The present invention relates to an apparatus packaging components of an optical reading device which may include illumination optical elements, receive optical elements, and signal processing elements. In one embodiment a single circuit board can carry multiple elements such as an image sensor together with illumination elements. In one embodiment, a control circuit can be provided that is coupled to a light source and an image sensor.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/411,936, filed Oct. 4, 1999 and entitled Imaging Module for Optical Reader, the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 is hereby claimed.
A digital image capture and processing system employing automated real-time analysis of digital image exposure quality to automatically reconfigure system control parameters, and dynamically control illumination and imaging operations within the digital image capture and processing system.
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.
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.
An omni-directional 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. Each coplanar illumination and imaging station includes a linear image detection array, a linear illumination array, and an object motion and velocity detection subsystem for automatically detecting the motion and velocity of an object that passes through at least a portion of one coplanar linear illumination and imaging plane, and automatically adjusting one or more parameters relating to the exposure and/or illumination control within the coplanar illumination and imaging station. By virtue of the present invention, it is possible to capture and process high quality digital images of objects passed through 3D imaging volumes, at point-of-sale (POS) retail stations and like environments.
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. An object motion detection subsystem for automatically detecting the motion of an object passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generating motion data representative of the detected object motion. Each station includes an illumination subsystem having a linear illumination array including a plurality of light emitting devices for producing a substantially planar illumination beam (PLIB), and (ii) an image formation and detection subsystem including a linear image sensing array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) on the linear image detection array, and extending substantially along the PLIB. Each station produces at least one coplanar illumination and imaging plane (PLIB/FOV) which is projected through the imaging window and into the 3D imaging volume, for capturing linear (1D) digital images of objects moving through the 3D imaging volume. Each station also includes an automatic illumination control subsystem for controlling the production of illumination by the illumination subsystem into the 3D imaging volume, as an object is detected moving within the 3D imaging volume. Within each station, an image capturing and buffering subsystem captures and buffers linear digital images produced from the linear image detection array, and a local control subsystem controls operations within the coplanar illumination and imaging station using control data derived from motion data generated by the object motion detection subsystem.
