Patent Publication Number: US-6988660-B2

Title: Planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based camera system for producing high-resolution 3-D images of moving 3-D objects

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/990,585 filed Nov. 21, 2001 which is a Continuation-in-Part of: application Ser. No. 09/999,687 filed Oct. 31, 2001; copending application Ser. No. 09/954,477 filed Sep. 17, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,321; application Ser. No. 09/883,130 filed Jun. 15, 2001, which is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/781,665 filed Feb. 12, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,707; application Ser. No. 09/780,027 filed Feb. 9, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,647; application Ser. No. 09/721,885 filed Nov. 24, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,842; application Ser. No. 09/327,756 filed Jun. 7, 1999 now abandoned; and International Application Serial No. PCT/US00/15624 filed Jun. 7, 2000, published as WIPO WO 00/75856 A1; each said application being commonly owned by Assignee, Metrologic Instruments, Inc., of Blackwood, N.J., and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to improved methods of and apparatus for illuminating moving as well as stationary objects, such as parcels, during image formation and detection operations, and also to improved methods of and apparatus and instruments for acquiring and analyzing information about the physical attributes of such objects using such improved methods of object illumination, and digital image analysis. 
     2. Brief Description of the State of Knowledge in the Art 
     The use of image-based bar code symbol readers and scanners is well known in the field of auto-identification. Examples of image-based bar code symbol reading/scanning systems include, for example, hand-hand scanners, point-of-sale (POS) scanners, and industrial-type conveyor scanning systems. 
     Presently, most commercial image-based bar code symbol readers are constructed using charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensing/detecting technology. Unlike laser-based scanning technology, CCD imaging technology has particular illumination requirements which differ from application to application. 
     Most prior art CCD-based image scanners, employed in conveyor-type package identification systems, require high-pressure sodium, metal halide or halogen lamps and large, heavy and expensive parabolic or elliptical reflectors to produce sufficient light intensities to illuminate the large depth of field scanning fields supported by such industrial scanning systems. Even when the light from such lamps is collimated or focused using such reflectors, light strikes the target object other than where the imaging optics of the CCD-based camera are viewing. Since only a small fraction of the lamps output power is used to illuminate the CCD camera&#39;s field of view, the total output power of the lamps must be very high to obtain the illumination levels required along the field of view of the CCD camera. The balance of the output illumination power is simply wasted in the form of heat. 
     While U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,756 to Quan et al disclose a prior art CCD-based hand-held image scanner using a laser source and Scheimpflug optics for focusing a planar laser illumination beam reflected off a bar code symbol onto a 2-D CCD image detector, U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,856 to Schaham discloses a CCD-based hand-held image scanner which uses a LED and a cylindrical lens to produce a planar beam of LED-based illumination for illuminating a bar code symbol on an object, and cylindrical optics mounted in front a linear CCD image detector for projecting a narrow a field of view about the planar beam of illumination, thereby enabling collection and focusing of light reflected off the bar code symbol onto the linear CCD image detector. 
     Also, in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/190,273 entitled “Coplanar Camera” filed Mar. 17, 2000, by Chaleff et al., and published by WIPO on Sep. 27, 2001 as part of WIPO Publication No. WO 01/72028 A1, both being incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed a CCD camera system which uses an array of LEDs and a single apertured Fresnel-type cylindrical lens element to produce a planar beam of illumination for illuminating a bar code symbol on an object, and a linear CCD image detector mounted behind the apertured Fresnel-type cylindrical lens element so as to provide the linear CCD image detector with a field of view that is arranged with the planar extent of planar beam of LED-based illumination. 
     However, most prior art CCD-based hand-held image scanners use an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to flood the field of view of the imaging optics in such scanning systems. A large percentage of the output illumination from these LED sources is dispersed to regions other than the field of view of the scanning system. Consequently, only a small percentage of the illumination is actually collected by the imaging optics of the system, Examples of prior art CCD hand-held image scanners employing LED illumination arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 36,528, 5,777,314, 5,756,981, 5,627,358, 5,484,994, 5,786,582, and 6,123,261 to Roustaei, each assigned to Symbol Technologies, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In such prior art CCD-based hand-held image scanners, an array of LEDs are mounted in a scanning head in front of a CCD-based image sensor that is provided with a cylindrical lens assembly. The LEDs are arranged at an angular orientation relative to a central axis passing through the scanning head so that a fan of light is emitted through the light transmission aperture thereof that expands with increasing distance away from the LEDs. The intended purpose of this LED illumination arrangement is to increase the “angular distance” and “depth of field” of CCD-based bar code symbol readers. However, even with such improvements in LED illumination techniques, the working distance of such hand-held CCD scanners can only be extended by using more LEDs within the scanning head of such scanners to produce greater illumination output therefrom, thereby increasing the cost, size and weight of such scanning devices. 
     Similarly, prior art “hold-under” and “hands-free presentation” type CCD-based image scanners suffer from shortcomings and drawbacks similar to those associated with prior art CCD-based hand-held image scanners. 
     Recently, there have been some technological advances made involving the use of laser illumination techniques in CCD-based image capture systems to avoid the shortcomings and drawbacks associated with using sodium-vapor illumination equipment, discussed above. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,506 (assigned to Galore Scantec Ltd.), incorporated herein by reference, discloses the use of a cylindrical lens to generate from a single visible laser diode (VLD) a narrow focused line of laser light which fans out an angle sufficient to fully illuminate a code pattern at a working distance. As disclosed, mirrors can be used to fold the laser illumination beam towards the code pattern to be illuminated in the working range of the system. Also, a horizontal linear lens array consisting of lenses is mounted before a linear CCD image array, to receive diffused reflected laser light from the code symbol surface. Each single lens in the linear lens array forms its own image of the code line illuminated by the laser illumination beam. Also, subaperture diaphragms are required in the CCD array plane to (i) differentiate image fields, (ii) prevent diffused reflected laser light from passing through a lens and striking the image fields of neighboring lenses, and (iii) generate partially-overlapping fields of view from each of the neighboring elements in the lens array. However, while avoiding the use of external sodium vapor illumination equipment, this prior art laser-illuminated CCD-based image capture system suffers from several significant shortcomings and drawbacks. In particular, it requires very complex image forming optics which makes this system design difficult and expensive to manufacture, and imposes a number of undesirable constraints which are very difficult to satisfy when constructing an auto-focus/auto-zoom image acquisition and analysis system for use in demanding applications. 
     When detecting images of target objects illuminated by a coherent illumination source (e.g. a VLD), “speckle” (i.e. substrate or paper) noise is typically modulated onto the laser illumination beam during reflection/scattering, and ultimately speckle-noise patterns are produced at the CCD image detection array, severely reducing the signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of the CCD camera system. In general, speckle-noise patterns are generated whenever the phase of the optical field is randomly modulated. The prior art system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,506 fails to provide any way of, or means for reducing speckle-noise patterns produced at its CCD image detector thereof, by its coherent laser illumination source. 
     The problem of speckle-noise patterns in laser scanning systems is mathematically analyzed in the twenty-five (25) slide show entitled “Speckle Noise and Laser Scanning Systems” by Sasa Kresic-Juric, Emanuel Marom and Leonard Bergstein, of Symbol Technologies, Holtsville, N.Y., published at http://www.ima.umn.edu/industrial/99-2000/kresic/sld001.htm, and incorporated herein by reference. Notably, Slide 11/25 of this WWW publication summaries two generally well known methods of reducing speckle-noise by superimposing statistically independent (time-varying) speckle-noise patterns: (1) using multiple laser beams to illuminate different regions of the speckle-noise scattering plane (i.e. object); or (2) using multiple laser beams with different wavelengths to illuminate the scattering plane. Also, the celebrated textbook by J. C. Dainty, et al, entitled “Laser Speckle and Related Phenomena” (Second edition), published by Springer-Verlag, 1994, incorporated herein by reference, describes a collection of techniques which have been developed by others over the years in effort to reduce speckle-noise patterns in diverse application environments. 
     However, the prior art generally fails to disclose, teach or suggest how such prior art speckle-reduction techniques might be successfully practiced in laser illuminated CCD-based camera systems. 
     Thus, there is a great need in the art for an improved method of and apparatus for illuminating the surface of objects during image formation and detection operations, and also an improved method of and apparatus for producing digital images using such improved methods object illumination, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art illumination, imaging and scanning systems and related methodologies. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of and system for illuminating the surface of objects during image formation and detection operations and also improved methods of and systems for producing digital images using such improved methods object illumination, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art systems and methodologies. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved method of and system for illuminating the surface of objects using a linear array of laser light emitting devices configured together to produce a substantially planar beam of laser illumination which extends in substantially the same plane as the field of view of the linear array of electronic image detection cells of the system, along at least a portion of its optical path within its working distance. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved method of and system for producing digital images of objects using a visible laser diode array for producing a planar laser illumination beam for illuminating the surfaces of such objects, and also an electronic image detection array for detecting laser light reflected off the illuminated objects during illumination and imaging operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of and system for illuminating the surfaces of object to be imaged, using an array of planar laser illumination modules which employ VLDs that are smaller, and cheaper, run cooler, draw less power, have longer lifetimes, and require simpler optics (i.e. because the spectral bandwidths of VLDs are very small compared to the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved method of and system for illuminating the surfaces of objects to be imaged, wherein the VLD concentrates all of its output power into a thin laser beam illumination plane which spatially coincides exactly with the field of view of the imaging optics of the system, so very little light energy is wasted. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system, wherein the working distance of the system can be easily extended by simply changing the beam focusing and imaging optics, and without increasing the output power of the visible laser diode (VLD) sources employed therein. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein each planar laser illumination beam is focused so that the minimum width thereof (e.g. 0.6 mm along its non-spreading direction) occurs at a point or plane which is the farthest object distance at which the system is designed to capture images. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein a fixed focal length imaging subsystem is employed, and the laser beam focusing technique of the present invention helps compensate for decreases in the power density of the incident planar illumination beam due to the fact that the width of the planar laser illumination beam increases for increasing distances away from the imaging subsystem. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein a variable focal length (i.e. zoom) imaging subsystem is employed, and the laser beam focusing technique of the present invention helps compensate for (i) decreases in the power density of the incident illumination beam due to the fact that the width of the planar laser illumination beam (i.e. beamwidth) along the direction of the beam&#39;s planar extent increases for increasing distances away from the imaging subsystem, and (ii) any 1/r 2  type losses that would typically occur when using the planar laser illumination beam of the present invention. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein scanned objects need only be illuminated along a single plane which is coplanar with a planar section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module being used in the PLIIM system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein low-power, light-weight, high-response, ultra-compact, high-efficiency solid-state illumination producing devices, such as visible laser diodes (VLDs), are used to selectively illuminate ultra-narrow sections of a target object during image formation and detection operations, in contrast with high-power, low-response, heavy-weight, bulky, low-efficiency lighting equipment (e.g. sodium vapor lights) required by prior art illumination and image detection systems. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein the planar laser illumination technique enables modulation of the spatial and/or temporal intensity of the transmitted planar laser illumination beam, and use of simple (i.e. substantially monochromatic) lens designs for substantially monochromatic optical illumination and image formation and detection operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein special measures are undertaken to ensure that (i) a minimum safe distance is maintained between the VLDs in each PLIM and the user&#39;s eyes using a light shield, and (ii) the planar laser illumination beam is prevented from directly scattering into the FOV of the image formation and detection module within the system housing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein the planar laser illumination beam and the field of view of the image formation and detection module do not overlap on any optical surface within the PLIIM system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein the planar laser illumination beams are permitted to spatially overlap with the FOV of the imaging lens of the PLIIM only outside of the system housing, measured at a particular point beyond the light transmission window, through which the FOV is projected. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination (PLIM) system for use in illuminating objects being imaged. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein the monochromatic imaging module is realized as an array of electronic image detection cells (e.g. CCD). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAS) and the image formation and detection (IFD) module (i.e. camera module) are mounted in strict optical alignment on an optical bench such that there is substantially no relative motion, caused by vibration or temperature changes, is permitted between the imaging lens within the IFD module and the VLD/cylindrical lens assemblies within the PLIAs. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein the imaging module is realized as a photographic image recording module. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein the imaging module is realized as an array of electronic image detection cells (e.g. CCD) having short integration time settings for performing high-speed image capture operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays are mounted about an image formation and detection module having a field of view, so as to produce a substantially planar laser illumination beam which is coplanar with the field of view during object illumination and imaging operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, wherein an image formation and detection module projects a field of view through a first light transmission aperture formed in the system housing, and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays project a pair of planar laser illumination beams through second set of light transmission apertures which are optically isolated from the first light transmission aperture to prevent laser beam scattering within the housing of the system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging system, the principle of Gaussian summation of light intensity distributions is employed to produce a planar laser illumination beam having a power density across the width the beam which is substantially the same for both far and near fields of the system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of and system for producing digital images of objects using planar laser illumination beams and electronic image detection arrays. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of and system for producing a planar laser illumination beam to illuminate the surface of objects and electronically detecting light reflected off the illuminated objects during planar laser beam illumination operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held laser illuminated image detection and processing device for use in reading bar code symbols and other character strings. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of and system for producing images of objects by focusing a planar laser illumination beam within the field of view of an imaging lens so that the minimum width thereof along its non-spreading direction occurs at the farthest object distance of the imaging lens. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) for use in electronic imaging systems, and methods of designing and manufacturing the same. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a Planar Laser Illumination Module (PLIM) for producing substantially planar laser beams (PLIBs) using a linear diverging lens having the appearance of a prism with a relatively sharp radius at the apex, capable of expanding a laser beam in only one direction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination module (PLIM) comprising an optical arrangement employs a convex reflector or a concave lens to spread a laser beam radially and also a cylindrical-concave reflector to converge the beam linearly to project a laser line. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination module (PLIM) comprising a visible laser diode (VLD), a pair of small cylindrical (i.e. PCX and PCV) lenses mounted within a lens barrel of compact construction, permitting independent adjustment of the lenses along both translational and rotational directions, thereby enabling the generation of a substantially planar laser beam therefrom. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis VLD mounting assembly embodied within planar laser illumination array (PLIA) to achieve a desired degree of uniformity in the power density along the PLIB generated from said PLIA. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axial VLD mounting assembly within a PLIM so that (1) the PLIM can be adjustably tilted about the optical axis of its VLD, by at least a few degrees measured from the horizontal reference plane as shown in FIG.  1 B 4 , and so that (2) each VLD block can be adjustably pitched forward for alignment with other VLD beams. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) for use in electronic imaging systems, and methods of designing and manufacturing the same. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a unitary object attribute (i.e. feature) acquisition and analysis system completely contained within in a single housing of compact lightweight construction (e.g. less than 40 pounds). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system, which is capable of (1) acquiring and analyzing in real-time the physical attributes of objects such as, for example, (i) the surface reflectivity characteristics of objects, (ii) geometrical characteristics of objects, including shape measurement, (iii) the motion (i.e. trajectory) and velocity of objects, as well as (iv) bar code symbol, textual, and other information-bearing structures disposed thereon, and (2) generating information structures representative thereof for use in diverse applications including, for example, object identification, tracking, and/or transportation/routing operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system, wherein a multi-wavelength (i.e. color-sensitive) Laser Doppler Imaging and Profiling (LDIP) subsystem is provided for acquiring and analyzing (in real-time) the physical attributes of objects such as, for example, (i) the surface reflectivity characteristics of objects, (ii) geometrical characteristics of objects, including shape measurement, and (iii) the motion (i.e. trajectory) and velocity of objects. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system, wherein an image formation and detection (i.e. camera) subsystem is provided having (i) a planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) subsystem, (ii) intelligent auto-focus/auto-zoom imaging optics, and (iii) a high-speed electronic image detection array with height/velocity-driven photo-integration time control to ensure the capture of images having constant image resolution (i.e. constant dpi) independent of package height. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system, wherein an advanced image-based bar code symbol decoder is provided for reading 1-D and 2-D bar code symbol labels on objects, and an advanced optical character recognition (OCR) processor is provided for reading textual information, such as alphanumeric character strings, representative within digital images that have been captured and lifted from the system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system for use in the high-speed parcel, postal and material handling industries. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system, which is capable of being used to identify, track and route packages, as well as identify individuals for security and personnel control applications. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system which enables bar code symbol reading of linear and two-dimensional bar codes, OCR-compatible image lifting, dimensioning, singulation, object (e.g. package) position and velocity measurement, and label-to-parcel tracking from a single overhead-mounted housing measuring less than or equal to 20 inches in width, 20 inches in length, and 8 inches in height. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system which employs a built-in source for producing a planar laser illumination beam that is coplanar with the field of view (FOV) of the imaging optics used to form images on an electronic image detection array, thereby eliminating the need for large, complex, high-power power consuming sodium vapor lighting equipment used in conjunction with most industrial CCD cameras. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system, wherein the all-in-one (i.e. unitary) construction simplifies installation, connectivity, and reliability for customers as it utilizes a single input cable for supplying input (AC) power and a single output cable for outputting digital data to host systems. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system, wherein such systems can be configured to construct multi-sided tunnel-type imaging systems, used in airline baggage-handling systems, as well as in postal and parcel identification, dimensioning and sortation systems. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system, for use in (i) automatic checkout solutions installed within retail shopping environments (e.g. supermarkets), (ii) security and people analysis applications, (iii) object and/or material identification and inspection systems, as well as (iv) diverse portable, in-counter and fixed applications in virtual any industry. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary object attribute acquisition and analysis system in the form of a high-speed object identification and attribute acquisition system, wherein the PLIIM subsystem projects a field of view through a first light transmission aperture formed in the system housing, and a pair of planar laser illumination beams through second and third light transmission apertures which are optically isolated from the first light transmission aperture to prevent laser beam scattering within the housing of the system, and the LDIP subsystem projects a pair of laser beams at different angles through a fourth light transmission aperture. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully automated unitary-type package identification and measuring system contained within a single housing or enclosure, wherein a PLIIM-based scanning subsystem is used to read bar codes on packages passing below or near the system, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about attributes (i.e. features) about the package prior to being identified. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an automated package identification and measuring system, wherein Laser Detecting And Ranging (LADAR) based scanning methods are used to capture two-dimensional range data maps of the space above a conveyor belt structure, and two-dimensional image contour tracing techniques and corner point reduction techniques are used to extract package dimension data therefrom. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary system, wherein the package velocity is automatically computed using package range data collected by a pair of amplitude-modulated (AM) laser beams projected at different angular projections over the conveyor belt. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a system in which the lasers beams having multiple wavelengths are used to sense packages having a wide range of reflectivity characteristics. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved image-based hand-held scanners, body-wearable scanners, presentation-type scanners, and hold-under scanners which embody the PLIIM subsystem of the present invention. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system which employs high-resolution wavefront control methods and devices to reduce the power of speckle-noise patterns within digital images acquired by the system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based system, in which planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) rich in spectral-harmonic components on the time-frequency domain are optically generated using principles based on wavefront spatio-temporal dynamics. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based system, in which planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) rich in spectral-harmonic components on the time-frequency domain are optically generated using principles based on wavefront non-linear dynamics. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based system, in which planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) rich in spectral-harmonic components on the spatial-frequency domain are optically generated using principles based on wavefront spatio-temporal dynamics. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based system, in which planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) rich in spectral-harmonic components on the spatial-frequency domain are optically generated using principles based on wavefront non-linear dynamics. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based system, in which planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) rich in spectral-harmonic components are optically generated using diverse electro-optical devices including, for example, micro-electro-mechanical devices (MEMs) (e.g. deformable micro-mirrors), optically-addressed liquid crystal (LC) light valves, liquid crystal (LC) phase modulators, micro-oscillating reflectors (e.g. mirrors or spectrally-tuned polarizing reflective CLC film material), micro-oscillating refractive-type phase modulators, micro-oscillating diffractive-type micro-oscillators, as well as rotating phase modulation discs, bands, rings and the like. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system and method which employs a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) and electronic image detection array which cooperate to effectively reduce the speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array of the PLIIM system by reducing or destroying either (i) the spatial and/or temporal coherence of the planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) produced by the PLIAs within the PLIIM system, or (ii) the spatial and/or temporal coherence of the planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) that are reflected/scattered off the target and received by the image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem within the PLIIM system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a first generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor based on reducing the spatial-coherence of the planar laser illumination beam before it illuminates the target object by applying spatial phase modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, based on the principle of spatially phase modulating the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating a target object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a spatially coherent-reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and possibly spatially averaged over the photo-integration time period and the RMS power of observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein the method involves modulating the spatial phase of the composite-type “transmitted” planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating an object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a spatially coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array in the IFD subsystem, thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein (i) the spatial phase of the transmitted PLIB is modulated along the planar extent thereof according to a spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) so as to modulate the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB and produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to occur at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array thereof, and also (ii) the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array are temporally and/or spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein the spatial phase modulation techniques that can be used to carry out the method include, for example: mechanisms for moving the relative position/motion of a cylindrical lens array and laser diode array, including reciprocating a pair of rectilinear cylindrical lens arrays relative to each other, as well as rotating a cylindrical lens array ring structure about each PLIM employed in the PLIIM-based system; rotating phase modulation discs having multiple sectors with different refractive indices to effect different degrees of phase delay along the wavefront of the PLIB transmitted (along different optical paths) towards the object to be illuminated; acousto-optical Bragg-type cells for enabling beam steering using ultrasonic waves; ultrasonically-driven deformable mirror structures; a LCD-type spatial phase modulation panel; and other spatial phase modulation devices. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is spatially phase modulated along the planar extent thereof according to a (random or periodic) spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) prior to illumination of the target object with the PLIB, so as to modulate the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB and produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern at the image detection array, and temporally and spatially average these speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof to reduce the RMS power of observable speckle-pattern noise. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the spatial phase modulation techniques that can be used to carry out the first generalized method of despeckling include, for example: mechanisms for moving the relative position/motion of a cylindrical lens array and laser diode array, including reciprocating a pair of rectilinear cylindrical lens arrays relative to each other, as well as rotating a cylindrical lens array ring structure about each PLIM employed in the PLIIM-based system; rotating phase modulation discs having multiple sectors with different refractive indices to effect different degrees of phase delay along the wavefront of the PLIB transmitted (along different optical paths) towards the object to be illuminated; acousto-optical Bragg-type cells for enabling beam steering using ultrasonic waves; ultrasonically-driven deformable mirror structures; a LCD-type spatial phase modulation panel; and other spatial phase modulation devices. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein a pair of refractive cylindrical lens arrays are micro-oscillated relative to each other in order to spatial phase modulate the planar laser illumination beam prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein a pair of light diffractive (e.g. holographic) cylindrical lens arrays are micro-oscillated relative to each other in order to spatial phase modulate the planar laser illumination beam prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein a pair of reflective elements are micro-oscillated relative to a stationary refractive cylindrical lens array in order to spatial phase modulate a planar laser illumination beam prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination (PLIB) is micro-oscillated using an acoustic-optic modulator in order to spatial phase modulate the PLIB prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination (PLIB) is micro-oscillated using a piezo-electric driven deformable mirror structure in order to spatial phase modulate said PLIB prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination (PLIB) is micro-oscillated using a refractive-type phase-modulation disc in order to spatial phase modulate said PLIB prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination (PLIB) is micro-oscillated using a phase-only type LCD-based phase modulation panel in order to spatial phase modulate said PLIB prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination (PLIB) is micro-oscillated using a refractive-type cylindrical lens array ring structure in order to spatial phase modulate said PLIB prior to target object illumination 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination (PLIB) is micro-oscillated using a diffractive-type cylindrical lens array ring structure in order to spatial intensity modulate said PLIB prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination (PLIB) is micro-oscillated using a reflective-type phase modulation disc structure in order to spatial phase modulate said PLIB prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein a planar laser illumination (PLIB) is micro-oscillated using a rotating polygon lens structure which spatial phase modulates said PLIB prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a second generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor based on reducing the temporal coherence of the planar laser illumination beam before it illuminates the target object by applying temporal intensity modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, based on the principle of temporal intensity modulating the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating a target object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a spatially coherent-reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and possibly spatially averaged over the photo-integration time period and the RMS power of observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein the method involves modulating the temporal intensity of the composite-type “transmitted” planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating an object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a temporally coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array in the IFD subsystem, thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is temporal intensity modulated prior to illuminating a target object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a temporally coherent-reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise patterns reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, based on temporal intensity modulating the transmitted PLIB prior to illuminating an object therewith so that the object is illuminated with a temporally coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array in the IFD subsystem over the photo-integration time period thereof, and the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and/or spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein (i) the transmitted PLIB is temporal-intensity modulated according to a temporal intensity modulation (e.g. windowing) function (TIMF) causing the phase along the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB to be modulated and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at image detection array of the IFD Subsystem, and (ii) the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array are temporally and/or spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of RMS speckle-noise patterns observed (i.e. detected) at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein temporal intensity modulation techniques which can be used to carry out the method include, for example: visible mode-locked laser diodes (MLLDs) employed in the planar laser illumination array; electro-optical temporal intensity modulation panels (i.e. shutters) disposed along the optical path of the transmitted PLIB; and other temporal intensity modulation devices. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein temporal intensity modulation techniques which can be used to carry out the first generalized method include, for example: mode-locked laser diodes (MLLDs) employed in a planar laser illumination array; electrically-passive optically-reflective cavities affixed external to the VLD of a planar laser illumination module (PLIM; electro-optical temporal intensity modulators disposed along the optical path of a composite planar laser illumination beam; laser beam frequency-hopping devices; internal and external type laser beam frequency modulation (FM) devices; and internal and external laser beam amplitude modulation (AM) devices. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination beam is temporal intensity modulated prior to target object illumination employing high-speed beam gating/shutter principles. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination beam is temporal intensity modulated prior to target object illumination employing visible mode-locked laser diodes (MLLDs). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination beam is temporal intensity modulated prior to target object illumination employing current-modulated visible laser diodes (VLDs) operated in accordance with temporal intensity modulation functions (TIMFS) which exhibit a spectral harmonic constitution that results in a substantial reduction in the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observed at the image detection array of PLIIM-based systems. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a third generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor based on reducing the temporal-coherence of the planar laser illumination beam before it illuminates the target object by applying temporal phase modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, based on the principle of temporal phase modulating the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating a target object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a temporal coherent-reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and possibly spatially averaged over the photo-integration time period and the RMS power of observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein the method involves modulating the temporal phase of the composite-type “transmitted” planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating an object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a temporal coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array in the IFD subsystem, thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein temporal phase modulation techniques which can be used to carry out the third generalized method include, for example: an optically-reflective cavity (i.e. etalon device) affixed to external portion of each VLD; a phase-only LCD temporal intensity modulation panel; and fiber optical arrays. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination beam is temporal phase modulated prior to target object illumination employing photon trapping, delaying and releasing principles within an optically reflective cavity (i.e. etalon) externally affixed to each visible laser diode within the planar laser illumination array 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination (PLIB) is temporal phase modulated using a phase-only type LCD-based phase modulation panel prior to target object illumination 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is temporal phase modulated using a high-density fiber-optic array prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fourth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor based on reducing the temporal coherence of the planar laser illumination beam before it illuminates the target object by applying temporal frequency modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, based on the principle of temporal frequency modulating the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating a target object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a spatially coherent-reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and possibly spatially averaged over the photo-integration time period and the RMS power of observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein the method involves modulating the temporal frequency of the composite-type “transmitted” planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating an object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a temporally coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array in the IFD subsystem, thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein techniques which can be used to carry out the third generalized method include, for example: junction-current control techniques for periodically inducing VLDs into a mode of frequency hopping, using thermal feedback; and multi-mode visible laser diodes (VLDs) operated just above their lasing threshold. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination beam is temporal frequency modulated prior to target object illumination employing drive-current modulated visible laser diodes (VLDs) into modes of frequency hopping and the like. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the planar laser illumination beam is temporal frequency modulated prior to target object illumination employing multi-mode visible laser diodes (VLDs) operated just above their lasing threshold. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein the spatial intensity modulation techniques that can be used to carry out the method include, for example: mechanisms for moving the relative position/motion of a spatial intensity modulation array (e.g. screen) relative to a cylindrical lens array and/or a laser diode array, including reciprocating a pair of rectilinear spatial intensity modulation arrays relative to each other, as well as rotating a spatial intensity modulation array ring structure about each PLIM employed in the PLIIM-based system; a rotating spatial intensity modulation disc; and other spatial intensity modulation devices. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fifth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor based on reducing the spatial-coherence of the planar laser illumination beam before it illuminates the target object by applying spatial intensity modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the wavefront of the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is spatially intensity modulated prior to illuminating a target object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a spatially coherent-reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and possibly spatially averaged over the photo-integration time period and the RMS power of observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein spatial intensity modulation techniques can be used to carry out the fifth generalized method including, for example: a pair of comb-like spatial filter arrays reciprocated relative to each other at a high-speeds; rotating spatial filtering discs having multiple sectors with transmission apertures of varying dimensions and different light transmittivity to spatial intensity modulate the transmitted PLIB along its wavefront; a high-speed LCD-type spatial intensity modulation panel; and other spatial intensity modulation devices capable of modulating the spatial intensity along the planar extent of the PLIB wavefront. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein a pair of spatial intensity modulation (SIM) panels are micro-oscillated with respect to the cylindrical lens array so as to spatial-intensity modulate the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to target object illumination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a sixth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor based on reducing the spatial-coherence of the planar laser illumination beam after it illuminates the target by applying spatial intensity modulation techniques during the detection of the reflected/scattered PLIB. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein the method is based on spatial intensity modulating the composite-type “return” PLIB produced by the composite PLIB illuminating and reflecting and scattering off an object so that the return PLIB detected by the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem) constitutes a spatially coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be temporally and spatially-averaged and the RMS power of the observed speckle-noise patterns reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein (i) the return PLIB produced by the transmitted PLIB illuminating and reflecting/scattering off an object is spatial-intensity modulated (along the dimensions of the image detection elements) according to a spatial-intensity modulation function (SIMF) so as to modulate the phase along the wavefront of the composite return PLIB and produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array in the IFD Subsystem, and also (ii) temporally and spatially average the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the composite-type “return” PLIB (produced when the transmitted PLIB illuminates and reflects and/or scatters off the target object) is spatial intensity modulated, constituting a spatially coherent-reduced laser light beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array in the IFD subsystem, thereby allowing these time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be temporally and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the return planar laser illumination beam is spatial-intensity modulated prior to detection at the image detector. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein spatial intensity modulation techniques which can be used to carry out the sixth generalized method include, for example: high-speed electro-optical (e.g. ferro-electric, LCD, etc.) dynamic spatial filters, located before the image detector along the optical axis of the camera subsystem; physically rotating spatial filters, and any other spatial intensity modulation element arranged before the image detector along the optical axis of the camera subsystem, through which the received PLIB beam may pass during illumination and image detection operations for spatial intensity modulation without causing optical image distortion at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method of and apparatus for reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the electronic image detection array of a PLIIM-based system, wherein spatial intensity modulation techniques which can be used to carry out the method include, for example: a mechanism for physically or photo-electronically rotating a spatial intensity modulator (e.g. apertures, irises, etc.) about the optical axis of the imaging lens of the camera module; and any other axially symmetric, rotating spatial intensity modulation element arranged before the entrance pupil of the camera module, through which the received PLIB beam may enter at any angle or orientation during illumination and image detection operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a seventh generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor based on reducing the temporal coherence of the planar laser illumination beam after it illuminates the target by applying temporal intensity modulation techniques during the detection of the reflected/scattered PLIB. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the composite-type “return” PLIB (produced when the transmitted PLIB illuminates and reflects and/or scatters off the target object) is temporal intensity modulated, constituting a temporally coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be temporally and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. This method can be practiced with any of the PLIM-based systems of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as any system constructed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein temporal intensity modulation techniques which can be used to carry out the method include, for example: high-speed temporal modulators such as electro-optical shutters, pupils, and stops, located along the optical path of the composite return PLIB focused by the IFD subsystem; etc. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, wherein the return planar laser illumination beam is temporal intensity modulated prior to image detection by employing high-speed light gating/switching principles. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a seventh generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention, wherein a series of consecutively captured digital images of an object, containing speckle-pattern noise, are buffered over a series of consecutively different photo-integration time periods in the hand-held PLIIM-based imager, and thereafter spatially corresponding pixel data subsets defined over a small window in the captured digital images are additively combined and averaged so as to produce spatially corresponding pixels data subsets in a reconstructed image of the object, containing speckle-pattern noise having a substantially reduced level of RMS power. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a generalized method, wherein a hand-held linear-type PLIIM-based imager is manually swept over the object (e.g. 2-D bar code or other graphical indicia) to produce a series of consecutively captured digital 1-D (i.e. linear) images of an object over a series of photo-integration time periods of the PLIIM-Based Imager, such that each linear image of the object includes a substantially different speckle-noise pattern which is produced by natural oscillatory micro-motion of the human hand relative to the object during manual sweeping operations of the hand-held imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a generalized method, wherein a hand-held linear-type PLIIM-based imager is manually swept over the object (e.g. 2-D bar code or other graphical indicia) to produce a series of consecutively captured digital 1-D (i.e. linear) images of an object over a series of photo-integration time periods of the PLIIM-Based Imager, such that each linear image of the object includes a substantially different speckle-noise pattern which is produced the forced oscillatory micro-movement of the hand-held imager relative to the object during manual sweeping operations of the hand-held imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide “hybrid” despeckling methods and apparatus for use in conjunction with PLIIM-based systems employing linear (or area) electronic image detection arrays having vertically-elongated image detection elements, i.e. having a high height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system with an integrated speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) laterally along its planar extent to produce spatial-incoherent PLIB components and optically combines and projects said spatially-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and wherein a micro-oscillating light reflecting structure micro-oscillates the PLB components transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially-incoherent components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a first micro-oscillating light reflective element micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) laterally along its planar extent to produce spatially-incoherent PLIB components, a second micro-oscillating light reflecting element micro-oscillates the spatially-incoherent PLIB components transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent, and wherein a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects said spatially-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially incoherent components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein an acousto-optic Bragg cell micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) laterally along its planar extent to produce spatially-incoherent PLIB components, a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects said spatially-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and wherein a micro-oscillating light reflecting structure micro-oscillates the spatially-incoherent PLIB components transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a high-resolution deformable mirror (DM) structure micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) laterally along its planar extent to produce spatially-incoherent PLIB components, a micro-oscillating light reflecting element micro-oscillates the spatially-incoherent PLIB components transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent, and wherein a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects the spatially-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by said spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIM-based system with an integrated speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) laterally along its planar extent to produce spatially-incoherent PLIB components which are optically combined and projected onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and a micro-oscillating light reflective structure micro-oscillates the spatially-incoherent PLIB components transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent as well as the field of view (FOV) of a linear (1D) image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements, whereby said linear CCD detection array detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) laterally along its planar extent and produces spatially-incoherent PLIB components which are optically combined and project onto the same points of an object to be illuminated, a micro-oscillating light reflective structure micro-oscillates transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent, both PLIB and the field of view (FOV) of a linear (1D) image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements, and a PLIB/FOV folding mirror projects the micro-oscillated PLIB and FOV towards said object, whereby said linear image detection array detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a phase-only LCD-based phase modulation panel micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) laterally along its planar extent and produces spatially-incoherent PLIB components, a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects the spatially-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and wherein a micro-oscillating light reflecting structure micro-oscillates the spatially-incoherent PLIB components transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent, and a linear (1D) CCD image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure rotating about its longitudinal axis within each PLIM micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) laterally along its planar extent and produces spatially-incoherent PLIB components therealong, a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects the spatially-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and wherein a micro-oscillating light reflecting structure micro-oscillates the spatially-incoherent PLIB components transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure within each PLIM rotates about its longitudinal and transverse axes, micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent, and produces spatially-incoherent PLIB components along said orthogonal directions, and wherein a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects the spatially-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated hybrid-type speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a high-speed temporal intensity modulation panel temporal intensity modulates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) to produce temporally-incoherent PLIB components along its planar extent, a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects the temporally-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and wherein a micro-oscillating light reflecting element micro-oscillates the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent to produce spatially-incoherent PLIB components along said transverse direction, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the temporally and spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated hybrid-type speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein an optically-reflective cavity (i.e. etalon) externally attached to each VLD in the system temporal phase modulates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) to produce temporally-incoherent PLIB components along its planar extent, a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects the temporally-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and wherein a micro-oscillating light reflecting element micro-oscillates the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent to produce spatially-incoherent PLIB components along said transverse direction, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the temporally and spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated hybrid-type speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein each visible mode locked laser diode (MLLD) employed in the PLIM of the system generates a high-speed pulsed (i.e. temporal intensity modulated) planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) having temporally-incoherent PLIB components along its planar extent, a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects the temporally-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and wherein a micro-oscillating light reflecting element micro-oscillates PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent to produce spatially-incoherent PLIB components along said transverse direction, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the temporally and spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated hybrid-type speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein the visible laser diode (VLD) employed in each PLIM of the system is continually operated in a frequency-hopping mode so as to temporal frequency modulate the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and produce temporally-incoherent PLIB components along its planar extent, a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects the temporally-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and wherein a micro-oscillating light reflecting element micro-oscillates the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent and produces spatially-incoherent PLIB components along said transverse direction, and a linear (1D) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the temporally and spatial incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based system with an integrated hybrid-type speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, wherein a pair of micro-oscillating spatial intensity modulation panels modulate the spatial intensity along the wavefront of a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and produce spatially-incoherent PLIB components along its planar extent, a stationary cylindrical lens array optically combines and projects the spatially-incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated, and wherein a micro-oscillating light reflective structure micro-oscillates said PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to said planar extent and produces spatially-incoherent PLIB components along said transverse direction, and a linear (1D) image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide method of and apparatus for mounting a linear image sensor chip within a PLIIM-based system to prevent misalignment between the field of view (FOV) of said linear image sensor chip and the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) used therewith, in response to thermal expansion or cycling within said PLIIM-based system 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of mounting a linear image sensor chip relative to a heat sinking structure to prevent any misalignment between the field of view (FOV) of the image sensor chip and the PLIA produced by the PLIA within the camera subsystem, thereby improving the performance of the PLIIM-based system during planar laser illumination and imaging operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera subsystem wherein the linear image sensor chip employed in the camera is rigidly mounted to the camera body of a PLIIM-based system via a novel image sensor mounting mechanism which prevents any significant misalignment between the field of view (FOV) of the image detection elements on the linear image sensor chip and the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced by the PLIA used to illuminate the FOV thereof within the IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of automatically controlling the output optical power of the VLDs in the planar laser illumination array of a PLIIM-based system in response to the detected speed of objects transported along a conveyor belt, so that each digital image of each object captured by the PLIIM-based system has a substantially uniform “white” level, regardless of conveyor belt speed, thereby simplifying the software-based image processing operations which need to subsequently carried out by the image processing computer subsystem. