Abstract: A method of and system for automatically identifying packages during manual package sortation operations, wherein, a laser scanning system is supported above a workspace environment of 3-D spatial extent, which can be occupied by a human operator involved in the manual sortation of packages bearing bar code symbols. During operation of the system, a laser scanning pattern generator projects an omnidirectional laser scanning pattern that spatially encompasses a substantial portion of the workspace environment, through which packages are transported during sorting operations. A visible scanning-zone indication pattern is projected onto the floor surface immediately beneath the omni-directional laser scanning pattern. As the human operator uses the visible scanning-zone pattern to guide the transport of a package bearing a bar code symbol through the workspace environment, the package is automatically identified by the laser scanning system supported above the workspace environment.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A LED-based planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) engine for use in a hand-supportable linear imager adapted for manual movement relative to an object to be illuminated and imaged. The LED-based PLIIM engine comprises an engine housing having a light transmission aperture, and a linear image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with image detection elements and image formation optics having a field of view (FOV) projected through the light transmission aperture into an illumination and imaging field, in which an object is presented for illumination and imaging. A pair of planar light illumination arrays (PLIAs) are arranged on opposite sides of the linear IFD module.

Abstract: An automated object identification and attribute acquisition system comprising a planar light illumination and imaging subsystem (PLIIM) based linear imaging subsystem, and a laser-based object profiling subsystem integrated within a multi-compartment system housing. The system housing has a substantially unitary construction and includes a first optically-isolated compartment formed in its upper deck portion for containing the PLIIM based linear imaging subsystem and associated components therewithin. The system housing also includes a second optically-isolated compartment formed in its lower deck portion, disposed below the first optically-isolated compartment; for containing the laser-based object profiling subsystem and associated components therewithin.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based system comprising a linear image formation and detection module having (i) an image sensing chip having a plurality of conductive pins establishing electrical interconnections with conductive elements within a chip mounting socket mounted on an electronic camera board, and (ii) image forming optics with a field of view. The system also includes a heat-exchanging structure, rigidly connected to the image formation optics, and having (i) a body portion provided with heat exchanging elements, (ii) a plurality of apertures through which the plurality of conductive pins on the image sensing chip pass to establish electrical interconnections with the conductive elements within the chip mounting socket, and (III) a plurality of mechanical elements for releasably engaging the package of the image sensing chip so as to rigidly maintain the image sensing chip in alignment with the image forming optics.

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: Illumination apparatus includes a light source which directs a polarized source beam in a downstream direction along an optical axis and desirably focuses the beam. A polarization-altering element downstream from the source such as a birefringent plate alters the polarization in a portion or portions of the source beam, so that the altered beam includes portions having different polarization directions. The altered beam passes downstream through a polarization-selective filter. The output beam from the polarization-selective filter can include either portion depending on the orientation of the filter. The arrangement can be used to provide a spot of a given size and shape at the focal location in a scanner such as a bar code scanner. The size and depth of field of the spot can be varied dynamically during operation.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically producing digital images of an object having a substantially uniform white level independent of the velocity of the object. The method comprising determining the velocity of an object moving relative to a planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based imaging system having a linear image detection array with a field of view (FOV), a planar light illumination array (PLIA) with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a linear array for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB) coplanar with the FOV, and a micro-controller for controlling the operation of the PLIIM based imaging system.

Abstract: A hand-supportable digital imaging-based bar code symbol reading system comprises: an automatic object presence and range detection subsystem; an image formation and detection subsystem; a multi-mode LED-based illumination subsystem having an LED illumination array; an automatic light exposure measurement and illumination control subsystem; an image capturing and buffering subsystem; a multi-mode image-processing bar code symbol reading subsystem having a first mode and a second mode of operation; an input/output subsystem; and a system control subsystem for controlling the subsystems. The multi-mode image-processing bar code symbol reading subsystem automatically switches its modes of image-processing during a single bar code symbol reading cycle, and within each mode of image-processing based bar code symbol reading a different image-processing based bar code symbol reading methodology is automatically applied.

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: Disclosed is laser beam scanning apparatus in the form of an electronically-controlled mechanically-damped off-resonant laser beam scanning mechanism. The scanning mechanism comprises an etched scanning element having a small flexible gap region of closely-controlled dimensions disposed between an anchored base portion and a laser beam deflecting portion The light beam deflecting portion supports a permanent magnet and a light beam deflecting element (e.g., mirror or hologram). A reversible magnetic force field producing device (e.g., an electromagnet) is placed in close proximity with the permanent magnet so that it may be forcibly driven into oscillation in response to electrical current flowing through the electromagnet. The resonant frequency of oscillation of the laser beam deflecting portion relative to the anchored base portion is determined by the closely controlled dimensions of the flexible gap region set during manufacture.

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: Disclosed is a holographic laser scanner of ultra-compact design. The scanner has a scanner housing having width, length and height dimensions, and a holographic scanning disc for scanning and focusing a plurality of laser beams so as to produce a plurality of laser scanning planes. A plurality of beam folding mirrors are disposed about the holographic scanning disc, for folding the laser scanning planes so as to project a complex scanning pattern within the spatial extent of a predefined 3-D scanning volume. A plurality of parabolic light collecting mirrors are disposed beneath the holographic scanning disc for collecting laser light reflected from scanned code symbols.

Abstract: A hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device having a laser scanning engine that is controlled to selectively operate in either an omni-directional scan mode or a single line scan mode. In the single line scan mode of operation, symbol character data produced by the laser scanning engine is communicated to a host device in response to an activation signal produced by a data transmission switch. In the omni-directional scan mode, symbol character data is communicated to the host device irrespective of the activation signal. Preferably, mode selection means selectively operates the laser scanning engine in either the omni-directional scan mode of operation or the single line scan mode of operation in response to placement of the device in a support stand, thereby enabling automatic operation as a stationary hands-free omni-directional projection scanner (in stand), and automatic operation as a portable hand-held line scanner (out of stand).

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: 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 multi-mode laser-based bar code symbol reading device having a hand-supportable housing with a light transmission aperture, wherethrough visible light can exit and enter the hand-supportable housing. A laser scanning engine, disposed within the hand-supportable housing, is controlled to selectively operate in either an omni-directional scanning mode or a single line scanning mode. In the omni-directional scanning mode, the laser scanning engine projects an omni-directional scanning pattern through the light transmission aperture, detects and decodes bar code symbols on objects passing through the omni-directional scanning pattern, and produces symbol character data representative of decoded bar code symbols.

Abstract: A hand-supportable digital imaging-based bar code symbol reading system comprises: an automatic object presence detection subsystem; an image formation and detection subsystem employing a CMOS area-type image detection array; an LED-based illumination subsystem employing a LED illumination array for generating a field of narrow-band LED illumination; an automatic light exposure measurement and illumination control subsystem employing LED illumination driver circuitry; an image capturing and buffering subsystem; an image-processing bar code symbol reading subsystem; an input/output subsystem; a narrow-band transmission-type optical filter subsystem; and a system control subsystem for controlling the subsystems.

Abstract: A hand-supportable digital imaging-based bar code symbol reading device comprises: an automatic object presence and range detection subsystem; an area-type image formation and detection subsystem; a LED-based illumination subsystem having narrow-area and wide area illumination modes of operation; an automatic light exposure measurement and illumination control subsystem; an image capturing and buffering subsystem; a image-processing bar code symbol reading subsystem; an input/output subsystem; and a system control subsystem for controlling each of the above-described subsystems. A narrow-band transmission-type optical filter subsystem is integrated within the hand-supportable, so that only light transmitted from the LED-based illumination subsystem and reflected from the illuminated object is transmitted through the narrow-band transmission-type optical filter subsystem and detected by the CMOS area-type image sensing array, while all other components of ambient light are substantially rejected.