Programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking device integrated into an object identification and attribute acquisition system

• US 6,915,954 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Knowles, C. Harry, Defoney, Shawn, Skypala, Edward, Schmidt, Mark C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US10/084,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 23546201-46248, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/472.03, 235/454, 235/455, 235/494
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0014 at least one surface having optical power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0052 the light source comprising a laser diode coupling into light guides using intermediate optical elements G02B6/4204; semiconductor lasers having optical devices external to the laser cavity H01S5/005
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0085 for use with both a detector and a source , e.g. in a transceiver, G02B19/009, G02B19/0095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/009 for use with infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0095 for use with ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/10 Scanning systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/095 Refractive optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/48 Laser speckle optics
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10594 Beam path
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/146 the method including quality enhancement steps
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/62 Text, e.g. of license plates, overlay texts or captions on TV images
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/144 using a slot moved over the image; using discrete sensing elements at predetermined points; using automatic curve following means
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/005 Optical components external to the laser cavity, specially adapted therefor, e.g. for homogenisation or merging of the beams or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping H01S5/026, H01S5/18388 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/02325 Mechanically integrated components on mount members or optical micro-benches
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/4025 Array arrangements, e.g. constituted by discrete laser diodes or laser bar H01S5/42 takes precedence

Abstract

A programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking device integrated into an object identification and attribute acquisition system operated in either a singulated or non-singulated object transport environment. The programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking device comprises a first data element input unit, a second data element input unit, and a programmable data element tracking and linking module. The first data element input unit receives object identity data from an object identity data producing source embodied within the object identification and attribute acquisition system. The second data element input unit receives corresponding object attribute data from an object attribute data producing source embodied within the object identification and attribute acquisition system. The programmable data element tracking and linking module links (i) object identity data to (ii) corresponding object attribute data to form a composite data element, for use by a host system.

Claims

1. A programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking device integrated into an object identification and attribute acquisition system operated in either a singulated or non-singulated object transport environment, said programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking device comprising:

a first data element input unit for receiving object identity data from an object identity data producing source embodied within said object identification and attribute acquisition system;

a second data element input unit for receiving corresponding object attribute data from an object attribute data producing source embodied within said object identification and attribute acquisition system; and

a programmable data element tracking and linking module for linking (i) object identity data to (ii) corresponding object attribute data to form a composite data element, for use by a host system.

2. The programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking mechanism of claim 1, wherein each said object attribute data clement is an element selected from the group of object dimension-related data, object-weight data, object-content data, and object-interior data.

3. The programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said object identification and attribute acquisition system comprises a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system.

4. A programmable data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem integrated into a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system having a source of object identity data elements and a source of object attribute data elements and operated in either a singulated or non-singulated object transport environment, said programmable data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem comprising:

a first data element input unit for receiving object identity data elements as inputs from said source of object identity data elements;

a second data element input unit for receiving object attribute data elements as inputs from said source of object attribute data elements; and

a mechanism for queuing, handling, processing and linking said object identity data element inputs and said object attribute data element inputs, and generating as an output, for each object identity data element supplied as input, a combined data element comprising an object identity data element, and one or more object attribute data elements from said source of object attribute data elements.

5. The programmable data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem of claim 4, wherein said source of object identity data elements is selected from the group consisting of a bar code symbol reader, RFID reader, and the like.

6. The programmable data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem of claim 4, wherein said object attribute data elements are selected from the group consisting of object dimensions, weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, and the like.