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method, wherein camera control computer in the PLIIM-based system performs the following operations: (i) computes the optical power (measured in milliwatts) which each VLD in the PLIIM-based system must produce in order that each digital image captured by the PLIIM-based system will have substantially the same “white” level, regardless of conveyor belt speed; and (2) transmits the computed VLD optical power value(s) to the micro-controller associated with each PLIA in the PLIIM-based system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of automatically controlling the photo-integration time period of the camera subsystem in a PLIIM-based imaging and profiling system, using object velocity computations in its LDIP subsystem, so as to ensure that each pixel in each image captured by the system has a substantially square aspect ratio, a requirement of many conventional optical character recognition (OCR) programs. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for automatically compensating for viewing-angle distortion in PLIIM-based linear imaging and profiling systems which would otherwise occur when images of object surfaces are being captured as object surfaces, arranged at skewed viewing angles, move past the coplanar PLIB/FOV of such PLIIM-based linear imaging and profiling systems, configured for top and side imaging operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for automatically compensating for viewing-angle distortion in PLIIM-based linear imaging and profiling systems by way of dynamically adjusting the line rate of the camera (i.e. IFD) subsystem, in automatic response to real-time measurement of the object surface gradient (i.e. slope) computed by the camera control computer using object height data captured by the LDIP subsystem. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based linear imager, wherein speckle-pattern noise is reduced by employing optically-combined planar laser illumination beams (PLIB) components produced from a multiplicity of spatially-incoherent laser diode sources. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager, wherein a multiplicity of spatially-incoherent laser diode sources are optically combined using a cylindrical lens array and projected onto an object being illuminated, so as to achieve a greater the reduction in RMS power of observed speckle-pattern noise within the PLIIM-based linear imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a hand-supportable PLIIM-based linear imager, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted within its hand-supportable housing and arranged on opposite sides of a linear image detection array mounted therein having a field of view (FOV), and wherein each PLIA comprises a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs), for producing a plurality of spatially-incoherent planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) components. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a hand-supportable PLIIM-based linear imager, wherein each spatially-incoherent PLIB component is arranged in a coplanar relationship with a portion of the FOV of the linear image detection array, and an optical element (e.g. cylindrical lens array) is mounted within the hand-supportable housing, for optically combining and projecting the plurality of spatially-incoherent PLIB components through its light transmission window in coplanar relationship with the FOV, and onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a hand-supportable PLIIM-based linear imager, wherein by virtue of such operations, the linear image detection array detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially-incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object, and the time-varying speckle-noise patterns are time-averaged at the linear image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof so as to reduce the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observable at the linear image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based systems embodying speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystems comprising a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements, a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs), and a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged therewith for enabling both lateral and transverse micro-movement of the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflecting mirror configured together as an optical assembly for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a stationary PLIB folding mirror, a micro-oscillating PLIB reflecting element, and a stationary cylindrical lens array configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflecting element configured together as shown as an optical assembly for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating high-resolution deformable mirror structure, a stationary PLIB reflecting element and a stationary cylindrical lens array configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operation, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array structure for micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extend, a micro-oscillating PLIB/FOV refraction element for micro-oscillating the PLIB and the field of view (FOV) of the linear image sensor transversely along the direction orthogonal to the planar extent of the PLIB, and a stationary PLIB/FOV folding mirror configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating both the PLIB and FOV of the linear image sensor transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operation, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array structure for micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extend, a micro-oscillating PLIB/FOV reflection element for micro-oscillating the PLIB and the field of view (FOV) of the linear image sensor transversely along the direction orthogonal to the planar extent of the PLIB, and a stationary PLIB/FOV folding mirror configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating both the PLIB and FOV of the linear image sensor transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operation, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a phase-only LCD phase modulation panel, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element, configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operation, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operation, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure (adapted for micro-oscillation about the optical axis of the VLD&#39;s laser illumination beam and along the planar extent of the PLIB) and a stationary cylindrical lens array, configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operation, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a temporal-intensity modulation panel, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of temporal intensity modulating the PLIB uniformly along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a temporal-intensity modulation panel, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of temporal intensity modulating the PLIB uniformly along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a visible mode-locked laser diode (MLLD), a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of producing a temporal intensity modulated PLIB while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to its planar extent, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a visible laser diode (VLD) driven into a high-speed frequency hopping mode, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of producing a temporal frequency modulated PLIB while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to its planar extent, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based system embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/V) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating spatial intensity modulation array, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of producing a spatial intensity modulated PLIB while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to its planar extent, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a based hand-supportable linear imager which contains within its housing, a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 1-D (i.e. linear) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and configured within an optical assembly that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction of the present invention, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays into a full-power mode of operation, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame; and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing upon automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-acivatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays into a full-power mode of operation, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, and (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing upon automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays into a full-power mode of operation, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing upon automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in a hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising PLIAs, and IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager which contains within its housing, a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that provides a despeckling mechanism which operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager which contains within its housing, a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly which employs high-resolution deformable mirror (DM) structure which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a high-resolution phase-only LCD-based phase modulation panel which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a rotating multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a high-speed temporal intensity modulation panel (i.e. optical shutter) which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs visible mode-locked laser diode (MLLDs) which provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs an optically-reflective temporal phase modulating structure (i.e. etalon) which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the third generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a pair of reciprocating spatial intensity modulation panels which provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the fifth method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs spatial intensity modulation aperture which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the sixth method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine for use in the hand-supportable imagers, presentation scanners, and the like, comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a temporal intensity modulation aperture which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the seventh generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA, and a 2-D (area-type) image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and an area image detection array configured within an optical assembly which employs a micro-oscillating light reflective element that provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs an acousto-electric Bragg cell structure which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a high spatial-resolution piezo-electric driven deformable mirror (DM) structure which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a spatial-only liquid crystal display (PO-LCD) type spatial phase modulation panel which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a visible mode locked laser diode (MLLD) which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs an electrically-passive optically-reflective cavity (i.e. etalon) which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the third method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a pair of micro-oscillating spatial intensity modulation panels which provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the fifth method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a electro-optical or mechanically rotating aperture (i.e. iris) disposed before the entrance pupil of the IFD module, which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the sixth method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable imager having a housing containing a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a high-speed electro-optical shutter disposed before the entrance pupil of the IFD module, which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the seventh generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, and which also has integrated with its housing, a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type (i.e. ID) image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (to producing a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame; and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination (to produce a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a field of FOV, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, and (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a field of FOV, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics and a field of view, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV) the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a field of view (FOV), (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV) the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type (i.e. 2D) image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a field of field of view (FOV), (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame; and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager shown configured with (i) a area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the image processing computer for decode-processing upon automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating, in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via, the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, and (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer for decode-processing of image data in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination arrays (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically-activated PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics with a FOV, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (to produce a PLIB in coplanar arrangement with said FOV), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer for decode-processing of image data in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a LED-based PLIM for use in PLIIM-based systems having short working distances (e.g. less than 18 inches or so), wherein a linear-type LED, an optional focusing lens and a cylindrical lens element are mounted within compact barrel structure, for the purpose of producing a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) therefrom. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical process carried within a LED-based PLIM, wherein (1) the focusing lens focuses a reduced size image of the light emitting source of the LED towards the farthest working distance in the PLIIM-based system, and (2) the light rays associated with the reduced-sized image are transmitted through the cylindrical lens element to produce a spatially-coherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an LED-based PLIM for use in PLIIM-based systems having short working distances, wherein a linear-type LED, a focusing lens, collimating lens and a cylindrical lens element are mounted within compact barrel structure, for the purpose of producing a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) therefrom. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical process carried within an LED-based PLIM, wherein (1) the focusing lens focuses a reduced size image of the light emitting source of the LED towards a focal point within the barrel structure, (2) the collimating lens collimates the light rays associated with the reduced size image of the light emitting source, and (3) the cylindrical lens element diverges the collimated light beam so as to produce a spatially-coherent planar light illumination beam (PLIOB). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an LED-based PLIM chip for use in PLIIM-based systems having short working distances, wherein a linear-type light emitting diode (LED) array, a focusing-type microlens array, collimating type microlens array, and a cylindrical-type microlens array are mounted within the IC package of the PLIM chip, for the purpose of producing a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) therefrom. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an LED-based PLIM, wherein (1) each focusing lenslet focuses a reduced size image of a light emitting source of an LED towards a focal point above the focusing-type microlens array, (2) each collimating lenslet collimates the light rays associated with the reduced size image of the light emitting source, and (3) each cylindrical lenslet diverges the collimated light beam so as to produce a spatially-coherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) component, which collectively produce a composite PLIB from the LED-based PLIM. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for measuring, in the field, the pitch and yaw angles of each slave Package Identification (PID) unit in the tunnel system, as well as the elevation (i.e. height) of each such PID unit, relative to the local coordinate reference frame symbolically embedded within the local PID unit. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such apparatus realized as angle-measurement (e.g. protractor) devices integrated within the structure of each slave and master PID housing and the support structure provided to support the same within the tunnel system, enabling the taking of such field measurements (i.e. angle and height readings) so that the precise coordinate location of each local coordinate reference frame (symbolically embedded within each PID unit) can be precisely determined, relative to the master PID unit. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such apparatus, wherein each angle measurement device is integrated into the structure of the PID unit by providing a pointer or indicating structure (e.g. arrow) on the surface of the housing of the PID unit, while mounting angle-measurement indicator on the corresponding support structure used to support the housing above the conveyor belt of the tunnel system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel planar laser illumination and imaging module which employs a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) comprising a plurality of visible laser diodes having a plurality of different characteristic wavelengths residing within different portions of the visible band. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel PLIIM, wherein the visible laser diodes within the PLIA thereof are spatially arranged so that the spectral components of each neighboring visible laser diode (VLD) spatially overlap and each portion of the composite PLIB along its planar extent contains a spectrum of different characteristic wavelengths, thereby imparting multi-color illumination characteristics to the composite PLIB. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel PLIIM, wherein the multi-color illumination characteristics of the composite PLIB reduce the temporal coherence of the laser illumination sources in the PLIA, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array of the PLIIM. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM) which employs a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) comprising a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs) which exhibit high “mode-hopping” spectral characteristics which cooperate on the time domain to reduce the temporal coherence of the laser illumination sources operating in the PLIA and produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns during each photo-integration time period, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array in the PLIIM. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM) which employs a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) comprising a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs) which are “thermally-driven” to exhibit high “mode-hopping” spectral characteristics which cooperate on the time domain to reduce the temporal coherence of the laser illumination sources operating in the PLIA, and thereby reduce the speckle noise pattern observed at the image detection array in the PLIIM accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a unitary (PLIIM-based) object identification and attribute acquisition system, wherein the various information signals are generated by the LDIP subsystem, and provided to a camera control computer, and wherein the camera control computer generates digital camera control signals which are provided to the image formation and detection (IFD subsystem (i.e. “camera”) so that the system can carry out its diverse functions in an integrated manner, including (1) capturing digital images having (i) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (ii) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (iii) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (dpi) independent of package height or velocity and without the use of costly telecentric optics employed by prior art systems, (2) automatic cropping of captured images so that only regions of interest reflecting the package or package label require image processing by the image processing computer, and (3) automatic image lifting operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel bioptical-type planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system for the purpose of identifying products in supermarkets and other retail shopping environments (e.g. by reading bar code symbols thereon), as well as recognizing the shape, texture and color of produce (e.g. fruit, vegetables, etc.) using a composite multi-spectral planar laser illumination beam containing a spectrum of different characteristic wavelengths, to impart multi-color illumination characteristics thereto. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a bioptical-type PLIIM-based system, wherein a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) comprising a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs) which intrinsically exhibit high “mode-hopping” spectral characteristics which cooperate on the time domain to reduce the temporal coherence of the laser illumination sources operating in the PLIA, and thereby reduce the speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bioptical PLIIM-based product dimensioning, analysis and identification system comprising a pair of PLIIM-based package identification and dimensioning subsystems, wherein each PLIIM-based subsystem produces multi-spectral planar laser illumination, employs a 1-D CCD image detection array, and is programmed to analyze images of objects (e.g. produce) captured thereby and determine the shape/geometry, dimensions and color of such products in diverse retail shopping environments; and 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bioptical PLIM-based product dimensioning, analysis and identification system comprising a pair of PLIM-based package identification and dimensioning subsystems, wherein each subsystem employs a 2-D CCD image detection array and is programmed to analyze images of objects (e.g. produce) captured thereby and determine the shape/geometry, dimensions and color of such products in diverse retail shopping environments. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a unitary object identification and attribute acquisition system comprising: a LADAR-based package imaging, detecting and dimensioning subsystem capable of collecting range data from objects on the conveyor belt using a pair of multi-wavelength (i.e. containing visible and IR spectral components) laser scanning beams projected at different angular spacings; a PLIIM-based bar code symbol reading subsystem for producing a scanning volume above the conveyor belt, for scanning bar codes on packages transported therealong; an input/output subsystem for managing the inputs to and outputs from the unitary system; a data management computer, with a graphical user interface (GUI), for realizing a data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem, as well as other data and system management functions; and a network controller, operably connected to the I/O subsystem, for connecting the system to the local area network (LAN) associated with the tunnel-based system, as well as other packet-based data communication networks supporting various network protocols (e.g. Ethernet, AppleTalk, etc). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a real-time camera control process carried out within a camera control computer in a PLIIM-based camera system, for intelligently enabling the camera system to zoom in and focus upon only the surfaces of a detected package which might bear package identifying and/or characterizing information that can be reliably captured and utilized by the system or network within which the camera subsystem is installed. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a real-time camera control process for significantly reducing the amount of image data captured by the system which does not contain relevant information, thus increasing the package identification performance of the camera subsystem, while using less computational resources, thereby allowing the camera subsystem to perform more efficiently and productivity. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera control computer for generating real-time camera control signals that drive the zoom and focus lens group translators within a high-speed auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem so that the camera automatically captures digital images having (1) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (2) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (3) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (dpi) independent of package height or velocity. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera system employing a camera control computer which generates commands for cropping the corresponding slice (i.e. section) of the region of interest in the image being captured and buffered therewithin, or processed at an image processing computer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for performing automatic recognition of graphical intelligence contained in 2-D images captured from arbitrary 3-D object surfaces. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such apparatus in the form of a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system which is capable of performing a novel method of recognizing graphical intelligence (e.g. symbol character strings and/or bar code symbols) contained in high-resolution 2-D images lifted from arbitrary moving 3-D object surfaces, by constructing high-resolution 3-D images of the object from (i) linear 3-D surface profile maps drawn by the LDIP subsystem in the PLIIM-based profiling and imaging system, and (ii) high-resolution linear images lifted by the PLIIM-based linear imaging subsystem thereof. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system, wherein the method of graphical intelligence recognition employed therein is carried out in an image processing computer associated with the PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system, and involves (i) producing 3-D polygon-mesh surface models of the moving target object, (ii) projecting pixel rays in 3-D space from each pixel in each captured high-resolution linear image, and (iii) computing the points of intersection between these pixel rays and the 3-D polygon-mesh model so as to produce a high-resolution 3-D image of the target object. 
     Another object of present invention is to provide a method of recognizing graphical intelligence recorded on planar substrates that have been physically distorted as a result of either (i) application of the graphical intelligence to an arbitrary 3-D object surface, or (ii) deformation of a 3-D object on which the graphical intelligence has been rendered. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method, which is capable of “undistorting” any distortions imparted to the graphical intelligence while being carried by the arbitrary 3-D object surface due to, for example, non-planar surface characteristics. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of recognizing graphical intelligence, originally formatted for application onto planar surfaces, but applied to non-planar surfaces or otherwise to substrates having surface characteristics which differ from the surface characteristics for which the graphical intelligence was originally designed without spatial distortion. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of recognizing bar coded baggage identification tags as well as graphical character encoded labels which have been deformed, bent or otherwise physically distorted. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a tunnel-type object identification and attribute acquisition (PIAD) system comprising a plurality of PLIIM-based package identification (PID) units arranged about a high-speed package conveyor belt structure, wherein the PID units are integrated within a high-speed data communications network having a suitable network topology and configuration. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a tunnel-type PIAD system, wherein the top PID unit includes a LDIP subsystem, and functions as a master PID unit within the tunnel system, whereas the side and bottom PID units (which are not provided with a LDIP subsystem) function as slave PID units and are programmed to receive package dimension data (e.g. height, length and width coordinates) from the master PID unit, and automatically convert (i.e. transform) on a real-time basis these package dimension coordinates into their local coordinate reference frames for use in dynamically controlling the zoom and focus parameters of the camera subsystems employed in the tunnel-type system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a tunnel-type system, wherein the camera field of view (FOV) of the bottom PID unit is arranged to view packages through a small gap provided between sections of the conveyor belt structure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a CCD camera-based tunnel system comprising auto-zoom/auto-focus CCD camera subsystems which utilize a “package-dimension data” driven camera control computer for automatic controlling the camera zoom and focus characteristics on a real-time manner. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a CCD camera-based tunnel-type system, wherein the package-dimension data driven camera control computer involves (i) dimensioning packages in a global coordinate reference system, (ii) producing package coordinate data referenced to the global coordinate reference system, and (iii) distributing the package coordinate data to local coordinate references frames in the system for conversion of the package coordinate data to local coordinate reference frames, and subsequent use in automatic camera zoom and focus control operations carried out upon the dimensioned packages. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a CCD camera-based tunnel-type system, wherein a LDIP subsystem within a master camera unit generates (i) package height, width, and length coordinate data and (ii) velocity data, referenced with respect to the global coordinate reference system R global , and these package dimension data elements are transmitted to each slave camera unit on a data communication network, and once received, the camera control computer within the slave camera unit uses its preprogrammed homogeneous transformation to converts there values into package height, width, and length coordinates referenced to its local coordinate reference system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a CCD camera-based tunnel-type system, wherein a camera control computer in each slave camera unit uses the converted package dimension coordinates to generate real-time camera control signals which intelligently drive its camera&#39;s automatic zoom and focus imaging optics to enable the intelligent capture and processing of image data containing information relating to the identify and/or destination of the transported package. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bioptical PLIIM-based product identification, dimensioning and analysis (PIDA) system comprising a pair of PLIIM-based package identification systems arranged within a compact POS housing having bottom and side light transmission apertures, located beneath a pair of imaging windows. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a bioptical PLIIM-based system for capturing and analyzing color images of products and produce items, and thus enabling, in supermarket environments, “produce recognition” on the basis of color as well as dimensions and geometrical form. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a bioptical system which comprises: a bottom PLIIM-based unit mounted within the bottom portion of the housing; a side PLIIM-based unit mounted within the side portion of the housing; an electronic product weigh scale mounted beneath the bottom PLIIM-based unit; and a local data communication network mounted within the housing, and establishing a high-speed data communication link between the bottom and side units and the electronic weigh scale. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a bioptical PLIIM-based system, wherein each PLIIM-based subsystem employs (i) a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs) having different color producing wavelengths to produce a multi-spectral planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) from the side and bottom imaging windows, and also (ii) a 1-D (linear-type) CCD image detection array for capturing color images of objects (e.g. produce) as the objects are manually transported past the imaging windows of the bioptical system, along the direction of the indicator arrow, by the user or operator of the system (e.g. retail sales clerk). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a bioptical PLIIM-based system, wherein the PLIIM-based subsystem installed within the bottom portion of the housing, projects an automatically swept PLIB and a stationary 3-D FOV through the bottom light transmission window. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a bioptical PLIIM-based system, wherein each PLIIM-based subsystem comprises (i) a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs) having different color producing wavelengths to produce a multi-spectral planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) from the side and bottom imaging windows, and also (ii) a 2-D (area-type) CCD image detection array for capturing color images of objects (e.g. produce) as the objects are presented to the imaging windows of the bioptical system by the user or operator of the system (e.g. retail sales clerk). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a miniature planar laser illumination module (PLIM) on a semiconductor chip that can be fabricated by aligning and mounting a micro-sized cylindrical lens array upon a linear array of surface emit lasers (SELs) formed on a semiconductor substrate, encapsulated (i.e. encased) in a semiconductor package provided with electrical pins and a light transmission window, and emitting laser emission in the direction normal to the semiconductor substrate. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a miniature planar laser illumination module (PLIM) on a semiconductor, wherein the laser output therefrom is a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) composed of numerous (e.g. 100-400 or more) spatially incoherent laser beams emitted from the linear array of SELs. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a miniature planar laser illumination module (PLIM) on a semiconductor, wherein each SEL in the laser diode array can be designed to emit coherent radiation at a different characteristic wavelengths to produce an array of laser beams which are substantially temporally and spatially incoherent with respect to each other. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIM-based semiconductor chip, which produces a temporally and spatially coherent-reduced planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) capable of illuminating objects and producing digital images having substantially reduced speckle-noise patterns observable at the image detector of the PLIIM-based system in which the PLIM is employed. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIM-based semiconductor which can be made to illuminate objects outside of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g. over the UV and/or IR portion of the spectrum). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIM-based semiconductor chip which embodies laser mode-locking principles so that the PLIB transmitted from the chip is temporal intensity-modulated at a sufficiently high rate so as to produce ultra-short planes of light ensuring substantial levels of speckle-noise pattern reduction during object illumination and imaging applications. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIM-based semiconductor chip which contains a large number of VCSELs (i.e. real laser sources) fabricated on semiconductor chip so that speckle-noise pattern levels can be substantially reduced by an amount proportional to the square root of the number of independent laser sources (real or virtual) employed therein. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a miniature planar laser illumination module (PLIM) on a semiconductor chip which does not require any mechanical parts or components to produce a spatially and/or temporally coherence reduced PLIB during system operation. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM) realized on a semiconductor chip comprising a pair of micro-sized (diffractive or refractive) cylindrical lens arrays mounted upon a pair of linear arrays of surface emitting lasers (SELs) fabricated on opposite sides of a linear image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based semiconductor chip, wherein both the linear image detection array and linear SEL arrays are formed a common semiconductor substrate, and encased within an integrated circuit package having electrical connector pins, a first and second elongated light transmission windows disposed over the SEL arrays, and a third light transmission window disposed over the linear image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based semiconductor chip, which can be mounted on a mechanically oscillating scanning element in order to sweep both the FOV and coplanar PLIB through a 3-D volume of space in which objects bearing bar code and other machine-readable indicia may pass. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel PLIIM-based semiconductor chip embodying a plurality of linear SEL arrays which are electronically-activated to electro-optically scan (i.e. illuminate) the entire 3-D FOV of the image detection array without using mechanical scanning mechanisms. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based semiconductor chip, wherein the miniature 2D VLD/CCD camera can be realized by fabricating a 2-D array of SEL diodes about a centrally located 2-D area-type image detection array, both on a semiconductor substrate and encapsulated within a IC package having a centrally-located light transmission window positioned over the image detection array, and a peripheral light transmission window positioned over the surrounding 2-D array of SEL diodes. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based semiconductor chip, wherein light focusing lens element is aligned with and mounted over the centrally-located light transmission window to define a 3D field of view (FOV) for forming images on the 2-D image detection array, whereas a 2-D array of cylindrical lens elements is aligned with and mounted over the peripheral light transmission window to substantially planarize the laser emission from the linear SEL arrays (comprising the 2-D SEL array) during operation. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based semiconductor chip, wherein each cylindrical lens element is spatially aligned with a row (or column) in the 2-D CCD image detection array, and each linear array of SELs in the 2-D SEL array, over which a cylindrical lens element is mounted, is electrically addressable (i.e. activatable) by laser diode control and drive circuits which can be fabricated on the same semiconductor substrate. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a PLIIM-based semiconductor chip which enables the illumination of an object residing within the 3D FOV during illumination operations, and the formation of an image strip on the corresponding rows (or columns) of detector elements in the image detection array. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism for integration in an Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System, wherein a programmable data element tracking and linking (i.e. indexing) module is provided for linking (1) object identity data to (2) corresponding object attribute data (e.g. object dimension-related data, object-weight data, object-content data, object-interior data, etc.) in both singulated and non-singulated object transport environments. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism for integration in an Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System, wherein the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism can be easily programmed to enable underlying functions required by the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute acquisition capabilities specified for the Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a Data-Element Queuing, Handling And Processing Subsystem for use in the PLIIM-based system, wherein object identity data element inputs (e.g. from a bar code symbol reader, RFID reader, or the like) and object attribute data element inputs (e.g. object dimensions, weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, and the like) are supplied to a Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism contained therein via an I/O unit so as to generate as output, for each object identity data element supplied as input, a combined data element comprising an object identity data element, and one or more object attribute data elements (e.g. object dimensions, object weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, etc.) collected by the I/O unit of the system 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a stand-alone, Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System for use in diverse systems generating and collecting streams of object identification information and object attribute information. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a stand-alone Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer for use at passenger and baggage screening stations alike. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer having a programmable data element queuing, handling and processing and linking subsystem, wherein each object identification data input (e.g. from a bar code reader or RFID reader) is automatically attached to each corresponding object attribute data input (e.g. object profile characteristics and dimensions, weight, X-ray images, etc.) generated in the system in which the computer is installed. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System, realized as a compact computing/network communications device having a set of comprises: a housing of compact construction; a computing platform including a microprocessor, system bus, an associated memory architecture (e.g. hard-drive, RAM, ROM and cache memory), and operating system software, networking software, etc.; a LCD display panel mounted within the wall of the housing, and interfaced with the system bus by interface drivers; a membrane-type keypad also mounted within the wall of the housing below the LCD panel, and interfaced with the system bus by interface drivers; a network controller card operably connected to the microprocessor by way of interface drivers, for supporting high-speed data communications using any one or more networking protocols (e.g. Ethernet, Firewire, USB, etc.); a first set of data input port connectors mounted on the exterior of the housing, and configurable to receive “object identity” data from an object identification device (e.g. a bar code reader and/or an RFID reader) using a networking protocol such as Ethernet; a second set of the data input port connectors mounted on the exterior of the housing, and configurable to receive “object attribute” data from external data generating sources (e.g. an LDIP Subsystem, a PLIIM-based imager, an x-ray scanner, a neutron beam scanner, MRI scanner and/or a QRA scanner) using a networking protocol such as Ethernet; a network connection port for establishing a network connection between the network controller and the communication medium to which the Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System is connected; data element queuing, handling, processing and linking software stored on the hard-drive, for enabling the automatic queuing, handling, processing, linking and transporting of object identification (1D) and object attribute data elements generated within the network and/or system, to a designated database for storage and subsequent analysis; and a networking hub (e.g. Ethernet hub) operably connected to the first and second sets of data input port connectors, the network connection port, and also the network controller card, so that all networking devices connected through the networking hub can send and receive data packets and support high-speed digital data communications. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer which can be programmed to receive two different streams of data input, namely: (i) passenger identification data input (e.g. from a bar code reader or RFID reader) used at the passenger check-in and screening station; and (ii) corresponding passenger attribute data input (e.g. passenger profile characteristics and dimensions, weight, X-ray images, etc.) generated at the passenger check-in and screening station, and wherein each passenger attribute data input is automatically attached to each corresponding passenger identification data element input, so as to produce a composite linked output data element comprising the passenger identification data element symbolically linked to corresponding passenger attribute data elements received at the system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism which automatically receives object identity data element inputs (e.g. from a bar code symbol reader, RFID-tag reader, or the like) and object attribute data element inputs (e.g. object dimensions, object weight, x-ray images, Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA) image data captured by a PFNA scanner by Ancore, and QRA image data captured by a QRA scanner by Quantum Magnetics, Inc.), and automatically generates as output, for each object identity data element supplied as input, a combined data element comprising (i) an object identity data element, and (ii) one or more object attribute data elements (e.g. object dimensions, object weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, etc.) collected and supplied to the data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a software-based system configuration manager (i.e. system configuration “wizard” program) which can be integrated (i) within the Object Identification And Attribute Acquisition Subsystem of the present invention, as well as (ii) within the Stand-Alone Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System of the present invention. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a system configuration manager, which assists the system engineer or technician in simply and quickly configuring and setting-up an Object Identity And Attribute Information Acquisition System, as well as a Stand-Alone Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System, using a novel graphical-based application programming interface (API). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a system configuration manager, wherein its API enables a systems configuration engineer or technician having minimal programming skill to simply and quickly perform the following tasks: (1) specify the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute acquisition capabilities (i.e. functionalities) which the system or network being designed and configured should possess; (2) determine the configuration of hardware components required to build the configured system or network; and (3) determine the configuration of software components required to build the configured system or network, so that it will possess the object detection, tracking, identification, and attribute-acquisition capabilities. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for configuring an object identification and attribute acquisition system of the present invention for use in a PLIIM-based system or network, wherein the method employs a graphical user interface (GUI) which presents queries about the various object detection, tracking, identification and attribute-acquisition capabilities to be imparted to the PLIIM-based system during system configuration, and wherein the answers to the queries are used to assist in the specification of particular capabilities of the Data Element Queuing, Handling and Processing Subsystem during system configuration process. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and method which is capable of monitoring, configuring and servicing PLIIM-based networks, systems and subsystems of the present invention using any Internet-based client computing subsystem. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and associated method which enables a systems or network engineer or service technician to use any Internet-enabled client computing machine to remotely monitor, configure and/or service any PLIIM-based network, system or subsystem of the present invention in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an RMCS system and method, which enables an engineer, service technician or network manager, while remotely situated from the system or network installation requiring service, to use any Internet-enabled client machine to: (1) monitor a robust set of network, system and subsystem parameters associated with any tunnel-based network installation (i.e. linked to the Internet through an ISP or NSP); (2) analyze these parameters to trouble-shoot and diagnose performance failures of networks, systems and/or subsystems performing object identification and attribute acquisition functions; (3) reconfigure and/or tune some of these parameters to improve network, system and/or subsystem performance; (4) make remote service calls and repairs where possible over the Internet; and (5) instruct local service technicians on how to repair and service networks, systems and/or subsystems performing object identification and attribute acquisition functions. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based RMCS system and method, wherein the simple network management protocol (SNMP) is used to enable network management and communication between (i) SNMP agents, which are built into each node (i.e. object identification and attribute acquisition system) in the PLIIM-based network, and (ii) SNMP managers, which can be built into a LAN http/Servlet Server as well as any Internet-enabled client computing machine functioning as the network management station (NMS) or management console. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and associated method, wherein servlets in an HTML-encoded RMCS management console are used to trigger SNMP agent operations within devices managed within a tunnel-based LAN. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and associated method, wherein a servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can simultaneously invoke multiple methods on the server side of the network, to monitor (i.e. read) particular variables (e.g. parameters) in each object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem, and then process these monitored parameters for subsequent storage in a central MIB in the and/or display. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and associated method, wherein a servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can invoke a method on the server side of the network, to control (i.e. write) particular variables (e.g. parameters) in a particular device being managed within the tunnel-based LAN. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and associated method, wherein a servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can invoke a method on the server side of the network, to control (i.e. write) particular variables (e.g. parameters) in a particular device being managed within the tunnel-based LAN. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and associated method, wherein a servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can invoke a method on the server side of the network, to determine which variables a managed device supports and to sequentially gather information from variable tables for processing and storage in a central MIB in database. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and associated method, wherein a servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can invoke a method on the server side of the network, to detect and asynchronously report certain events to the RCMS management console. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system, in which FTP service is provided to enable the uploading of system and application software from an FTP site, as well as downloading of diagnostic error tables maintained in a central management information database. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system, in which SMTP service is provided to system to issue an outgoing-mail message to a remote service technician. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel methods of and systems for securing airports, bus terminals, ocean piers, and like passenger transportation terminals employing co-indexed passenger and baggage attribute information and post-collection information processing techniques. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide novel methods of and systems for securing commercial/industrial facilities, educational environments, financial institutions, gaming centers and casinos, hospitality environments, retail environments, and sport stadiums. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide novel methods of and systems for providing loss prevention, secured access to physical spaces, security checkpoint validation, baggage and package control, boarding verification, student identification, time/attendance verification, and turnstile traffic monitoring. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved airport security screening method, wherein streams of baggage identification information and baggage attribute information are automatically generated at the baggage screening subsystem thereof, and each baggage attribute data is automatically attached to each corresponding baggage identification data element, so as to produce a composite linked data element comprising the baggage identification data element symbolically linked to corresponding baggage attribute data element(s) received at the system, and wherein the composite linked data element is transported to a database for storage and subsequent processing, or directly to a data processor for immediate processing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved airport security system comprising (i) a passenger screening station or subsystem including a PLIIM-based passenger facial and body profiling identification subsystem, a hand-held PLIIM-based imager, and a data element queuing, handling and processing (i.e. linking) computer, (ii) a baggage screening subsystem including a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem, a x-ray scanning subsystem, and a neutron-beam explosive detection subsystems (EDS), (iii) a Passenger and Baggage Attribute Relational Database Management Subsystems (RDBMS) for storing co-indexed passenger identity and baggage attribute data elements (i.e. information files), and (iv) automated data processing subsystems for operating on co-indexed passenger and baggage data elements (i.e. information files) stored therein, for the purpose of detecting breaches of security during and after passengers and baggage are checked into an airport terminal system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based (and/or LDIP-based) passenger biometric identification subsystem employing facial and 3-D body profiling/recognition techniques. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an x-ray parcel scanning-tunnel system, wherein the interior space of packages, parcels, baggage or the like, are automatically inspected by x-radiation beams to produce x-ray images which are automatically linked to object identity information by the object identity and attribute acquisition subsystem embodied within the x-ray parcel scanning-tunnel system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA) parcel scanning-tunnel system, wherein the interior space of packages, parcels, baggage or the like, are automatically inspected by neutron-beams to produce neutron-beam images which are automatically linked to object identity information by the object identity and attribute acquisition subsystem embodied within the PFNA parcel scanning-tunnel system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a Quadrupole Resonance (QR) parcel scanning-tunnel system, wherein the interior space of packages, parcels, baggage or the like, are automatically inspected by low-intensity electromagnetic radio waves to produce digital images which are automatically linked to object identity information by the object identity and attribute acquisition subsystem embodied within the PLIIM-equipped QR parcel scanning-tunnel system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a x-ray cargo scanning-tunnel system, wherein the interior space of cargo containers, transported by tractor trailer, rail, or other by other means, are automatically inspected by x-radiation energy beams to produce x-ray images which are automatically linked to cargo container identity information by the object identity and attribute acquisition subsystem embodied within the system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a “horizontal-type” 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system capable of producing 3-D geometrical models of human beings, animals, and other objects, for viewing on a computer graphics workstation, wherein a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and a single amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beam are controllably transported horizontally through the 3-D scanning volume disposed above the support platform of the system so as to optically scan the object under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a global coordinate reference system, for subsequent reconstruction in the computer workstation using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a “horizontal-type” 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system capable of producing 3-D geometrical models of human beings, animals, and other objects, for viewing on a computer graphics workstation, wherein a three orthogonal planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) and three orthogonal amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beams are controllably transported horizontally through the 3-D scanning volume disposed above the support platform of the system so as to optically scan the object under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a global coordinate reference system, for subsequent reconstruction in the computer workstation using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a “vertical-type” 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system capable of producing 3-D geometrical models of human beings, animals, and other objects, for viewing on a computer graphics workstation, wherein a three orthogonal planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) and three orthogonal amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beams are controllably transported vertically through the 3-D scanning volume disposed above the support platform of the system so as to optically scan the object under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a global coordinate reference system, for subsequent reconstruction in the computer workstation using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportable mobile-type PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device capable of producing 3-D digital data models and 3-D geometrical models of laser scanned objects, for display and viewing on a LCD view finder integrated with the housing (or on the display panel of a computer graphics workstation), wherein a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and a single amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beam are transported through the 3-D scanning volume of the scanning device so as to optically scan the object under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a coordinate reference system symbolically embodied within the scanning device, for subsequent reconstruction therein using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object for display, viewing and use in diverse applications. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device (“3-D digitizer”) capable of producing 3-D digitized data models of scanned objects, for viewing on a LCD view finder integrated with the device housing (or on the display panel of an external computer graphics workstation), wherein the object under analysis is controllably rotated through a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and a single amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beam generated by the 3-D digitization device so as to optically scan the object and automatically capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a cordite reference system symbolically embodied within the 3-D digitization device, for subsequent reconstruction therein using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D digitized data model of the object for display, viewing and use in diverse applications. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitizer having optically-isolated light transmission windows for transmitting laser beams from a PLIIM-based object identification subsystem and an LDIP-based object detection and profiling/dimensioning subsystem embodied within the transportable housing of the 3-D digitizer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device (“3-D digitizer”) capable of producing 3-D digitized data models of scanned objects, for viewing on a LCD view finder integrated with the device housing (or on the display panel of an external computer graphics workstation), wherein a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and a single amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beam are generated by the 3-D digitization device and automatically swept through the 3-D scanning volume in which the object under analysis resides so as to optically scan the object and automatically capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a coordinate reference system symbolically embodied within the 3-D digitization device, for subsequent reconstruction therein using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D digitized data model of the object for display, viewing and use in diverse applications. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system constructed using a pair of PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems taught herein. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system constructed using only a single PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem taught herein, and an electronically-switchable PLIB/FOV direction module attached to the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vehicle classification (AVC) system constructed using a several PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems taught herein, mounted overhead and laterally along the roadway passing through the AVC system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vehicle identification and classification (AVIC) system constructed using PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems taught herein. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of the present invention, in which a high-intensity ultra-violet germicide irradiator (UVGI) unit is mounted for irradiating germs and other microbial agents, including viruses, bacterial spores and the like, while parcels, mail and other objects are being automatically identified by bar code reading and/or image lift and OCR processing by the system. 
     As will be described in greater detail in the Detailed Description of the Illustrative Embodiments set forth below, such objectives are achieved in novel methods of and systems for illuminating objects (e.g. bar coded packages, textual materials, graphical indicia, etc.) using planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules (e.g. realized within a CCD-type digital electronic camera, or a 35 mm optical-film photographic camera) employed in such systems. 
     In the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the substantially planar light illumination beams are preferably produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising a 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 within the PLIA to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extent thereof and thus the working range of the system, in which the PLIA is embodied. 
     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. In the case of both fixed and variable focal length imaging systems, this inventive principle helps compensate 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 subsystem. 
     By virtue of the novel principles of the present invention, it is now possible to use both VLDs and high-speed electronic (e.g. CCD or CMOS) image detectors in conveyor, hand-held, presentation, and hold-under type imaging applications alike, enjoying the advantages and benefits that each such technology has to offer, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks hitherto associated therewith. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter and in the claims to Invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the following Detailed Description of the Illustrative Embodiment should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic representation of a first generalized embodiment of the planar laser illumination and (electronic) imaging (PLIIM) system of the present invention, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted on opposite sides of a linear (i.e. 1-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module (i.e. camera subsystem) having a fixed focal length imaging lens, a fixed focal distance and fixed field of view, such that the planar illumination array produces a stationary (i.e. non-scanned) plane of laser beam illumination which is disposed substantially coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system on a moving bar code symbol or other graphical structure; 
       FIG.  1 B 1  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1A , wherein the field of view of the image formation and detection (IFD) module is folded in the downwardly imaging direction by the field of view folding mirror so that both the folded field of view and resulting stationary planar laser illumination beams produced by the planar illumination arrays are arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship during object illumination and image detection operations; 
       FIG.  1 B 2  is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system shown in  FIG. 1A , wherein the linear image formation and detection module is shown comprising a linear array of photo-electronic detectors realized using CCD technology, each planar laser illumination array is shown comprising an array of planar laser illumination modules; 
       FIG.  1 B 3  is an enlarged view of a portion of the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and magnified field of view (FOV) projected onto an object during conveyor-type illumination and imaging applications shown in FIG.  1 B 1 , illustrating that the height dimension of the PLIB is substantially greater than the height dimension of the magnified field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the linear CCD image detection array so as to decrease the range of tolerance that must be maintained between the PLIB and the FOV; 
       FIG.  1 B 4  is a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment of a planar laser illumination array (PLIA), wherein each PLIM mounted therealong can be adjustably tilted about the optical axis of the VLD, a few degrees measured from the horizontal plane; 
       FIG.  1 B 5  is a schematic representation of a PLIM mounted along the PLIA shown in FIG.  1 B 4 , illustrating that each VLD block can be adjustably pitched forward for alignment with other VLD beams produced from the PLIA; 
         FIG. 1C  is a schematic representation of a first illustrative embodiment of a single-VLD planar laser illumination module (PLIM) used to construct each planar laser illumination array shown in  FIG. 1B , wherein the planar laser illumination beam emanates substantially within a single plane along the direction of beam propagation towards an object to be optically illuminated; 
         FIG. 1D  is a schematic diagram of the planar laser illumination module of  FIG. 1C , shown comprising a visible laser diode (VLD), a light collimating focusing lens, and a cylindrical-type lens element configured together to produce a beam of planar laser illumination; 
       FIG.  1 E 1  is a plan view of the VLD, collimating lens and cylindrical lens assembly employed in the planar laser illumination module of  FIG. 1C , showing that the focused laser beam from the collimating lens is directed on the input side of the cylindrical lens, and the output beam produced therefrom is a planar laser illumination beam expanded (i.e. spread out) along the plane of propagation; 
       FIG.  1 E 2  is an elevated side view of the VLD, collimating focusing lens and cylindrical lens assembly employed in the planar laser illumination module of  FIG. 1C , showing that the laser beam is transmitted through the cylindrical lens without expansion in the direction normal to the plane of propagation, but is focused by the collimating focusing lens at a point residing within a plane located at the farthest object distance supported by the PLIIM system; 
         FIG. 1F  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in  FIG. 1A , comprising a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of digitally-programmable VLD driver circuits that can drive the VLDs in a high-frequency pulsed-mode of operation), a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module or camera subsystem, a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  1 G 1  is a schematic representation of an exemplary realization of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 1A , shown comprising a linear image formation and detection (IFD) module, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, and a field of view (FOV) folding mirror for folding the fixed field of view of the linear image formation and detection module in a direction that is coplanar with the plane of laser illumination beams produced by the planar laser illumination arrays; 
       FIG.  1 G 2  is a plan view schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , taken along line  1 G 2 — 1 G 2  therein, showing the spatial extent of the fixed field of view of the linear image formation and detection module in the illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS.  1 G 3  is an elevated end view schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 G 1 , taken along line  1 G 3 — 6 G 3  therein, showing the fixed field of view of the linear image formation and detection module being folded in the downwardly imaging direction by the field of view folding mirror, the planar laser illumination beam produced by each planar laser illumination module being directed in the imaging direction such that both the folded field of view and planar laser illumination beams are arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship during object illumination and image detection operations; 
       FIG.  1 G 4  is an elevated side view schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 6 , taken along line  1 G 4 — 1 G 4  therein, showing the field of view of the image formation and detection module being folded in the downwardly imaging direction by the field of view folding mirror, and the planar laser illumination beam produced by each planar laser illumination module being directed along the imaging direction such that both the folded field of view and stationary planar laser illumination beams are arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship during object illumination and image detection operations; 
       FIG.  1 G 5  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 11 , showing the spatial limits of the fixed field of view (FOV) of the image formation and detection module when set to image the tallest packages moving on a conveyor belt structure, as well as the spatial limits of the fixed FOV of the image formation and detection module when set to image objects having height values close to the surface height of the conveyor belt structure; 
       FIG.  1 G 6  is a perspective view of a first type of light shield which can be used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 6 , to visually block portions of planar laser illumination beams which extend beyond the scanning field of the system, and could pose a health risk to humans if viewed thereby during system operation; 
       FIG.  1 G 7  is a perspective view of a second type of light shield which can be used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , to visually block portions of planar laser illumination beams which extend beyond the scanning field of the system, and could pose a health risk to humans if viewed thereby during system operation; 
       FIG.  1 G 8  is a perspective view of one planar laser illumination array (PLIA) employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , showing an array of visible laser diodes (VLDs), each mounted within a VLD mounting block, wherein a focusing lens is mounted and on the end of which there is a v-shaped notch or recess, within which a cylindrical lens element is mounted, and wherein each such VLD mounting block is mounted on an L-bracket for mounting within the housing of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 G 9  is an elevated end view of one planar laser illumination array (PLIA) employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , taken along line  1 G 9 — 1 G 9  thereof; 
       FIG.  1 G 10  is an elevated side view of one planar laser illumination array (PLIA) employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , taken along line  1 G 10 — 1 G 10  therein, showing a visible laser diode (VLD) and a focusing lens mounted within a VLD mounting block, and a cylindrical lens element mounted at the end of the VLD mounting block, so that the central axis of the cylindrical lens element is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the focusing lens; 
       FIG.  1 G 11  is an elevated side view of one of the VLD mounting blocks employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , taken along a viewing direction which is orthogonal to the central axis of the cylindrical lens element mounted to the end portion of the VLD mounting block; 
       FIG.  1 G 12  is an elevated plan view of one of VLD mounting blocks employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , taken along a viewing direction which is parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical lens element mounted to the VLD mounting block; 
       FIG.  1 G 13  is an elevated side view of the collimating lens element installed within each VLD mounting block employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 ; 
       FIG.  1 G 14  is an axial view of the collimating lens element installed within each VLD mounting block employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 ; 
       FIG.  1 G 15 A is an elevated plan view of one of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , taken along a viewing direction which is parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical lens element mounted in the VLD mounting block thereof, showing that the cylindrical lens element expands (i.e. spreads out) the laser beam along the direction of beam propagation so that a substantially planar laser illumination beam is produced, which is characterized by a plane of propagation that is coplanar with the direction of beam propagation; 
       FIG.  1 G 15 B is an elevated plan view of one of the PLIMs employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , taken along a viewing direction which is perpendicular to the central axis of the cylindrical lens element mounted within the axial bore of the VLD mounting block thereof, showing that the focusing lens planar focuses the laser beam to its minimum beam width at a point which is the farthest distance at which the system is designed to capture images, while the cylindrical lens element does not expand or spread out the laser beam in the direction normal to the plane of propagation of the planar laser illumination beam; 
       FIG.  1 G 16 A is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment of the PLIM of the present invention, wherein a first illustrative embodiment of a Powell-type linear diverging lens is used to produce the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) therefrom; 
       FIG.  1 G 16 B is a perspective view of a third illustrative embodiment of the PLIM of the present invention, wherein a generalized embodiment of a Powell-type linear diverging lens is used to produce the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) therefrom; 
       FIG.  1 G 17 A is a perspective view of a fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIM of the present invention, wherein a visible laser diode (VLD) and a pair of small cylindrical lenses are all mounted within a lens barrel permitting independent adjustment of these optical components along translational and rotational directions, thereby enabling the generation of a substantially planar laser beam (PLIB) therefrom, wherein the first cylindrical lens is a PCX-type lens having a plano (i.e. flat) surface and one outwardly cylindrical surface with a positive focal length and its base and the edges cut according to a circular profile for focusing the laser beam, and the second cylindrical lens is a PCV-type lens having a plano (i.e. flat) surface and one inward cylindrical surface having a negative focal length and its base and edges cut according to a circular profile, for use in spreading (i.e. diverging or planarizing) the laser beam; 
       FIG.  1 G 17 B is a cross-sectional view of the PLIM shown in FIG.  1 G 17 A illustrating that the PCX lens is capable of undergoing translation in the x direction for focusing; 
       FIG.  1 G 17 C is a cross-sectional view of the PLIM shown in FIG.  1 G 17 A illustrating that the PCX lens is capable of undergoing rotation about the x axis to ensure that it only effects the beam along one axis; 
       FIG.  1 G 17 D is a cross-sectional view of the PLIM shown in FIG.  1 G 17 A illustrating that the PCV lens is capable of undergoing rotation about the x axis to ensure that it only effects the beam along one axis; 
       FIG.  1 G 17 E is a cross-sectional view of the PLIM shown in FIG.  1 G 17 A illustrating that the VLD requires rotation about the y axis for aiming purposes; 
       FIG.  1 G 17 F is a cross-sectional view of the PLIM shown in FIG.  1 G 17 A illustrating that the VLD requires rotation about the x axis for desmiling purposes; 
       FIG.  1 H 1  is a geometrical optics model for the imaging subsystem employed in the linear-type image formation and detection module in the PLIIM system of the first generalized embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG.  1 H 2  is a geometrical optics model for the imaging subsystem and linear image detection array employed in the linear-type image detection array of the image formation and detection module in the PLIIM system of the first generalized embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG.  1 H 3  is a graph, based on thin lens analysis, showing that the image distance at which light is focused through a thin lens is a function of the object distance at which the light originates; 
       FIG.  1 H 4  is a schematic representation of an imaging subsystem having a variable focal distance lens assembly, wherein a group of lens can be controllably moved along the optical axis of the subsystem, and having the effect of changing the image distance to compensate for a change in object distance, allowing the image detector to remain in place; 
       FIG.  1 H 5  is schematic representation of a variable focal length (zoom) imaging subsystem which is capable of changing its focal length over a given range, so that a longer focal length produces a smaller field of view at a given object distance; 
       FIG.  1 H 6  is a schematic representation illustrating (i) the projection of a CCD image detection element (i.e. pixel) onto the object plane of the image formation and detection (IFD) module (i.e. camera subsystem) employed in the PLIIM systems of the present invention, and (ii) various optical parameters used to model the camera subsystem; 
       FIG.  1 I 1  is a schematic representation of the PLIIM system of  FIG. 1A  embodying a first generalized method of reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns, wherein the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIIM system is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront according to a spatial phase modulation function (SIMF) prior to object illumination, so that the object (e.g. package) is illuminated with a spatially coherent-reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby allowing the speckle-noise patterns to be temporally and spatially averaged over the photo-integration time over the image detection elements and the RMS power of the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 2 A is a schematic representation of the PLIM system of FIG.  1 I 1 , illustrating the first generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention applied to the planar laser illumination array (PLIA) employed therein, wherein numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof using spatial phase modulation techniques to modulate the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB, and temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 2 B is a high-level flow chart setting forth the primary steps involved in practicing the first generalized method of reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based Systems, illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 1  and  1 I 2 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 3 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) with a pair of refractive-type cylindrical lens arrays, and an electronically-controlled mechanism for micro-oscillating the cylindrical lens arrays using two pairs of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a push-pull configuration so that transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront producing numerous (i.e. many) substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, and enabling numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array to be temporally and/or spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 3 B is a perspective view of the pair of refractive-type cylindrical lens arrays employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 3 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 3 C is a perspective view of the dual array support frame employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 3 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 3 D is a schematic representation of the dual refractive-type cylindrical lens array structure employed in FIG.  1 I 3 A, shown configured between two pairs of ultrasonic transducers (or flexural elements driven by voice-coil type devices) operated in a push-pull mode of operation, so that at least one cylindrical lens array is constantly moving when the other array is momentarily stationary during lens array direction reversal; 
       FIG.  1 I 3 E is a geometrical model of a subsection of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 3 A, illustrating the first order parameters involved in the PLIB spatial phase modulation process, which are required for there to be a difference in phase along wavefront of the PLIB so that each speckle-noise pattern viewed by a pair of cylindrical lens elements in the imaging optics becomes uncorrelated with respect to the original speckle-noise pattern; 
       FIG.  1 I 3 F is a pictorial representation of a string of numbers imaged by the PLIIM-based system of the present invention without the use of the first generalized speckle-noise reduction techniques of the present invention; 
       FIG.  1 I 3 G is a pictorial representation of the same string of numbers (shown in FIG.  1 G 13 B 1 ) imaged by the PLIIM-based system of the present invention using the first generalized speckle-noise reduction technique of the present invention, and showing a significant reduction in speckle-noise patterns observed in digital images captured by the electronic image detection array employed in the PLIIM-based system of the present invention provided with the apparatus of FIG.  1 I 3 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 4 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a pair of (holographically-fabricated) diffractive-type cylindrical lens arrays, and an electronically-controlled mechanism for micro-oscillating a pair of cylindrical lens arrays using a pair of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a push-pull configuration so that the composite planar laser illumination beam is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 4 B is a perspective view of the refractive-type cylindrical lens arrays employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 4 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 4 C is a perspective view of the dual array support frame employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 4 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 4 D is a schematic representation of the dual refractive-type cylindrical lens array structure employed in FIG.  1 I 4 A, shown configured between a pair of ultrasonic transducers (or flexural elements driven by voice-coil type devices) operated in a push-pull mode of operation; 
       FIG.  1 I 5 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA with a stationary refractive-type cylindrical lens array, and an electronically-controlled mechanism for micro-oscillating a pair of reflective-elements pivotally connected to each other at a common pivot point, relative to a stationary reflective element (e.g. mirror element) and the stationary refractive-type cylindrical lens array so that the transmitted PLIB is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 5 B is a enlarged perspective view of the pair of micro-oscillating reflective elements employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 5 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 5 C is a schematic representation, taken along an elevated side view of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 5 A, showing the optical path which the laser illumination beam produced thereby travels towards the target object to be illuminated; 
       FIG.  1 I 5 D is a schematic representation of one micro-oscillating reflective element in the pair employed in FIG.  1 I 5 D, shown configured between a pair of ultrasonic transducers operated in a push-pull mode of operation, so as to undergo micro-oscillation; 
       FIG.  1 I 6 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA with refractive-type cylindrical lens array, and an electro-acoustically controlled PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism realized by an acousto-optical (i.e. Bragg Cell) beam deflection device, through which the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) from each PLIM is transmitted and spatial phase modulated along its wavefront, in response to acoustical signals propagating through the electro-acoustical device, causing each PLIB to be micro-oscillated (i.e. repeatedly deflected) and producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 6 B is a schematic representation, taken along the cross-section of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 6 A, showing the optical path which each laser beam within the PLIM travels on its way towards a target object to be illuminated; 
       FIG.  1 I 7 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA with a stationary cylindrical lens array, and an electronically-controlled PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism realized by a piezo-electrically driven deformable mirror (DM) structure and a stationary beam folding mirror are arranged in front of the stationary cylindrical lens array (e.g. realized refractive, diffractive and/or reflective principles), wherein the surface of the DM structure is periodically deformed at frequencies in the 100 kHz range and at few microns amplitude causing the reflective surface thereof to exhibit moving ripples aligned along the direction that is perpendicular to planar extent of the PLIB (i.e. along laser beam spread) so that the transmitted PLIB is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 7 B is an enlarged perspective view of the stationary beam folding mirror structure employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 7 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 7 C is a schematic representation, taken along an elevated side view of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 7 A, showing the optical path which the laser illumination beam produced thereby travels towards the target object to be illuminated while undergoing phase modulation by the piezo-electrically driven deformable mirror structure; 
       FIG.  1 I 8 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA with a stationary refractive-type cylindrical lens array, and a PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism realized by a refractive-type phase-modulation disc that is rotated about its axis through the composite planar laser illumination beam so that the transmitted PLIB is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront as it is transmitted through the phase modulation disc, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 8 B is an elevated side view of the refractive-type phase-modulation disc employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 8 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 8 C is a plan view of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 8 A, showing the resulting micro-oscillation of the PLIB components caused by the phase modulation introduced by the refractive-type phase modulation disc rotating in the optical path of the PLIB; 
       FIG.  1 I 8 D is a schematic representation of the refractive-type phase-modulation disc employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 8 A, showing the numerous sections of the disc, which have refractive indices that vary sinusoidally at different angular positions along the disc; 
       FIG.  1 I 8 E is a schematic representation of the rotating phase-modulation disc and stationary cylindrical lens array employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 8 A, showing that the electric field components produced from neighboring elements in the cylindrical lens array are optically combined and projected into the same points of the surface being illuminated, thereby contributing to the resultant electric field intensity at each detector element in the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem; 
       FIG.  1 I 8 F is a schematic representation of an optical assembly for reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based systems, shown comprising a PLIA, a backlit transmissive-type phase-only LCD (PO-LCD) phase modulation panel, and a cylindrical lens array positioned closely thereto arranged as shown so that each planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront as it is transmitted through the PO-LCD phase modulation panel, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 8 G is a plan view of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 8 F, showing the resulting micro-oscillation of the PLIB components caused by the phase modulation introduced by the phase-only type LCD-based phase modulation panel disposed along the optical path of the PLIB; 
       FIG.  1 I 9 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA and a PLIB phase modulation mechanism realized by a refractive-type cylindrical lens array ring structure that is rotated about its axis through a transmitted PLIB so that the transmitted PLIB is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 9 B is a plan view of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 9 A, showing the resulting micro-oscillation of the PLIB components caused by the phase modulation introduced by the cylindrical lens ring structure rotating about each PLIA in the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 10 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA, and a PLIB phase-modulation mechanism realized by a diffractive-type (e.g. holographic) cylindrical lens array ring structure that is rotated about its axis through the transmitted PLIB so the transmitted PLIB is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 10 B is a plan view of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 10 A, showing the resulting micro-oscillation of the PLIB components caused by the phase modulation introduced by the cylindrical lens ring structure rotating about each PLIA in the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 11 A is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system as shown in FIG.  1 I 1  embodying a pair of optical assemblies, each comprising a PLIB phase-modulation mechanism stationarily mounted between a pair of PLIAs towards which the PLIAs direct a PLIB, wherein the PLIB phase-modulation mechanism is realized by a reflective-type phase modulation disc structure having a cylindrical surface with (periodic or random) surface irregularities, rotated about its axis through the PLIB so as to spatial phase modulate the transmitted PLIB along its wavefront, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 11 B is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  1 I 11 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 11 C is an elevated side view of one of the optical assemblies shown in FIG.  1 I 11 A, schematically illustrating how the individual beam components in the PLIB are directed onto the rotating reflective-type phase modulation disc structure and are phase modulated as they are reflected thereoff in a direction of coplanar alignment with the field of view (FOV) of the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 12 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA and stationary cylindrical lens array, wherein each planar laser illumination module (PLIM) employed therein includes an integrated phase-modulation mechanism realized by a multi-faceted (refractive-type) polygon lens structure having an array of cylindrical lens surfaces symmetrically arranged about its circumference so that while the polygon lens structure is rotated about its axis, the resulting PLIB transmitted from the PLIA is spatial phase modulated along its wavefront, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 12 B is a perspective exploded view of the rotatable multi-faceted polygon lens structure employed in each PLIM in the PLIA of FIG.  1 I 12 A, shown rotatably supported within an apertured housing by a upper and lower sets of ball bearings, so that while the polygon lens structure is rotated about its axis, the focused laser beam generated from the VLD in the PLIM is transmitted through a first aperture in the housing and then into the polygon lens structure via a first cylindrical lens element, and emerges from a second cylindrical lens element as a planarized laser illumination beam (PLIB) which is transmitted through a second aperture in the housing, wherein the second cylindrical lens element is diametrically opposed to the first cylindrical lens element; 
       FIG.  1 I 12 C is a plan view of one of the PLIMs employed in the PLIA shown in FIG.  1 I 12 A, wherein a gear element is fixed attached to the upper portion of the polygon lens element so as to rotate the same a high angular velocity during operation of the optically-based speckle-pattern noise reduction assembly; 
       FIG.  1 I 12 D is a perspective view of the optically-based speckle-pattern noise reduction assembly of FIG.  1 I 12 A, wherein the polygon lens element in each PLIM is rotated by an electric motor, operably connected to the plurality of polygon lens elements by way of the intermeshing gear elements connected to the same, during the generation of component PLIBs from each of the PLIMS in the PLIA; 
       FIG.  1 I 13  is a schematic of the PLIIM system of  FIG. 1A  embodying a second generalized method of reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns, wherein the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIIM system is temporal intensity modulated by a temporal intensity modulation function (TIMF) prior to object illumination, so that the target object (e.g. package) is illuminated with a temporally coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby allowing the speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged over the photo-integration time period and/or spatially averaged over the image detection element and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced; 
       FIG.  1 I 13 A is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 13 , illustrating the second generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention applied to the planar laser illumination array (PLIA) employed therein, wherein numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof using temporal intensity modulation techniques to modulate the temporal intensity of the wavefront of the PLIB, and temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 13 B is a high-level flow chart setting forth the primary steps involved in practicing the second generalized method of reducing observable speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based systems, illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 13  and  1 I 13 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 14 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA with a cylindrical lens array, and an electronically-controlled PLIB modulation mechanism realized by a high-speed laser beam temporal intensity modulation structure (e.g. electro-optical gating or shutter device) arranged in front of the cylindrical lens array, wherein the transmitted PLIB is temporally intensity modulated according to a temporal intensity modulation (e.g. windowing) function (TIMF), producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 14 B is a schematic representation, taken along the cross-section of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 14 A, showing the optical path which each optically-gated PLIB component within the PLIB travels on its way towards the target object to be illuminated; 
       FIG.  1 I 15 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA embodying a plurality of visible mode-locked laser diodes (MLLDs), arranged in front of a cylindrical lens array, wherein the transmitted PLIB is temporal intensity modulated according to a temporal-intensity modulation (e.g. windowing) function (TIMF), temporal intensity of numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array of the IFD subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 15 B is a schematic diagram of one of the visible MLLDs employed in the PLIM of FIG.  1 I 15 A, show comprising a multimode laser diode cavity referred to as the active layer (e.g. InGaAsP) having a wide emission-bandwidth over the visible band, a collimating lenslet having a very short focal length, an active mode-locker under switched control (e.g. a temporal-intensity modulator), a passive-mode locker (i.e. saturable absorber) for controlling the pulse-width of the output laser beam, and a mirror which is 99% reflective and 1% transmissive at the operative wavelength of the visible MLLD; 
       FIG.  1 I 15 C is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA embodying a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs), which are driven by a digitally-controlled programmable drive-current source and arranged in front of a cylindrical lens array, wherein the transmitted PLIB from the PLIA is temporal intensity modulated according to a temporal-intensity modulation function (TIMF) controlled by the programmable drive-current source, modulating the temporal intensity of the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB and producing numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 15 D is a schematic diagram of the temporal intensity modulation (TIM) controller employed in the optical subsystem of FIG.  1 I 15 E, shown comprising a plurality of VLDs, each arranged in series with a current source and a potentiometer digitally-controlled by a programmable micro-controller in operable communication with the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 15 E is a schematic representation of an exemplary triangular current waveform transmitted across the junction of each VLD in the PLIA of FIG.  1 I 15 C, controlled by the micro-controller, current source and digital potentiometer associated with the VLD; 
       FIG.  1 I 15 F is a schematic representation of the light intensity output from each VLD in the PLIA of FIG.  1 I 15 C, in response to the triangular electrical current waveform transmitted across the junction of the VLD; 
       FIG.  1 I 16  is a schematic of the PLIIM system of  FIG. 1A  embodying a third generalized method of reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns, wherein the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIIM system is temporal phase modulated by a temporal phase modulation function (TPMF) prior to object illumination, so that the target object (e.g. package) is illuminated with a temporally coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby allowing the speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged over the photo-integration time period and/or spatially averaged over the image detection element and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced; 
       FIG.  1 I 16 A is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 16 , illustrating the third generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention applied to the planar laser illumination array (PLIA) employed therein, wherein numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof using temporal phase modulation techniques to modulate the temporal phase of the wavefront of the PLIB (i.e. by an amount exceeding the coherence time length of the VLD), and temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 16 B is a high-level flow chart setting forth the primary steps involved in practicing the third generalized method of reducing observable speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based systems, illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 16  and  1 I 16 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 17 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA with a cylindrical lens array, and an electrically-passive PLIB modulation mechanism realized by a high-speed laser beam temporal phase modulation structure (e.g. optically reflective wavefront modulating cavity such as an etalon) arranged in front of each VLD within the PLIA, wherein the transmitted PLIB is temporal phase modulated according to a temporal phase modulation function (TPMF), modulating the temporal phase of the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB (i.e. by an amount exceeding the coherence time length of the VLD) and producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 17 B is a schematic representation, taken along the cross-section of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 17 A, showing the optical path which each temporally-phased PLIB component within the PLIB travels on its way towards the target object to be illuminated; 
       FIG.  1 I 17 C is a schematic representation of an optical assembly for reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based systems, shown comprising a PLIA, a backlit transmissive-type phase-only LCD (PO-LCD) phase modulation panel, and a cylindrical lens array positioned closely thereto arranged as shown so that the wavefront of each planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is temporal phase modulated as it is transmitted through the PO-LCD phase modulation panel, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 17 D is a schematic representation of an optical assembly for reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based systems, shown comprising a PLIA, a high-density fiber optical array panel, and a cylindrical lens array positioned closely thereto arranged as shown so that the wavefront of each planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is temporal phase modulated as it is transmitted through the fiber optical array panel, producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 17 E is a plan view of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 17 D, showing the optical path of the PLIB components through the fiber optical array panel during the temporal phase modulation of the wavefront of the PLIB; 
       FIG.  1 I 18  is a schematic of the PLIIM system of  FIG. 1A  embodying a fourth generalized method of reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns, wherein the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIIM system is temporal frequency modulated by a temporal frequency modulation function (TFMF) prior to object illumination, so that the target object (e.g. package) is illuminated with a temporally coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby allowing the speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged over the photo-integration time period and/or spatially averaged over the image detection element and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced; 
       FIG.  1 I 18 A is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 18 , illustrating the fourth generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention applied to the planar laser illumination array (PLIA) employed therein, wherein numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof using temporal frequency modulation techniques to modulate the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB, and temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 18 B is a high-level flow chart setting forth the primary steps involved in practicing the fourth generalized method of reducing observable speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based systems, illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 18  and  1 I 18 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 19 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a PLIA embodying a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs), each arranged behind a cylindrical lens, and driven by electrical currents which are modulated by a high-frequency modulation signal so that (i) the transmitted PLIB is temporally frequency modulated according to a temporal frequency modulation function (TFMF), modulating the temporal frequency characteristics of the PLIB and thereby producing numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns at image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns; 
       FIG.  1 I 19 B is a plan, partial cross-sectional view of the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 19 B; 
       FIG.  1 I 19 C is a schematic representation of a PLIIM-based system employing a plurality of multi-mode laser diodes; 
       FIG.  1 I 20  is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 1A  embodying a fifth generalized method of reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns, wherein the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) transmitted towards the target object to be illuminated is spatial intensity modulated by a spatial intensity modulation function (SIMF), so that the object (e.g. package) is illuminated with spatially coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby allowing the numerous speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged over the photo-integration time period and spatially averaged over the image detection element and the RMS power of the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced; 
       FIG.  1 I 20 A is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 20 , illustrating the fifth generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention applied at the IFD Subsystem employed therein, wherein numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof using spatial intensity modulation techniques to modulate the spatial intensity along the wavefront of the PLIB, and temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 20 B is a high-level flow chart setting forth the primary steps involved in practicing the fifth generalized method of reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based systems, illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 20  and  1 I 20 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 21 A is a perspective view of an optical assembly comprising a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) with a refractive-type cylindrical lens array, and an electronically-controlled mechanism for micro-oscillating before the cylindrical lens array, a pair of spatial intensity modulation panels with elements parallely arranged at a high spatial frequency, having grey-scale transmittance measures, and driven by two pairs of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a push-pull configuration so that the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is spatially intensity modulated along its wavefront thereby producing numerous (i.e. many) substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which can be temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 21 B is a perspective view of the pair of spatial intensity modulation panels employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 21 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 21 C is a perspective view of the spatial intensity modulation panel support frame employed in the optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 I 21 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 21 D is a schematic representation of the dual spatial intensity modulation panel structure employed in FIG.  1 I 21 A, shown configured between two pairs of ultrasonic transducers (or flexural elements driven by voice-coil type devices) operated in a push-pull mode of operation, so that at least one spatial intensity modulation panel is constantly moving when the other panel is momentarily stationary during modulation panel direction reversal; 
       FIG.  1 I 22  is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 1A  embodying a sixth generalized method of reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns, wherein the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) reflected/scattered from the illuminated object and received at the IFD Subsystem is spatial intensity modulated according to a spatial intensity modulation function (SIMF), so that the object (e.g. package) is illuminated with a spatially coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby allowing the speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged over the photo-integration time period and spatially averaged over the image detection element and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced; 
       FIG.  1 I 22 A is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 20 , illustrating the sixth generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention applied at the IFD Subsystem employed therein, wherein numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof by spatial intensity modulating the wavefront of the received/scattered PLIB, and the time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, to thereby reduce the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 22 B is a high-level flow chart setting forth the primary steps involved in practicing the sixth generalized method of reducing observable speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based systems, illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 20  and  1 I 21 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 23 A is a schematic representation of a first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  1 I 20 , wherein an electro-optical mechanism is used to generate a rotating maltese-cross aperture (or other spatial intensity modulation plate) disposed before the pupil of the IFD Subsystem, so that the wavefront of the return PLIB is spatial-intensity modulated at the IFD subsystem in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG.  1 I 23 B is a schematic representation of a second illustrative embodiment of the system shown in FIG.  1 I 20 , wherein an electromechanical mechanism is used to generate a rotating maltese-cross aperture (or other spatial intensity modulation plate) disposed before the pupil of the IFD Subsystem, so that the wavefront of the return PLIB is spatial intensity modulated at the IFD subsystem in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG.  1 I 24  is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 1A  illustrating the seventh generalized method of reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns, wherein the wavefront of the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) reflected/scattered from the illuminated object and received at the IFD Subsystem is temporal intensity modulated according to a temporal-intensity modulation function (TIMF), thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns which are detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns; 
       FIG.  1 I 24 A is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 24 , illustrating the seventh generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention applied at the IFD Subsystem employed therein, wherein numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof by modulating the temporal intensity of the wavefront of the received/scattered PLIB, and the time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 24 B is a high-level flow chart setting forth the primary steps involved in practicing the seventh generalized method of reducing observable speckle-noise patterns in PLIM-based systems, illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 24  and  1 I 24 A; 
       FIG.  1 I 24 C is a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment of the PLIM-based system shown in FIG.  1 I 24 , wherein is used to carry out wherein a high-speed electro-optical temporal intensity modulation panel, mounted before the imaging optics of the IFD subsystem, is used to temporal intensity modulate the wavefront of the return PLIB at the IFD subsystem in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG.  1 I 24 D is a flow chart of the eight generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention applied at the IFD Subsystem of a hand-held (linear or area type) PLIIM-based imager of the present invention, shown in FIGS.  1 V 4 ,  2 H,  2 I 5 ,  3 I,  3 J 5 , and  4 E, wherein a series of consecutively captured digital images of an object, containing speckle-pattern noise, are captured and buffered over a series of consecutively different photo-integration time periods in the hand-held PLIIM-based imager, and thereafter spatially corresponding pixel data subsets defined over a small window in the captured digital images are additively combined and averaged so as to produce spatially corresponding pixels data subsets in a reconstructed image of the object, containing speckle-pattern noise having a substantially reduced level of RMS power; 
       FIG.  1 I 24 E is a schematic illustration of step A in the speckle-pattern noise reduction method of FIG.  1 I 24 D, carried out within a hand-held linear-type PLIIM-based imager of the present invention; 
       FIG.  1 I 24 F is a schematic illustration of steps B and C in the speckle-pattern noise reduction method of FIG.  1 I 24 D, carried out within a hand-held linear-type PLIIM-based imager of the present invention; 
       FIG.  1 I 24 G is a schematic illustration of step A in the speckle-pattern noise reduction method of FIG.  1 I 24 D, carried out within a hand-held area-type PLIIM-based imager of the present invention; 
       FIG.  1 I 24 H is a schematic illustration of steps B and C in the speckle-pattern noise reduction method of FIG.  1 I 24 D, carried out within a hand-held area-type PLIIM-based imager of the present invention; 
       FIG.  1 I 24 I is a flow chart of the ninth generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention applied at the IFD Subsystem of a linear type PLIIM-based imager of the present invention shown in FIGS.  1 V 4 ,  2 H,  2 I 5 ,  3 I,  3 J 5 , and  4 E and  FIGS. 39A through 51C , wherein linear image detection arrays having vertically-elongated image detection elements are used in order to enable spatial averaging of spatially and temporally varying speckle-noise patterns produced during each photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing speckle-pattern noise power observed during imaging operations; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 A 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array as shown in FIGS.  1 I 4 A through  1 I 4 D and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflecting mirror configured together as an optical assembly for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB wavefront is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 A 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 A 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is micro-oscillated in orthogonal dimensions by the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element employed in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 B 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a stationary PLIB folding mirror, a micro-oscillating PLIB reflecting element, and a stationary cylindrical lens array as shown in FIGS.  1 I 5 A through  1 I 5 D configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 B 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 B 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is micro-oscillated in orthogonal dimensions by the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 C 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array as shown in FIGS.  1 I 6 A through  1 I 6 B and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflecting element configured together as shown as an optical assembly for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto, causing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 C 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 C 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is micro-oscillated in orthogonal dimensions by the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 D 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating high-resolution deformable mirror structure as shown in FIGS.  1 I 7 A through  1 I 7 C, a stationary PLIB reflecting element and a stationary cylindrical lens array configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operation, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto, causing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 D 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 D 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is micro-oscillated in orthogonal dimensions by the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 E 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array structure as shown in FIGS.  1 I 3 A through  1 I 4 D for micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extend, a micro-oscillating PLIB/FOV refraction element for micro-oscillating the PLIB and the field of view (FOV) of the linear CCD image sensor transversely along the direction orthogonal to the planar extent of the PLIB, and a stationary PLIB/FOV folding mirror configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating both the PLIB and FOV of the linear CCD image sensor transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operation, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto, causing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 E 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 E 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is micro-oscillated in orthogonal dimensions by the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 F 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array structure as shown in FIGS.  1 I 3 A through  1 I 4 D for micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extend, a micro-oscillating PLIB/FOV reflection element for micro-oscillating the PLIB and the field of view (FOV)of the linear CCD image sensor transversely along the direction orthogonal to the planar extent of the PLIB, and a stationary PLIB/FOV folding mirror configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating both the PLIB and FOV of the linear CCD image sensor transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operation, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 F 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 F 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is micro-oscillated in orthogonal dimensions by the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 G 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a phase-only LCD phase modulation panel as shown in FIGS.  1 I 8 F and  1 IG, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element, configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto, causing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 G 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 G 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is micro-oscillated in orthogonal dimensions by the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 H 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure as shown in FIGS.  1 I 12 A and  1 I 12 B, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 H 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 H 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is micro-oscillated in orthogonal dimensions by the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 I 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure as generally shown in FIGS.  1 I 12 A and  1 I 12 B (adapted for micro-oscillation about the optical axis of the VLD&#39;s laser illumination beam and along the planar extent of the PLIB) and a stationary cylindrical lens array, configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 I 2  is a perspective view of one of the PLIMs in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 I 1 , showing in greater detail that its multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure micro-oscillates about the optical axis of the laser beam produced by the VLD, as the multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure micro-oscillates about its longitudinal axis during laser beam illumination operations; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 I 3  is a view of the PLIM employed in FIG.  1 I 25 I 2 , taken along line  1 I 25 I 2 - 1 I 25 I 3  thereof; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 J 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-patten noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a temporal intensity modulation panel as shown in FIGS.  1 I 14 A and  1 I 14 B, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of temporal intensity modulating the PLIB uniformly along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIIM is temporal intensity modulated along the planar extent thereof and temporal phase modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 J 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 J 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is modulated by the PLIB modulation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 K 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing an optically-reflective external cavity (i.e. etalon) as shown in FIGS.  1 I 17 A and  1 I 17 B, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of temporal phase modulating the PLIB uniformly along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is temporal phase modulated along the planar extent thereof and spatial phase modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 K 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 K 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is modulated by the PLIB modulation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 L 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLEB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a visible mode-locked laser diode (MLLD) as shown in FIGS.  1 I 15 A and  1 I 15 B, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of producing a temporal intensity modulated PLIB while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to its planar extent, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is temporal intensity modulated along the planar extent thereof and spatial phase modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 L 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 L 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is modulated by the PLIB modulation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 M 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a visible laser diode (VLD) driven into a high-speed frequency hopping mode (as shown in FIGS.  1 I 19 A and  1 I 19 B), a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of producing a temporal frequency modulated PLIB while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to its planar extent, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is temporal frequency modulated along the planar extent thereof and spatial-phase modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 M 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 M 1 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is modulated by the PLIB modulation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 N 1  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-based system of the present invention embodying an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem, comprising (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module mounted on an optical bench and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor with vertically-elongated image detection elements characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio, (ii) a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module, and (iii) a hybrid-type PLEB modulation mechanism arranged with each PLIM, and employing a micro-oscillating spatial intensity modulation array as shown in FIGS.  1 I 21 A through  1 I 21 D, a stationary cylindrical lens array, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of producing a spatial intensity modulated PLIB while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to its planar extent, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial intensity modulated along the planar extent thereof and spatial phase modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
