Microscan Systems Incorporated

Matthew E Allen

Danny S Barnes

James W Moore

Bruce R Scharf

Andrew J Zosel

Embodiments of a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for rapidly capturing images in an automated identification system to effectively extend one dimension of a field of view of an image system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the image system captures and processes multiple images of at least a portion of a surface of a component in the automated identification system in response to a trigger signal communicated from a triggering device configured to sense a location of the component. Various embodiments of the invention include multiple sources for capturing images, and/or multiple user-specified schemas for effectively extending the field of view of the image system along the axis of component travel in the automated identification system.

Method and apparatus for rapid image capture in an image system

An apparatus is disclosed comprising a base capable of receiving a camera including a lens, and a projector coupled to the base and adapted to project a plurality of beams of light onto a plane positioned at a focus distance from the base, wherein the projections of the beams of light on the plane are geometric shapes, and wherein an intersection of the geometric shapes is at the center of the field of view of the lens when the lens is installed on the base. In addition, an apparatus is disclosed comprising a base capable of receiving a camera including a lens, an image processor capable of being coupled to the camera for processing an image of a target captured by the camera, and a confirmation projector coupled to the image processor, wherein the projector projects a confirmation beam onto the plane of the target when the image processor signals the confirmation projector that it has processed the image.

Camera positioning and confirmation feedback system

Embodiments of a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for rapidly capturing images in an automated identification system to effectively extend one dimension of a field of view of an image system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the image system captures and processes multiple images of at least a portion of a surface of a component in the automated identification system in response to a trigger signal communicated from a triggering device configured to sense a location of the component. Various embodiments of the invention include multiple sources for capturing images, and/or multiple user-specified schemes for effectively extending the field of view of the image system along the axis of component travel in the automated identification system.

A scanning system and method reads information symbols, such as optical mark recognition (&ldquo;OMR&rdquo;) symbols. Each OMR symbol typically includes a predetermined number of cells, with each cell containing a bar or a space. An object detector detects the presence of an object having an affixed OMR symbol and generates a trigger signal indicating an object has been detected. The object is typically moving past the scanning system and the trigger signal provides timing information for the system so the objects are scanned at the proper times. In response to the trigger signal, a scanner, such as a laser scanning device, scans and decodes the OMR symbol. The laser scanner includes an optical transmitter that generates a scanning laser beam that scans each OMR symbol when the symbol is within a scan window. An optical detector in the scanner is positioned to receive optical energy reflected from each OMR symbol responsive to the scanning laser beam. The optical detector generates a detection signal responsive to the received optical energy. A processing circuit is coupled to the optical transmitter and the optical receiver. The processing circuit processes the detection signal for a corresponding information symbol within the scan window to thereby read the information symbol.

Growing community of inventors

Maple Valley, WA, United States of America

Matthew E Allen