公开(公告)号：US06837437B2

公开(公告)日：2005-01-04

申请号：US10059051

申请日：2002-01-28

Applicant: Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Michael D. Schnee ,  Xiaoxun Zhu ,  Thomas Amundsen ,  Charles A. Naylor ,  Russell Joseph Dobbs ,  Carl Harry Knowles

Inventor： Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Michael D. Schnee ,  Xiaoxun Zhu ,  Thomas Amundsen ,  Charles A. Naylor ,  Russell Joseph Dobbs ,  Carl Harry Knowles

IPC: G02B26/10 ,  G02B27/48 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/14 ,  H01S5/022 ,  H01S5/40

CPC classification number: B82Y15/00 ,  G02B26/10 ,  G02B26/105 ,  G02B27/48 ,  G06K7/10554 ,  G06K7/10574 ,  G06K7/10633 ,  G06K7/10683 ,  G06K7/10722 ,  G06K7/10732 ,  G06K7/10811 ,  G06K7/10861 ,  H01S5/02248

Abstract: In a planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system, a planar light illumination module (PLIM) of compact construction produces a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) which emanates substantially within a single plane along the direction of beam propagation towards an object to be optically illuminated and imaged. The PLIM comprises a module housing which has an axial extent, first and second end portions, a central bore formed along the axial extent, and a recess integrally formed in the second end portion. A visible laser diode (VLD) is mounted along the bore at the first end portion of the module housing, for producing a laser beam generally along the axial extent. A focusing lens is mounted along the bore between the first and second end portions, for focusing the laser beam to a predetermined focal point. A laser beam expansion element is mounted within the recess at the second end portion of the module housing, and expanding the laser beam along a predetermined direction and producing a substantially planar laser illumination beam from the beam expansion component.

Abstract translation: 在平面光照和成像（PLIIM）系统中，紧凑结构的平面光照模块（PLIM）产生平面激光照明光束（PLIB），该平面激光照明光束（PLIB）基本上沿着波束传播方向发射到单个平面内 光学照明并成像。 PLIM包括：模块壳体，其具有轴向范围，第一和第二端部，沿着轴向延伸形成的中心孔，以及在第二端部中一体形成的凹部。 可见激光二极管（VLD）沿着孔在模块壳体的第一端部安装，用于通常沿着轴向范围产生激光束。 沿着孔在第一和第二端部之间安装聚焦透镜，用于将激光束聚焦到预定的焦点。 激光束膨胀元件安装在模块壳体的第二端部处的凹部内，并且沿着预定方向使激光束膨胀，并且产生来自光束膨胀部件的基本上平面的激光照明光束。

公开(公告)号：US06742711B2

公开(公告)日：2004-06-01

申请号：US10059046

申请日：2002-01-28

Applicant: Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Michael D. Schnee ,  Xiaoxun Zhu ,  Thomas Amundsen ,  Charles A. Naylor ,  Russell Joseph Dobbs ,  Carl Harry Knowles

Inventor： Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Michael D. Schnee ,  Xiaoxun Zhu ,  Thomas Amundsen ,  Charles A. Naylor ,  Russell Joseph Dobbs ,  Carl Harry Knowles

IPC: G06K710

CPC classification number: B82Y15/00 ,  G02B26/10 ,  G02B26/105 ,  G02B27/48 ,  G06K7/10554 ,  G06K7/10574 ,  G06K7/10633 ,  G06K7/10683 ,  G06K7/10722 ,  G06K7/10732 ,  G06K7/10811 ,  G06K7/10861 ,  H01S5/02248

Abstract: A method of extending the working distance of a planar laser illumination and imaging system without increasing the output power of the visible laser diode (VLD) sources employed therein. The method comprises the steps of: providing a planar laser illumination and imaging system having (1) a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) for producing a planar laser illumination beam, and (2) an image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem having a field of view along which the planar laser illumination beam extends, wherein each PLIM has a visible laser diode (VLD) source and beam focusing optics and beam planarizing optics, and the IFD subsystem has image formation optics for determining the maximum working distance of the system; adjusting the imaging optics of the IFD subsystem from an original working distance of the system to an extended working distance thereof; and adjusting the beam focusing optics so that the planar laser illumination beam is focused at the extended working distance.

Abstract translation: 一种在不增加其中使用的可见激光二极管（VLD）源的输出功率的情况下延长平面激光照明和成像系统的工作距离的方法。 该方法包括以下步骤：提供一种平面激光照明和成像系统，其具有（1）用于产生平面激光照明光束的多个平面激光照射模块（PLIM），以及（2）图像形成和检测（IFD）子系统 具有平面激光照射束延伸的视场，其中每个PLIM具有可见激光二极管（VLD）源和光束聚焦光学器件和光束平面化光学器件，并且IFD子系统具有用于确定最大工作距离的图像形成光学器件 系统; 将IFD子系统的成像光学器件从系统的原始工作距离调整到其延长的工作距离; 并且调整光束聚焦光学器件，使得平面激光照明光束在延伸的工作距离处聚焦。

公开(公告)号：US06736321B2

公开(公告)日：2004-05-18

申请号：US09954477

申请日：2001-09-17

Applicant: Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Allan Wirth ,  Timothy A. Good ,  Andrew Jankevics ,  C. Harry Knowles

Inventor： Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Allan Wirth ,  Timothy A. Good ,  Andrew Jankevics ,  C. Harry Knowles

IPC: G06K710

CPC classification number: G06K7/10732 ,  B82Y15/00 ,  G02B26/106 ,  G02B27/48 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/10564 ,  G06K7/10574 ,  G06K7/10584 ,  G06K7/10594 ,  G06K7/10603 ,  G06K7/10623 ,  G06K7/10633 ,  G06K7/10663 ,  G06K7/10673 ,  G06K7/10693 ,  G06K7/10702 ,  G06K7/10722 ,  G06K7/10792 ,  G06K7/10801 ,  G06K7/10811 ,  G06K7/10851 ,  G06K7/10861 ,  G06K7/10871 ,  G06K7/10881 ,  G06K7/10891 ,  G06K7/109 ,  G06K7/14 ,  G06K17/0022 ,  G06K2207/1012 ,  G06K2207/1013 ,  G07G1/0054 ,  H01L21/28575 ,  H01L29/452 ,  H01S5/005 ,  H01S5/02248 ,  H01S5/4025

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based system employing wavefront control methods for reducing the power of speckle-pattern noise within digital images acquired by the system. The system comprises a housing having a first light transmission aperture, a second light transmission aperture, and a third light transmission aperture, wherein the first and second light transmission apertures are optically isolated from said third light transmission aperture spatially aligned on opposite sides thereof. A pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted within the housing, for producing and projecting a first and second planar laser illumination beams (PLIBS) through the first and second light transmission apertures respectively, thereby producing a composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) outside of the housing, and illuminating an object therewith as the object is transported past the first, second and third light transmission apertures. An image formation and detection (IFD) module is mounted within the housing, and has a linear image detection array and imaging forming optics for providing the linear image detection array with a field of view (FOV) which is projected through the third light transmission aperture, and along which digital images of illuminated portions of the object can be detected. Notably, digital images contain speckle-pattern noise, and the PLIB and FOV are arranged in a coplanar relationship along the working range of the PLIIM based system so that the composite PLIB illuminates primarily within the FOV of the IFD module. A wavefront control mechanism is mounted within said housing, for controlling one or more characteristics of the wavefront of the composite PLIB so as to reduce either the spatial and/or temporal coherence of the composite PLIB prior to its illumination of a selected portion of the object, so that time-varying different speckle-noise patterns are present in the digital images detected at the linear image detection array. These time-varying different speckle patterns are temporally averaged at the linear image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof so that the power of speckle-pattern noise at the linear image detection array is substantially reduced.

公开(公告)号：US5065237A

公开(公告)日：1991-11-12

申请号：US561405

申请日：1990-08-01

Applicant: Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Brian R. Frederick ,  Timothy J. Davis

Inventor： Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Brian R. Frederick ,  Timothy J. Davis

IPC: B07C1/02 ,  G06T5/00 ,  G06T7/00

CPC classification number: G06T7/0083 ,  B07C1/02 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G06T7/004 ,  G06T2207/10016 ,  G06T2207/30164 ,  Y10S209/90

Abstract: An apparatus for singulating mailpieces such as envelopes spread out on a moving conveyor belt includes a robot for picking up the mailpiece associated with a leading edge. The conveyor belt has alternate black-and-white longitudinal stripes. A TV camera views the belt surface, and produces video representing the stripes and any mailpieces. The video is processed to produce signals representative of the locations of transitions in the video along the centers of the black and/or white stripes. The location representative signals are processed by calculating lines corresponding to one or more leading edges of the mailpiece, which may then be used for controlling the robot in known manner.

Abstract translation: 在移动的传送带上分散诸如信封之类的邮件的装置包括用于拾取与前缘相关联的邮件的机器人。 输送带具有交替的黑白纵向条纹。 电视摄像机可以看到皮带表面，并产生代表条纹和任何邮件的视频。 视频被处理以产生表示沿着黑色和/或白色条纹的中心的视频中的转变位置的信号。 通过计算对应于邮件的一个或多个前沿的线来处理位置代表信号，然后可以以已知的方式用于控制机器人。

公开(公告)号：US5013927A

公开(公告)日：1991-05-07

申请号：US515834

申请日：1990-04-27

Applicant: Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Jerome P. Rosenfeld

Inventor： Constantine J. Tsikos ,  Jerome P. Rosenfeld

IPC: E21B10/10 ,  E21B10/12 ,  E21B10/18 ,  E21B10/22 ,  G01B11/02

CPC classification number: G01B11/022 ,  E21B10/10 ,  E21B10/12 ,  E21B10/18

Abstract: A translucent support, which may be the support surface of an article conveyor, supports objects, locations or dimensions of which are to be determined. A point light source or light sources severally illuminate the surface and object thereupon. An imaging apparatus located below the translucent surface generates signals representing the images of the illuminated translucent surface and the shadows generated by the object thereon. The signals for two or more illumination conditions are processed to determine the locations of at least portions of the object. A particular avatar of the invention uses a conveyor with translucent web.