Metrologic Instruments, Inc.

General Electric Company

Other

Constantine J Tsikos

Xiaoxun Zhu

Michael Schnee

C Harry Knowles

Thomas A Amundsen

Timothy A Good

Charles A Naylor

Allan Wirth

Russell Joseph Dobbs

Andrew J Jankevics

Ka Man Au

Sankar Ghosh

Carl Harry Knowles

Patrick Anthony Giordano

Stephen J Colavito

Mark C Schmidt

William Svedas

Robert E Blake

George Kolis

Pirooz Vatan

Jeffery Yorsz

Barry E Schwartz

Shawn Defoney

Edward Skypala

Steven Y Kim

Jon Van Tassell

David W Wilz, Sr

Dale Fisher

David M Wilz

George B Rockstein

Gennady Germaine

Francis E Lodge

Brian R Frederick

Steve Y Kim

Thomas A Chmielewski, Jr

Timothy J Davis

Jerome P Rosenfeld

Dale M Fischer

Xiaoxum Zhu

A hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reader includes: a hand-supportable housing having light transmission aperture; a linear image formation and detection module having a linear image detection array; and a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing device having at least one visible laser diode (VLD) for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB). The code symbol reader further includes image grabber for grabbing digital linear images formed and detected by the image formation and detection module, an image data buffer for buffering the digital linear images grabbed by the image grabber and constructing a two-dimensional image from a series of buffered linear digital images, and an image processing computer for processing the buffered two-dimensional digital image so as to read code symbols graphically represented in the two-dimensional digital linear image. During object illumination and imaging operations, a controller automatically controls the linear image formation and detection module, the PLIB producing device, the image frame grabber, and the image data buffer.

Hand-supported planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based systems with laser despeckling mechanisms integrated therein

A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based engine including; an engine housing having light transmission aperture; an image formation and detection module and having an image detection array and image formation optics with a field of view (FOV) extending from the image detection array, through the light transmission aperture and onto an object moving relative to the engine housing during object illumination and imaging operations; a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing device, and having at least one visible laser illumination source arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module, for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB), and projecting the planar light illumination beam through light transmission aperture and oriented such that the plane of the PLIB is coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module so that the object can be simultaneously illuminated by the planar light illumination beam and imaged within the field of view and onto the image detection array for detection as a digital linear image of the object; a laser despeckling mechanism for reducing the coherence of the PLIB during object illumination and imaging operation so that the power of speckle-pattern noise is substantially reduced in digital linear images detected on said image detection array.

Planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based engine

A hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reader includes: a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture; a linear image formation and detection module having a linear image detection array; and a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing device having at least one visible laser diode (VLD) for producing a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB). The code symbol reader further includes an image grabber for grabbing digital linear images formed and detected by the image formation and detection module, an image data buffer for buffering the digital linear images grabbed by the image grabber and constructing a two-dimensional digital image from a series of buffered linear digital images, and an image processing computer for processing the two-dimensional digital image so as to read code symbols graphically represented in the two-dimensional digital image.

Hand-supportable code symbol reader employing coplanar laser illumination and linear imaging

A hand-supportable coplanar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reader includes: a hand-supportable housing having light transmission aperture; a linear image formation and detection module having a linear image detection array; and a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing a coplanar laser illumination and imaging based device having at least one visible laser diode (VLD) for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB). The code symbol reader further includes an image grabber for grabbing digital linear images formed and detected by the image formation and detection module, an image data buffer for buffering the digital linear images grabbed by the image grabber, and an image processing computer for processing the buffered digital linear images so as to read code symbols graphically represented in the digital linear images. During object illumination and imaging operations, a controller automatically controls the linear image formation and detection module, the PLIB producing device, the image frame grabber, and the image data buffer.