       FIG.  1 I 25 N 2  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 I 25 N 2 , showing the optical path traveled by the PLIB produced from one of the PLIMs during object illumination operations, as the PLIB is modulated by the PLIB modulation mechanism, in relation to the field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the IFD subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 K 1  is a schematic representation illustrating how the field of view of a PLIIM-based system can be fixed to substantially match the scan field width thereof (measured at the top of the scan field) at a substantial distance above a conveyor belt; 
       FIG.  1 K 2  is a schematic representation illustrating how the field of view of a PLIIM-based system can be fixed to substantially match the scan field width of a low profile scanning field located slightly above the conveyor belt surface, by fixing the focal length of the imaging subsystem during the optical design stage; 
       FIG.  1 L 1  is a schematic representation illustrating how an arrangement of field of view (FOV) beam folding mirrors can be used to produce an expanded FOV that matches the geometrical characteristics of the scanning application at hand when the FOV emerges from the system housing; 
       FIG.  1 L 2  is a schematic representation illustrating how the fixed field of view (FOV) of an imaging subsystem can be expanded across a working space (e.g. conveyor belt structure) by rotating the FOV during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  1 M 1  shows a data plot of pixel power density E pix  versus. object distance (r) calculated using the arbitrary but reasonable values E 0 =1 W/m 2 , f=80 mm and F=4.5, demonstrating that, in a counter-intuitive manner, the power density at the pixel (and therefore the power incident on the pixel, as its area remains constant) actually increases as the object distance increases; 
       FIG.  1 M 2  is a data plot of laser beam power density versus position along the planar laser beam width showing that the total output power in the planar laser illumination beam of the present invention is distributed along the width of the beam in a roughly Gaussian distribution; 
       FIG.  1 M 3  shows a plot of beam width length L versus object distance r calculated using a beam fan/spread angle θ=50°, demonstrating that the planar laser illumination beam width increases as a function of increasing object distance; 
       FIG.  1 M 4  is a typical data plot of planar laser beam height h versus image distance r for a planar laser illumination beam of the present invention focused at the farthest working distance in accordance with the principles of the present invention, demonstrating that the height dimension of the planar laser beam decreases as a function of increasing object distance; 
         FIG. 1N  is a data plot of planar laser beam power density E 0  at the center of its beam width, plotted as a function of object distance, demonstrating that use of the laser beam focusing technique of the present invention, wherein the height of the planar laser illumination beam is decreased as the object distance increases, compensates for the increase in beam width in the planar laser illumination beam, which occurs for an increase in object distance, thereby yielding a laser beam power density on the target object which increases as a function of increasing object distance over a substantial portion of the object distance range of the PLIIM-based system; 
         FIG. 1O  is a data plot of pixel power density E 0  vs. object distance, obtained when using a planar laser illumination beam whose beam height decreases with increasing object distance, and also a data plot of the “reference” pixel power density plot E pix  vs. object distance obtained when using a planar laser illumination beam whose beam height is substantially constant (e.g. 1 mm) over the entire portion of the object distance range of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  1 P 1  is a schematic representation of the composite power density characteristics associated with the planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , taken at the “near field region” of the system, and resulting from the additive power density contributions of the individual visible laser diodes in the planar laser illumination array; 
       FIG.  1 P 2  is a schematic representation of the composite power density characteristics associated with the planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , taken at the “far field region” of the system, and resulting from the additive power density contributions of the individual visible laser diodes in the planar laser illumination array; 
       FIG.  1 Q 1  is a schematic representation of second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1A , shown comprising a linear image formation and detection module, and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module such that the field of view thereof is oriented in a direction that is coplanar with the plane of the stationary planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) produced by the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) without using any laser beam or field of view folding mirrors; 
       FIG.  1 Q 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  1 Q 1 , comprising a linear image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  1 R 1  is a schematic representation of third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1A , shown comprising a linear image formation and detection module having a field of view, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams, and a pair of stationary planar laser beam folding mirrors arranged so as to fold the optical paths of the first and second planar laser illumination beams such that the planes of the first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams are in a direction that is coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection (IFD) module or subsystem; 
       FIG.  1 R 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  1 P 1 , comprising a linear image formation and detection module, a stationary field of view folding mirror, a pair of planar illumination arrays, a pair of stationary planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  1 S 1  is a schematic representation of fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1A , shown comprising a linear image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV), a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams, and a pair of stationary planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors for folding the optical paths of the first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams so that planes of first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams are in a direction that is coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module; 
       FIG.  1 S 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  1 S 1 , comprising a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, a stationary field of view folding mirror, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, a pair of stationary planar laser beam folding mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
         FIG. 1T  is a schematic representation of an under-the-conveyor-belt package identification system embodying the PLIIM-based subsystem of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1U  is a schematic representation of a hand-supportable bar code symbol reading system embodying the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG.  1 V 1  is a schematic representation of second generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted on opposite sides of a linear type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a field of view, such that the planar laser illumination arrays produce a plane of laser beam illumination (i.e. light) which is disposed substantially coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module, and that the planar laser illumination beam and the field of view of the image formation and detection module move synchronously together while maintaining their coplanar relationship with each other as the planar laser illumination beam and FOV are automatically scanned over a 3-D region of space during object illumination and image detection operations; 
       FIG.  1 V 2  is a schematic representation of first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in FIG.  1 V 1 , shown comprising an image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV), a field of view (FOV) folding/sweeping mirror for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams, and a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors, jointly or synchronously movable with the FOV folding/sweeping mirror, and arranged so as to fold and sweep the optical paths of the first and second planar laser illumination beams so that the folded field of view of the image formation and detection module is synchronously moved with the planar laser illumination beams in a direction that is coplanar therewith as the planar laser illumination beams are scanned over a 3-D region of space under the control of the camera control computer; 
       FIG.  1 V 3  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  1 V 1 , comprising a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors, a linear-type image formation and detection module, a field of view folding/sweeping mirror, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  1 V 4  is a schematic representation of an over-the-conveyor-belt package identification system embodying the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 V 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic representation of a third generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted on opposite sides of a linear (i.e. 1-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view (FOV) so that the planar laser illumination arrays produce a plane of laser beam illumination which is disposed substantially coplanar with the field view of the image formation and detection module during object illumination and image detection operations carried out on bar code symbol structures and other graphical indicia which may embody information within its structure; 
       FIG.  2 B 1  is a schematic representation of a first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system shown in  FIG. 2A , comprising an image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV), and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams in an imaging direction that is coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module; 
       FIG.  2 B 2  is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in FIG.  2 B 1 , wherein the linear image formation and detection module is shown comprising a linear array of photo-electronic detectors realized using CCD technology, and each planar laser illumination array is shown comprising an array of planar laser illumination modules; 
       FIG.  2 C 1  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  2 B 1 , comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, a linear-type image formation and detection module, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  2 C 2  is a schematic representation of the linear type image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  2 B 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  2 D 1  is a schematic representation of the second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2A , shown comprising a linear image formation and detection module, a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module, and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module such that the folded field of view is oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with the stationary planes of laser illumination produced by the planar laser illumination arrays; 
       FIG.  2 D 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  2 D 1 , comprising a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs), a linear-type image formation and detection module, a stationary field of view of folding mirror, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  2 D 3  is a schematic representation of the linear type image formation and detection module (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  2 D 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  2 E 1  is a schematic representation of the third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1A , shown comprising an image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV), a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams, a pair of stationary planar laser beam folding mirrors for folding the stationary (i.e. non-swept) planes of the planar laser illumination beams produced by the pair of planar laser illumination arrays, in an imaging direction that is coplanar with the stationary plane of the field of view of the image formation and detection module during system operation; 
       FIG.  2 E 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  2 B 1 , comprising a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, a linear image formation and detection module, a pair of stationary planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  2 E 3  is a schematic representation of the linear image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  2 B 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  2 F 1  is a schematic representation of the fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2A , shown comprising a linear image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV), a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams, and a pair of stationary planar laser beam folding mirrors arranged so as to fold the optical paths of the first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams so that these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with the folded field of view of the linear image formation and detection module; 
       FIG.  2 F 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  2 F 1 , comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, a linear image formation and detection module, a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror, a pair of stationary planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  2 F 3  is a schematic representation of the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  2 F 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system; 
         FIG. 2G  is a schematic representation of an over-the-conveyor belt package identification system embodying the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2H  is a schematic representation of a hand-supportable bar code symbol reading system embodying the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG.  2 I 1  is a schematic representation of the fourth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted on opposite sides of a linear image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and fixed field of view (FOV), so that the planar illumination arrays produces a plane of laser beam illumination which is disposed substantially coplanar with the field view of the image formation and detection module and synchronously moved therewith while the planar laser illumination beams are automatically scanned over a 3-D region of space during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  2 I 2  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in FIG.  2 I 1 , shown comprising an image formation and detection module (i.e. camera) having a field of view (FOV), a FOV folding/sweeping mirror, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams, and a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors, jointly movable with the FOV folding/sweeping mirror, and arranged so that the field of view of the image formation and detection module is coplanar with the folded planes of first and second planar laser illumination beams, and the coplanar FOV and planar laser illumination beams are synchronously moved together while the planar laser illumination beams and FOV are scanned over a 3-D region of space containing a stationary or moving bar code symbol or other graphical structure (e.g. text) embodying information; 
       FIG.  2 I 3  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIGS.  2 I 1  and  2 I 2 , comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, a linear image formation and detection module, a field of view (FOV) folding/sweeping mirror, a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors jointly movable therewith, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  2 I 4  is a schematic representation of the linear type image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIGS.  2 I 1  and  2 I 2 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  2 I 5  is a schematic representation of a hand-supportable bar code symbol reader embodying the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  2 I 1 ; 
       FIG.  2 I 6  is a schematic representation of a presentation-type bar code symbol reader embodying the PLUM-based system of FIG.  2 I 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic representation of a fifth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted on opposite sides of a linear image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view, so that the planar laser illumination arrays produce a stationary plane of laser beam illumination (i.e. light) which is disposed substantially coplanar with the field view of the image formation and detection module during object illumination and image detection operations carried out on bar code symbols and other graphical indicia by the PLIIM-based system of the present invention; 
       FIG.  3 B 1  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3A , shown comprising an image formation and detection module, and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module such that the stationary field of view thereof is oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with the stationary plane of laser illumination produced by the planar laser illumination arrays, without using any laser beam or field of view folding mirrors. 
       FIG.  3 B 2  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  3 B 1 , wherein the linear image formation and detection module is shown comprising a linear array of photo-electronic detectors realized using CCD technology, and each planar laser illumination array is shown comprising an array of planar laser illumination modules; 
       FIG.  3 C 1  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based shown in FIG.  3 B 1 , comprising a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, a linear image formation and detection module, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  3 C 2  is a schematic representation of the linear type image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  3 B 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a 3-D variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to zoom and focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  3 D 1  is a schematic representation of a first illustrative implementation of the IFD camera subsystem contained in the image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 B 1 , shown comprising a stationary lens system mounted before a stationary linear image detection array, a first movable lens system for large stepped movements relative to the stationary lens system during image zooming operations, and a second movable lens system for smaller stepped movements relative to the first movable lens system and the stationary lens system during image focusing operations; 
       FIG.  3 D 2  is an perspective partial view of the second illustrative implementation of the camera subsystem shown in FIG.  3 C 2 , wherein the first movable lens system is shown comprising an electrical rotary motor mounted to a camera body, an arm structure mounted to the shaft of the motor, a slidable lens mount (supporting a first lens group) slidably mounted to a rail structure, and a linkage member pivotally connected to the slidable lens mount and the free end of the arm structure so that, as the motor shaft rotates, the slidable lens mount moves along the optical axis of the imaging optics supported within the camera body, and wherein the linear CCD image sensor chip employed in the camera is rigidly mounted to the camera body of a PLIIM-based system via a novel image sensor mounting mechanism which prevents any significant misalignment between the field of view (FOV) of the image detection elements on the linear CCD (or CMOS) image sensor chip and the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced by the PLIA used to illuminate the FOV thereof within the IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem); 
       FIG.  3 D 3  is an elevated side view of the camera subsystem shown in FIG.  3 D 2 ; 
       FIG.  3 D 4  is a first perspective view of sensor heat sinking structure and camera PC board subassembly shown disattached from the camera body of the IFD module of FIG.  3 D 2 , showing the IC package of the linear CCD image detection array (i.e. image sensor chip) rigidly mounted to the heat sinking structure by a releasable image sensor chip fixture subassembly integrated with the heat sinking structure, preventing relative movement between the image sensor chip and the back plate of the heat sinking structure during thermal cycling, while the electrical connector pins of the image sensor chip are permitted to pass through four sets of apertures formed through the heat sinking structure and establish secure electrical connection with a matched electrical socket mounted on the camera PC board which, in turn, is mounted to the heat sinking structure in a manner which permits relative expansion and contraction between the camera PC board and heat sinking structure during thermal cycling; 
       FIG.  3 D 5  is a perspective view of the sensor heat sinking structure employed in the camera subsystem of FIG.  3 D 2 , shown disattached from the camera body and camera PC board, to reveal the releasable image sensor chip fixture subassembly, including its chip fixture plates and spring-biased chip clamping pins, provided on the heat sinking structure of the present invention to prevent relative movement between the image sensor chip and the back plate of the heat sinking structure so that no significant misalignment will occur between the field of view (FOV) of the image detection elements on the image sensor chip and the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced by the PLIA within the camera subsystem during thermal cycling; 
       FIG.  3 D 6  is a perspective view of the multi-layer camera PC board used in the camera subsystem of FIG.  3 D 2 , shown disattached from the heat sinking structure and the camera body, and having an electrical socket adapted to receive the electrical connector pins of the image sensor chip which are passed through the four sets of apertures formed in the back plate of the heat sinking structure, while the image sensor chip package is rigidly fixed to the camera system body, via its heat sinking structure, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG.  3 D 7  is an elevated, partially cut-away side view of the camera subsystem of FIG.  3 D 2 , showing that when the linear image sensor chip is mounted within the camera system in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the electrical connector pins of the image sensor chip are passed through the four sets of apertures formed in the back plate of the heat sinking structure, while the image sensor chip package is rigidly fixed to the camera system body, via its heat sinking structure, so that no significant relative movement between the image sensor chip and the heat sinking structure and camera body occurs during thermal cycling, thereby preventing any misalignment between the field of view (FOV) of the image detection elements on the image sensor chip and the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced by the PLIA within the camera subsystem during planar laser illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  3 E 1  is a schematic representation of the second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3A , shown comprising a linear image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, and a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module such that the stationary field of view thereof is oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with the stationary plane of laser illumination produced by the planar laser illumination arrays, without using any planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors; 
       FIG.  3 E 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  3 E 1 , comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, a linear image formation and detection module, a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  3 E 3  is a schematic representation of the linear type image formation and detection module (IFDM) employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  3 E 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to zoom and focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  3 E 4  is a schematic representation of an exemplary realization of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 E 1 , shown comprising a compact housing, linear-type image formation and detection (i.e. camera) module, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, and a field of view (FOV) folding mirror for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module in a direction that is coplanar with the plane of composite laser illumination beam produced by the planar laser illumination arrays; 
       FIG.  3 E 5  is a plan view schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 E 4 , taken along line  3 E 5 — 3 E 5  therein, showing the spatial extent of the field of view of the image formation and detection module in the illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG.  3 E 6  is an elevated end view schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 E 4 , taken along line  3 E 6 — 3 E 6  therein, showing the field of view of the linear image formation and detection module being folded in the downwardly imaging direction by the field of view folding mirror, and the planar laser illumination beam produced by each planar laser illumination module being directed in the imaging direction such that both the folded field of view and planar laser illumination beams are arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  3 E 7  is an elevated side view schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 E 4 , taken along line  3 E 7 — 3 E 7  therein, showing the field of view of the linear image formation and detection module being folded in the downwardly imaging direction by the field of view folding mirror, and the planar laser illumination beam produced by each planar laser illumination module being directed along the imaging direction such that both the folded field of view and stationary planar laser illumination beams are arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship during object illumination and image detection operations; 
       FIG.  3 E 8  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 E 4 , showing the spatial limits of the variable field of view (FOV) of its linear image formation and detection module when controllably adjusted to image the tallest packages moving on a conveyor belt structure, as well as the spatial limits of the variable FOV of the linear image formation and detection module when controllably adjusted to image objects having height values close to the surface height of the conveyor belt structure; 
       FIG.  3 F 1  is a schematic representation of the third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3A , shown comprising a linear image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV), a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams, a pair of stationary planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors arranged relative to the planar laser illumination arrays so as to fold the stationary planar laser illumination beams produced by the pair of planar illumination arrays in an imaging direction that is coplanar with stationary field of view of the image formation and detection module during illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  3 F 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  3 F 1 , comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, a linear image formation and detection module, a pair of stationary planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  3 F 3  is a schematic representation of the linear type image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  3 F 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and is responsive to zoom and focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system during illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  3 G 1  is a schematic representation of the fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3A , shown comprising a linear image formation and detection (i.e. camera) module having a field of view (FOV), a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second stationary planar laser illumination beams, a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module, and a pair of stationary planar laser beam folding mirrors arranged so as to fold the optical paths of the first and second planar laser illumination beams such that stationary planes of first and second planar laser illumination beams are in an imaging direction which is coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module during illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  3 G 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM system shown in FIG.  3 G 1 , comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, a linear image formation and detection module, a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror, a pair of stationary planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  3 G 3  is a schematic representation of the linear type image formation and detection module (IFDM) employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  3 G 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to zoom and focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM system during illumination and imaging operations; 
         FIG. 3H  is a schematic representation of over-the-conveyor and side-of-conveyor belt package identification systems embodying the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3I  is a schematic representation of a hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device embodying the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG.  3 J 1  is a schematic representation of the sixth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted on opposite sides of a linear image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view, so that the planar illumination arrays produce a plane of laser beam illumination which is disposed substantially coplanar with the field view of the image formation and detection module and synchronously moved therewith as the planar laser illumination beams are scanned across a 3-D region of space during object illumination and image detection operations; 
       FIG.  3 J 2  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in FIG.  3 J 1 , shown comprising an image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV), a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams, a field of view folding/sweeping mirror for folding and sweeping the field of view of the image formation and detection module, and a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors jointly movable with the FOV folding/sweeping mirror and arranged so as to fold the optical paths of the first and second planar laser illumination beams so that the field of view of the image formation and detection module is in an imaging direction that is coplanar with the planes of first and second planar laser illumination beams during illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  3 J 3  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIGS.  3 J 1  and  3 J 2 , comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, a linear image formation and detection module, a field of view folding/sweeping mirror, a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  3 J 4  is a schematic representation of the linear type image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIGS.  3 J 1  and J 2 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to zoom and focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM system during illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  3 J 5  is a schematic representation of a hand-held bar code symbol reading system embodying the PLIIM-based subsystem of FIG.  3 J 1 ; 
       FIG.  3 J 6  is a schematic representation of a presentation-type hold-under bar code symbol reading system embodying the PLIIM subsystem of FIG.  3 J 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic representation of a seventh generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted on opposite sides of an area (i.e. 2-dimensional) type image formation and detection module (IFDM) having a fixed focal length camera lens, a fixed focal distance and fixed field of view projected through a 3-D scanning region, so that the planar laser illumination arrays produce a plane of laser illumination which is disposed substantially coplanar with sections of the field view of the image formation and detection module while the planar laser illumination beam is automatically scanned across the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations carried out on a bar code symbol or other graphical indicia by the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  4 B 1  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4A , shown comprising an area-type image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV) projected through a 3-D scanning region, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams, and a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with a section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  4 B 2  is a schematic representation of PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  4 B 1 , wherein the linear image formation and detection module is shown comprising an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors realized using CCD technology, and each planar laser illumination array is shown comprising an array of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs); 
       FIG.  4 B 3  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  4 B 1 , comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, an area-type image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) sweeping mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  4 C 1  is a schematic representation of the second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4A , comprising a area image-type formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV), a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams, a stationary field of view folding mirror for folding and projecting the field of view through a 3-D scanning region, and a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with a section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  4 C 2  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  4 C 1 , comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, an area-type image formation and detection module, a movable field of view folding mirror, a pair of planar laser illumination beam sweeping mirrors jointly or otherwise synchronously movable therewith, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
         FIG. 4D  is a schematic representation of presentation-type holder-under bar code symbol reading system embodying the PLIIM-based subsystem of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4E  is a schematic representation of hand-supportable-type bar code symbol reading system embodying the PLIIM-based subsystem of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic representation of an eighth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted on opposite sides of an area (i.e. 2-D) type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view (FOV) projected through a 3-D scanning region, so that the planar laser illumination arrays produce a plane of laser beam illumination which is disposed substantially coplanar with sections of the field view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are automatically scanned through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and image detection operations carried out on a bar code symbol or other graphical indicia by the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  5 B 1  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system shown in  FIG. 5A , shown comprising an image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV) projected through a 3-D scanning region, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams, and a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with a section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  5 B 2  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  5 B 1 , wherein the linear image formation and detection module is shown comprising an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors realized using CCD technology, and each planar laser illumination array is shown comprising an array of planar laser illumination modules; 
       FIG.  5 B 3  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  5 B 1 , comprising a short focal length imaging lens, a low-resolution image detection array and associated image frame grabber, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, a high-resolution area-type image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors, an associated image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  5 B 4  is a schematic representation of the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  5 B 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a fixed length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and fixed field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system during illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  5 C 1  is a schematic representation of the second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5A , shown comprising an image formation and detection module, a stationary FOV folding mirror for folding and projecting the FOV through a 3-D scanning region, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, and pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with a section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  5 C 2  is a schematic representation of the second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system shown in  FIG. 5A , wherein the linear image formation and detection module is shown comprising an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors realized using CCD technology, and each planar laser illumination array is shown comprising an array of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs); 
       FIG.  5 C 3  is a block schematic diagram of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  5 C 1 , comprising a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, an area-type image formation and detection module, a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror, a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding and sweeping mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  5 C 4  is a schematic representation of the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  5 C 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a fixed length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and fixed field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system during illumination and imaging operations; 
         FIG. 5D  is a schematic representation of a presentation-type hold-under bar code symbol reading system embodying the PLIIM-based subsystem of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a schematic representation of a ninth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted on opposite sides of an area type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and variable field of view projected through a 3-D scanning region, so that the planar laser illumination arrays produce a plane of laser beam illumination which is disposed substantially coplanar with sections of the field view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are automatically scanned through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and image detection operations carried out on a bar code symbol or other graphical indicia by the PLIIM-based system; 
       FIG.  6 B 1  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6A , shown comprising an area-type image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams, and a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with a section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  6 B 2  is a schematic representation of a first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  6 B 1 , wherein the area image formation and detection module is shown comprising an area array of photo-electronic detectors realized using CCD technology, and each planar laser illumination array is shown comprising an array of planar laser illumination modules; 
       FIG.  6 B 3  is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in FIG.  6 B 1 , shown comprising a pair of planar illumination arrays, an area-type image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  6 B 4  is a schematic representation of the area-type (2-D) image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  6 B 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a variable length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and variable field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to zoom and focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system during illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  6 C 1  is a schematic representation of the second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6A , shown comprising an area-type image formation and detection module, a stationary FOV folding mirror for folding and projecting the FOV through a 3-D scanning region, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, and pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with a section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  6 C 2  is a schematic representation of a second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  6 C 1 , wherein the area-type image formation and detection module is shown comprising an area array of photo-electronic detectors realized using CCD technology, and each planar laser illumination array is shown comprising an array of planar laser illumination modules; 
       FIG.  6 C 3  is a schematic representation of the second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention shown in FIG.  6 C 1 , shown comprising a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, an area-type image formation and detection module, a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror, a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding and sweeping mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  6 C 4  is a schematic representation of the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  5 C 1 , wherein an imaging subsystem having a variable length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and variable field of view is arranged on an optical bench, mounted within a compact module housing, and responsive to zoom and focus control signals generated by the camera control computer of the PLIIM-based system during illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  6 C 5  is a schematic representation of a presentation-type hold-under bar code symbol reading system embodying the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG.  6 D 1  is a schematic representation of an exemplary realization of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 6A , shown comprising an area-type image formation and detection module, a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror for folding and projecting the FOV through a 3-D scanning region, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, and pair of planar laser beam folding/sweeping mirrors for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with a section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  6 D 2  is a plan view schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 D 1 , taken along line  6 D 2 — 6 D 2  in FIG.  6 D 1 , showing the spatial extent of the field of view of the image formation and detection module in the illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG.  6 D 3  is an elevated end view schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 D 1 , taken along line  6 D 3 — 6 D 3  therein, showing the FOV of the area-type image formation and detection module being folded by the stationary FOV folding mirror and projected downwardly through a 3-D scanning region, and the planar laser illumination beams produced from the planar laser illumination arrays being folded and swept so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in a direction that is coplanar with a section of the FOV of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  6 D 4  is an elevated side view schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 D 1 , taken along line  6 D 4 — 6 D 4  therein, showing the FOV of the area-type image formation and detection module being folded and projected downwardly through the 3-D scanning region, while the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations; 
       FIG.  6 D 5  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 D 1 , showing the spatial limits of the variable field of view (FOV) provided by the area-type image formation and detection module when imaging the tallest package moving on a conveyor belt structure must be imaged, as well as the spatial limits of the FOV of the image formation and detection module when imaging objects having height values close to the surface height of the conveyor belt structure; 
       FIG.  6 E 1  is a schematic representation of a tenth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein a 3-D field of view and a pair of planar laser illumination beams are controllably steered about a 3-D scanning region; 
       FIG.  6 E 2  is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  6 E 1 , shown comprising an area-type (2D) image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, a pair of x and y axis field of view (FOV) folding mirrors arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module, and a pair of planar laser illumination beam sweeping mirrors arranged in relation to the pair of planar laser beam illumination mirrors, such that the planes of laser illumination are coplanar with a planar section of the 3-D field of view of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are automatically scanned across a 3-D region of space during object illumination and image detection operations; 
       FIG.  6 E 3  is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIG.  6 E 1 , shown, comprising an area-type image formation and detection module, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, a pair of x and y axis FOV folding mirrors arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module, and a pair planar laser illumination beam sweeping mirrors arranged in relation to the pair of planar laser beam illumination mirrors, an image frame grabber, an image data buffer, an image processing computer, and a camera control computer; 
       FIG.  6 E 4  is a schematic representation showing a portion of the PLIIM-based system in FIG.  6 E 1 , wherein the 3-D field of view of the image formation and detection module is steered over the 3-D scanning region of the system using the x and y axis FOV folding mirrors, working in cooperation with the planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors which sweep the pair of planar laser illumination beams in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic representation of a first illustrative embodiment of the hybrid holographic/CCD PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein (i) a pair of planar laser illumination arrays are used to generate a composite planar laser illumination beam for illuminating a target object, (ii) a holographic-type cylindrical lens is used to collimate the rays of the planar laser illumination beam down onto the a conveyor belt surface, and (iii) a motor-driven holographic imaging disc, supporting a plurality of transmission-type volume holographic optical elements (HOE) having different focal lengths, is disposed before a linear (1-D) CCD image detection array, and functions as a variable-type imaging subsystem capable of detecting images of objects over a large range of object (i.e. working) distances while the planar laser illumination beam illuminates the target object; 
         FIG. 7B  is an elevated side view of the hybrid holographic/CCD PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 7A , showing the coplanar relationship between the planar laser illumination beam(s) produced by the planar laser illumination arrays of the PLIIM system, and the variable field of view (FOV) produced by the variable holographic-based focal length imaging subsystem of the PLIIM system; 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic representation of a second illustrative embodiment of the hybrid holographic/CCD PLIIM-based system of the present invention, wherein (i) a pair of planar laser illumination arrays are used to generate a composite planar laser illumination beam for illuminating a target object, (ii) a holographic-type cylindrical lens is used to collimate the rays of the planar laser illumination beam down onto the a conveyor belt surface, and (iii) a motor-driven holographic imaging disc, supporting a plurality of transmission-type volume holographic optical elements (HOE) having different focal lengths, is disposed before an area (2-D) type CCD image detection array, and functions as a variable-type imaging subsystem capable of detecting images of objects over a large range of object (i.e. working) distances while the planar laser illumination beam illuminates the target object; 
         FIG. 8B  is an elevated side view of the hybrid holographic/CCD-based PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 8A , showing the coplanar relationship between the planar laser illumination beam(s) produced by the planar laser illumination arrays of the PLIIM-based system, and the variable field of view (FOV) produced by the variable holographic-based focal length imaging subsystem of the PLIIM-based system; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of the unitary, intelligent, object identification and attribute acquisition of the present invention, wherein packages, arranged in a singulated or non-singulated configuration, are transported along a high-speed conveyor belt, detected and dimensioned by the LADAR-based imaging, detecting and dimensioning (LDIP) subsystem of the present invention, weighed by an electronic weighing scale, and identified by an automatic PLIIM-based bar code symbol reading system employing a 1-D (i.e. linear) type CCD scanning array, below which a variable focus imaging lens is mounted for imaging bar coded packages transported therebeneath in a fully automated manner; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram illustrating the system architecture and subsystem components of the unitary object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 9 , shown comprising a LADAR-based package (i.e. object) imaging, detecting and dimensioning (LDIP) subsystem (i.e. including its integrated package velocity computation subsystem, package height/width/length profiling subsystem, the package (i.e. object) detection and tracking subsystem (comprising package-in-tunnel indication subsystem and a package-out-of-tunnel indication subsystem), a PLIIM-based (linear CCD) bar code symbol reading subsystem, data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem, the input/output (unit) subsystem, an I/O port for a graphical user interface (GUI), network interface controller (for supporting networking protocols such as Ethernet, IP, etc.), all of which are integrated together as a fully working unit contained within a single housing of ultra-compact construction; 
         FIG. 10A  is schematic representation of the Data-Element Queuing, Handling And Processing (Q, H &amp; P) Subsystem employed in the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 10 , illustrating that object identity data element inputs (e.g. from a bar code symbol reader, RFID reader, or the like) and object attribute data element inputs (e.g. object dimensions, weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, and the like) are supplied to the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism via the I/O unit so as to generate as output, for each object identity data element supplied as input, a combined data element comprising an object identity data element, and one or more object attribute data elements (e.g. object dimensions, object weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, etc.) collected by the I/O unit of the system; 
         FIG. 10B  is a tree structure representation illustrating the various object detection, tracking, identification and attribute-acquisition capabilities which may be imparted to the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 10  during system configuration, and also that at each of the three primary levels of the tree structure representation, the PLIIM-based system can use a system configuration wizard to assist in the specification of particular capabilities of the Data Element Queuing, Handling and Processing Subsystem thereof in response to answers provided during system configuration process; 
         FIG. 10C  is a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in configuring the Data Element Queuing, Handling and Processing Subsystem of the present invention using the system configuration wizard schematically depicted in  FIG. 10B ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of a portion of the unitary PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 9 , showing in greater detail the interface between its PLIIM-based subsystem and LDIP subsystem, and the various information signals which are generated by the LDIP subsystem and provided to the camera control computer, and how the camera control computer generates digital camera control signals which are provided to the image formation and detection (i.e. camera) subsystem so that the unitary system can carry out its diverse functions in an integrated manner, including (1) capturing digital images having (i) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (ii) significantly reduced speckle-noise pattern levels, and (iii) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (dpi) independent of package height or velocity and without the use of costly telecentric optics employed by prior art systems, (2) automatic cropping of captured images so that only regions of interest reflecting the package or package label are either transmitted to or processed by the image processing computer (using 1-D or 2-D bar code symbol decoding or optical character recognition (OCR) image processing algorithms), and (3) automatic image-lifting operations for supporting other package management operations carried out by the end-user; 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of the housing for the unitary object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 9 , showing the construction of its housing and the spatial arrangement of its two optically-isolated compartments, with all internal parts removed therefrom for purposes of illustration; 
         FIG. 12B  is a first cross-sectional view of the unitary PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 9 , showing the PLIIM-based subsystem and subsystem components contained within a first optically-isolated compartment formed in the upper deck of the unitary system housing, and the LDIP subsystem contained within a second optically-isolated compartment formed in the lower deck, below the first optically-isolated compartment; 
         FIG. 12C  is a second cross-sectional view of the unitary object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 9 , showing the spatial layout of the various optical and electro-optical components mounted on the optical bench of the PLIIM-based subsystem installed within the first optically-isolated cavity of the system housing; 
         FIG. 12D  is a third cross-sectional view of the unitary PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 9 , showing the spatial layout of the various optical and electro-optical components mounted on the optical bench of the LDIP subsystem installed within the second optically-isolated cavity of the system housing; 
         FIG. 12E  is a schematic representation of an illustrative implementation of the image formation and detection subsystem contained in the image formation and detection (IFD) module employed in the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 9 , shown comprising a stationary lens system mounted before the stationary linear (CCD-type) image detection array, a first movable lens system for stepped movement relative to the stationary lens system during image zooming operations, and a second movable lens system for stepped movements relative to the first movable lens system and the stationary lens system during image focusing operations; 
         FIG. 13A  is a first perspective view of an alternative housing design for use with the unitary PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem of the present invention, wherein the housing has the same light transmission apertures provided in the housing design shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , but has no housing panels disposed about the light transmission apertures through which PLIBs and the FOV of the PLIIM-based subsystem extend, thereby providing a region of space into which an optional device can be mounted for carrying out a speckle-pattern noise reduction solution in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13B  is a second perspective view of the housing design shown in  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 13C  is a third perspective view of the housing design shown in  FIG. 13A , showing the different sets of optically-isolated light transmission apertures formed in the underside surface of the housing; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic representation of the unitary PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 13 , showing the use of a “Real-Time” Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module within the LDIP subsystem to automatically process raw data received by the LDIP subsystem and generate, as output, time-stamped data sets that are transmitted to a camera control computer which automatically processes the received time-stamped data sets and generates real-time camera control signals that drive the focus and zoom lens group translators within a high-speed auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem so that the camera subsystem automatically captures digital images having (1) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (2) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (3) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (dpi) independent of package height or velocity; 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart describing the primary data processing operations that are carried out by the Real-Time Package Height Profile And Edge Detection Processing Module within the LDIP subsystem employed in the PLIIM-based system shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , wherein each sampled row of raw range data collected by the LDIP subsystem is processed to produce a data set (i.e. containing data elements representative of the current time-stamp, the package height, the position of the left and right edges of the package edges, the coordinate subrange where height values exhibit maximum range intensity variation and the current package velocity) which is then transmitted to the camera control computer for processing and generation of real-time camera control signals that are transmitted to the auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem; 
         FIG. 16  is a flow chart describing the primary data processing operations that are carried out by the Real-Time Package Edge Detection Processing Method performed by the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module within the LDIP subsystem of PLIIM-based system shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic representation of the LDIP Subsystem embodied in the unitary PLIIM-based subsystem of  FIGS. 13 and 14 , shown mounted above a conveyor belt structure; 
         FIG. 17A  is a data structure used in the Real-Time Package Height Profiling Method of  FIG. 15  to buffer sampled range intensity (I i ) and phase angle (φ i ) data samples collected at various scan angles (α I ) by LDIP Subsystem during each LDIP scan cycle and before application of coordinate transformations; 
         FIG. 17B  is a data structure used in the Real-Time Package Edge Detection Method of  FIG. 16 , to buffer range (R i ) and polar angle (Ø i ) dated samples collected at each scan angle (α I ) by the LDIP Subsystem during each LDIP scan cycle, and before application of coordinate transformations; 
         FIG. 17C  is a data structure used in the method of  FIG. 15  to buffer package height (y i ) and position (x i ) data samples computed at each scan angle (α I ) by the LDIP subsystem during each LDIP scan cycle, and after application of coordinate transformations; 
         FIGS. 18A ,  18 B 1  and  18 B 2 , taken together, set forth a real-time camera control process that is carried out within the camera control computer employed within the PLIIM-based systems of  FIG. 11 , wherein the camera control computer automatically processes the received time-stamped data sets and generates real-time camera control signals that drive the focus and zoom lens group translators within a high-speed auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem (i.e. the IFD module) so that the camera subsystem automatically captures digital images having (1) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (2) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (3) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (DPI) independent of package height or velocity; 
