Edward A Skypala

US Patent:

6918541, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

Mar 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/091339

Inventors:

C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Sankar Ghosh - Glenolden PA, US
Shawn Defoney - Runnemede NJ, US
Edward Skypala - Blackwood NJ, US
Mark C. Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K007/10

US Classification:

23546201, 23546225

Abstract:

An object identification and attribute information tracking and linking computer system for connection to the communication medium of a data communication network. The object identification and attribute information tracking and linking computer system comprises a housing; a first set of programmable data input ports, which is provided through the exterior of the housing, for connection to one or more object identification data generating sources and capable of receiving object identity data elements from the one or more of object identification data generating sources using a networking protocol, wherein the object identification data generating source is disposed external to the housing; a second set of programmable data input ports which is provided through the exterior of the housing, for connection to one or more object attribute data generating sources and is capable of receiving object attribute data elements from one or more object attribute data generating sources using the networking protocol; and a data element queuing, handling, processing and linking mechanism, which is provided in operable association with the first and second programmable data input ports, for enabling the automatic queuing, handling, processing, linking and transporting each input object identification data element, and one or more object attribute data elements linked thereto, to a database subsystem operably connected to the data communication network for storage and subsequent retrieval.

US Patent:

6978935, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Apr 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/131573

Inventors:

Constantine J. Tsikos - Voorhees NJ, US
C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Michael D. Schnee - Aston PA, US
Ka Man Au - Philadelphia PA, US
Allan Wirth - Bedford MA, US
Timothy A. Good - Clementon NJ, US
Andrew Jankevics - Westford MA, US
Sankar Ghosh - Glenolden PA, US
Charles A. Naylor - Sewell NJ, US
Thomas Amundsen - Turnersville NJ, US
Robert Blake - Woodbury Heights NJ, US
William Svedas - Deptford NJ, US
Shawn Defoney - Runnemede NJ, US
Edward Skypala - Blackwood NJ, US
Pirooz Vatan - Wilmington MA, US
Russell Joseph Dobbs - Cherry Hill NJ, US
George Kolis - Pennsauken NJ, US
Mark S. Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US
Jeffery Yorsz - Winchester MA, US
Patrick A. Giordano - Blackwood NJ, US
Stephen J. Colavito - Brookhaven PA, US
Barry E. Schwartz - Haddonfield NJ, US
Steven Y. Kim - Cambridge MA, US
Dale Fisher - Voorhees NJ, US
Jon Van Tassell - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K007/10

US Classification:

23546201, 23546225, 23547201

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6978936, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Apr 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/131796

Inventors:

Constantine J. Tsikos - Voorhees NJ, US
C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Michael D. Schnee - Aston PA, US
Ka Man Au - Philadelphia PA, US
Allan Wirth - Bedford MA, US
Timothy A. Good - Clementon NJ, US
Andrew Jankevics - Westford MA, US
Sankar Ghosh - Glenolden PA, US
Charles A. Naylor - Sewell NJ, US
Thomas Amundsen - Turnersville NJ, US
Robert Blake - Woodbury Heights NJ, US
William Svedas - Deptford NJ, US
Shawn Defoney - Runnemede NJ, US
Edward Skypala - Blackwood NJ, US
Pirooz Vatan - Wilmington MA, US
Russell Joseph Dobbs - Cherry Hill NJ, US
George Kolis - Pennsauken NJ, US
Mark C. Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US
Jeffery Yorsz - Winchester MA, US
Patrick A. Giordano - Blackwood NJ, US
Stephen J. Colavito - Brookhaven PA, US
Barry E. Schwartz - Haddonfield NJ, US
Steven Y. Kim - Cambridge MA, US
Dale Fisher - Voorhees NJ, US
Jon Van Tassell - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

Metpologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K007/10

US Classification:

23546201, 23546225, 23547201

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7070106, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Oct 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/999687

Inventors:

C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Mark C. Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Shawn Defoney - Runnemede NJ, US
Edward Skypala - Blackwood NJ, US
Constantine J. Tsikos - Voorhees NJ, US
Ka Man Au - Philadelphia PA, US
Barry E. Schwartz - Haddonfield NJ, US
Allan Wirth - Bedford MA, US
Andrew Jankevics - Westford MA, US
Timothy A. Good - Clementon NJ, US
Sankar Ghosh - Glenolden PA, US
Michael D. Schnee - Aston PA, US
George Kolis - Pennsauken NJ, US
Thomas Amundsen - Turnersville NJ, US
Charles A. Naylor - Sewell NJ, US
Robert Blake - Woodbury Heights NJ, US
Russell Joseph Dobbs - Cherry Hill NJ, US
Jeffery Yorsz - Winchester MA, US
Patrick A. Giordano - Blackwood NJ, US
Stephen J. Colavito - Brookhaven PA, US
William Svedas - Deptford NJ, US
Steven Y. Kim - Cambridge MA, US
Dale M. Fischer - Voorhees NJ, US
Jon Van Tassell - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546214, 23546215, 23547201

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7527200, May 5, 2009

Filed:

Jun 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/471470

Inventors:

Constantine J. Tsikos - Voorhees NJ, US
C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Michael D. Schnee - Aston PA, US
Ka Man Au - Philadelphia PA, US
Allan Wirth - Bedford MA, US
Timothy A. Good - Clementon NJ, US
Andrew Jankevics - Westford MA, US
Sankar Ghosh - Glenolden PA, US
Charles A. Naylor - Sewell NJ, US
Thomas Amundsen - Turnersville NJ, US
Robert Blake - Woodbury Heights NJ, US
William Svedas - Deptford NJ, US
Shawn Defoney - Runnemede NJ, US
Edward Skypala - Blackwood NJ, US
Pirooz Vatan - Wilmington MA, US
Russell Joseph Dobbs - Cherry Hill NJ, US
George Kolis - Pennsauken NJ, US
Mark C. Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US
Jeffery Yorsz - Winchester MA, US
Patrick A. Giordano - Blackwood NJ, US
Stephen J. Colavito - Brookhaven PA, US
Barry E. Schwartz - Haddonfield NJ, US
Steven Y. Kim - Cambridge MA, US
Dale Fisher - Voorhees NJ, US
Jon Van Tassell - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

235454, 23546201

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7581681, Sep 1, 2009

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/980076

Inventors:

Constantine J. Tsikos - Voorhees NJ, US
C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Michael D. Schnee - Aston PA, US
Ka Man Au - Philadelphia PA, US
Allan Wirth - Bedford MA, US
Timothy A. Good - Clementon NJ, US
Andrew Jankevics - Westford MA, US
Sankar Ghosh - Glenolden PA, US
Charles A. Naylor - Sewell NJ, US
Thomas Amundsen - Turnersville NJ, US
Robert Blake - Woodbury Heights NJ, US
William Svedas - Deptford NJ, US
Shawn Defoney - Runnemede NJ, US
Edward Skypala - Blackwood NJ, US
Pirooz Vatan - Wilmington MA, US
Russell Joseph Dobbs - Cherry Hill NJ, US
George Kolis - Pennsauken NJ, US
Mark C. Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US
Jeffery Yorsz - Winchester MA, US
Patrick A. Giordano - Blackwood NJ, US
Stephen J. Colavito - Brookhaven PA, US
Barry E. Schwartz - Haddonfield NJ, US
Steven Y. Kim - Cambridge MA, US
Dale Fisher - Voorhees NJ, US
Jon Van Tassell - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546242, 23546225

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7584893, Sep 8, 2009

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/980074

Inventors:

Constantine J. Tsikos - Voorhees NJ, US
C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Michael D. Schnee - Aston PA, US
Ka Man Au - Philadelphia PA, US
Allan Wirth - Bedford MA, US
Timothy A. Good - Clementon NJ, US
Andrew Jankevics - Westford MA, US
Sankar Ghosh - Glenolden PA, US
Charles A. Naylor - Sewell NJ, US
Thomas Amundsen - Turnersville NJ, US
Robert Blake - Woodbury Heights NJ, US
William Svedas - Deptford NJ, US
Shawn Defoney - Runnemede NJ, US
Edward Skypala - Blackwood NJ, US
Pirooz Vatan - Wilmington MA, US
Russell Joseph Dobbs - Cherry Hill NJ, US
George Kolis - Pennsauken NJ, US
Mark C. Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US
Jeffery Yorsz - Winchester MA, US
Patrick A. Giordano - Blackwood NJ, US
Stephen J. Colavito - Brookhaven PA, US
Barry E. Schwartz - Haddonfield NJ, US
Steven Y. Kim - Cambridge MA, US
Dale Fisher - Voorhees NJ, US
Jon Van Tassell - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546242, 23547225

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7673803, Mar 9, 2010

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/978941

Inventors:

Constantine J. Tsikos - Voorhees NJ, US
C. Harry Knowles - Moorestown NJ, US
Xiaoxun Zhu - Marlton NJ, US
Michael D. Schnee - Aston PA, US
Ka Man Au - Philadelphia PA, US
Allan Wirth - Bedford MA, US
Timothy A. Good - Clementon NJ, US
Andrew Jankevics - Westford MA, US
Sankar Ghosh - Glenolden PA, US
Charles A. Naylor - Sewell NJ, US
Thomas Amundsen - Turnersville NJ, US
Robert Blake - Woodbury Heights NJ, US
William Svedas - Deptford NJ, US
Shawn Defoney - Runnemede NJ, US
Edward Skypala - Blackwood NJ, US
Pirooz Vatan - Wilmington MA, US
Russell Joseph Dobbs - Cherry Hill NJ, US
George Kolis - Pennsauken NJ, US
Mark S. Schmidt - Williamstown NJ, US
Jeffery Yorsz - Winchester MA, US
Patrick A. Giordano - Blackwood NJ, US
Stephen J. Colavito - Brookhaven PA, US
Barry E. Schwartz - Haddonfield NJ, US
Steven Y. Kim - Cambridge MA, US
Dale Fisher - Voorhees NJ, US
Jon Van Tassell - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. - Blackwood NJ

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546245, 23546225

Abstract:

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.