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. Preferably, each planar laser illumination beam component is focused so that the minimum beam width thereof occurs at a point or plane which is the farthest or maximum object distance at which the system is designed to acquire images, thereby compensating for decreases in the power density of the incident planar laser illumination beam due to the fact that the width of the planar laser illumination beam increases in length for increasing object distances away from the imaging optics. Advanced high-resolution wavefront control methods and devices are disclosed for use with the PLIIM-based systems in order to reduce the power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detections thereof. By virtue of the present invention, it is now possible to use both VLDs and high-speed CCD-type image detectors in conveyor, hand-held and hold-under type imaging applications alike, enjoying the advantages and benefits that each such technology has to offer, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks hitherto associated therewith.

Tunnel-based object identification and dimensioning system

A tunnel-type digital imaging system for use within retail shopping environments such as supermarkets. The system includes a tunnel configuration arranged about a conveyor structure for transporting objects therethrough, and an image capturing and processing subsystem embodied within the tunnel configuration, for generating a 3D digital imaging volume above the conveyor structure and within the tunnel configuration, for capturing digital 1D images of objects transported through the 3D digital imaging volume. The image capturing and processing subsystem includes a plurality of illumination and imaging stations. Each station includes a 2D imaging array having optics providing a 3D field of view (FOV) on the 2D imaging array that is projected and extends into the 3D digital imaging volume, and one or more light emitting devices configured together to produce an illumination beam that extends into the 3D FOV of the 2D imaging array. A digital image processing subsystem processing digital 1D images of objects passing through the 3D digital imaging volume, and a system control subsystem which controls and/or orchestrates the coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems during system operation.

Tunnel-type digital imaging system for use within retail shopping environments such as supermarkets

A tunnel-type digital imaging system for use within retail shopping environments such as supermarkets. The system includes a tunnel configuration arranged about a conveyor structure for transporting objects therethrough, and an image capturing and processing subsystem embodied within the tunnel configuration, for generating a 3D digital imaging volume above the conveyor structure and within the tunnel configuration, for capturing digital 1D images of objects transported through the 3D imaging volume. The image capturing and processing subsystem includes a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations. Each station includes a linear imaging array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) on the linear imaging array that is projected and extends into the 3D imaging volume, and one or more light emitting devices configured together to produce a substantially planar illumination beam (PLIB) that extends in substantially along the same plane as the FOV of the linear imaging array so that each the linear imaging array and corresponding one or more light emitting devices produce at least one coplanar illumination and imaging plane that projects into the 3D imaging volume. A digital image processing subsystem processing digital 1D images of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and a system control subsystem controls and/or orchestrates the coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems during system operation.

A hand-supportable linear-type planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based device comprising a linear image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear array of image detection elements and also image formation optics having a field of view (FOV) focusing a linear image of an object onto the linear array of image detection elements. A pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) is arranged on opposite sides of the linear image formation and detection module, and produces a plurality of spatially-incoherent planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) components that are optically combined with respect to other PLIB components so as to produce a composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) that is arranged in a coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the FOV. Each PLIA includes a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM includes a laser diode and beam focusing and diverging optics for producing one spatially-incoherent PLIB component. The composite PLIB produces a number of substantially different individual speckle noise patterns at the linear array of image detection elements during the photo-integration time period thereof. The speckle noise power observed at the linear array of image detection elements is reduced through temporal averaging of the individual speckle noise patterns during the photo-integration time period. By virtue of the present invention, it is now possible to use visible laser diodes (VLDs) to produce speckle-reduced images of objects suitable for OCR processing, while enjoying improved working distances offered by planar laser illumination techniques.

Hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) device for producing a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) coplanar with the field of view (FOV) of a linear image detection array

An automated package dimensioning subsystem comprising a Laser Detecting and Ranging (LADAR-based) scanning apparatus for capturing two-dimensional range data maps of the space above a conveyor structure, along which packages are transported, and an image contour tracing apparatus for extracting package dimension data from the two-dimensional range data maps.

Automated package dimensioning system

A hand-supportable planar linear illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reading system comprising: a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture; and a planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM), disposed in the hand-supportable housing. The PLIIM includes (i) a linear image detection array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) on said linear image detection array that projects through the light transmission aperture, and (ii) at least one planar laser illumination module (PLIM) for producing a substantially planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) that extends substantially along the same plane as the FOV of the linear image detection array. This arrangement provides a coplanar illumination and imaging plane that projects through the light transmission aperture, for capturing a series of linear (1-D) digital images of an object intersecting therewith during object illumination and imaging operations. An image frame grabber then accesses 1-D digital images therefrom and composes a 2-D digital image of the object. An image data buffer buffers 2-D images received from the image frame grabber, and a decode image processor processes the digital images stored within the image data buffer so as to read one or more code symbols graphically represented in the digital images. A system controller controls the operations within the system.

Hand-supportable planar linear illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reading system

A hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based device having hand-supportable housing with a light transmission aperture. A linear image formation and detection (IFD) module is mounted within the housing, and has a linear array of image detection elements and also image formation optics with a field of view (FOV). When an object is presented within the FOV, the FOV focuses a linear image of the object onto the linear array. At least one planar laser illumination module (PLIM) is mounted on the support platform, with the linear IFD module, and produces a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) spatially aligned with respect to the FOV and arranged in a coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the FOV. A laser beam despeckling mechanism is integrated in the device, for reducing speckle-pattern noise observed the linear digital images formed and detected at the linear array of image detection elements.

Planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) systems with integrated despeckling mechanisms provided therein

A hand-supportable planar illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based device having a hand-supportable housing with a light transmission aperture. A linear image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on the support platform in the housing, and has a linear array of image detection elements and also image formation optics having a field of view (FOV) projectable through the light transmission aperture. When an object is presented in the FOV for illumination and imaging, the FOV focuses a linear image of the object onto the linear array of image detection elements. A plurality of planar illumination modules (PLIMs) are arranged in a rectilinear manner, and produce a planar illumination beam (PLIB) that is spatially aligned with respect to the FOV and arranged in a coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the FOV. Each PLIM includes a visible light emitting diode (LED) and beam forming optics for producing the PLIB.

Hand-supportable LED-based planar illumination and imaging system

An imaging device including at least one imaging array and image formation optics that provide a field of view corresponding to the imaging array. At least one illumination module (which includes at least one source of coherent illumination) produces planar light illumination that substantially overlaps the field of view corresponding to the imaging array. Illumination control circuitry modulates the power level of illumination produced by the source of coherent illumination during each photo-integration time period of the imaging array to thereby reduce speckle noise in images captured by the imaging array. The illumination control circuitry preferably modulates the power level of illumination by controlling the number and/or duration of time periods corresponding to different power levels of illumination produced by the source of coherent illumination during each photo-integration time period of the imaging array.

Planar laser illumination and imaging device employing laser current modulation to generate spectral components and reduce temporal coherence of laser beam, so as to achieve a reduction in speckle-pattern noise during time-averaged detection of images of objects illuminated thereby during imaging operations

A bioptical planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based object dimensioning, analysis and identification system comprising a pair of PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystems, wherein each PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem produces a multi-spectral planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) for illuminating objects during imaging, and employs an area-type electronic image detection array with image formation optics having a field of view (FOV), through which the multi-spectral PLIB is automatically swept in a coplanar relationship during illumination and imaging operations; and wherein the bioptical PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem is programmed to analyze captured images of objects and determine the shape/geometry, dimensions and/or color thereof.

Bioptical product and produce identification systems employing planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIM) based subsystems

Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend throughout the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each PLIB is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD), a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged with each PLIM, which is adjustable relative to other PLIMs so as to permit precise positioning of each PLIM relative to the optical axis of the imaging optics of the image formation and detection module. The individual PLIB 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.

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Voorhees, NJ, United States of America

Constantine J Tsikos