acquisition and linking mechanism integrated therein
    Publication number: 20030080192
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Ka Man Au, Allan Wirth, Timothy A. Good, Andrew Jankevics, Sankar Ghosh, Charles A. Naylor, Thomas Amundsen, Robert Blake, William Svedas, Shawn Defoney, Edward Skypala, Pirooz Vatan, Russell Joseph Dobbs, George Kolis, Mark C. Schmidt, Jeffery Yorsz, Patrick A. Giordano, Stephen J. Colavito, David W. Wilz, Barry E. Schwartz, Steven Y. Kim, Dale Fisher, Jon Van Tassell
  • Led-based planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based camera system employing real-time object coordinate acquistion and producing to control automatic zoom and focus imaging optics
    Publication number: 20030071128
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Ka Man Au, Timothy A. Good, Sankar Ghosh, Thomas Amundsen
  • Method of and apparatus for automatically compensating for viewing-angle distortion in digital linear images of object surfaces moving past a planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based camera system at skewed viewing angles
    Publication number: 20030071119
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Ka Man Au, Sankar Ghosh
  • Method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and apparatus therefor based on reducing the temporal-coherence of the planar laser illumination beam before it illuminates the target object by applying temporal phase modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target
    Publication number: 20030071124
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Ka Man Au, Allan Wirth, Timothy A. Good, Andrew Jankevics, Sankar Ghosh, Charles A. Naylor, Thomas Amundsen, Robert Blake, William Svedas, Shawn Defoney, Edward Skypala, Pirooz Vatan, Russell Joseph Dobbs, George Kolis, Mark C. Schmidt, Jeffery Yorsz, Patrick A. Giordano, Stephen J. Colavito, David W. Wilz, Barry E. Schwartz, Steven Y. Kim, Dale Fisher, Jon Van Tassell
  • Planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based camera system for automatically producing digital linear images of a moving object, containing pixels having a substantially square aspectratio independent of the measured range and/or velocity of said moving object
    Publication number: 20030062415
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Ka Man Au, Allan Wirth, Sankar Ghosh
  • Method of and system for automatically producing digital images of moving objects, with pixels having a substantially uniform white level independent of the velocities of the moving objects
    Publication number: 20030052175
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Ka Man Au, Allan Wirth, Timothy A. Good, Andrew Jankevics, Sankar Ghosh, Charles A. Naylor, Thomas Amundsen, Robert Blake, William Svedas, Shawn Defoney, Edward Skypala, Pirooz Vatan, Russell Joseph Dobbs, George Kolis, Mark C. Schmidt, Jeffery Yorsz, Patrick A. Giordano, Stephen J. Colavito, David W. Wilz, Barry E. Schwartz, Steven Y. Kim, Dale Fisher, Jon Van Tassell
  • Pliim-based semiconductor chips
    Publication number: 20030042308
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Allan Wirth, Timothy A. Good, Andrew Jankevics, Steve Y. Kim, Thomas Amundsen, Charles A. Naylor, Russell Joseph Dobbs, Patrick A. Giordano, Jeffery Yorsz, Mark S. Schmidt, Stephen J. Colavito, David M. Wilz, Ka Man Au, William Svedas, Sankar Ghosh, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, C. Harry Knowles
  • Hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) device employing a pair of linear laser diode arrays mounted about an area image detection array, for illuminating an object to be imaged with a plurality of optically-combined spatially-incoherent planar laser illumination beams (PLIBS) scanned through the field of view (FOV) of said area image detection array, and reducing the speckle-pattern noise power in detected 2-D images by temporally-averaging detected speckle-noise patterns during the
    Publication number: 20030042314
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Allan Wirth, Timothy A. Good
  • Automatic vehicle identification and classification (AVIC) system employing a tunnel-arrangement of PLIIM-based subsystems
    Publication number: 20030042304
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee
  • Automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system employing planar laser illumination imaging (PLIIM) based subsystems
    Publication number: 20030042303
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee