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).

  • Hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based camera system capable of producing digital linear images of a object, containing pixels having a substantially uniform white level independent of the velocity of the object while manually moving said PLIIM based camera system past said object during illumination and imaging operations
    Publication number: 20030042315
    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 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Ka Man Au, Sankar Ghosh
  • Planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based system having a linear image detection chip mounting assembly with means for preventing misalignment between the field of view (FOV) of said linear image detection chip and the co-planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced by said PLIIM based system, in response to thermal expansion and/or contraction within said PLIIM based system
    Publication number: 20030034395
    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: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    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
  • Hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) device employing a pair of linear laser diode arrays mounted about a linear image detection array, for illuminating an object to be imaged with a plurality of optically-combined spatially-incoherent planar laser illumination beams (PLIBS) and reducing the speckle-pattern noise power in detected linear images by temporally-averaging detected speckle-noise patterns during the photo-integration time period of said linear image detection array
    Publication number: 20030035461
    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: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Michael D. Schnee, Timothy A. Good
  • Automated object identification and attribute acquisition system having a multi-compartment housing with optically-isolated light transmission apertures for operation of a planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based linear imaging subsystem and a laser-based object profiling subsystem integrated therein
    Publication number: 20030019933
    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 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Charles A. Naylor, Thomas Amundsen, Russell Joseph Dobbs
  • Planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) systems
    Publication number: 20030015587
    Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging system for illuminating an object and forming an image thereof. The planar laser illumination and imaging system which comprises an image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV) focused at an image detecting array. A planar laser illumination array (PLIA) constructed from an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) is arranged in rectilinear manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, Thomas Amundsen, Charles A. Naylor, Russell Joseph Dobbs, Carl Harry Knowles
  • Planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system employing an area-type image detection array
    Publication number: 20030010823
    Abstract: In a planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system, a planar light illumination module (PLIM) of compact construction produces a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) which emanates substantially within a single plane along the direction of beam propagation towards an object to be optically illuminated and imaged. The PLIM comprises a module housing which has an axial extent, first and second end portions, a central bore formed along the axial extent, and a recess integrally formed in the second end portion. A visible laser diode (VLD) is mounted along the bore at the first end portion of the module housing, for producing a laser beam generally along the axial extent. A focusing lens is mounted along the bore between the first and second end portions, for focusing the laser beam to a predetermined focal point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, Thomas Amundsen, Charles A. Naylor, Russell Joseph Dobbs, Carl Harry Knowles
  • Planar laser illumination modules (PLIMS) employed in a planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system
    Publication number: 20020195494
    Abstract: In a planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system, a planar light illumination module (PLIM) of compact construction produces a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) which emanates substantially within a single plane along the direction of beam propagation towards an object to be optically illuminated and imaged. The PLIM comprises a module housing which has an axial extent, first and second end portions, a central bore formed along the axial extent, and a recess integrally formed in the second end portion. A visible laser diode (VLD) is mounted along the bore at the first end portion of the module housing, for producing a laser beam generally along the axial extent. A focusing lens is mounted along the bore between the first and second end portions, for focusing the laser beam to a predetermined focal point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, Thomas Amundsen, Charles A. Naylor, Russell Joseph Dobbs, Carl Harry Knowles
  • Method of extending the working distance of a planar laser illumination and imaging system without increasing the output power of the visible laser diode (VLD) sources employed therein
    Publication number: 20020185535
    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: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, Thomas Amundsen, Charles A. Naylor, Russell Joseph Dobbs, Carl Harry Knowles
  • Planar led-based illumination modules
    Publication number: 20020153422
    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 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    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
  • Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system capable of monitoring, configuring and servicing a planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based network
    Publication number: 20020145042
    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: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Mark C. Schmidt, Xiaoxun Zhu, Shawn Defoney, Edward Skypala, Constantine J. Tsikos, Ka Man Au, Barry E. Schwartz, Allan Wirth, Andrew Jankevics, Timothy A. Good, Sankar Ghosh, Michael D. Schnee, George Kolis, Thomas Amundsen, Charles A. Naylor, Robert Blake, Russell Joseph Dobbs, Jeffery Yorsz, Patrick A. Giordano, Stephen J. Colavito, David W. Wilz, William Svedas, Steven Y. Kim, Dale M. Fischer, Jon Van Tassell
  • Planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system employing wavefront control methods for reducing the power of speckle-pattern noise digital images acquired by said system
    Publication number: 20020139853
    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: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    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
  • Method of and system for producing images of objects using planar laser illumination beams and image detection arrays
    Publication number: 20020117545
    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 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Michael D. Schnee, Xiaoxun Zhu, Thomas Amundsen, Charles A. Naylor, Russell Joseph Dobbs, Allan Wirth, Andrew Jankevics, Carls Harry Knowles
  • Method of and system for producing digital images of objects with subtantially reduced speckle-noise patterns by illuminating said objects with spatially and/or temporally coherent-reduced planar laser illumination
    Publication number: 20020043561
    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 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: Adaptive Optics Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine J. Tsikos, Allan Wirth, Andrew Jankevics, Steve Y. Kim, Timothy Good, Thomas Amundsen, Charles A. Naylor, Russell Joseph Dobbs, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael D. Schnee, Carl Harry Knowles