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Automatic POS-based digital image capturing and processing system employing a plurality of area-type illumination and imaging zones intersecting within the 3D imaging volume of the system

  • US 7,568,626 B2
  • Filed: 05/31/2007
  • Issued: 08/04/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in a point of sale (POS) environment, comprising:

  • a system housing having a horizontal housing section, installable within a countertop surface at said POS environment, and supporting at least two area-type illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting at least two area-type illumination and imaging zones within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to said system housing,wherein each said area-type illumination and imaging station includes;

    (i) an illumination subsystem having an illumination array including a plurality of light emitting devices for producing an area-type illumination beam;

    (ii) an image formation and detection subsystem including an area-type image detection array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) on said area-type image detection array, and spatially overlapping said area-type illumination beam;

    (iii) an automatic illumination control subsystem for controlling the production of illumination by said illumination subsystem into said 3D imaging volume, as said object is detected moving within said 3D imaging volume; and

    (iv) an image capturing and buffering subsystem for capturing and buffering area-type digital images from said area-type image detection array;

    an object motion detection subsystem, disposed in said system housing, for automatically detecting the motion of said object passing through said 3D imaging volume, and generating motion data representative of said detected object motion within said 3D imaging volume;

    a control subsystem, disposed in said system housing, and responsive to said object motion detection subsystem, for controlling operations within said area-type illumination and imaging stations; and

    a digital image processing subsystem, disposed in said system housing, and cooperating with said image capturing and buffering subsystems, for processing said area-type digital images of said object and recognizing information graphically represented in said area-type digital images; and

    wherein said at least two area-type illumination and imaging zones intersect within said 3D imaging volume, and support automated illumination and imaging of objects passing through said 3D imaging volume, so that area-type digital images of said objects are automatically generated as said objects pass through said area-type illumination and imaging zones within said 3D imaging volume during system operation.

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