Metrologic Instruments, Inc.

William Svedas

C Harry Knowles

Timothy A Good

Patrick Anthony Giordano

Stephen J Colavito

Constantine J Tsikos

Allan Wirth

Andrew J Jankevics

Xiaoxun Zhu

Ka Man Au

Thomas A Amundsen

Mark C Schmidt

Michael Schnee

Sankar Ghosh

Charles A Naylor

Russell Joseph Dobbs

Jeffery Yorsz

Robert E Blake

George Kolis

Shawn Defoney

Edward Skypala

Barry E Schwartz

Steven Y Kim

Jon Van Tassell

David W Wilz, Sr

Pirooz Vatan

Dale Fisher

David M Wilz

Steve Y Kim

Dale M Fischer

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

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 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

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 device including at least one image detection array and image formation optics that provide a field of view corresponding to the image detection 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 image detection 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 image detection array to thereby reduce speckle noise in images captured by the image detection 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 image detection array.

Planar light illumination and imaging device with modulated coherent illumination that reduces speckle noise induced by coherent illumination

An Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system capable of monitoring, configuring and servicing a planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based network. The network has one or more nodes and performs object identification and attribute acquisition functions. Each node is a PLIIM-based subsystem operably connected to a digital communications network interconnectable to the infrastructure of the Internet. The Internet-based RMCS system comprises a monitoring subsystem for remotely monitoring a set parameters associated with the PLIIM-based network. The set of parameters relate to network, system and/or subsystem characteristics of the PLIIM-based network. The RMCS also includes an analyzing subsystem for remotely analyzing the parameters to diagnose (i) performance failures in the PLIIM-based network, as well as (ii) the operation and performance of the PLIIM-based network. The RMCS also includes a control subsystem for remotely controlling one or more of the parameters so as to improve the performance of the PLIIM-based network and/or provide service thereto from a remote location.

Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system capable of monitoring, configuring and servicing a planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based network

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. 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 scanning applications alike, enjoying the advantages and benefits that each such technology has to offer, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks hitherto associated therewith.

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

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.

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

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Deptford, NJ, United States of America

William Svedas