Digital image capturing and processing system for producing and projecting a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes into a 3D imaging volume and controlling illumination control parameters in said system using the detected motion and velocity of object
First Claim
1. A digital image capturing and processing system comprising:
- a system housing having an imaging window; and
a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems disposed in said system housing, and wherein each coplanar illumination and imaging subsystem includes(i) a linear imaging array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) projecting on said linear imaging array, and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to said imaging window;
(ii) a linear array of light emitting devices configured together to produce a substantially planar illumination beam (PLIB) that extends substantially along the same plane as the FOV of said linear imaging array so as to provide a coplanar illumination and imaging plane (PLIB/FOV) that projects through said imaging window and into said 3D imaging volume, for capturing a series of linear digital images of an object intersecting with said PLIB/FOV during system operation; and
(iii) a local control subsystem for controlling at least one illumination parameter associated with the production of said PLIB, in response to the motion and velocity of objects detected within said 3D imaging volume during system operation; and
wherein said plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging planes intersect within said 3D imaging volume and produce a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes (PLIB/FOVs) within said 3D imaging volume, for imaging of objects passing through said 3D imaging volume.
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Abstract
A digital image capturing and processing system comprising a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations for producing a plurality of coplanar linear illumination and imaging planes which intersect within a 3D imaging volume defined relative to an imaging window. Each station includes an array of planar illumination modules (PLIMs) for producing at least one substantially planar illumination beam (PLIB), and a linear image detection array having a field of view (FOV) on the linear image detection array and extending in substantially the same plane as the PLIB, to provide a coplanar illumination and imaging plane (PLIB/FOV). The PLIB/FOV is projected through the 3D imaging volume, for capturing linear (1D) digital images of an object passing therethrough, for subsequent processing and recognition of information graphically represented in the linear digital images. Each station also employs a local control subsystem for controlling at least one illumination parameter associated with the production of the PLIB, in response to the motion and velocity of objects detected within the 3D imaging volume during system operation. By virtue of the present invention, it is possible to optimally illuminate objects based on the velocity at which such objects pass through the 3D imaging volume, at point-of-sale (POS) stations and like retail environments. Such illumination control ensures the capture of high quality digital images of objects, resulting in improved image processing.
341 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A digital image capturing and processing system comprising:
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a system housing having an imaging window; and a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems disposed in said system housing, and wherein each coplanar illumination and imaging subsystem includes (i) a linear imaging array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) projecting on said linear imaging array, and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to said imaging window; (ii) a linear array of light emitting devices configured together to produce a substantially planar illumination beam (PLIB) that extends substantially along the same plane as the FOV of said linear imaging array so as to provide a coplanar illumination and imaging plane (PLIB/FOV) that projects through said imaging window and into said 3D imaging volume, for capturing a series of linear digital images of an object intersecting with said PLIB/FOV during system operation; and (iii) a local control subsystem for controlling at least one illumination parameter associated with the production of said PLIB, in response to the motion and velocity of objects detected within said 3D imaging volume during system operation; and wherein said plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging planes intersect within said 3D imaging volume and produce a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes (PLIB/FOVs) within said 3D imaging volume, for imaging of objects passing through said 3D imaging volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification