John S Furlong

US Patent:

6550680, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Jul 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/900074

Inventors:

George Kolis - Pennsauken NJ
John Furlong - Woodbury NJ

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 710

US Classification:

23546201, 23546215

Abstract:

An enhanced scanner is equipped with a novel interfacing mechanism for communicating directly with a data communications network. This eliminates the requirement of using intelligent network interface devices to access data generated by any of a plurality of bar code scanners coupled to a communications network. This novel interfacing mechanism may include a program stored on a memory device within the scanner and executed by a scanner processing mechanism. The scanner processing mechanism is adapted to perform two functionsâbar code scanning and network communicationsâthereby reducing the cost and complexity of a communications network that includes one or more bar code scanners coupled to a host device through the network.

US Patent:

7516898, Apr 14, 2009

Filed:

Feb 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/711907

Inventors:

C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Timothy Good - Clementon NJ, US
Tao Xian - Blackwood NJ, US
Michael Veksland - Marlton NJ, US
Anatoly Kotlarsky - Holland PA, US
John Furlong - Woodbury NJ, US
Mark Hernandez - Bridgeton NJ, US
Nicola Ciarlante - Woolwich Township NJ, US
Mark Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546242, 23546222, 23546201, 23546209

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.

US Patent:

7520433, Apr 21, 2009

Filed:

Mar 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/729945

Inventors:

C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Timothy Good - Clementon NJ, US
Tao Xian - Blackwood NJ, US
Michael Veksland - Marlton NJ, US
Anatoly Kotlarsky - Holland PA, US
John Furlong - Woodbury NJ, US
Mark Hernandez - Bridgeton NJ, US
Nicola Ciarlante - Woolwich Township NJ, US
Mark Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546232, 23547201

Abstract:

A method for intelligently controlling the illumination and imaging of objects while being moved through a 3D imaging volume. As an object is being moved within the 3D imaging volume of a digital image capturing and processing system projecting a plurality of field of views (FOVs) through the 3D imaging volume, and prior to illumination and imaging. A projected trajectory is determined for the object through the 3D imaging volume. The FOVs which intersect with the projected trajectory of the object, passing through said 3D imaging volume, are determined. Only the determined FOVs are selectively illuminated as the object is moved along its projected trajectory through the FOVs, while digital linear images of the object are formed and detected, for storage and subsequent processing of information graphically represented in the digital linear images.

US Patent:

7530497, May 12, 2009

Filed:

Feb 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/711859

Inventors:

C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Timothy Good - Clementon NJ, US
Tao Xian - Blackwood NJ, US
Michael Veksland - Marlton NJ, US
Anatoly Kotlarsky - Holland PA, US
John Furlong - Woodbury NJ, US
Mark Hernandez - Bridgeton NJ, US
Nicola Ciarlante - Woolwich Township NJ, US
Mark Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

23546215, 23546242, 235383

Abstract:

Digital image capturing and processing system comprising a digital image capturing and processing module, and an integrated electronic weigh scale module having a load cell that is centrally located with respect to the digital image capturing and processing module. The digital image capturing and processing module electrically interfaces with the electronic weigh scale module by way of touch-fit electrical inter-connectors that automatically establish all electrical interconnections between the two modules when the digital image capturing and processing module is placed onto the electronic weigh scale module, and the electronic load cell bears the weight of the digital image capturing and processing module.

US Patent:

7537165, May 26, 2009

Filed:

Mar 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/811652

Inventors:

C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Timothy Good - Clementon NJ, US
Tao Xian - Blackwood NJ, US
Michael Veksland - Marlton NJ, US
Anatoly Kotlarsky - Holland PA, US
John Furlong - Woodbury NJ, US
Mark Hernandez - Bridgeton NJ, US
Nicola Ciarlante - Woolwich Township NJ, US
Mark Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546242, 23546243, 23546201, 23546209

Abstract:

An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having an imaging window, and a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations, disposed in the system housing, for generating and projecting a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through said imaging window. At least one area-type illumination and imaging station is also disposed in the system housing, for generating and projecting an area-type illumination and imaging zone through the imaging window, which intersects with the complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window, for omni-directional digital imaging of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume. Digital linear images of the object are generated when the object intersects with coplanar illumination and imaging planes, and digital area-type images of the object are generated when the object intersects with the area-type illumination and imaging zone, within the 3D imaging volume during system operation. The system also includes an object motion detection subsystem for automatically detecting the motion of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generating motion data representative of the detected object motion within the 3D imaging volume.

US Patent:

7543749, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Feb 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/712605

Inventors:

C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Timothy Good - Clementon NJ, US
Tao Xian - Blackwood NJ, US
Michael Veksland - Marlton NJ, US
Anatoly Kotlarsky - Holland PA, US
John Furlong - Woodbury NJ, US
Mark Hernandez - Bridgeton NJ, US
Nicola Ciarlante - Woolwich Township NJ, US
Mark Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546211, 23546242, 23546243, 23546201, 23546209

Abstract:

A digital image capturing and processing system comprising a system housing having an imaging window, a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems disposed in the system housing. Each coplanar illuminating and linear imaging station includes a dual-type coplanar linear illumination and imaging engine that supports automatic image formation and detection along each pair of coplanar illumination and imaging planes generated by the coplanar illuminating and linear imaging station. Each pair of coplanar illumination and imaging planes are projected into the 3D imaging volume, for capturing of linear digital images of objects moved therewithin, and subsequent processing thereof for recognizing information graphically represented in the captured linear digital images, and automatic imaging-processing based object motion and velocity detection within the 3D imaging volume.

US Patent:

7546952, Jun 16, 2009

Filed:

Oct 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/977413

Inventors:

C. Harry Knowles - Morrestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Timothy Good - Clementon NJ, US
Tao Xian - Blackwood NJ, US
Anatoly Kotlarsky - Holland PA, US
Michael Veksland - Marlton NJ, US
Mark Hernandez - Bridgeton NJ, US
John Gardner - Mullica Hill NJ, US
Steven Essinger - Barnegat NJ, US
Patrick Giordano - Blackwood NJ, US
Sean Kearney - Hamilton NJ, US
Mark Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US
John Furlong - Woodbury NJ, US
Nicholas Ciarlante - Woolwich Township NJ, US
Yong Liu - Suzhou, CN
Jie Ren - Suzhou, CN
Xi Tao - Suzhou, CN
JiBin Liu - Suzhou, CN
Ming Zhuo - Suzhou, CN
Duane Ellis - Medford NJ, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546242, 23546201, 23546209, 23546243

Abstract:

A method of illuminating objects using adaptively controlled mixing of spectral illumination energy to form and detect digital images of objects at POS environments with sufficiently high image contrast and quality. The method comprises provides, at a POS environment, a digital image capture and processing system having a system housing with an imaging window, and an area-type illumination and imaging station disposed within said system housing, for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i. e. zone) through said imaging window into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. As the object is moved through the 3D imaging volume, its motion is automatically detected, and signals indicative of said detected object motion are generated. In response to the generated signals, a first field of visible illumination is produced from an array of visible LEDs, simultaneously with a second field of invisible illumination from a array of infrared (IR) LEDs. These first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and are substantially coextensive with the FOV.

US Patent:

7575170, Aug 18, 2009

Filed:

Oct 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/978525

Inventors:

C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Timothy Good - Clementon NJ, US
Tao Xian - Blackwood NJ, US
Anatoly Kotlarsky - Holland PA, US
Michael Veksland - Marlton NJ, US
Mark Hernandez - Bridgeton NJ, US
John Gardner - Mullica Hill NJ, US
Steven Essinger - Barnegat NJ, US
Patrick Giordano - Blackwood NJ, US
Sean Kearney - Hamilton NJ, US
Mark Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US
John Furlong - Woodbury NJ, US
Nicholas Ciarlante - Woolwich Township NJ, US
Yong Liu - Suzhou, CN
Jie Ren - Suzhou, CN
Xi Tao - Suzhou, CN
JiBin Liu - Suzhou, CN
Ming Zhuo - Suzhou, CN
Duane Ellis - Medford NJ, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546242, 23546224, 23546201, 23546209

Abstract:

A method of illuminating objects using adaptively controlled mixing of spectral illumination energy to form and detect digital images of objects at POS environments with sufficiently high image contrast and quality. The method comprises providing, at a POS environment, a digital image capture and processing system having a system housing with an imaging window, and a coplanar illumination and imaging station disposed within said system housing, for projecting a coplanar illumination and imaging plane through the imaging window into an imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. As the object is moved through the imaging volume, its motion is automatically detected, and signals indicative of said detected object are generated. In response to the generated signals, a first field of visible illumination is produced from an array of visible laser diodes (VLDs), simultaneously with a second field of invisible illumination from a array of infrared (IR) laser diodes (LDs). These first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and produce a composite planar illumination beam that is substantially coextensive with the FOV.