       FIGS.  18 C 1  and  18 C 2 , taken together, set forth a flow chart setting forth the steps of a method of computing the optical power which must be produced from each VLD in a PLIIM-based system, based on the computed speed of the conveyor belt above which the PLIIM-based is mounted, so that the control process carried out by the camera control computer in the PLIIM-based system captures digital images having a substantially uniform “white” level, regardless of conveyor belt speed, thereby simplifying image processing operations; 
         FIG. 18D  is a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in computing the compensated line rate for correcting viewing-angle distortion occurring in images of object surfaces captured as object surfaces move past a linear-type PLIIM-based imager at a non-zero skewed angle; 
       FIG.  18 E 1  is a schematic representation of a linear PLIIM-based imager mounted over the surface of a conveyor belt structure, specifying the slope or surface gradient (i.e. skew angle θ) of a top surfaces of a transported package defined with respect to the top planar surface of the conveyor belt structure; 
       FIG.  18 E 2  is a schematic representation of a linear PLIIM-based imager mounted on the side of a conveyor belt structure, specifying the slope or surface gradient (i.e. angle φ) of the side surface of a transported package defined with respect to the edge of the conveyor belt structure; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic representation of the Package Data Buffer structure employed by the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module illustrated in  FIG. 14 , wherein each current raw data set received by the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module is buffered in a row of the Package Data Buffer, and each data element in the raw data set is assigned a fixed column index and variable row index which increments as the raw data set is shifted one index unit as each new incoming raw data set is received into the Package Data Buffer; 
       FIG.  20 . is a schematic representation of the Camera Pixel Data Buffer structure employed by the Auto-Focus/Auto-Zoom digital camera subsystem shown in  FIG. 14 , wherein each pixel element in each captured image frame is stored in a storage cell of the Camera Pixel Data Buffer, which is assigned a unique set of pixel indices (i,j); 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic representation of an exemplary Zoom and Focus Lens Group Position Look-Up Table associated with the Auto-Focus/Auto-Zoom digital camera subsystem used by the camera control computer of the illustrative embodiment, wherein for a given package height detected by the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module, the camera control computer uses the Look-Up Table to determine the precise positions to which the focus and zoom lens groups must be moved by generating and supplying real-time camera control signals to the focus and zoom lens group translators within a high-speed auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem (i.e. the IFD module) so that the camera subsystem automatically captures focused digital images having (1) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (2) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (3) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (DPI) independent of package height or velocity; 
         FIG. 22A  is a graphical representation of the focus and zoom lens movement characteristics associated with the zoom and lens groups employed in the illustrative embodiment of the Auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem, wherein for a given detected package height, the position of the focus and zoom lens group relative to the camera&#39;s working distance is obtained by finding the points along these characteristics at the specified working distance (i.e. detected package height); 
         FIG. 22B  is a schematic representation of an exemplary Photo-integration Time Period Look-Up Table associated with CCD image detection array employed in the auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem of the PLIIM-based system, wherein for a given detected package height and package velocity, the camera control computer uses the Look-Up Table to determine the precise photo-integration time period for the CCD image detection elements employed within the auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem (i.e. the IFD module) so that the camera subsystem automatically captures focused digital images having (1) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (2) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (3) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (DPI) independent of package height or velocity; 
         FIG. 23A  is a schematic representation of the PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIGS. 9 through 22B , shown performing Steps 1 through Step 5 of the novel method of graphical intelligence recognition taught in FIGS.  23 C 1  through  23 C, whereby graphical intelligence (e.g. symbol character strings and/or bar code symbols) embodied or contained in 2-D images captured from arbitrary 3-D surfaces on a moving target object is automatically recognized by processing high-resolution 3-D images of the object that have been constructed from linear 3-D surface profile maps captured by the LDIP subsystem in the PLIIM-based profiling and imaging system, and high-resolution linear images captured by the PLIIM-based linear imaging subsystem thereof; 
         FIG. 23B  is a schematic representation of the process of geometrical modeling of arbitrary moving 3-D object surfaces, carried out in an image processing computer associated with the PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system shown in  FIG. 23A , wherein pixel rays emanating from high-resolution linear images are projected in 3-D space and the points of intersection between these pixel rays and a 3-D polygon-mesh model of the moving target object are computed, and these computed points of intersection used to produce a high-resolution 3-D image of the target object; 
       FIG.  23 C 1  through  23 C 5 , taken together, set forth a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in carrying out the novel method of graphical intelligence recognition of the present invention, depicted in  FIGS. 23A and 23B ; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a unitary, intelligent, object identification and attribute acquisition system constructed in accordance with the second illustrated embodiment of the present invention, wherein packages, arranged in a non-singulated or singulated configuration, are transported along a high speed conveyor belt, detected and dimensioned by the LADAR-based imaging, detecting and dimensioning (LDIP) subsystem of the present invention, weighed by a weighing scale, and identified by an automatic PLIIM-based bar code symbol reading system employing a 2-D (i.e. area) type CCD-based scanning array below which a light focusing lens is mounted for imaging bar coded packages transported therebeneath and decode processing these images to read such bar code symbols in a fully automated manner; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic block diagram illustrating the system architecture and subsystem components of the unitary package (i.e. object) identification and dimensioning system shown in  FIG. 24 , namely its LADAR-based package (i.e. object) imaging, detecting and dimensioning (LDIP) subsystem (with its integrated package velocity computation subsystem, package height/width/length profiling subsystem, and package (i.e. object) detection and tracking (comprising a package-in-tunnel indication subsystem and the package-out-of-tunnel indication subsystem), the PLIIM-based (linear CCD) bar code symbol reading subsystem, the data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem, the input/output subsystem, an I/O port for a graphical user interface (GUI), and a network interface controller (for supporting networking protocols such as Ethernet, IP, etc.), all of which are integrated together as a working unit contained within a single housing of ultra-compact construction; 
         FIG. 25A  is schematic representation of the Data-Element Queuing, Handling And Processing (Q, H &amp; P) Subsystem employed in the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 25 , illustrating that object identity data element inputs (e.g. from a bar code symbol reader, RFID reader, or the like) and object attribute data element inputs (e.g. object dimensions, weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, and the like) are supplied to the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism via the I/O unit so as to generate as output, for each object identity data element supplied as input, a combined data element comprising an object identity data element, and one or more object attribute data elements (e.g. object dimensions, object weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, etc.) collected by the I/O unit of the system; 
         FIG. 25B  is a tree structure representation illustrating the various object detection, tracking, identification and attribute-acquisition capabilities which may be imparted to the object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 25  during system configuration, and also that at each of the three primary levels of the tree structure representation, the system can use its novel application programming interface (API), as a system configuration programming wizard, to assist in the specification of system capabilities and subsequent programming of the Data Element Queuing, Handling and Processing Subsystem thereof to enable the same; 
         FIG. 25C  is a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in configuring the Data Element Queuing, Handling and Processing Subsystem of the present invention using the system configuration programming wizard schematically depicted in  FIG. 25B ; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic representation of a portion of the unitary object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 24  showing in greater detail the interface between its PLIIM-based subsystem and LDIP subsystem, and the various information signals which are generated by the LDIP subsystem and provided to the camera control computer, and how the camera control computer generates digital camera control signals which are provided to the image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem (i.e. “camera”) so that the unitary system can carry out its diverse functions in an integrated manner, including (1) capturing digital images having (i) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (ii) significantly reduced speckle-noise pattern levels, and (iii) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (DPI) independent of package height or velocity and without the use of costly telecentric optics employed by prior art systems, (2) automatic cropping of captured images so that only regions of interest reflecting the package or package label are transmitted to the image processing computer (for 1-D or 2-D bar code symbol decoding or optical character recognition (OCR) image processing), and (3) automatic image-lifting operations for supporting other package management operations carried out by the end-user; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic representation of the four-sided tunnel-type object identification and attribute acquisition (PID) system constructed by arranging about a high-speed package conveyor belt subsystem, one PLIIM-based PID unit (as shown in  FIG. 9 ) and three modified PLIIM-based PID units (without the LDIP Subsystem), wherein the LDIP subsystem in the top PID unit is configured as the master unit to detect and dimension packages transported along the belt, while the bottom PID unit is configured as a slave unit to view packages through a small gap between conveyor belt sections and the side PID units are configured as slave units to view packages from side angles slightly downstream from the master unit, and wherein all of the PID units are operably connected to an Ethernet control hub (e.g. contained within one of the slave units) of a local area network (LAN) providing high-speed data packet communication among each of the units within the tunnel system; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic system diagram of the tunnel-type system shown in  FIG. 27 , embedded within a first-type LAN having an Ethernet control hub (e.g. contained within one of the slave units); 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic system diagram of the tunnel-type system shown in  FIG. 27 , embedded within a second-type LAN having an Ethernet control hub and an Ethernet data switch (e.g. contained within one of the slave units), and a fiber-optic (FO) based network, to which a keying-type computer workstation is connected at a remote distance within a package counting facility; 
         FIGS. 30-1  through  30 - 4 , taken together, set forth a schematic representation of the camera-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem of  FIG. 27 , illustrating the system architecture of the slave units in relation to the master unit, and that (1) the package height, width, and length coordinates data and velocity data elements (computed by the LDIP subsystem within the master unit) are produced by the master unit and defined with respect to the global coordinate reference system, and (2) these package dimension data elements are transmitted to each slave unit on the data communication network, converted into the package height, width, and length coordinates, and used to generate real-time camera control signals which intelligently drive the camera subsystem within each slave unit, and (3) the package identification data elements generated by any one of the slave units are automatically transmitted to the master slave unit for time-stamping, queuing, and processing to ensure accurate package dimension and identification data element linking operations in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 30A  is a schematic representation of the Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and method of the present invention which is capable of monitoring, configuring and servicing PLIIM-based networks, systems and subsystems of the present invention using an Internet-based client computing subsystem; 
         FIG. 30B  is a table listing parameters associated with a PLIIM-based network of the present invention and the systems and subsystems embodied therein which can be remotely monitored, configured and managed using the RMCS system and method illustrated in  FIG. 30A ; 
         FIG. 30C  is a table listing network and system configuration parameters employed in the tunnel-based LAN system shown in  FIG. 30B , and monitorable and/or configurable parameters in each of the subsystems within the system of the tunnel-based LAN system; 
       FIGS.  30 D 1  and  30 D 2 , taken together, set forth a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in the RMCS method of the illustrative embodiment carried out over the infrastructure of the Internet using an Internet-based client computing machine; 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic representation of the tunnel-type system of  FIG. 27 , illustrating that package dimension data (i.e. height, width, and length coordinates) is (i) centrally computed by the master unit and referenced to a global coordinate reference frame, (ii) transmitted over the data network to each slave unit within the system, and (iii) converted to the local coordinate reference frame of each slave unit for use by its camera control computer to drive its automatic zoom and focus imaging optics in an intelligent, real-time manner in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 31A  is a schematic representation of one of the slave units in the tunnel system of  FIG. 31 , showing the angle measurement (i.e. protractor) devices of the present invention integrated into the housing and support structure of each slave unit, thereby enabling technicians to measure the pitch and yaw angle of the local coordinate system symbolically embedded within each slave unit; 
         FIGS. 32A and 32B , taken together, provide a high-level flow chart describing the primary steps involved in carrying out the novel method of controlling local vision-based camera subsystems deployed within a tunnel-based system, using real-time package dimension data centrally computed with respect to a global/central coordinate frame of reference, and distributed to local package identification units over a high-speed data communication network; 
         FIG. 33A  is a schematic representation of a first illustrative embodiment of the bioptical PLIIM-based product dimensioning, analysis and identification system of the present invention, comprising a pair of PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystems, wherein each PLIIM-based subsystem employs visible laser diodes (VLDs) having different color producing wavelengths to produce a multi-spectral planar laser illumination beam (PLIB), and a 1-D (linear-type) CCD image detection array within the compact system housing to capture images of objects (e.g. produce) that are processed in order to determine the shape/geometry, dimensions and color of such products in diverse retail shopping environments; 
         FIG. 33B  is a schematic representation of the bioptical PLIIM-based product dimensioning, analysis and identification system of  FIG. 33A , showing its PLIIM-based subsystems and 2-D scanning volume in greater detail; 
       FIGS.  33 C 1  and  33 C 2 , taken together, set forth a system block diagram illustrating the system architecture of the bioptical PLIIM-based product dimensioning, analysis and identification system of the first illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 33A and 33B ; 
         FIG. 34A  is a schematic representation of a second illustrative embodiment of the bioptical PLIIM-based product dimensioning, analysis and identification system of the present invention, comprising a pair of PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystems, wherein each PLIIM-based subsystem employs visible laser diodes (VLDs) having different color producing wavelengths to produce a multi-spectral planar laser illumination beam (PLIB), and a 2-D (area-type) CCD image detection array within the compact system housing to capture images of objects (e.g. produce) that are processed in order to determine the shape/geometry, dimensions and color of such products in diverse retail shopping environments; 
         FIG. 34B  is a schematic representation of the bioptical PLIIM-based product dimensioning, analysis and identification system of  FIG. 34A , showing its PLIIM-based subsystems and 3-D scanning volume in greater detail; 
         FIG. 34C  is a system block diagram illustrating the system architecture of the bioptical PLIIM-based product dimensioning, analysis and identification system of the second illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 34A and 34B ; 
         FIG. 35A  is a first perspective view of the planar laser illumination module (PLIM) realized on a semiconductor chip, wherein a micro-sized (diffractive or refractive) cylindrical lens array is mounted upon a linear array of surface emitting lasers (SELs) fabricated on a semiconductor substrate, and encased within an integrated circuit (IC) package, so as to produce a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) composed of numerous (e.g. 100-400) spatially incoherent laser beam components emitted from said linear array of SELs in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 35B  is a second perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the PLIM semiconductor chip of  FIG. 35A , showing its semiconductor package provided with electrical connector pins and an elongated light transmission window, through which a planar laser illumination beam is generated and transmitted in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 36A  is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the PLIM-based semiconductor chip of the present invention, constructed from “45 degree mirror” surface emitting lasers (SELs); 
         FIG. 36B  is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the PLIM-based semiconductor chip of the present invention, constructed from “grating-coupled” SELs; 
         FIG. 36C  is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the PLIM-based semiconductor chip of the present invention, constructed from “vertical cavity” SELs, or VCSELs; 
         FIG. 37  is a schematic perspective view of a planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM) of the present invention realized on a semiconductor chip, wherein a pair of micro-sized (diffractive or refractive) cylindrical lens arrays are mounted upon a pair of linear arrays of surface emitting lasers (SELs) (of corresponding length characteristics) fabricated on opposite sides of a linear CCD image detection array, and wherein both the linear CCD image detection array and linear SEL arrays are formed a common semiconductor substrate, encased within an integrated circuit (IC) package, and collectively produce a composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) that is transmitted through a pair of light transmission windows formed in the IC package and aligned substantially within the planar field of view (FOV) provided by the linear CCD image detection array in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 38A  is a schematic representation of a CCD/VLD PLIIM-based semiconductor chip of the present invention, wherein a plurality of electronically-activatable linear SEL arrays are used to electro-optically scan (i.e. illuminate) the entire 3-D FOV of CCD image detection array contained within the same integrated circuit package, without using mechanical scanning mechanisms; 
         FIG. 38B  is a schematic representation of the CCD/VLD PLIIM-based semiconductor chip of  FIG. 38A , showing a 2D array of surface emitting lasers (SELs) formed about an area-type CCD image detection array on a common semiconductor substrate, with a field of view (FOV) defining lens element mounted over the 2D CCD image detection array and a 2D array of cylindrical lens elements mounted over the 2D array of SELs; 
         FIG. 39A  is a perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 1-D (i.e. linear) image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and configured within an optical assembly that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 1 A through  1 I 3 D, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 39B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 39C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 39B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping coplanar relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 39D  is an elevated front view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 39B , showing the PLIAs mounted on opposite sides of its IFD module; 
         FIG. 39E  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 39B , showing the field of view of its IFD module spatially-overlapping and coextensive (i.e. coplanar) with the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
       FIG.  40 A 1  is a block schematic diagram of a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 A 2  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 A 3  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays into a full-power mode of operation, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 A 4  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 A 5  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 B 1  is a block schematic diagram of a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 B 2  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 B 3  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 B 4  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, and (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame; 
       FIG.  40 B 5  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 C 1  is a block schematic diagram of a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 C 2  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 C 3  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 C 4  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  40 C 5  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 39A , shown configured with (i) a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 41A  is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array with vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly which employs an acousto-optical Bragg-cell panel and a cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism which operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 6 A and  1 I 6 B; 
         FIG. 41B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 41A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 41C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 41B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 41D  is an elevated front view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 41B , showing the PLIAs mounted on opposite sides of its IFD module; 
         FIG. 42  is schematic representation of a hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) device employing a linear image detection array and optically-combined planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) produced from a multiplicity of laser diode sources to achieve a reduction in speckle-pattern noise power in said imaging device; 
         FIG. 42A  is a perspective view of a third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 15 A and  1 I 15 D, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 42B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 42A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 42C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 42B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping (i.e. coplanar) relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 42D  is an elevated front view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 42B , showing the PLIAs mounted on opposite sides of its IFD module; 
         FIG. 43A  is a perspective view of a fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly which employs high-resolution deformable mirror (DM) structure and a cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 7 A through  1 I 7 C, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 43B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 43A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 43C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 43B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 43D  is an elevated front view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 43B , showing the PLIAs mounted on opposite sides of its IFD module; 
         FIG. 44A  is a perspective view of a fifth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a high-resolution phase-only LCD-based phase modulation panel and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 8 F and  1 I 8 F, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 44B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 44A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 44C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 44B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 45A  is a perspective view of a sixth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a rotating multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 12 A and  1 I 12 B, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 45B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 45A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 45C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 45B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 46A  is a perspective view of a seventh illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a high-speed temporal intensity modulation panel (i.e. optical shutter) to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 14 A and  1 I 14 B, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 46B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 46A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 46C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 46B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 47A  is a perspective view of an eighth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs visible mode-locked laser diode (MLLDs) and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 15 C and  1 I 15 D, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 47B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 47A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 47C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 47B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 48A  is a perspective view of a ninth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs an optically-reflective temporal phase modulating structure (e.g. extra-cavity Fabry-Perot etalon) and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the third generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 17 A and  1 I 17 B, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 48B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 48A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 48C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 49B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 49A  is a perspective view of a tenth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a pair of reciprocating spatial intensity modulation panels and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the fifth method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 21 A and  1 I 21 D, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 49B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 49A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 49C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 49B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 50A  is a perspective view of an eleventh illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs spatial intensity modulation aperture which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the sixth generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 22 A and  1 I 22 B, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 50B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 50A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 50C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 50B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 51A  is a perspective view of a twelfth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a linear CCD image detection array having vertically-elongated image detection elements configured within an optical assembly that employs a temporal intensity modulation aperture which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the seventh generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIG.  1 I 24 C, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 51B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 51A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 51C  is a plan view of the optical-bench/multi-layer PC board contained within the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine of  FIG. 51B , showing the field of view of the IFD module in a spatially-overlapping relation with respect to the PLIBs generated by the PLIAs employed therein; 
         FIG. 52  is schematic representation of a hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) device employing an area-type image detection array and optically-combined planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) produced from a multiplicity of laser diode sources to achieve a reduction in speckle-pattern noise power in said imaging device; 
         FIG. 52A  is a perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area-type imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA, and a CCD 2-D (area-type) image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 3 A through  1 I 3 D, and which also has integrated with its housing, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 52B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 52A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
       FIG.  53 A 1  is a block schematic diagram of a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 A 2  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding of a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 A 3  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays into a full-power mode of operation, the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding of a bar code symbol within a captured image frame; and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 A 4  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding of a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 A 5  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing upon automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system upon decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 B 1  is a block schematic diagram of a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 B 2  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding of a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 B 3  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation, the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding of a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 B 4  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, and (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding of a bar code symbol within a captured image frame; 
       FIG.  53 B 5  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding of a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 C 1  is a block schematic diagram of a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a manually-actuated trigger switch for manually activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch, and capturing images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 C 2  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) a area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an IR-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field, the planar laser illumination array (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, (ii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iii) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 C 3  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A , shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) a laser-based object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array into a full-power mode of operation, the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 C 4  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A  system, shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to the decoding of a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
       FIG.  53 C 5  is a block schematic diagram of an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 52A  system, shown configured with (i) an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module having a variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics, (ii) an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays (driven by a set of VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of an bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field enabled by the CCD image sensor within the IFD module, (iii) a manually-activatable switch for enabling transmission of symbol character data to a host computer system in response to decoding a bar code symbol within a captured image frame, and (iv) a LCD display panel and a data entry keypad for supporting diverse types of transactions using the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 54A  is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a area CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly which employs a micro-oscillating light reflective element and a cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 5 A through  1 I 5 D, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 54B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 54A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 55A  is a perspective view of a third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs an acousto-electric Bragg cell structure and a cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in  FIGS. 116A and 116B , (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 55B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 55A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 56A  is a perspective view of a fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a high spatial-resolution piezo-electric driven deformable mirror (DM) structure and a cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 7 A and  1 I 7 C, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 56B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 56A , showing its PLIAs, (2) IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 57A  is a perspective view of a fifth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a spatial-only liquid crystal display (PO-LCD) type spatial phase modulation panel and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 8 F and  1 I 8 G, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 57B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 57A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 58A  is a perspective view of a sixth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a high-speed optical shutter and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 14 A and  1 I 14 B, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 58B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 58A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 59A  is a perspective view of a seventh illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a visible mode locked laser diode (MLLD) and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 15 A and  1 I 15 B, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 59B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 58A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 60A  is a perspective view of a eighth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs an electrically-passive optically-reflective external cavity (i.e. etalon) and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the third method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 17 A and  1 I 17 B, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 60B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable imager of  FIG. 60A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 61A  is a perspective view of a ninth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs an mode-hopping VLD drive circuitry and a cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the fourth generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 19 A and  1 I 19 B, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 61B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 61A , showing its PLIAs, IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 62A  is a perspective view of a tenth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a pair of micro-oscillating spatial intensity modulation panels and cylindrical lens array to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the fifth method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 21 A and  1 I 21 D, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 62B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 62A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 63A  is a perspective view of a eleventh illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a electro-optical or mechanically rotating aperture (i.e. iris) disposed before the entrance pupil of the IFD module, to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the sixth method generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 23 A and  1 I 23 B, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 63B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 62A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 64A  is a perspective view of a twelfth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention which contains within its housing, (1) a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine comprising a dual-VLD PLIA and a 2-D CCD image detection array configured within an optical assembly that employs a high-speed electro-optical shutter disposed before the entrance pupil of the IFD module, to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the seventh generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 24 A- 1 I 24 C, (2) a LCD display panel for displaying images captured by said engine and information provided by a host computer system or other information supplying device, and (3) a manual data entry keypad for manually entering data into the imager during diverse types of information-related transactions supported by the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager; 
         FIG. 64B  is an exploded perspective view of the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine employed in the hand-supportable area imager of  FIG. 64A , showing its PLIAs, IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and associated optical components mounted on an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board, for containment between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing; 
         FIG. 65A  is a perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of an LED-based PLIM for best use in PLIIM-based systems having relatively short working distances (e.g. less than 18 inches or so), wherein a linear-type LED, an optional focusing lens element and a cylindrical lens element are each mounted within compact barrel structure, for the purpose of producing a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) therefrom; 
         FIG. 65B  is a schematic presentation of the optical process carried within the LED-based PLIM shown in  FIG. 65A , wherein (1) the focusing lens focuses a reduced-size image of the light emitting source of the LED towards the farthest working distance in the PLIIM-based system, and (2) the light rays associated with the reduced-size of the image LED source are transmitted through the cylindrical lens element to produce a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB), as shown in  FIG. 65A ; 
         FIG. 66A  is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment of an LED-based PLIM for best use in PLIIM-based systems having relatively short working distances, wherein a linear-type LED, a focusing lens element, collimating lens element and a cylindrical lens element are each mounted within compact barrel structure, for the purpose of producing a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) therefrom; 
         FIG. 66B  is a schematic presentation of the optical process carried within the LED-based PLIM shown in  FIG. 66A , wherein (1) the focusing lens element focuses a reduced-size image of the light emitting source of the LED towards a focal point within the barrel structure, (2) the collimating lens element collimates the light rays associated with the reduced-size image of the light emitting source, and (3) the cylindrical lens element diverges (i.e. spreads) the collimated light beam so as to produce a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB), as shown in  FIG. 66A ; 
         FIG. 67A  is a perspective view of a third illustrative embodiment of an LED-based PLIM chip for best use in PLIIM-based systems having relatively short working distances, wherein a linear-type light emitting diode (LED) array, a focusing-type microlens array, collimating type microlens array, and a cylindrical-type microlens array are each mounted within the IC package of the PLIM chip, for the purpose of producing a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) therefrom; 
         FIG. 67B  is a schematic representation of the optical process carried within the LED-based PLIM shown in  FIG. 67A , wherein (1) each focusing lenslet focuses a reduced-size image of a light emitting source of an LED towards a focal point above the focusing-type microlens array, (2) each collimating lenslet collimates the light rays associated with the reduced-size image of the light emitting source, and (3) each cylindrical lenslet diverges the collimated light beam so as to produce a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) component, as shown in  FIG. 66A , which collectively produce a composite spatially-incoherent PLIB from the LED-based PLIM; 
         FIG. 67C  is a schematic representation of the optical process carried out by a single LED in the LED array of FIG.  67 B 1 ; 
         FIGS. 68-1  through  68 - 3 , taken together, set forth a schematic block system diagram of a first illustrative embodiment of the airport security system of the present invention shown comprising (i) a passenger screening station or subsystem including PLIIM-based passenger facial and body profiling identification subsystem, hand-held PLIIM-based imagers, and a data element linking and tracking computer, (ii) a baggage screening subsystem including PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem, a x-ray scanning subsystem, and a neutron-beam explosive detection subsystems (EDS), (iii) a Passenger and Baggage Attribute Relational Database Management Subsystems (RDBMS) for storing co-indexed passenger identity and baggage attribute data elements (i.e. information files), and (iv) automated data processing subsystems for operating on co-indexed passenger and baggage data elements (i.e. information files) stored therein, for the purpose of detecting breaches of security during and after passengers and baggage are checked into an airport terminal system; 
         FIG. 68A  is a schematic representation of a PLIIM-based (and/or LDIP-based) passenger biometric identification subsystem employing facial and 3-D body profiling/recognition techniques, and a metal-detection subsystem, employed at a passenger screening station in the airport security system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 68A ; 
         FIG. 68B  is a schematic representation of an exemplary passenger and baggage database record created and maintained within the Passenger and Baggage RDBMS employed in the airport security system of  FIG. 68A ; 
       FIG.  68 C 1  is a perspective view of the Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer of the present invention, employed at the passenger check-in and screening station in the airport security system of  FIG. 68A ; 
       FIG.  68 C 2  is a schematic representation of the hardware computing and network communications platform employed in the realization of the Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer of FIG.  68 C 1 ; 
       FIG.  68 C 3  is a schematic block representation of the Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer of FIG.  68 C 1 , showing its input and output unit and its programmable data element queuing, handling and processing and linking subsystem, and illustrating, in the passenger screening application of  FIG. 68A , that each passenger identification data input (e.g. from a bar code reader or RFID reader) is automatically attached to each corresponding passenger attribute data input (e.g. passenger profile characteristics and dimensions, weight, X-ray images, etc.) generated at the passenger check-in and screening station; 
       FIG.  68 C 4  a schematic block representation of the Data Element Queuing, Handling, and Processing Subsystem employed in the Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System at the baggage screening station in  FIG. 68A , showing its input and output unit and its programmable data element queuing, handling and processing and linking subsystem, and illustrating, in the baggage screening application of  FIG. 68A , that each baggage identification data input (e.g. from a bar code reader or RFID reader) is automatically attached to each corresponding baggage attribute data input (e.g. baggage profile characteristics and dimensions, weight, X-ray images, PFNA images, QRA images, etc.) generated at the baggage screening station(s) provided along the baggage handling system; 
       FIG.  68 D 1  through  68 D 3 , taken together, set forth a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in a first illustrative embodiment of the airport security method of the present invention carried out using the airport security system shown in  FIG. 68A ; 
         FIG. 69A  is a schematic block system diagram of a second illustrative embodiment of the airport security system of the present invention shown comprising (i) a passenger screening station or subsystem including PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem, (ii) a baggage screening subsystem including PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem, an RDID object identification subsystem, a x-ray scanning subsystem, and pulsed fast neutron analysis (PFNA) explosive detection subsystems (EDS), (iii) a internetworked passenger and baggage attribute relational database management subsystems (RDBMS), and (iv) automated data processing subsystems for operating on co-indexed passenger and baggage data elements stored therein, for the purpose of detecting breaches of security during and after passengers and baggage are checked into an airport terminal system; 
       FIG.  69 B 1  through  69 B 3 , taken together, set forth a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in a second illustrative embodiment of the airport security method of the present invention carried out using the airport security system shown in  FIG. 69A ; 
         FIG. 70A  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-equipped x-ray parcel scanning-tunnel system of the present invention operably connected to a RDBMS which is in data communication with one or more remote intelligence RDBMSs connected to the infrastructure of the Internet, wherein the interior space of packages, parcels, baggage or the like, are automatically inspected by x-radiation beams to produce x-ray images which are automatically linked to object identity information by the PLIIM-based object identity and attribute acquisition subsystem embodied within the PLIIM-equipped x-ray parcel scanning-tunnel system; 
         FIG. 70B  is an elevated end view of the PLIIM-equipped x-ray parcel scanning-tunnel system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 70A ; 
         FIG. 71A  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-equipped Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA) parcel scanning-tunnel system of the present invention operably connected to a RDBMS which is in data communication with one or more remote intelligence RDBMSs operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet, wherein the interior space of packages, parcels, baggage or the like, are automatically inspected by neutron-beams to produce neutron-beam images which are automatically linked to object identity information by the PLIIM-based object identity and attribute acquisition subsystem embodied within the PLIIM-equipped PFNA parcel scanning-tunnel system; 
         FIG. 71B  is an elevated end view of the PLIIM-equipped PFNA parcel scanning-tunnel system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 71A ; 
         FIG. 72A  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-equipped Quadrupole Resonance (QR) parcel scanning-tunnel system of the present invention operably connected to a RDBMS which is in data communication with one or more remote intelligence RDBMSs connected to the infrastructure of the Internet, wherein the interior space of packages, parcels, baggage or the like, are automatically inspected by low-intensity electromagnetic radio waves to produce digital images which are automatically linked to object identity information by the PLIIM-based object identity and attribute acquisition subsystem embodied within the PLIIM-equipped QR parcel scanning-tunnel system; 
         FIG. 72B  is an elevated end view of the PLIIM-equipped QR parcel scanning-tunnel system shown in  FIG. 72A ; 
         FIG. 73  is a perspective view of a PLIIM-equipped x-ray cargo scanning-tunnel system of the present invention operably connected to a RDBMS which is in data communication with one or more remote intelligence RDBMSs operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet, wherein the interior space of cargo containers, transported by tractor trailer, rail, or other by other means, are automatically inspected by x-radiation energy beams to produce x-ray images which are automatically linked to cargo container identity information by the PLIIM-based object identity and attribute acquisition subsystem embodied within the system; 
         FIG. 74  is a perspective view of a “horizontal-type” 2-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system of the present invention capable of producing 3-D geometrical models of human beings, animals, and other objects, for viewing on a computer graphics workstation, wherein a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and a single amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beam are controllably transported horizontally through the 3-D scanning volume disposed above the support platform of the system so as to optically scan the object under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a global coordinate reference system, for subsequent reconstruction in the computer workstation using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object; 
         FIG. 75  is a perspective view of a “horizontal-type” 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system of the present invention capable of producing 3-D geometrical models of human beings, animals, and other objects, for viewing on a computer graphics workstation, wherein a three orthogonal planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) and three orthogonal amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beams are controllably transported horizontally through the 3-D scanning volume disposed above the support platform of the system so as to optically scan the object under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a global coordinate reference system, for subsequent reconstruction in the computer workstation using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object; 
         FIG. 76  is a perspective view of a “vertical-type” 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system of the present invention capable of producing 3-D geometrical models of human beings, animals, and other objects, for viewing on a computer graphics workstation, wherein a three orthogonal planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) and three orthogonal amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beams are controllably transported vertically through the 3-D scanning volume disposed above the support platform of the system so as to optically scan the object under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a global coordinate reference system, for subsequent reconstruction in the computer workstation using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object; 
         FIG. 77A  is a schematic presentation of a hand-supportable mobile-type PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device of the present invention capable of producing 3-D digital data models and 3-D geometrical models of laser scanned objects, for display and viewing on a LCD view finder integrated with the housing (or on the display panel of a computer graphics workstation), wherein a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and a single amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beam are transported through the 3-D scanning volume of the scanning device so as to optically scan the object under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a coordinate reference system symbolically embodied within the scanning device, for subsequent reconstruction therein using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object for display, viewing and use in diverse applications; 
         FIG. 77B  is a plan view of the bottom side of the hand-supportable mobile-type 3-D digitization device of  FIG. 77A , showing light transmission apertures formed in the underside of its hand-supportable housing; 
         FIG. 78A  is a schematic presentation of a transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device (“3-D digitizer”) of the present invention capable of producing 3-D digitized data models of scanned objects, for viewing on a LCD view finder integrated with the device housing (or on the display panel of an external computer graphics workstation), wherein the object under analysis is controllably rotated through a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and a single amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beam generated by the 3-D digitization device so as to optically scan the object and automatically capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a coordinate reference system symbolically embodied within the 3-D digitization device, for subsequent reconstruction therein using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D digitized data model of the object for display, viewing and use in diverse applications; 
         FIG. 78B  is an elevated frontal side view of the transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitizer shown in  FIG. 78A , showing the optically-isolated light transmission windows for the PLIIM-based object identification subsystem and the LDIP-based object detection and profiling/dimensioning subsystem embodied within the transportable housing of the 3-D digitizer; 
         FIG. 78C  is an elevated rear side view of the transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitizer shown in  FIG. 78A , showing the LCD viewfinder, touch-type control pad, and removable media port provided within the rear panel of the transportable housing of the 3-D digitizer; 
         FIG. 79A  is a schematic presentation of a transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device (“3-D digitizer”) of the present invention capable of producing 3-D digitized data models of scanned objects, for viewing on a LCD view finder integrated with the device housing (or on the display panel of an external computer graphics workstation), wherein a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) and a single amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beam are generated by the 3-D digitization device and automatically swept through the 3-D scanning volume in which the object under analysis resides so as to optically scan the object and automatically capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a coordinate reference system symbolically embodied within the 3-D digitization device, for subsequent reconstruction therein using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques to generate a 3-D digitized data model of the object for display, viewing and use in diverse applications; 
         FIG. 79B  is an elevated frontal side view of the transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitizer shown in  FIG. 79A , showing the optically-isolated light transmission windows for the PLIIM-based object identification subsystem and the LDIP-based object detection and profiling/dimensioning subsystem embodied within the transportable housing of the 3-D digitizer; 
         FIG. 79C  is an elevated rear side view of the transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitizer shown in  FIG. 79A , showing the LCD viewfinder, touch-type control pad, and removable media port provided within the rear panel of the transportable housing of the 3-D digitizer; 
         FIG. 80  is a schematic representation of a second illustrative embodiment of the automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system of the present invention constructed using a pair of PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems taught herein; 
         FIG. 81A  is a schematic representation of a first illustrative embodiment of the automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system of the present invention constructed using only a single PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem taught herein; 
         FIG. 81B  is a perspective view of the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem employed in the AVI system of  FIG. 81A , showing the electronically-switchable PLIB/FOV direction module attached to the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem; 
         FIG. 81C  is an elevated side view of the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem employed in the AVI system of  FIG. 81A , showing the electronically-switchable PLIB/FOV direction module attached to the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem; 
         FIG. 81D  is a schematic representation of the operation of AVI system shown in  FIGS. 81A through 81C ; 
         FIG. 82  is a schematic representation of the automatic vehicle classification (AVC) system of the present invention constructed using a several PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems taught herein, shown mounted overhead and laterally along the roadway passing through the AVC system; 
         FIG. 83  is a schematic representation of the automatic vehicle identification and classification (AVIC) system of the present invention constructed using PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems taught herein; 
         FIG. 84A  is a first perspective view of the PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of the present invention, in which a high-intensity ultra-violet germicide irradiator (UVGI) unit is mounted for irradiating germs and other microbial agents, including viruses, bacterial spores and the like, while parcels, mail and other objects are being automatically identified by bar code reading and/or image lift and OCR processing by the system; and 
         FIG. 84B  is a second perspective view of the PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 84A , showing the light transmission aperture formed in the high-intensity ultra-violet germicide irradiator (UVGI) unit mounted to the housing of the system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures in the accompanying Drawings, the preferred embodiments of the Planar Light Illumination and Imaging (PLIIM) System of the present invention will be described in great detail, wherein like elements will be indicated using like reference numerals. 
     Overview of the Planar Laser Illumination and Imaging (PLIIM) System of the Present Invention 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an object (e.g. a bar coded package, textual materials, graphical indicia, etc.) is illuminated by a substantially planar light illumination beam (PLIB), preferably a planar laser illumination beam, having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics along a planar direction which passes through the field of view (FOV) of an image formation and detection module (e.g. realized within a CCD-type digital electronic camera, a 35 mm optical-film photographic camera, or on a semiconductor chip as shown in  FIGS. 37 through 38B  hereof), along substantially the entire working (i.e. object) distance of the camera, while images of the illuminated target object are formed and detected by the image formation and detection (i.e. camera) module. 
     This inventive principle of coplanar light illumination and image formation is embodied in two different classes of the PLIIM-based systems, namely: (1) in PLIIM systems shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 V 1 ,  2 A,  2 I 1 ,  3 A, and  3 J 1 , wherein the image formation and detection modules in these systems employ linear-type (1-D) image detection arrays; and (2) in PLIIM-based systems shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  5 A and  6 A, wherein the image formation and detection modules in these systems employ area-type (2-D) image detection arrays. Such image detection arrays can be realized using CCD, CMOS or other technologies currently known in the art or to be developed in the distance future. Among these illustrative systems, those shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A and  3 A each produce a planar laser illumination beam that is neither scanned nor deflected relative to the system housing during planar laser illumination and image detection operations and thus can be said to use “stationary” planar laser illumination beams to read relatively moving bar code symbol structures and other graphical indicia. Those systems shown in FIGS.  1 V 1 ,  2 I 1 ,  3 J 1 ,  4 A,  5 A and  6 A, each produce a planar laser illumination beam that is scanned (i.e. deflected) relative to the system housing during planar laser illumination and image detection operations and thus can be said to use “moving” planar laser illumination beams to read relatively stationary bar code symbol structures and other graphical indicia. 
     In each such system embodiments, it is preferred that each planar laser illumination beam is focused so that the minimum beam width thereof (e.g. 0.6 mm along its non-spreading direction, as shown in FIG.  1 I 2 ) occurs at a point or plane which is the farthest or maximum working (i.e. object) distance at which the system is designed to acquire images of objects, as best shown in FIG.  1 I 2 . Hereinafter, this aspect of the present invention shall be deemed the “Focus Beam At Farthest Object Distance (FBAFOD)” principle. 
     In the case where a fixed focal length imaging subsystem is employed in the PLIIM-based system, the FBAFOD principle helps compensate 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 subsystem. 
     In the case where a variable focal length (i.e. zoom) imaging subsystem is employed in the PLIIM-based system, the FBAFOD principle helps compensate for (i) decreases in the power density of the incident planar 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 subsystem, and (ii) any 1/r 2  type losses that would typically occur when using the planar laser planar illumination beam of the present invention. 
     By virtue of the present invention, scanned objects need only be illuminated along a single plane which is coplanar with a planar section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module (e.g. camera) during illumination and imaging operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. This enables the use of low-power, light-weight, high-response, ultra-compact, high-efficiency solid-state illumination producing devices, such as visible laser diodes (VLDs), to selectively illuminate ultra-narrow sections of an object during image formation and detection operations, in contrast with high-power, low-response, heavy-weight, bulky, low-efficiency lighting equipment (e.g. sodium vapor lights) required by prior art illumination and image detection systems. In addition, the planar laser illumination techniques of the present invention enables high-speed modulation of the planar laser illumination beam, and use of simple (i.e. substantially-monochromatic wavelength) lens designs for substantially-monochromatic optical illumination and image formation and detection operations. 
     As will be illustrated in greater detail hereinafter, PLIIM-based systems embodying the “planar laser illumination” and “FBAFOD” principles of the present invention can be embodied within a wide variety of bar code symbol reading and scanning systems, as well as image-lift and optical character, text, and image recognition systems and devices well known in the art. 
     In general, bar code symbol reading systems can be grouped into at least two general scanner categories, namely: industrial scanners; and point-of-sale (POS) scanners. 
     An industrial scanner is a scanner that has been designed for use in a warehouse or shipping application where large numbers of packages must be scanned in rapid succession. Industrial scanners include conveyor-type scanners, and hold-under scanners. These scanner categories will be described in greater detail below. 
     Conveyor scanners are designed to scan packages as they move by on a conveyor belt. In general, a minimum of six conveyors (e.g. one overhead scanner, four side scanners, and one bottom scanner) are necessary to obtain complete coverage of the conveyor belt and ensure that any label will be scanned no matter where on a package it appears. Conveyor scanners can be further grouped into top, side, and bottom scanners which will be briefly summarized below. 
     Top scanners are mounted above the conveyor belt and look down at the tops of packages transported therealong. It might be desirable to angle the scanner&#39;s field of view slightly in the direction from which the packages approach or that in which they recede depending on the shapes of the packages being scanned. A top scanner generally has less severe depth of field and variable focus or dynamic focus requirements compared to a side scanner as the tops of packages are usually fairly flat, at least compared to the extreme angles that a side scanner might have to encounter during scanning operations. 
     Side scanners are mounted beside the conveyor belt and scan the sides of packages transported therealong. It might be desirable to angle the scanner&#39;s field of view slightly in the direction from which the packages approach or that in which they recede depending on the shapes of the packages being scanned and the range of angles at which the packages might be rotated. 
     Side scanners generally have more severe depth of field and variable focus or dynamic focus requirements compared to a top scanner because of the great range of angles at which the sides of the packages may be oriented with respect to the scanner (this assumes that the packages can have random rotational orientations; if an apparatus upstream on the on the conveyor forces the packages into consistent orientations, the difficulty of the side scanning task is lessened). Because side scanners can accommodate greater variation in object distance over the surface of a single target object, side scanners can be mounted in the usual position of a top scanner for applications in which package tops are severely angled. 
     Bottom scanners are mounted beneath the conveyor and scans the bottoms of packages by looking up through a break in the belt that is covered by glass to keep dirt off the scanner. Bottom scanners generally do not have to be variably or dynamically focused because its working distance is roughly constant, assuming that the packages are intended to be in contact with the conveyor belt under normal operating conditions. However, boxes tend to bounce around as they travel on the belt, and this behavior can be amplified when a package crosses the break, where one belt section ends and another begins after a gap of several inches. For this reason, bottom scanners must have a large depth of field to accommodate these random motions, to which a variable or dynamic focus system could not react quickly enough. 
     Hold-under scanners are designed to scan packages that are picked up and held underneath it. The package is then manually routed or otherwise handled, perhaps based on the result of the scanning operation. Hold-under scanners are generally mounted so that its viewing optics are oriented in downward direction, like a library bar code scanner. Depth of field (DOF) is an important characteristic for hold-under scanners, because the operator will not be able to hold the package perfectly still while the image is being acquired. 
     Point-of-sale (POS) scanners are typically designed to be used at a retail establishment to determine the price of an item being purchased. POS scanners are generally smaller than industrial scanner models, with more artistic and ergonomic case designs. Small size, low weight, resistance to damage from accident drops and user comfort, are all major design factors for POS scanner. POS scanners include hand-held scanners, hands-free presentation scanners and combination-type scanners supporting both hands-on and hands-free modes of operation. These scanner categories will be described in greater detail below. 
     Hand-held scanners are designed to be picked up by the operator and aimed at the label to be scanned. 
     Hands-free presentation scanners are designed to remain stationary and have the item to be scanned picked up and passed in front of the scanning device. Presentation scanners can be mounted on counters looking horizontally, embedded flush with the counter looking vertically, or partially embedded in the counter looking vertically, but having a “tower” portion which rises out above the counter and looks horizontally to accomplish multiple-sided scanning. If necessary, presentation scanners that are mounted in a counter surface can also include a scale to measure weights of items. 
     Some POS scanners can be used as handheld units or mounted in stands to serve as presentation scanners, depending on which is more convenient for the operator based on the item that must be scanned. 
     Various generalized embodiments of the PLIIM system of the present invention will now be described in great detail, and after each generalized embodiment, various applications thereof will be described. 
     First Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention 
     The first generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention  1  is illustrated in FIG.  1 A. As shown therein, the PLIIM-based system  1  comprises: a housing  2  of compact construction; a linear (i.e. 1-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3  including a 1-D electronic image detection array  3 A, and a linear (1-D) imaging subsystem (LIS)  3 B having a fixed focal length, a fixed focal distance, and a fixed field of view (FOV), for forming a 1-D image of an illuminated object  4  located within the fixed focal distance and FOV thereof and projected onto the 1-D image detection array  3 A, so that the 1-D image detection array  3 A can electronically detect the image formed thereon and automatically produce a digital image data set  5  representative of the detected image for subsequent image processing; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, each mounted on opposite sides of the IFD module  3 , such that each planar laser illumination array  6 A and  6 B produces a plane of laser beam illumination  7 A,  7 B which is disposed substantially coplanar with the field view of the image formation and detection module  3  during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. 
     An image formation and detection (IFD) module  3  having an imaging lens with a fixed focal length has a constant angular field of view (FOV), that is, the imaging subsystem can view more of the target object&#39;s surface as the target object is moved further away from the IFD module. A major disadvantage to this type of imaging lens is that the resolution of the image that is acquired, expressed in terms of pixels or dots per inch (dpi), varies as a function of the distance from the target object to the imaging lens. However, a fixed focal length imaging lens is easier and less expensive to design and produce than a zoom-type imaging lens which will be discussed in detail hereinbelow with reference to FIGS.  3 A through  3 J 4 . 
     The distance from the imaging lens  3 B to the image detecting (i.e. sensing) array  3 A is referred to as the image distance. The distance from the target object  4  to the imaging lens  3 B is called the object distance. The relationship between the object distance (where the object resides) and the image distance (at which the image detection array is mounted) is a function of the characteristics of the imaging lens, and assuming a thin lens, is determined by the thin (imaging) lens equation (1) defined below in greater detail. Depending on the image distance, light reflected from a target object at the object distance will be brought into sharp focus on the detection array plane. If the image distance remains constant and the target object is moved to a new object distance, the imaging lens might not be able to bring the light reflected off the target object (at this new distance) into sharp focus. An image formation and detection (IFD) module having an imaging lens with fixed focal distance cannot adjust its image distance to compensate for a change in the target&#39;s object distance; all the component lens elements in the imaging subsystem remain stationary. Therefore, the depth of field (DOF) of the imaging subsystems alone must be sufficient to accommodate all possible object distances and orientations. Such basic optical terms and concepts will be discussed in more formal detail hereinafter with reference to FIGS.  1 J 1  and  1 J 6 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, the linear image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 , and any non-moving FOV and/or planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors employed in any particular system configuration described herein, are fixedly mounted on an optical bench  8  or chassis so as to prevent any relative motion (which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes) between: (i) the image forming optics (e.g. imaging lens) within the image formation and detection module  3  and any stationary FOV folding mirrors employed therewith; and (ii) each planar laser illumination array (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly)  6 A,  6 B and any planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors employed in the PLIIM system configuration. Preferably, the chassis assembly should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B as well as the image formation and detection module  3 , as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this PLIIM-based system  1  employs the general “planar laser illumination” and “focus beam at farthest object distance (FBAFOD)” principles described above. Various illustrative embodiments of this generalized PLIIM-based system will be described below. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 1A   
     The first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system  1 A of  FIG. 1A  is shown in FIG.  1 B 1 . As illustrated therein, the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3  is folded in the downwardly direction by a field of view (FOV) folding mirror  9  so that both the folded field of view  10  and resulting first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B produced by the planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, respectively, are arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship during object illumination and image detection operations. One primary advantage of this system design is that it enables a construction having an ultra-low height profile suitable, for example, in unitary object identification and attribute acquisition systems of the type disclosed in  FIGS. 17-22 , wherein the image-based bar code symbol reader needs to be installed within a compartment (or cavity) of a housing having relatively low height dimensions. Also, in this system design, there is a relatively high degree of freedom provided in where the image formation and detection module  3  can be mounted on the optical bench of the system, thus enabling the field of view (FOV) folding technique disclosed in FIG.  1 L 1  to practiced in a relatively easy manner. 
     The PLIIM system  1 A illustrated in FIG.  1 B 1  is shown in greater detail in FIGS.  1 B 2  and  1 B 3 . As shown therein, the linear image formation and detection module  3  is shown comprising an imaging subsystem  3 B, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using high-speed CCD technology (e.g. Dalsa IT-P4 Linear Image Sensors, from Dalsa, Inc. located on the WWW at http://www.dalsa.com). As shown, each planar laser illumination array  6 A,  6 B comprises a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  11 A through  11 F, closely arranged relative to each other, in a rectilinear fashion. For purposes of clarity, each PLIM is indicated by reference numeral. As shown in FIGS.  1 K 1  and  1 K 2 , the relative spacing of each PLIM is such that the spatial intensity distribution of the individual planar laser beams superimpose and additively provide a substantially uniform composite spatial intensity distribution for the entire planar laser illumination array  6 A and  6 B. 
     In FIG.  1 B 3 , greater focus is accorded to the planar light illumination beam (PLIB) and the magnified field of view (FOV) projected onto an object during conveyor-type illumination and imaging applications, as shown in FIG.  1 B 1 . As shown in FIG.  1 B 3 , the height dimension of the PLIB is substantially greater than the height dimension of the magnified field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the linear CCD image detection array so as to decrease the range of tolerance that must be maintained between the PLIB and the FOV. This simplifies construction and maintenance of such PLIIM-based systems. In FIGS.  1 B 4  and  1 B 5 , an exemplary mechanism is shown for adjustably mounting each VLD in the PLIA so that the desired beam profile characteristics can be achieved during calibration of each PLIA. As illustrated in FIG.  1 B 4 , each VLD block in the illustrative embodiment is designed to tilt plus or minus 2 degrees relative to the horizontal reference plane of the PLIA. Such inventive features will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
       FIG. 1C  is a schematic representation of a single planar laser illumination module (PLIM)  11  used to construct each planar laser illumination array  6 A,  6 B shown in FIG.  1 B 2 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , the planar laser illumination beam emanates substantially within a single plane along the direction of beam propagation towards an object to be optically illuminated. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1D , the planar laser illumination module of  FIG. 1C  comprises: a visible laser diode (VLD)  13  supported within an optical tube or block  14 ; a light collimating (i.e. focusing) lens  15  supported within the optical tube  14 ; and a cylindrical-type lens element  16  configured together to produce a beam of planar laser illumination  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1E , a focused laser beam  17  from the focusing lens  15  is directed on the input side of the cylindrical lens element  16 , and a planar laser illumination beam  12  is produced as output therefrom. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1F , the PLIIM-based system  1 A of  FIG. 1A  comprises: a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of PLIMs  11 A through  11 F, and each PLIM being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  controlled by a micro-controller  720  programmable (by camera control computer  22 ) to generate diverse types of drive-current functions that satisfy the input power and output intensity requirements of each VLD in a real-time manner; linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ; field of view (FOV) folding mirror  9 , arranged in spatial relation with the image formation and detection module  3 ; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 , for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer, including image-based bar code symbol decoding software such as, for example, SwiftDecode™ Bar Code Decode Software, from Omniplanar, Inc., of Princeton, N.J. (http://www.omniplanar.com); and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     Detailed Description of an Exemplary Realization of the PLIIM-Based System Shown in FIG.  1 B 1  Through  1 F 
     Referring now to FIGS.  1 G 1  through  1 N 2 , an exemplary realization of the PLIIM-based system shown in FIGS.  1 B 1  through  1 F will now be described in detail below. 
     As shown in FIGS.  1 G 1  and  1 G 2 , the PLIIM system  25  of the illustrative embodiment is contained within a compact housing  26  having height, length and width dimensions 45″, 21.7″, and 19.7″ to enable easy mounting above a conveyor belt structure or the like. As shown in FIG.  1 G 1 , the PLIIM-based system comprises an image formation and detection module  3 , a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A,  6 B, and a stationary field of view (FOV) folding structure (e.g. mirror, refractive element, or diffractive element)  9 , as shown in FIGS.  1 B 1  and  1 B 2 . The function of the FOV folding mirror  9  is to fold the field of view (FOV) of the image formation and detection module  3  in a direction that is coplanar with the plane of laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B produced by the planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B respectively. As shown, components  6 A,  6 B,  3  and  9  are fixedly mounted to an optical bench  8  supported within the compact housing  26  by way of metal mounting brackets that force the assembled optical components to vibrate together on the optical bench. In turn, the optical bench is shock mounted to the system housing using techniques which absorb and dampen shock forces and vibration. The 1-D CCD imaging array  3 A can be realized using a variety of commercially available high-speed line-scan camera systems such as, for example, the Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com. Notably, image frame grabber  17 , image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20 , image processing computer  21 , and camera control computer  22  are realized on one or more printed circuit (PC) boards contained within a camera and system electronic module  27  also mounted on the optical bench, or elsewhere in the system housing  26   
     In general, the linear CCD image detection array (i.e. sensor)  3 A has a single row of pixels, each of which measures from several μm to several tens of μm along each dimension. Square pixels are most common, and most convenient for bar code scanning applications, but different aspect ratios are available. In principle, a linear CCD detection array can see only a small slice of the target object it is imaging at any given time. For example, for a linear CCD detection array having 2000 pixels, each of which is 10 μm square, the detection array measures 2 cm long by 10 μm high. If the imaging lens  3 B in front of the linear detection array  3 A causes an optical magnification of 10×, then the 2 cm length of the detection array will be projected onto a 20 cm length of the target object. In the other dimension, the 10 μm height of the detection array becomes only 100 μm when projected onto the target. Since any label to be scanned will typically measure more than a hundred μm or so in each direction, capturing a single image with a linear image detection array will be inadequate. Therefore, in practice, the linear image detection array employed in each of the PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  1 A through  3 J 6  builds up a complete image of the target object by assembling a series of linear (1-D) images, each of which is taken of a different slice of the target object. Therefore, successful use of a linear image detection array in the PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  1 A through  3 J 6  requires relative movement between the target object and the PLIIM system. In general, either the target object is moving and the PLIIM system is stationary, or else the field of view of the PLIIM-based system is swept across a relatively stationary target object, as shown in FIGS.  3 J 1  through  3 J 4 . This makes the linear image detection array a natural choice for conveyor scanning applications. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 G 1 , the compact housing  26  has a relatively long light transmission window  28  of elongated dimensions for projecting the FOV of the image formation and detection (IFD) module  3  through the housing towards a predefined region of space outside thereof, within which objects can be illuminated and imaged by the system components on the optical bench  8 . Also, the compact housing  26  has a pair of relatively short light transmission apertures  29 A and  29 B closely disposed on opposite ends of light transmission window  28 , with minimal spacing therebetween, as shown in FIG.  1 G 1 , so that the FOV emerging from the housing  26  can spatially overlap in a coplanar manner with the substantially planar laser illumination beams projected through transmission windows  29 A and  29 B, as close to transmission window  28  as desired by the system designer, as shown in FIGS.  1 G 3  and  1 G 4 . Notably, in some applications, it is desired for such coplanar overlap between the FOV and planar laser illumination beams to occur very close to the light transmission windows  20 ,  29 A and  29 B (i.e. at short optical throw distances), but in other applications, for such coplanar overlap to occur at large optical throw distances. 
     In either event, each planar laser illumination array  6 A and  6 B is optically isolated from the FOV of the image formation and detection module  3 . In the preferred embodiment, such optical isolation is achieved by providing a set of opaque wall structures  30 A  30 B about each planar laser illumination array from the optical bench  8  to its light transmission window  29 A or  29 B, respectively. Such optical isolation structures prevent the image formation and detection module  3  from detecting any laser light transmitted directly from the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A,  6 B within the interior of the housing. Instead, the image formation and detection module  3  can only receive planar laser illumination that has been reflected off an illuminated object, and focused through the imaging subsystem of module  3 . 
     As shown in FIG.  1 G 3 , each planar laser illumination array  6 A,  6 B comprises a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, each individually and adjustably mounted to an L-shaped bracket  32  which, in turn, is adjustably mounted to the optical bench. As shown, a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  is mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) adjacent the illumination window formed within the optics bench  8  of the PLIIM-based system. The function performed by cylindrical lens array  299  is to optically combine the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and project the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated. By virtue of this inventive feature, each point on the object surface being imaged will be illuminated by different sources of laser illumination located at different points in space (i.e. by a source of spatially coherent-reduced laser illumination), thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observable at the linear image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     As mentioned above, each planar laser illumination module  11  must be rotatably adjustable within its L-shaped bracket so as permit easy yet secure adjustment of the position of each PLIM  11  along a common alignment plane extending within L-bracket portion  32 A thereby permitting precise positioning of each PLIM relative to the optical axis of the image formation and detection module  3 . Once properly adjusted in terms of position on the L-bracket portion  32 A, each PLIM can be securely locked by an allen or like screw threaded into the body of the L-bracket portion  32 A. Also, L-bracket portion  32 B, supporting a plurality of PLIMs  11 A through  11 B, is adjustably mounted to the optical bench  8  and releasably locked thereto so as to permit precise lateral and/or angular positioning of the L-bracket  32 B relative to the optical axis and FOV of the image formation and detection module  3 . The function of such adjustment mechanisms is to enable the intensity distributions of the individual PLIMs to be additively configured together along a substantially singular plane, typically having a width or thickness dimension on the orders of the width and thickness of the spread or dispersed laser beam within each PLIM. When properly adjusted, the composite planar laser illumination beam will exhibit substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire working range of the PLIIM-based system, as shown in FIGS.  1 K 1  and  1 K 2 . 
     In FIG.  1 G 3 , the exact position of the individual PLIMs  11 A through  11 F along its L-bracket  32 A is indicated relative to the optical axis of the imaging lens  3 B within the image formation and detection module  3 . FIG.  1 G 3  also illustrates the geometrical limits of each substantially planar laser illumination beam produced by its corresponding PLIM, measured relative to the folded FOV  10  produced by the image formation and detection module  3 . FIG.  1 G 4 , illustrates how, during object illumination and image detection operations, the FOV of the image formation and detection module  3  is first folded by FOV folding mirror  19 , and then arranged in a spatially overlapping relationship with the resulting/composite planar laser illumination beams in a coplanar manner in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     Notably, the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1  has an image formation and detection module with an imaging subsystem having a fixed focal distance lens and a fixed focusing mechanism. Thus, such a system is best used in either hand-held scanning applications, and/or bottom scanning applications where bar code symbols and other structures can be expected to appear at a particular distance from the imaging subsystem. In FIG.  1 G 5 , the spatial limits for the FOV of the image formation and detection module are shown for two different scanning conditions, namely: when imaging the tallest package moving on a conveyor belt structure; and when imaging objects having height values close to the surface of the conveyor belt structure. In a PLIIM-based system having a fixed focal distance lens and a fixed focusing mechanism, the PLIIM-based system would be capable of imaging objects under one of the two conditions indicated above, but not under both conditions. In a PLIIM-based system having a fixed focal length lens and a variable focusing mechanism, the system can adjust to image objects under either of these two conditions. 
     In order that PLLIM-based subsystem  25  can be readily interfaced to and an integrated (e.g. embedded) within various types of computer-based systems, as shown in  FIGS. 9 through 34C , subsystem  25  also comprises an I/O subsystem  500  operably connected to camera control computer  22  and image processing computer  21 , and a network controller  501  for enabling high-speed data communication with others computers in a local or wide area network using packet-based networking protocols (e.g. Ethernet, AppleTalk, etc.) well known in the art. 
     In the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , special measures are undertaken to ensure that (i) a minimum safe distance is maintained between the VLDs in each PLIM and the user&#39;s eyes, and (ii) the planar laser illumination beam is prevented from directly scattering into the FOV of the image formation and detection module, from within the system housing, during object illumination and imaging operations. Condition (i) above can be achieved by using a light shield  32 A or  32 B shown in FIGS.  1 G 6  and  1 G 7 , respectively, whereas condition (ii) above can be achieved by ensuring that the planar laser illumination beam from the PLIAs and the field of view (FOV) of the imaging lens (in the IFD module) do not spatially overlap on any optical surfaces residing within the PLIIM-based system. Instead, the planar laser illumination beams are permitted to spatially overlap with the FOV of the imaging lens only outside of the system housing, measured at a particular point beyond the light transmission window  28 , through which the FOV  10  is projected to the exterior of the system housing, to perform object imaging operations. 
     Detailed Description of the Planar Laser Illumination Modules (PLIMs) Employed in the Planar Laser Illumination Arrays (PLIAs) of the Illustrative Embodiments 
     Referring now to FIGS.  1 G 8  through  1 I 2 , the construction of each PLIM  14  and  15  used in the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) will now be described in greater detail below. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 G 8 , each planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 A,  6 B employed in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 G 1 , comprises an array of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  11  mounted on the L-bracket structure  32 , as described hereinabove. As shown in FIGS.  1 G 9  through  1 G 11 , each PLIM of the illustrative embodiment disclosed herein comprises an assembly of subcomponents: a VLD mounting block  14  having a tubular geometry with a hollow central bore  14 A formed entirely therethrough, and a v-shaped notch  14 B formed on one end thereof; a visible laser diode (VLD)  13  (e.g. Mitsubishi ML1XX6 Series high-power 658 nm AlGaInP semiconductor laser) axially mounted at the end of the VLD mounting block, opposite the v-shaped notch  14 B, so that the laser beam produced from the VLD  13  is aligned substantially along the central axis of the central bore  14 A; a cylindrical lens  16 , made of optical glass (e.g. borosilicate) or plastic having the optical characteristics specified, for example, in FIGS.  1 G 1  and  1 G 2 , and fixedly mounted within the V-shaped notch  14 B at the end of the VLD mounting block  14 , using an optical cement or other lens fastening means, so that the central axis of the cylindrical lens  16  is oriented substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the central bore  14 A; and a focusing lens  15 , made of central glass (e.g. borosilicate) or plastic having the optical characteristics shown, for example, in FIGS.  1 H and  1 H 2 , mounted within the central bore  14 A of the VLD mounting block  14  so that the optical axis of the focusing lens  15  is substantially aligned with the central axis of the bore  14 A, and located at a distance from the VLD which causes the laser beam output from the VLD  13  to be converging in the direction of the cylindrical lens  16 . Notably, the function of the cylindrical lens  16  is to disperse (i.e. spread) the focused laser beam from focusing lens  15  along the plane in which the cylindrical lens  16  has curvature, as shown in FIG.  1 I 1  while the characteristics of the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) in the direction transverse to the propagation plane are determined by the focal length of the focusing lens  15 , as illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 1  and  1 I 2 . 
     As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the focal length of the focusing lens  15  within each PLIM hereof is preferably selected so that the substantially planar laser illumination beam produced from the cylindrical lens  16  is focused at the farthest object distance in the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 , as shown in FIG.  1 I 2 , in accordance with the “FBAFOD” principle of the present invention. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.  1 I 1  and  1 I 2 , wherein each PLIM has maximum object distance of about 61 inches (i.e. 155 centimeters), and the cross-sectional dimension of the planar laser illumination beam emerging from the cylindrical lens  16 , in the non-spreading (height) direction, oriented normal to the propagation plane as defined above, is about 0.15 centimeters and ultimately focused down to about 0.06 centimeters at the maximal object distance (i.e. the farthest distance at which the system is designed to capture images). The behavior of the height dimension of the planar laser illumination beam is determined by the focal length of the focusing lens  15  embodied within the PLIM. Proper selection of the focal length of the focusing lens  15  in each PLIM and the distance between the VLD  13  and the focusing lens  15 B indicated by reference No. (D), can be determined using the thin lens equation (1) below and the maximum object distance required by the PLIIM-based system, typically specified by the end-user. As will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow, this preferred method of VLD focusing helps compensate for decreases in the power density of the incident planar laser illumination beam (on target objects) due to the fact that the width of the planar laser illumination beam increases in length for increasing distances away from the imaging subsystem (i.e. object distances). 
     After specifying the optical components for each PLIM, and completing the assembly thereof as described above, each PLIM is adjustably mounted to the L-bracket position  32 A by way of a set of mounting/adjustment screws turned through fine-threaded mounting holes formed thereon. In FIG.  1 G 10 , the plurality of PLIMs  11 A through  11 F are shown adjustably mounted on the L-bracket at positions and angular orientations which ensure substantially uniform power density characteristics in both the near and far field portions of the planar laser illumination field produced by planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B cooperating together in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Notably, the relative positions of the PLIMs indicated in FIG.  1 G 9  were determined for a particular set of a commercial VLDs  13  used in the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, and, as the output beam characteristics will vary for each commercial VLD used in constructing each such PLIM, it is therefore understood that each such PLIM may need to be mounted at different relative positions on the L-bracket of the planar laser illumination array to obtain, from the resulting system, substantially uniform power density characteristics at both near and far regions of the planar laser illumination field produced thereby. 
     While a refractive-type cylindrical lens element  16  has been shown mounted at the end of each PLIM of the illustrative embodiments, it is understood each cylindrical lens element can be realized using refractive, reflective and/or diffractive technology and devices, including reflection and transmission type holographic optical elements (HOEs) well know in the art and described in detail in International Application No. WO 99/57579 published on Nov. 11, 1999, incorporated herein by reference. As used hereinafter and in the claims, the terms “cylindrical lens”, “cylindrical lens element” and “cylindrical optical element (COE)” shall be deemed to embrace all such alternative embodiments of this aspect of the present invention. 
     The only requirement of the optical element mounted at the end of each PLIM is that it has sufficient optical properties to convert a focusing laser beam transmitted therethrough, into a laser beam which expands or otherwise spreads out only along a single plane of propagation, while the laser beam is substantially unaltered (i.e. neither compressed or expanded) in the direction normal to the propagation plane. 
     Alternative Embodiments of the Planar Laser Illumination Module (PLIM) of the Present Invention 
     There are means for producing substantially planar laser beams (PLIBs) without the use of cylindrical optical elements. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,299 to Powell, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a linear diverging lens which has the appearance of a prism with a relatively sharp radius at the apex, capable of expanding a laser beam in only one direction. In FIG.  1 G 16 A, a first type Powell lens  16 A is shown embodied within a PLIM housing by simply replacing the cylindrical lens element  16  with a suitable Powell lens  16 A taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,299. In this alternative embodiment, the Powell lens  16 A is disposed after the focusing/collimating lens  15 ′ and VLD  13 . In FIG.  1 G 16 B, generic Powell lens  16 B is shown embodied within a PLIM housing along with a collimating/focusing lens  15 ′ and VLD  13 . The resulting PLIMs can be used in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. 
     Alternatively, U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,738 to Ozaki discloses an optical arrangement which employs a convex reflector or a concave lens to spread a laser beam radially and then a cylindrical-concave reflector to converge the beam linearly to project a laser line. Like the Powell lens, the optical arrangement of U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,738 can be readily embodied within the PLIM of the present invention, for use in a PLIIM-based system employing the same. 
     In FIGS.  1 G 17  through  1 G 17 D, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the PLIM of the present invention  729 , wherein a visible laser diode (VLD)  13 , and a pair of small cylindrical (i.e. PCX and PCV) lenses  730  and  731  are both mounted within a lens barrel  732  of compact construction. As shown, the lens barrel  732  permits independent adjustment of the lenses along both translational and rotational directions, thereby enabling the generation of a substantially planar laser beam therefrom. The PCX-type lens  730  has one plano surface  730 A and a positive cylindrical surface  730 B with its base and the edges cut in a circular profile. The function of the PCX-type lens  730  is laser beam focusing. The PCV-type lens  731  has one plano surface  731 A and a negative cylindrical surface  731 B with its base and edges cut in a circular profile. The function of the PCX-type lens  730  is laser beam spreading (i.e. diverging or planarizing). 
     As shown in FIGS.  1 G 17 B and  1 G 17 C, the PCX lens  730  is capable of undergoing translation in the x direction for focusing, and rotation about the x axis to ensure that it only effects the beam along one axis. Set-type screws or other lens fastening mechanisms can be used to secure the position of the PCX lens within its barrel  732  once its position has been properly adjusted during calibration procedure. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 G 17 D, the PCV lens  731  is capable of undergoing rotation about the x axis to ensure that it only effects the beam along one axis. FIGS.  1 G 17 E and  1 G 17 F illustrate that the VLD  13  requires rotation about the y and x axes, for aiming and desmiling the planar laser illumination beam produced from the PLIM. Set-type screws or other lens fastening mechanisms can be used to secure the position and alignment of the PCV-type lens  731  within its barrel  732  once its position has been properly adjusted during calibration procedure. Likewise, set-type screws or other lens fastening mechanisms can be used to secure the position and alignment of the VLD  13  within its barrel  732  once its position has been properly adjusted during calibration procedure. 
     In the illustrative embodiments, one or more PLIMs  729  described above can be integrated together to produce a PLIA in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Such the PLIMs associated with the PLIA can be mounted along a common bracket, having PLIM-based multi-axial alignment and pitch mechanisms as illustrated in FIGS.  1 B 4  and  1 B 5  and described below. 
     Multi-axis VLD Mounting Assembly Embodied within Planar Laser Illumination (PLIA) of the Present Invention 
     In order to achieve the desired degree of uniformity in the power density along the PLIB generated from a PLIIM-based system of the present invention, it will be helpful to use the multi-axial VLD mounting assembly of FIGS.  1 B 4  and  1 B in each PLIA employed therein. As shown in FIG.  1 B 4 , each PLIM is mounted along its PLIA so that (1) the PLIM can be adjustably tilted about the optical axis of its VLD  13 , by at least a few degrees measured from the horizontal reference plane as shown in FIG.  1 B 4 , and so that (2) each VLD block can be adjustably pitched forward for alignment with other VLD beams, as illustrated in FIG.  1 B 5 . The tilt-adjustment function can be realized by any mechanism that permits the VLD block to be releasably tilted relative to a base plate or like structure  740  which serves as a reference plane, from which the tilt parameter is measured. The pitch-adjustment function can be realized by any mechanism that permits the VLD block to be releasably pitched relative to a base plate or like structure which serves as a reference plane, from which the pitch parameter is measured. In a preferred embodiment, such flexibility in VLD block position and orientation can be achieved using a three axis gimbel-like suspension, or other pivoting mechanism, permitting rotational adjustment of the VLD block  14  about the X, Y and Z principle axes embodied therewithin. Set-type screws or other fastening mechanisms can be used to secure the position and alignment of the VLD block  14  relative to the PLIA base plate  740  once the position and orientation of the VLD block has been properly adjusted during a VLD calibration procedure. 
     Detailed Description of the Image Formation and Detection Module Employed in the PLIIM-Based System of the First Generalized Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     In FIG.  1 J 1 , there is shown a geometrical model (based on the thin lens equation) for the simple imaging subsystem  3 B employed in the image formation and detection module  3  in the PLIIM-based system of the first generalized embodiment shown in FIG.  1 A. As shown in FIG.  1 J 1 , this simple imaging system  3 B consists of a source of illumination (e.g. laser light reflected off a target object) and an imaging lens. The illumination source is at an object distance r 0  measured from the center of the imaging lens. In FIG.  1 J 1 , some representative rays of light have been traced from the source to the front lens surface. The imaging lens is considered to be of the converging type which, for ordinary operating conditions, focuses the incident rays from the illumination source to form an image which is located at an image distance r i  on the opposite side of the imaging lens. In FIG.  1 J 1 , some representative rays have also been traced from the back lens surface to the image. The imaging lens itself is characterized by a focal length f, the definition of which will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     For the purpose of simplifying the mathematical analysis, the imaging lens is considered to be a thin lens, that is, idealized to a single surface with no thickness. The parameters f, r 0  and r 1 , all of which have units of length, are related by the “thin lens” equation (1) set forth below: 
                     ⁢       1   f     =       1     r   0       +     1     r   i                   (   1   )             
 
     This equation may be solved for the image distance, which yields expression (2) 
                     ⁢       r   i     =       fr   0         r   0     -   f                 (   2   )             
 
     If the object distance r 0  goes to infinity, then expression (2) reduces to r i =f. Thus, the focal length of the imaging lens is the image distance at which light incident on the lens from an infinitely distant object will be focused. Once f is known, the image distance for light from any other object distance can be determined using (2). 
     Field of View of the Imaging Lens and Resolution of the Detected Image 
     The basic characteristics of an image detected by the IFD module  3  hereof may be determined using the technique of ray tracing, in which representative rays of light are drawn from the source through the imaging lens and to the image. Such ray tracing is shown in FIG.  1 J 2 . A basic rule of ray tracing is that a ray from the illumination source that passes through the center of the imaging lens continues undeviated to the image. That is, a ray that passes through the center of the imaging lens is not refracted. Thus, the size of the field of view (FOV) of the imaging lens may be determined by tracing rays (backwards) from the edges of the image detection/sensing array through the center of the imaging lens and out to the image plane as shown in FIG.  1 J 2 , where d is the dimension of a pixel, n is the number of pixels on the image detector array in this direction, and W is the dimension of the field of view of the imaging lens. Solving for the FOV dimension W, and substituting for r i  using expression (2) above yields expression (3) as follows: 
                     ⁢     W   =       dn   ⁢     (       r   0     -   f     )       f               (   3   )             
 
     Now that the size of the field of view is known, the dpi resolution of the image is determined. The dpi resolution of the image is simply the number of pixels divided by the dimension of the field of view. Assuming that all the dimensions of the system are measured in meters, the dots per inch (dpi) resolution of the image is given by the expression (4) as follows: 
                     ⁢     dpi   =     f     39.37   ⁢     d   ⁡     (       r   0     -   f     )                     (   4   )             
 
Working Distance and Depth of Field of the Imaging Lens
 
     Light returning to the imaging lens that emanates from object surfaces slightly closer to and farther from the imaging lens than object distance r 0  will also appear to be in good focus on the image. From a practical standpoint, “good focus” is decided by the decoding software  21  used when the image is too blurry to allow the code to be read (i.e. decoded), then the imaging subsystem is said to be “out of focus”. If the object distance r 0  at which the imaging subsystem is ideally focused is known, then it can be calculated theoretically the closest and farthest “working distances” of the PLIIM-based system, given by parameters r near  and r far , respectively, at which the system will still function. These distance parameters are given by expression (5) and (6) as follows: 
               r   near     =         fr   0     ⁢     (     f   +   DF     )           f   2     +     DFr   0                 (   5   )                 r   far     =         fr   0     ⁢     (     f   -   DF     )           f   2     -     DFr   0                 (   6   )             
 
     where D is the diameter of the largest permissible “circle of confusion” on the image detection array. A circle of confusion is essentially the blurred out light that arrives from points at image distances other than object distance r 0 . When the circle of confusion becomes too large (when the blurred light spreads out too much) then one will lose focus. The value of parameter D for a given imaging subsystem is usually estimated from experience during system design, and then determined more precisely, if necessary, later through laboratory experiment. 
     Another optical parameter of interest is the total depth of field Δr, which is the difference between distances r far  and r near ; this parameter is the total distance over which the imaging system will be able to operate when focused at object distance r 0 . This optical parameter may be expressed by equation (7) below: 
           (   7   )     ⁢           ⁢   Δ   ⁢           ⁢   r     =       2   ⁢     Df             ⁢   2       ⁢       Fr   0     ⁢     (       r   0     -   f     )             f   4     -       D   2     ⁢     F   2     ⁢     r   0   2               
 
     It should be noted that the parameter Δr is generally not symmetric about r 0 ; the depth of field usually extends farther towards infinity from the ideal focal distance than it does back towards the imaging lens. 
     Modeling a Fixed Focal Length Imaging Subsystem Used in the Image Formation and Detection Module of the Present Invention 
     A typical imaging (i.e. camera) lens used to construct a fixed focal-length image formation and detection module of the present invention might typically consist of three to fifteen or more individual optical elements contained within a common barrel structure. The inherent complexity of such an optical module prevents its performance from being described very accurately using a “thin lens analysis”, described above by equation (1). However, the results of a thin lens analysis can be used as a useful guide when choosing an imaging lens for a particular PLIIM-based system application. 
     A typical imaging lens can focus light (illumination) originating anywhere from an infinite distance away, to a few feet away. However, regardless of the origin of such illumination, its rays must be brought to a sharp focus at exactly the same location (e.g. the film plane or image detector), which (in an ordinary camera) does not move. At first glance, this requirement may appear unusual because the thin lens equation (1) above states that the image distance at which light is focused through a thin lens is a function of the object distance at which the light originates, as shown in FIG.  1 J 3 . Thus, it would appear that the position of the image detector would depend on the distance at which the object being imaged is located. An imaging subsystem having a variable focal distance lens assembly avoids this difficulty because several of its lens elements are capable of movement relative to the others. For a fixed focal length imaging lens, the leading lens element(s) can move back and forth a short distance, usually accomplished by the rotation of a helical barrel element which converts rotational motion into purely linear motion of the lens elements. This motion has the effect of changing the image distance to compensate for a change in object distance, allowing the image detector to remain in place, as shown in the schematic optical diagram of FIG.  1 J 4 . 
     Modeling a Variable Focal Length (Zoom) Imaging Lens Used in the Image Formation and Detection Module of the Present Invention 
     As shown in FIG.  1 J 5 , a variable focal length (zoom) imaging subsystem has an additional level of internal complexity. A zoom-type imaging subsystem is capable of changing its focal length over a given range; a longer focal length produces a smaller field of view at a given object distance. Consider the case where the PLIIM-based system needs to illuminate and image a certain object over a range of object distances, but requires the illuminated object to appear the same size in all acquired images. When the object is far away, the PLIIM-based system will generate control signals that select a long focal length, causing the field of view to shrink (to compensate for the decrease in apparent size of the object due to distance). When the object is close, the PLIIM-based system will generate control signals that select a shorter focal length, which widens the field of view and preserves the relative size of the object. In many bar code scanning applications, a zoom-type imaging subsystem in the PLIIM-based system (as shown in FIGS.  3 A through  3 J 5 ) ensures that all acquired images of bar code symbols have the same dpi image resolution regardless of the position of the bar code symbol within the object distance of the PLIIM-based system. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 J 5 , a zoom-type imaging subsystem has two groups of lens elements which are able to undergo relative motion. The leading lens elements are moved to achieve focus in the same way as for a fixed focal length lens. Also, there is a group of lenses in the middle of the barrel which move back and forth to achieve the zoom, that is, to change the effective focal length of all the lens elements acting together. 
     Several Techniques for Accommodating the Field of View (FOV) of a PLIIM System to Particular End-user Environments 
     In many applications, a PLIIM system of the present invention may include an imaging subsystem with a very long focal length imaging lens (assembly), and this PLIIM-based system must be installed in end-user environments having a substantially shorter object distance range, and/or field of view (FOV) requirements or the like. Such problems can exist for PLIIM systems employing either fixed or variable focal length imaging subsystems. To accommodate a particular PLIIM-based system for installation in such environments, three different techniques illustrated in FIGS.  1 K 1 - 1 K 2 ,  1 L 1  and  1 L 2  can be used. 
     In FIGS.  1 K 1  and  1 K 2 , the focal length of the imaging lens  3 B can be fixed and set at the factory to produce a field of view having specified geometrical characteristics for particular applications. In FIG. K 1 , the focal length of the image formation and detection module  3  is fixed during the optical design stage so that the fixed field of view (FOV) thereof substantially matches the scan field width measured at the top of the scan field, and thereafter overshoots the scan field and extends on down to the plane of the conveyor belt  34 . In this FOV arrangement, the dpi image resolution will be greater for packages having a higher height profile above the conveyor belt, and less for envelope-type packages with low height profiles. In FIG.  1 K 2 , the focal length of the image formation and detection module  3  is fixed during the optical design stage so that the fixed field of view thereof substantially matches the plane slightly above the conveyor belt  34  where envelope-type packages are transported. In this FOV arrangement, the dpi image resolution will be maximized for envelope-type packages which are expected to be transported along the conveyor belt structure, and this system will be unable to read bar codes on packages having a height-profile exceeding the low-profile scanning field of the system. 
     In  FIG. 1L , a FOV beam folding mirror arrangement is used to fold the optical path of the imaging subsystem within the interior of the system housing so that the FOV emerging from the system housing has geometrical characteristics that match the scanning application at hand. As shown, this technique involves mounting a plurality of FOV folding mirrors  9 A through  9 E on the optical bench of the PLIIM system to bounce the FOV of the imaging subsystem  3 B back and forth before the FOV emerges from the system housing. Using this technique, when the FOV emerges from the system housing, it will have expanded to a size appropriate for covering the entire scan field of the system. This technique is easier to practice with image formation and detection modules having linear image detectors, for which the FOV folding mirrors only have to expand in one direction as the distance from the imaging subsystem increases. In  FIG. 1L , this direction of FOV expansion occurs in the direction perpendicular to the page. In the case of area-type PLIIM-based systems, as shown in FIGS.  4 A through  6 F 4 , the FOV folding mirrors have to accommodate a 3-D FOV which expands in two directions. Thus an internal folding path is easier to arrange for linear-type PLIIM-based systems. 
     In FIG.  1 L 2 , the fixed field of view of an imaging subsystem is expanded across a working space (e.g. conveyor belt structure) by using a motor  35  to controllably rotate the FOV  10  during object illumination and imaging operations. When designing a linear-type PLIIM-based system for industrial scanning applications, wherein the focal length of the imaging subsystem is fixed, a higher dpi image resolution will occasionally be required. This implies using a longer focal length imaging lens, which produces a narrower FOV and thus higher dpi image resolution. However, in many applications, the image formation and detection module in the PLIIM-based system cannot be physically located far enough away from the conveyor belt (and within the system housing) to enable the narrow FOV to cover the entire scanning field of the system. In this case, a FOV folding mirror  9 F can be made to rotate, relative to stationary for folding mirror  9 G, in order to sweep the linear FOV from side to side over the entire width of the conveyor belt, depending on where the bar coded package is located. Ideally, this rotating FOV folding mirror  9 F would have only two mirror positions, but this will depend on how small the FOV is at the top of the scan field. The rotating FOV folding mirror can be driven by motor  35  operated under the control of the camera control computer  22 , as described herein. 
     Method of Adjusting the Focal Characteristics of Planar Laser Illumination Beams Generated by Planar Laser Illumination Arrays Used in Conjunction with Image Formation and Detection Modules Employing Fixed Focal Length Imaging Lenses 
     In the case of a fixed focal length camera lens, the planar laser illumination beam  7 A,  7 B is focused at the farthest possible object distance in the PLIIM-based system. In the case of fixed focal length imaging lens, this focus control technique of the present invention is not employed to compensate for decrease in the power density of the reflected laser beam as a function of 1/r 2  distance from the imaging subsystem, but rather to compensate for a decrease in power density of the planar laser illumination beam on the target object due to an increase in object distance away from the imaging subsystem. 
     It can be shown that laser return light that is reflected by the target object (and measured/detected at any arbitrary point in space) decreases in intensity as the inverse square of the object distance. In the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, the relevant decrease in intensity is not related to such “inverse square” law decreases, but rather to the fact that the width of the planar laser illumination beam increases as the object distance increases. This “beam-width/object-distance” law decrease in light intensity will be described in greater detail below. 
     Using a thin lens analysis of the imaging subsystem, it can be shown that when any form of illumination having a uniform power density E 0  (i.e. power per unit area) is directed incident on a target object surface and the reflected laser illumination from the illuminated object is imaged through an imaging lens having a fixed focal length f and f-stop F, the power density E pix  (measured at the pixel of the image detection array and expressed as a function of the object distance r) is provided by the expression (8) set forth below: 
               E   pix     =         E   0       8   ⁢   F       ⁢           ⁢       (     1   -     f   r       )     2               (   8   )             
 
     FIG.  1 M 1  shows a plot of pixel power density E pix  vs. object distance r calculated using the arbitrary but reasonable values E 0 =1 W/m 2 , f=80 mm and F=4.5. This plot demonstrates that, in a counter-intuitive manner, the power density at the pixel (and therefore the power incident on the pixel, as its area remains constant) actually increases as the object distance increases. Careful analysis explains this particular optical phenomenon by the fact that the field of view of each pixel on the image detection array increases slightly faster with increases in object distances than would be necessary to compensate for the 1/r 2  return light losses. A more analytical explanation is provided below. 
     The width of the planar laser illumination beam increases as object distance r increases. At increasing object distances, the constant output power from the VLD in each planar laser illumination module (PLIM) is spread out over a longer beam width, and therefore the power density at any point along the laser beam width decreases. To compensate for this phenomenon, the planar laser illumination beam of the present invention is focused at the farthest object distance so that the height of the planar laser illumination beam becomes smaller as the object distance increases; as the height of the planar laser illumination beam becomes narrower towards the farthest object distance, the laser beam power density increases at any point along the width of the planar laser illumination beam. The decrease in laser beam power density due to an increase in planar laser beam width and the increase in power density due to a decrease in planar laser beam height, roughly cancel each other out, resulting in a power density which either remains approximately constant or increases as a function of increasing object distance, as the application at hand may require. 
     Also, as shown in conveyor application of FIG.  1 B 3 , the height dimension of the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) is substantially greater than the height dimension of the magnified field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the linear CCD image detection array. The reason for this condition between the PLIB and the FOV is to decrease the range of tolerance which must be maintained when the PLIB and the FOV are aligned in a coplanar relationship along the entire working distance of the PLIIM-based system. 
     When the laser beam is fanned (i.e. spread) out into a substantially planar laser illumination beam by the cylindrical lens element employed within each PLIM in the PLIIM system, the total output power in the planar laser illumination beam is distributed along the width of the beam in a roughly Gaussian distribution, as shown in the power vs. position plot of FIG.  1 M 2 . Notably, this plot was constructed using actual data gathered with a planar laser illumination beam focused at the farthest object distance in the PLIIM system. For comparison purposes, the data points and a Gaussian curve fit are shown for the planar laser beam widths taken at the nearest and farthest object distances. To avoid having to consider two dimensions simultaneously (i.e. left-to-right along the planar laser beam width dimension and near-to-far through the object distance dimension), the discussion below will assume that only a single pixel is under consideration, and that this pixel views the target object at the center of the planar laser beam width. 
     For a fixed focal length imaging lens, the width L of the planar laser beam is a function of the fan/spread angle θ induced by (i) the cylindrical lens element in the PLIM and (ii) the object distance r, as defined by the following expression (9): 
             L   =     2   ⁢   r   ⁢           ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     θ   2               (   9   )             
 
     FIG.  1 M 3  shows a plot of beam width length L versus object distance r calculated using θ=50°, demonstrating the planar laser beam width increases as a function of increasing object distance. 
     The height parameter of the planar laser illumination beam “h” is controlled by adjusting the focusing lens  15  between the visible laser diode (VLD)  13  and the cylindrical lens  16 , shown in FIGS.  1 I 1  and  1 I 2 . FIG.  1 M 4  shows a typical plot of planar laser beam height h vs. image distance r for a planar laser illumination beam focused at the farthest object distance in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown in FIG.  1 M 4 , the height dimension of the planar laser beam decreases as a function of increasing object distance. 
     Assuming a reasonable total laser power output of 20 mW from the VLD  13  in each PLIM  11 , the values shown in the plots of FIGS.  1 M 3  and  1 M 4  can be used to determine the power density E 0  of the planar laser beam at the center of its beam width, expressed as a function of object distance. This measure, plotted in  FIG. 1N , demonstrates that the use of the laser beam focusing technique of the present invention, wherein the height of the planar laser illumination beam is decreased as the object distance increases, compensates for the increase in beam width in the planar laser illumination beam, which occurs for an increase in object distance. This yields a laser beam power density on the target object which increases as a function of increasing object distance over a substantial portion of the object distance range of the PLIIM system. 
     Finally, the power density E 0  plot shown in  FIG. 1N  can be used with expression (1) above to determine the power density on the pixel, E pix . This E pix  plot is shown in FIG.  1 O. For comparison purposes, the plot obtained when using the beam focusing method of the present invention is plotted in  FIG. 1O  against a “reference” power density plot E pix  which is obtained when focusing the laser beam at infinity, using a collimating lens (rather than a focusing lens  15 ) disposed after the VLD  13 , to produce a collimated-type planar laser illumination beam having a constant beam height of 1 mm over the entire portion of the object distance range of the system. Notably, however, this non-preferred beam collimating technique, selected as the reference plot in  FIG. 1O , does not compensate for the above-described effects associated with an increase in planar laser beam width as a function of object distance. Consequently, when using this non-preferred beam focusing technique, the power density of the planar laser illumination beam produced by each PLIM decreases as a function of increasing object distance. 
     Therefore, in summary, where a fixed or variable focal length imaging subsystem is employed in the PLIIM system hereof, the planar laser beam focusing technique of the present invention described above helps compensate for decreases in the power density of the incident planar illumination beam due to the fact that the width of the planar laser illumination beam increases for increasing object distances away from the imaging subsystem. 
     Producing a Composite Planar Laser Illumination Beam Having Substantially Uniform Power Density Characteristics in Near and Far Fields, by Additively Combining the Individual Gaussian Power Density Distributions of Planar Laser Illumination Beams Produced by Planar Laser Illumination Beam Modules (PLIMS) in Planar Laser Illumination Arrays (PLIAs) 
     Having described the best known method of focusing the planar laser illumination beam produced by each VLD in each PLIM in the PLIIM-based system hereof, it is appropriate at this juncture to describe how the individual Gaussian power density distributions of the planar laser illumination beams produced a PLIA  6 A,  6 B are additively combined to produce a composite planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics in near and far fields, as illustrated in FIGS.  1 P 1  and  1 P 2 . 
     When the laser beam produced from the VLD is transmitted through the cylindrical lens, the output beam will be spread out into a laser illumination beam extending in a plane along the direction in which the lens has curvature. The beam size along the axis which corresponds to the height of the cylindrical lens will be transmitted unchanged. When the planar laser illumination beam is projected onto a target surface, its profile of power versus displacement will have an approximately Gaussian distribution. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the plurality of VLDs on each side of the IFD module are spaced out and tilted in such a way that their individual power density distributions add up to produce a (composite) planar laser illumination beam having a magnitude of illumination which is distributed substantially uniformly over the entire working depth of the PLIIM-based system (i.e. along the height and width of the composite planar laser illumination beam). 
     The actual positions of the PLIMs along each planar laser illumination array are indicated in FIG.  1 G 3  for the exemplary PLIIM-based system shown in FIGS.  1 G 1  through  1 I 2 . The mathematical analysis used to analyze the results of summing up the individual power density functions of the PLIMs at both near and far working distances was carried out using the Matlab™ mathematical modeling program by Mathworks, Inc. (http://www.mathworks.com). These results are set forth in the data plots of FIGS.  1 P 1  and  1 P 2 . Notably, in these data plots, the total power density is greater at the far field of the working range of the PLIIM system. This is because the VLDs in the PLIMs are focused to achieve minimum beam width thickness at the farthest object distance of the system, whereas the beam height is somewhat greater at the near field region. Thus, although the far field receives less illumination power at any given location, this power is concentrated into a smaller area, which results in a greater power density within the substantially planar extent of the planar laser illumination beam of the present invention. 
     When aligning the individual planar laser illumination beams (i.e. planar beam components) produced from each PLIM, it will be important to ensure that each such planar laser illumination beam spatially coincides with a section of the FOV of the imaging subsystem, so that the composite planar laser illumination beam produced by the individual beam components spatially coincides with the FOV of the imaging subsystem throughout the entire working depth of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Methods of Reducing the RMS Power of Speckle-noise Patterns Observed at the Linear Image Detection Array of a PLIIM-Based System When Illuminating Objects Using a Planar Laser Illumination Beam 
     In the PLIIM-based systems disclosed herein, seven (7) general classes of techniques and apparatus have been developed to effectively destroy or otherwise substantially reduce the spatial and/or temporal coherence of the laser illumination sources used to generate planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) within such systems, and thus enable time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the image detection array thereof and temporally (and possibly spatially) averaged over the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed (i.e. detected) at the image detection array. 
     In general, the root mean square (RMS) power of speckle-noise patterns in PLIIM-based systems can be reduced by using any combination of the following techniques: (1) by using a multiplicity of real laser (diode) illumination sources in the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIIM) of the PLIIM-based system and cylindrical lens array  299  after each PLIA to optically combine and project the planar laser beam components from these real illumination sources onto the target object to be illuminated, as illustrated in the various embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein; and/or (2) by employing any of the seven generalized speckle-pattern noise reduction techniques of the present invention described in detail below which operate by generating independent virtual sources of laser illumination to effectively reduce the spatial and/or temporal coherence of the composite PLIB either transmitted to or reflected from the target object being illuminated. Notably, the speckle-noise reduction coefficient of the PLIIM-based system will be proportional to the square root of the number of statistically independent real and virtual sources of laser illumination created by the speckle-noise pattern reduction techniques employed within the PLIIM-based system. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 1  through  1 I 12 D, a first generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention and particular forms of apparatus therefor are schematically illustrated. This generalized method involves reducing the spatial coherence of the PLIB before it illuminates the target (i.e. object) by applying spatial phase modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 3  through  1 I 15 C, a second generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention and particular forms of apparatus therefor are schematically illustrated. This generalized method involves reducing the temporal coherence of the PLIB before it illuminates the target (i.e. object) by applying temporal intensity modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 16  through  1 I 17 E, a third generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention and particular forms of apparatus therefor are schematically illustrated. This generalized method involves reducing the temporal coherence of the PLIB before it illuminates the target (i.e. object) by applying temporal phase modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 18  through  1 I 19 C, a fourth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention and particular forms of apparatus therefor are schematically illustrated. This generalized method involves reducing the spatial coherence of the PLIB before it illuminates the target (i.e. object) by applying temporal frequency modulation (e.g. compounding/complexing) during transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 20  through  1 I 21 D, a fifth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention and particular forms of apparatus therefor are schematically illustrated. This generalized method involves reducing the spatial coherence of the PLIB before it illuminates the target (i.e. object) by applying spatial intensity modulation techniques during the transmission of the PLIB towards the target. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 22  through  1 I 23 B, a sixth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention and particular forms of apparatus therefor are schematically illustrated. This generalized method involves reducing the spatial coherence of the PLIB after the transmitted PLIB reflects and/or scatters off the illuminated the target (i.e. object) by applying spatial intensity modulation techniques during the detection of the reflected/scattered PLIB. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 24  through  1 I 24 C, an seventh generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention and particular forms of apparatus therefor are schematically illustrated. This generalized method involves reducing the temporal coherence of the PLIB after the transmitted PLIB reflects and/or scatters off the illuminated the target (i.e. object) by applying temporal intensity modulation techniques during the detection of the reflected/scattered PLIB. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 24 D through  1 I 24 H, a eighth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention and particular forms of apparatus therefor are schematically illustrated. This generalized method involves consecutively detecting numerous images containing substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns over a consecutive series of photo-integration time periods in the PLIIM-based system, and then processing these images in order temporally and spatially average the time-varying speckle-noise patterns, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-patten noise observable at the image detection array thereof. 
     In FIG.  1 I 24 I, an eighth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention and particular forms of apparatus therefor are schematically illustrated. This generalized method involves spatially averaging numerous spatially (and time) varying speckle-noise patterns over the entire surface of each image detection element in the image detection array of a PLIIM-based system during each photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-pattern noise observed at the PLIIM-based subsystem. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 A through  1 I 25 N 2 , various “hybrid” despeckling methods and apparatus are disclosed for use in conjunction with PLIIM-based systems employing linear (or area) electronic image detection arrays having elongated image detection elements with a high height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio. 
     Notably, each of the generalized methods of speckle-noise pattern reduction to be described below are assumed to satisfy the general conditions under which the random “speckle-noise” process is Gaussian in character. These general conditions have been clearly identified by J. C. Dainty, et al, in page 124 of “Laser Speckle and Related Phenomena”, supra, and are restated below for the sake of completeness: (i) that the standard deviation of the surface height fluctuations in the scattering surface (i.e. target object) should be greater than λ, thus ensuring that the phase of the scattered wave is uniformly distributed in the range 0 to 2π; and (ii) that a great many independent scattering centers (on the target object) should contribute to any given point in the image detected at the image detector. 
     First Generalized Method of Speckle-noise Pattern Reduction and Particular Forms of Apparatus therefor Based on Reducing the Spatial-coherence of the Planar Laser Illumination Beam Before it Illuminates the Target Object by Applying Spatial Phase Modulation Techniques During the Transmission of the PLIB Towards the Target 
     Referring to FIGS.  1 I 1  through  1 I 11 C, the first generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor will be described. This generalized method is based on the principle of spatially modulating the “transmitted” planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating a target object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a spatially coherent-reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and possibly spatially averaged over the photo-integration time period and the RMS power of observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. This method can be practiced with any of the PLIM-based systems of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as any system constructed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention. 
     Whether any significant spatial averaging can occur in any particular embodiment of the present invention will depend on the relative dimensions of: (i) each element in the image detection array; and (ii) the physical dimensions of the speckle blotches in a given speckle-noise pattern which will depend on the standard deviation of the surface height fluctuations in the scattering surface or target object, and the wavelength of the illumination source λ. As the size of each image detection element is made larger, the image resolution of the image detection array will decrease, with an accompanying increase in spatial averaging. Clearly, there is a tradeoff to be decided upon in any given application. Such spatial averaging techniques, embraced by the Ninth Generalized Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Method Of The Present Invention, will be described in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to FIG.  1 I 24 D 
     As illustrated at Block A in FIG.  1 I 2 B, the first step of the first generalized method shown in FIGS.  1 I 1  through  1 I 11 C involves spatially phase modulating the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) along the planar extent thereof according to a (random or periodic) spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) prior to illumination of the target object with the PLIB, so as to modulate the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB and produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. As indicated at Block B in FIG.  1 I 2 B, the second step of the method involves temporally and spatially averaging the numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array in the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. 
     When using the first generalized method, the target object is repeatedly illuminated with laser light apparently originating from different points (i.e. virtual illumination sources) in space over the photo-integration period of each detector element in the linear image detection array of the PLIIM system, during which reflected laser illumination is received at the detector element. As the relative phase delays between these virtual illumination sources are changing over the photo-integration time period of each image detection element, these virtual sources are effectively rendered spatially incoherent with each other. On a time-average basis, these time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally (and possibly spatially) averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection elements, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise pattern (i.e. level) observed thereat. As speckle noise patterns are roughly uncorrelated at the image detection array, the reduction in speckle-noise power should be proportional to the square root of the number of independent virtual laser illumination sources contributing to the illumination of the target object and formation of the image frame thereof. As a result of the present invention, image-based bar code symbol decoders and/or OCR processors operating on such digital images can be processed with significant reductions in error. 
     The first generalized method above can be explained in terms of Fourier Transform optics. When spatial phase modulating the transmitted PLIB by a periodic or random spatial phase modulation function (SPMF), while satisfying conditions (i) and (ii) above, a spatial phase modulation process occurs on the spatial domain. This spatial phase modulation process is equivalent to mathematically multiplying the transmitted PLIB by the spatial phase modulation function. This multiplication process on the spatial domain is equivalent on the spatial-frequency domain to the convolution of the Fourier Transform of the spatial phase modulation function with the Fourier Transform of the transmitted PLIB. On the spatial-frequency domain, this convolution process generates spatially-incoherent (i.e. statistically-uncorrelated) spectral components which are permitted to spatially-overlap at each detection element of the image detection array (i.e. on the spatial domain) and produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally (and possibly) spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of each detector element, to reduce the RMS power of the speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array. 
     In general, various types of spatial phase modulation techniques can be used to carry out the first generalized method including, for example: mechanisms for moving the relative position/motion of a cylindrical lens array and laser diode array, including reciprocating a pair of rectilinear cylindrical lens arrays relative to each other, as well as rotating a cylindrical lens array ring structure about each PLIM employed in the PLIIM-based system; rotating phase modulation discs having multiple sectors with different refractive indices to effect different degrees of phase delay along the wavefront of the PLIB transmitted (along different optical paths) towards the object to be illuminated; acousto-optical Bragg-type cells for enabling beam steering using ultrasonic waves; ultrasonically-driven deformable mirror structures; a LCD-type spatial phase modulation panel; and other spatial phase modulation devices. Several of these spatial light modulation (SLM) mechanisms will be described in detail below. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating a Pair of Refractive Cylindrical Lens Arrays to Spatial Phase Modulate the Planar Laser Illumination Beam Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIGS.  1 I 3 A through  1 I 3 D, there is shown an optical assembly  300  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  300  comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with a pair of refractive-type cylindrical lens arrays  301 A and  301 B, and an electronically-controlled mechanism  302  for micro-oscillating the pair cylindrical lens arrays  301 A and  301 B along the planar extent of the PLIB. In accordance with the first generalized method, the pair of cylindrical lens arrays  301 A and  301 B are micro-oscillated, relative to each other (out of phase by 90 degrees) using two pairs of ultrasonic (or other motion-imparting) transducers  303 A,  303 B, and  304 A,  304 B arranged in a push-pull configuration. The individual beam components within the PLIB  305  which are transmitted through the cylindrical lens arrays are micro-oscillated (i.e. moved) along the planar extent thereof by an amount of distance Δx or greater at a velocity v(t) which causes the spatial phase along the wavefronts of the transmitted PLIB to be modulated and numerous (e.g. 25 or more) substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. The numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array are temporally (and possibly spatially) averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 I 3 C, an array support frame  305  with a light transmission window  306  and accessories  307 A and  307 B for mounting pairs of ultrasonic transducers  303 A,  303 B and  304 A,  304 B, is used to mount the pair of cylindrical lens arrays  301 A and  301 B in a relative reciprocating manner, and thus permitting micro-oscillation in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In  1 I 3 D, the pair of cylindrical lens arrays  301 A and  301 B are shown configured between pairs of ultrasonic transducers  303 A,  303 B and  304 A,  304 B (or flexural elements driven by voice-coil type devices) operated in a push-pull mode of operation. By employing dual cylindrical lens arrays in this optically assembly, the transmitted PLIB is spatial phase modulated in a continual manner during object illumination operations. The function of cylindrical lens array  301 B is to optically combine the spatial phase modulated PLIB components so that each point on the surface of the target object being illuminated by numerous spatial-phase delayed PLIB components. By virtue of this optical assembly design, when one cylindrical lens array is momentarily stationary during beam direction reversal, the other cylindrical lens array is moving in an independent manner, thereby causing the transmitted PLIB  307  to be spatial phase modulated even at times when one cylindrical lens array is reversing its direction (i.e. momentarily at rest). In an alternative embodiment, one of the cylindrical lens arrays can be mounted stationary relative to the PLIA, while the other cylindrical lens array is micro-oscillated relative to the stationary cylindrical lens array 
     In the illustrative embodiment, each cylindrical lens array  301 A and  301 B is realized as a lenticular screen having 64 cylindrical lenslets per inch. For a speckle-noise power reduction of five (5×), it was determined experimentally that about 25 or more substantially different speckle-noise patterns must be generated during a photo-integration time period of 1/10000 th  second, and that a 125 micron shift (Δx) in the cylindrical lens arrays was required, thereby requiring an array velocity of about 1.25 meters/second. Using a sinusoidal function to drive each cylindrical lens array, the array velocity is described by the equation V=Aω sin(ωt), where A=3×10 −3  meters and ω=370 radians/second (i.e. 60 Hz) providing about a peak array velocity of about 1.1 meter/second. Notably, one can increase the number of substantially different speckle-noise patterns produced during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array by either (i) increasing the spatial period of each cylindrical lens array, and/or (ii) increasing the relative velocity cylindrical lens array(s) and the PLIB transmitted therethrough during object illumination operations. Increasing either of this parameters will have the effect of increasing the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of the optical assembly, causing steeper transitions in phase delay along the wavefront of the PLIB, as the cylindrical lens arrays move relative to the PLIB being transmitted therethrough. Expectedly, this will generate more components with greater magnitude values on the spatial-frequency domain of the system, thereby producing more independent virtual spatially-incoherent illumination sources in the system. This will tend to reduce the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Conditions for Producing Uncorrelated Time-varying Speckle-noise Pattern Variations at the Image Detection Array of the IFD Module (i.e. Camera Subsystem) 
     In general, each method of speckle-noise reduction according to the present invention requires modulating the either the phase, intensity, or frequency of the transmitted PLIB (or reflected/received PLIB) so that numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are generated at the image detection array each photo-integration time period/interval thereof. By achieving this general condition, the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB), either transmitted to the target object, or reflected therefrom and received by the IFD subsystem, is rendered partially coherent or coherent-reduced in the spatial and/or temporal sense. This ensures that the speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array are statistically uncorrelated, and therefore can be temporally and possibly spatially averaged at each image detection element during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-patterns observed at the image detection array. The amount of RMS power reduction that is achievable at the image detection array is, therefore, dependent upon the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns that are generated at the image detection array during its photo-integration time period thereof. For any particular speckle-noise reduction apparatus of the present invention, a number parameters will factor into determining the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns that must be generated each photo-integration time period, in order to achieve a particular degree of reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array. 
     Referring to FIG.  1 I 3 E, a geometrical model of a subsection of the optical assembly of FIG.  1 I 3 A is shown. This simplified model illustrates the first order parameters involved in the PLIB spatial phase modulation process, and also the relationship among such parameters which ensures that at least one cycle of speckle-noise pattern variation will be produced at the image detection array of the IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem). As shown, this simplified model is derived by taking a simple case example, where only two virtual laser illumination sources (such as those generated by two cylindrical lenslets) are illuminating a target object. In practice, there will be numerous virtual laser beam sources by virtue of the fact that the cylindrical lens array has numerous lenslets (e.g. 64 lenslets/inch) and cylindrical lens array is micro-oscillated at a particular velocity with respect to the PLIB as the PLIB is being transmitted therethrough. 
     In the simplified case shown in FIG.  1 I 3 E, wherein spatial phase modulation techniques are employed, the speckle-noise pattern viewed by the pair of cylindrical lens elements of the imaging array will become uncorrelated with respect to the original speckle-noise pattern (produced by the real laser illumination source) when the difference in phase among the wavefronts of the individual beam components is on the order of ½ of the laser illumination wavelength λ. For the case of a moving cylindrical lens array, as shown in FIG.  1 I 3 A, this decorrelation condition occurs when:
 
Δ x&gt;λD /2 P 
 
     wherein, Δx is the motion of the cylindrical lens array, λ is the characteristic wavelength of the laser illumination source, D is the distance from the laser diode (i.e. source) to the cylindrical lens array, and P is the separation of the lenslets within the cylindrical lens array. This condition ensures that one cycle of speckle-noise pattern variation will occur at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem for each movement of the cylindrical lens array by distance Δx. This implies that, for the apparatus of FIG.  1 I 3 A, the time-varying speckle-noise patterns detected by the image detection array of IFD subsystem will become statistically uncorrelated or independent (i.e. substantially different) with respect to the original speckle-noise pattern produced by the real laser illumination sources, when the spatial gradient in the phase of the beam wavefront is greater than or equal to λ/2P. 
     Conditions for Temporally Averaging Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns at the Image Detection Array of the IFD Subsystem in Accordance with the Principles of the Present Invention 
     To ensure additive cancellation of the uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns detected at the (coherent) image detection array, it is necessary that numerous substantially different (i.e. uncorrelated) time-varying speckle-noise patterns are generated during each the photo-integration time period. In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 3 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of each refractive cylindrical lens array; (ii) the width dimension of each cylindrical lenslet; (iii) the length of each lens array; (iv) the velocity thereof; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of the system. In general, if the system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 3 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, it should be noted that this minimum sampling parameter threshold is expressed on the time domain, and that expectedly, the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection (i.e. observation) end of the PLIIM-based system, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     By ensuring that these two conditions are satisfied to the best degree possible (at the planar laser illumination subsystem and the camera subsystem) will ensure optimal reduction in speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detector of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention. In general, the reduction in the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns will be proportional to the square root of the number of statistically uncorrelated real and virtual illumination sources created by the speckle-noise reduction technique of the present invention. FIGS.  1 I 3 F and  1 I 3 G illustrate that significant mitigation in speckle-noise patterns can be achieved when using the particular apparatus of FIG.  1 I 3 A in accordance with the first generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 1  through  1 I 2 B. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating a Pair of Light Diffractive (e.g. Holographic) Cylindrical Lens Arrays to Spatial Phase Modulate the Planar Laser Illumination Beam Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIG.  1 I 4 A, there is shown an optical assembly  310  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  310  comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with a pair of (holographically-fabricated) diffractive-type cylindrical lens arrays  311 A and  311 B, and an electronically-controlled PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  312  for micro-oscillating the cylindrical lens arrays  311 A and  311 B along the planar extent of the PLIB. In accordance with the first generalized method, the pair of cylindrical lens arrays  311 A and  311 B are micro-oscillated, relative to each other (out of phase by 90 degrees) using two pairs of ultrasonic transducers  313 A,  313 B and  314 A,  314 B arranged in a push-pull configuration. The individual beam components within the transmitted PLIB  315  are micro-oscillated (i.e. moved) along the planar extent thereof by an amount of distance Δx or greater at a velocity v(t) which causes the spatial phase along the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB to be spatially modulated, causing numerous substantially different (i.e. uncorrelated) time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be generated at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. The numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array are temporally (and possibly spatially) averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 I 4 C, an array support frame  316  with a light transmission window  317  and recesses  318 A and  318 B is used to mount the pair of cylindrical lens arrays  311 A and  311 B in a relative reciprocating manner, and thus permitting micro-oscillation in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In  1 I 4 D, the pair of cylindrical lens arrays  311 A and  311 B are shown configured between a pair of ultrasonic transducers  313 A,  313 B and  314 A,  314 B (or flexural elements driven by voice-coil type devices) mounted in recesses  318 A and  318 B, respectively, and operated in a push-pull mode of operation. By employing dual cylindrical lens arrays in this optically assembly, the transmitted PLIB  315  is spatial phase modulated in a continual manner during object illumination operations. By virtue of this optical assembly design, when one cylindrical lens array is momentarily stationary during beam direction reversal, the other cylindrical lens array is moving in an independent manner, thereby causing the transmitted PLIB to be spatial phase modulated even when the cylindrical lens array is reversing its direction. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 4 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of (each) HOE cylindrical lens array; (ii) the width dimension of each HOE; (iii) the length of each HOE lens array; (iv) the velocity thereof; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for time averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at detection array can hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 4 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating a Pair of Reflective Elements Relative to a Stationary Refractive Cylindrical Lens Array to Spatial Phase Modulate a Planar Laser Illumination Beam Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIG.  1 I 5 A, there is shown an optical assembly  320  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with a stationary (refractive-type or diffractive-type) cylindrical lens array  321 , and an electronically-controlled micro-oscillation mechanism  322  for micro-oscillating a pair of reflective-elements  324 A and  324 B along the planar extent of the PLIB, relative to a stationary refractive-type cylindrical lens array  321  and a stationary reflective element (i.e. mirror element)  323 . In accordance with the first generalized method, the pair of reflective elements  324 A and  324 B are micro-oscillated relative to each other (at 90 degrees out of phase) using two pairs of ultrasonic transducers  325 A,  325 B and  326 A,  326 B arranged in a push-pull configuration. The transmitted PLIB is micro-oscillated (i.e. move) along the planar extent thereof (i) by an amount of distance Δx or greater at a velocity v(t) which causes the spatial phase along the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB to be modulated and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. The numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and possibly spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 I 5 B, a planar mirror  323  reflects the PLIB components towards a pair of reflective elements  324 A and  324 B which are pivotally connected to a common point  327  on support post  328 . These reflective elements  324 A and  324 B are reciprocated and micro-oscillate the incident PLIB components along the planar extent thereof in accordance with the principles of the present invention. These micro-oscillated PLIB components are transmitted through a cylindrical lens array so that they are optically combined and numerous phase-delayed PLIB components are projected onto the same points on the surface of the object being illuminated. As shown in FIG.  1 I 5 D, the pair of reflective elements  324 A and  324 B are configured between two pairs of ultrasonic transducers  325 A,  325 B and  326 A,  326 B (or flexural elements driven by voice-coil type devices) supported on posts  330 A,  330 B operated in a push-pull mode of operation. By employing dual reflective elements in this optical assembly, the transmitted PLIB  331  is spatial phase modulated in a continual manner during object illumination operations. By virtue of this optical assembly design, when one reflective element is momentarily stationary while reversing its direction, the other reflective element is moving in an independent manner, thereby causing the transmitted PLIB  331  to be continually spatial phase modulated. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 5 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of the cylindrical lens array; (ii) the width dimension of each cylindrical lenslet; (iii) the length of each HOE lens array; (iv) the length and angular velocity of the reflector elements; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 5 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Using an Acoustic-optic Modulator to Spatial Phase Modulate said PLIB Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIG.  1 I 6 A, there is shown an optical assembly  340  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  340  comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with a cylindrical lens array  341 , and an acousto-optical (i.e. Bragg Cell) beam deflection mechanism  343  for micro-oscillating the PLIB  343  prior to illuminating the target object. In accordance with the first generalized method, the PLIB  344  is micro-oscillated by an acousto-optical (i.e. Bragg Cell) beam deflection device  345  as acoustical waves (signals)  346  propagate through the electro-acoustical device transverse to the direction of transmission of the PLIB  344 . This causes the beam components of the composite PLIB  344  to be micro-oscillated (i.e. moved) the along the planar extent thereof by an amount of distance Δx or greater at a velocity v(t). Such a micro-oscillation movement causes the spatial phase along the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB to be modulated and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof. The numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and possibly spatially averaged at the image detection array during each the photo-integration time period thereof. As shown, the acousto-optical beam deflective panel  345  is driven by control signals supplied by electrical circuitry under the control of camera control computer  22 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, beam deflection panel  345  is made from an ultrasonic cell comprising: a pair of spaced-apart optically transparent panels  346 A and  346 B, containing an optically transparent, ultrasonic-wave carrying fluid, e.g. toluene (i.e. CH 3 C 6 H 5 )  348 ; a pair of end panels  348 A and  348 B cemented to the side and end panels to contain the ultrasonic wave carrying fluid  348  within the cell structure formed thereby; an array of piezoelectric transducers  349  mounted through end wall  349 A; and an ultrasonic-wave dampening material  350  disposed at the opposing end wall panel  349 B, on the inside of the cell, to avoid reflections of the ultrasonic wave at the end of the cell. Electronic drive circuitry is provided for generating electrical drive signals for the acoustical wave cell  345  under the control of the camera control computer  22 . In the illustrative embodiment, these electrical drives signals are provided to the piezoelectric transducers  349  and result in the generation of an ultrasonic wave that propagates at a phase velocity through the cell structure, from one end to the other. This causes a modulation of the refractive index of the ultrasonic wave carrying fluid  348 , and thus a modulation of the spatial phase along the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB, thereby causing the same to be periodically swept across the cylindrical lens array  341 . The micro-oscillated PLIB components are optically combined as they are transmitted through the cylindrical lens array  341  and numerous phase-delayed PLIB components are projected onto the same points of the surface of the object being illuminated. After reflecting from the object and being modulated by the micro-structure thereof, the received PLIB produces numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns on the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system during the photo-integration time period thereof. These time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array, thereby reducing the power of speckle-noise patterns observable at the image detection array. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 6 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial frequency of the cylindrical lens array; (ii) the width dimension of each lenslet; (iii) the temporal and velocity characteristics of the acoustical wave  348  propagating through the acousto-optical cell structure  345 ; (iv) the optical density characteristics of the ultrasonic wave carrying fluid  348 ; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. 
     One can expect an increase the number of substantially different speckle-noise patterns produced during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array by either: (i) increasing the spatial period of each cylindrical lens array; (ii) the temporal period and rate of repetition of the acoustical waveform propagating along the cell structure  345 ; and/or (iii) increasing the relative velocity between the stationary cylindrical lens array and the PLIB transmitted therethrough during object illumination operations, by increasing the velocity of the acoustical wave propagating through the acousto-optical cell  345 . Increasing either of these parameters should have the effect of increasing the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of the optical assembly, e.g. by causing steeper transitions in phase delay along the wavefront of the composite PLIB, as it is transmitted through cylindrical lens array  341  in response to the propagation of the acoustical wave along the cell structure  345 . Expectedly, this should generate more components with greater magnitude values on the spatial-frequency domain of the system, thereby producing more independent virtual spatially-incoherent illumination sources in the system. This should tend to reduce the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 6 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this “sample number” at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB and/or the time derivative of the phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Using a Piezo-electric Driven Deformable Mirror Structure to Spatial Phase Modulate said PLIB Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIG.  1 I 7 A, there is shown an optical assembly  360  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  360  comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with a cylindrical lens array  361  (supported within a frame  362 ), and an electromechanical PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  363  for micro-oscillating the PLIB prior to transmission to the target object to be illuminated. In accordance with the first generalize method, the PLIB components produced by PLIA  6 A,  6 B are reflected off a piezo-electrically driven deformable mirror (DM) structure  364  arranged in front of the PLIA, while being micro-oscillated along the planar extent of the PLIBs. These micro-oscillated PLIB components are reflected back towards a stationary beam folding mirror  365  mounted (above the optical path of the PLIB components) by support posts  366 A,  366 B and  366 C, reflected thereoff and transmitted through cylindrical lens array  361  (e.g. operating according to refractive, diffractive and/or reflective principles). These micro-oscillated PLIB components are optically combined by the cylindrical lens array so that numerous phase-delayed PLIB components are projected onto the same points on the surface of the object being illuminated. During PLIB transmission, in the case of an illustrative embodiment involving a high-speed tunnel scanning system, the surface of the DM structure  364  (Δx) is periodically deformed at frequencies in the 100 kHz range and at few microns amplitude, to produce moving ripples aligned along the direction that is perpendicular to planar extent of the PLIB (i.e. along its beam spread). These moving ripples cause the beam components within the PLIB  367  to be micro-oscillated (i.e. moved) along the planar extent thereof by an amount of distance Δx or greater at a velocity v(t) which modules the spatial phase among the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB and produces numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and possibly spatially averaged during each photo-integration time period of the image detection array. FIG.  1 I 7 A shows the optical path which the PLIB travels while undergoing spatial phase modulation by the piezo-electrically driven DM structure  364  during target object illumination operations. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 7 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of the cylindrical lens array; (ii) the width dimension of each lenslet; (iii) the temporal and velocity characteristics of the surface deformations produced along the DM structure  364 ; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. 
     In general, if the system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Notably, one can expect an increase the number of substantially different speckle-noise patterns produced during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array by either: (i) increasing the spatial period of each cylindrical lens array; (ii) the spatial gradient of the surface deformations produced along the DM structure  364 ; and/or (iii) increasing the relative velocity between the stationary cylindrical lens array and the PLIB transmitted therethrough during object illumination operations, by increasing the velocity of the surface deformations along the DM structure  364 . Increasing either of these parameters should have the effect of increasing the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of the optical assembly, causing steeper transitions in phase delay along the wavefront of the composite PLIB, as it is transmitted through cylindrical lens array in response to the propagation of the acoustical wave along the cell. Expectedly, this should generate more components with greater magnitude values on the spatial-frequency domain of the system, thereby producing more independent virtual spatially-incoherent illumination sources in the system. This should tend to reduce the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 7 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this “sample number” at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB and/or the time derivative of the phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Using a Refractive-type Phase-modulation Disc to Spatial Phase Modulate said PLIB Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIG.  1 I 8 A, there is shown an optical assembly  370  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  370  comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with cylindrical lens array  371 , and an optically-based PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  372  for micro-oscillating the PLIB  373  transmitted towards the target object prior to illumination. In accordance with the first generalize method, the PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  372  is realized by a refractive-type phase-modulation disc  374 , rotated by an electric motor  375  under the control of the camera control computer  22 . As shown in FIGS.  1 I 8 B and  1 I 8 D, the PLIB form PLIA  6 A is transmitted perpendicularly through a sector of the phase modulation disc  374 , as shown in FIG.  1 I 8 D. As shown in FIG.  1 I 8 D, the disc comprises numerous sections  376 , each having refractive indices that vary sinusoidally at different angular positions along the disc. Preferably, the light transmittivity of each sector is substantially the same, as only spatial phase modulation is the desired light control function to be performed by this subsystem. Also, to ensure that the spatial phase along the wavefront of the PLIB is modulated along its planar extent, each PLIA  6 A,  6 B should be mounted relative to the phase modulation disc so that the sectors  376  move perpendicular to the plane of the PLIB during disc rotation. As shown in FIG.  1 I 8 D, this condition can be best achieved by mounting each PLIA  6 A,  6 B as close to the outer edge of its phase modulation disc as possible where each phase modulating sector moves substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the PLIB as the disc rotates about its axis of rotation. 
     During system operation, the refractive-type phase-modulation disc  374  is rotated about its axis through the composite PLIB  373  so as to modulate the spatial phase along the wavefront of the PLIB and produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and possibly spatially averaged during each photo-integration time period of the image detection array. As shown in FIG.  1 I 8 E, the electric field components produced from the rotating refractive disc sections  371  and its neighboring cylindrical lenslet  371  are optically combined by the cylindrical lens array and projected onto the same points on the surface of the object being illuminated, thereby contributing to the resultant time-varying (uncorrelated) electric field intensity produced at each detector element in the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 8 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of the cylindrical lens array; (ii) the width dimension of each lenslet; (iii) the length of the lens array in relation to the radius of the phase modulation disc  374 ; (iv) the tangential velocity of the phase modulation elements passing through the PLIB; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 8 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Using a Phase-only Type LCD-Based Phase Modulation Panel to Spatial Phase Modulate said PLIB Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     As shown in FIGS.  1 I 8 F and  1 I 8 G, the general phase modulation principles embodied in the apparatus of FIG.  1 I 8 A can be applied in the design the optical assembly for reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array of a PLIIM-based system. As shown in FIGS.  1 I 8 F and  1 I 8 G, optical assembly  700  comprises: a backlit transmissive-type phase-only LCD (PO-LCD) phase modulation panel  701  mounted slightly beyond a PLIA  6 A,  6 B to intersect the composite PLIB  702 ; and a cylindrical lens array  703  supported in frame  704  and mounted closely to, or against phase modulation panel  701 . The phase modulation panel  701  comprises an array of vertically arranged phase modulating elements or strips  705 , each made from birefrigent liquid crystal material. In the illustrative embodiment, phase modulation panel  701  is constructed from a conventional backlit transmission-type LCD panel. Under the control of camera control computer  22 , programmed drive voltage circuitry  706  supplies a set of phase control voltages to the array  705  so as to controllably vary the drive voltage applied across the pixels associated with each predefined phase modulating element  705 . Each phase modulating element  705  is assigned a particular phase coding so that periodic or random micro-shifting of PLIB  708  is achieved along its planar extent prior to transmission through cylindrical lens array  703 . During system operation, the phase-modulation panel  701  is driven by applying control voltages across each element  705  so as to modulate the spatial phase along the wavefront of the PLIB, to cause each PLIB component to micro-oscillate as it is transmitted therethrough. These micro-oscillated PLIB components are then transmitted through cylindrical lens array so that they are optically combined and numerous phase-delayed PLIB components are projected  703  onto the same points of the surface of the object being illuminated. This illumination process results in producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array (of the accompanying IFD subsystem) during the photo-integration time period thereof. These time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and possibly spatially averaged thereover, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 8 F, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of the cylindrical lens array  703 ; (ii) the width dimension of each lenslet thereof; (iii) the length of the lens array in relation to the radius of the phase modulation panel  701 ; (iv) the speed at which the birefringence of each modulation element  705  is electrically switched during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array (PLIA) in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 8 F, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Using a Refractive-type Cylindrical Lens Array Ring Structure to Spatial Phase Modulate Said PLIB Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIG.  1 I 9 A, there is shown a pair of optical assemblies  380 A and  380 B for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, each optical assembly  380  comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with a PLIB phase-modulation mechanism  381  realized by a refractive-type cylindrical lens array ring structure  382  for micro-oscillating the PLIB prior to illuminating the target object. The lens array ring structure  382  can be made from a lenticular screen material having cylindrical lens elements (CLEs) or cylindrical lenslets arranged with a high spatial period (e.g. 64 CLEs per inch). The lenticular screen material can be carefully heated to soften the material so that it may be configured into a ring geometry, and securely held at its bottom end within a groove formed within support ring  382 , as shown in FIG.  1 I 9 B. In accordance with the first generalized method, the refractive-type cylindrical lens array ring structure  382  is rotated by a high-speed electric motor  384  about its axis through the PLIB  383  produced by the PLIA  6 A,  6 B. The function of the rotating cylindrical lens array ring structure  382  is to module the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB, producing numerous phase-delayed PLIB components which are optically combined, which are projected onto the same points of the surface of the object being illuminated. This illumination process produces numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof, so that the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 I 9 B, the cylindrical lens ring structure  382  comprises a cylindrically-configured array of cylindrical lens  386  mounted perpendicular to the surface of an annulus structure  387 , connected to the shaft of electric motor  384  by way of support arms  388 A,  388 B,  388 C and  388 D. The cylindrical lenslets should face radially outwardly, as shown in FIG.  1 I 9 B. As shown in FIG.  1 I 9 A, the PLIA  6 A,  6 B is stationarily mounted relative to the rotor of the motor  384  so that the PLIB  383  produced therefrom is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the motor, and is transmitted through each cylindrical lens element  386  in the ring structure  382  at an angle which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each cylindrical lens element  386 . The composite PLIB  389  produced from optical assemblies  380 A and  380 B is spatially coherent-reduced and yields images having reduced speckle-noise patterns in accordance with the present invention. 
     In the case of the optical system of FIG.  1 I 9 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of the cylindrical lens elements in the lens array ring structure; (ii) the width dimension of each cylindrical lens element; (iii) the circumference of the cylindrical lens array ring structure; (iv) the tangential velocity thereof at the point where the PLIB intersects the transmitted PLIB; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 9 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Using a Diffractive-type Cylindrical Lens Array Ring Structure to Spatial Intensity Modulate said PLIB Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIG.  1 I 10 A, there is shown a pair of optical assemblies  390 A and  390 B for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, each optical assembly  390  comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with a PLIB phase-modulation mechanism  391  realized by a diffractive (i.e. holographic) type cylindrical lens array ring structure  392  for micro-oscillating the PLIB  393  prior to illuminating the target object. The lens array ring structure  392  can be made from a strip of holographic recording material  392 A which has cylindrical lenses elements holographically recorded therein using conventional holographic recording techniques. This holographically recorded strip  392 A is sandwiched between an inner and outer set of glass cylinders  392 B and  392 C, and sealed off from air or moisture on its top and bottom edges using a glass sealant. The holographically recorded cylindrical lens elements (CLEs) are arranged about the ring structure with a high spatial period (e.g. 64 CLEs per inch). HDE construction techniques disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/071,512, incorporated herein by reference, can be used to manufacture the HDE ring structure  312 . The ring structure  392  is securely held at its bottom end within a groove formed within annulus support structure  397 , as shown in FIG.  1 I 10 B. As shown therein, the cylindrical lens ring structure  392  is mounted perpendicular to the surface of an annulus structure  397 , connected to the shaft of electric motor  394  by way of support arms  398 A,  398 B,  398 C, and  398 D. As shown in FIG.  1 I 10 A, the PLIA  6 A,  6 B is stationarily mounted relative to the rotor of the motor  394  so that the PLIB  393  produced therefrom is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the motor  394 , and is transmitted through each holographically-recorded cylindrical lens element (HDE)  396  in the ring structure  392  at an angle which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each cylindrical lens element  396 . 
     In accordance with the first generalized method, the cylindrical lens array ring structure  392  is rotated by a high-speed electric motor  394  about its axis as the composite PLIB is transmitted from the PLIA  6 A through the rotating cylindrical lens array ring structure. During the transmission process, the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB is spatial phase modulated. The function of the rotating cylindrical lens array ring structure  392  is to module the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB producing spatial phase modulated PLIB components which are optically combined and projected onto the same points of the surface of the object being illuminated. This illumination process produces numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. These time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged at the image detector during each photo-integration time, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 10 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of the cylindrical lens elements in the lens array ring structure; (ii) the width dimension of each cylindrical lens element; (iii) the circumference of the cylindrical lens array ring structure; (iv) the tangential velocity thereof at the point where the PLIB intersects the transmitted PLIB; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 9 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Using a Reflective-type Phase Modulation Disc Structure to Spatial Phase Modulate Said PLIB Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIGS.  1 I 11 A through  1 I 11 C, there is shown a PLIIM-based system  400  embodying a pair of optical assemblies  401 A and  401 B, each comprising a reflective-type phase-modulation mechanism  402  mounted between a pair of PLIAs  6 A 1  and  6 A 2 , and towards which the PLIAs  6 B 1  and  6 B 2  direct a pair of composite PLIBs  402 A and  402 B. In accordance with the first generalized method, the phase-modulation mechanism  402  comprises a reflective-type PLIB phase-modulation disc structure  404  having a cylindrical surface  405  with randomly or periodically distributed relief (or recessed) surface discontinuities that function as “spatial phase modulation elements”. The phase modulation disc  404  is rotated by a high-speed electric motor  407  about its axis so that, prior to illumination of the target object, each PLIB  402 A and  402 B is reflected off the phase modulation surface of the disc  404  as a composite PLIB  409  (i.e. in a direction of coplanar alignment with the field of view (FOV) of the IFD subsystem), spatial phase modulates the PLIB and causing the PLIB  409  to be micro-oscillated along its planar extent. The function of each rotating phase-modulation disc  404  is to module the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB, producing numerous phase-delayed PLIB components which are optically combined and projected onto the same points of the surface of the object being illuminated. This produces numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period (i.e. interval) thereof. The time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise patterns observe at the image detection array. As shown in FIG.  1 I 11 B, the reflective phase-modulation disc  404 , while spatially-modulating the PLIB, does not effect the coplanar relationship maintained between the transmitted PLIB  409  and the field of view (FOV) of the IFD Subsystem. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 11 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of the spatial phase modulating elements arranged on the surface  405  of each disc structure  404 ; (ii) the width dimension of each spatial phase modulating element on surface  405 ; (iii) the circumference of the disc structure  404 ; (iv) the tangential velocity on surface  405  at which the PLIB reflects thereoff; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 11 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Producing a Micro-oscillating Planar Laser Illumination (PLIB) Using a Rotating Polygon Lens Structure which Spatial Phase Modulates Said PLIB Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIG.  1 I 12 A, there is shown an optical assembly  417  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  417  comprises a PLIA  6 A′,  6 B′ and stationary cylindrical lens array  341  maintained within frame  342 , wherein each planar laser illumination module (PLIM)  11 ′ employed therein includes an integrated phase-modulation mechanism. In accordance with the first generalized method, the PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism is realized by a multi-faceted (refractive-type) polygon lens structure  16 ′ having an array of cylindrical lens surfaces  16 A′ symmetrically arranged about its circumference. As shown in FIG.  1 I 12 C, each cylindrical lens surface  16 A′ is diametrically opposed from another cylindrical lens surface arranged about the polygon lens structure so that as a focused laser beam is provided as input on one cylindrical lens surface, a planarized laser beam exits another (different) cylindrical lens surface diametrically opposed to the input cylindrical lens surface. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 I 12 B, the multi-faceted polygon lens structure  16 ′ employed in each PLIM  11 ′ is rotatably supported within housing  418 A (comprising housing halves  418 A 1  and  418 A 2 ). A pair of sealed upper and lower ball bearing sets  418 B 1  and  418 B 2  are mounted within the upper and lower end portions of the polygon lens structure  16 ′ and slidably secured within upper and lower raceways  418 C 1  and  418 C 2  formed in housing halves  418 A 1  and  418 A 2 , respectively. As shown, housing half  418 A 1  has an input light transmission aperture  418 D 1  for passage of the focused laser beam from the VLD, whereas housing half  418 A 2  has an elongated output light transmission aperture  418 D 2  for passage of a component PLIB. As shown, the polygon lens structure  16 ′ is rotatably supported within the housing when housing halves  418 A 1  and  418 A 2  are brought physically together and interconnected by screws, ultrasonic welding, or other suitable fastening techniques. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 I 12 C, a gear element  418 E is fixed attached to the upper portion of each polygon lens structure  16 ′ in the PLIA. Also, as shown in FIG.  1 I 12 D, each neighboring gear element is intermeshed and one of these gear elements is directly driven by an electric motor  418 H so that the plurality of polygon lens structures  16 ′ are simultaneously rotated and a plurality of component PLIBs  419 A are generated from their respective PLIMs during operation of the speckle-pattern noise reduction assembly  417 , and a composite PLIB  418 B is produced from cylindrical lens array  341 . 
     In accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction, each polygon lens structure is rotated about its axis during system operation. During system operation, each polygon lens structure  16 ′ is rotated about its axis, and the composite PLIB transmitted from the PLIA  6 A′,  6 B′ is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof, producing numerous phase-delayed PLIB components. The function of the cylindrical lens array  341  is to optically combine these numerous phase-delayed PLIB components and project the same onto the points of the object being illuminated. This causes the phase along the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB to be modulated and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. The numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 12 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial period of the cylindrical lens surfaces; (ii) the width dimension of each cylindrical lens surface; (iii) the circumference of the polygon lens structure; (iv) the tangential velocity of the cylindrical lens surfaces through which focused laser beam are transmitted; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array (PLIA) in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the spatial phase modulation function (SPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 12 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Second Generalized Method of Speckle-noise Pattern Reduction and Particular Forms of Apparatus therefor Based on Reducing the Temporal Coherence of the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Before it Illuminates the Target Object by Applying Temporal Intensity Modulation Techniques During the Transmission of the PLIB Towards the Target 
     Referring to FIGS.  1 I 13  through  1 I 15 F, the second generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor will be described. This generalized method is based on the principle of temporal intensity modulating the “transmitted” planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating a target object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a temporally coherent-reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem). These speckle-noise patterns are temporally averaged and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise patterns reduced. This method can be practiced with any of the PLIIM-based systems of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as any system constructed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention. 
     As illustrated at Block A in FIG.  1 I 13 B, the first step of the second generalized method shown in FIGS.  1 I 13  through  1 I 13 A involves modulating the temporal intensity of the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) along the planar extent thereof according to a (random or periodic) temporal-intensity modulation function (TIMF) prior to illumination of the target object with the PLIB. This causes numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof. As indicated at Block B in FIG.  1 I 13 B, the second step of the method involves temporally and spatially averaging the numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns detected during each photo-integration time period of the image detection array in the IFD Subsystem, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     When using the second generalized method, the target object is repeatedly illuminated with planes of laser light apparently originating at different moments in time (i.e. from different virtual illumination sources) over the photo-integration period of each detector element in the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. As the relative phase delays between these virtual illumination sources are changing over the photo-integration time period of each image detection element, these virtual illumination sources are effectively rendered temporally incoherent (or temporally coherent-reduced) with respect to each other. On a time-average basis, virtual illumination sources produce these time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection elements, thereby reducing the RMS power of the observed speckle-noise patterns. As speckle-noise patterns are roughly uncorrelated at the image detector, the reduction in speckle noise amplitude should be proportional to the square root of the number of independent real and virtual laser illumination sources contributing to the illumination of the target object and formation of the image frames thereof. As a result of the method of the present invention, image-based bar code symbol decoders and/or OCR processors operating on such digital images can be processed with significant reductions in error. 
     The second generalized method above can be explained in terms of Fourier Transform optics. When temporally modulating the transmitted PLIB by a periodic or random temporal intensity modulation (TIMF) function, while satisfying conditions (i) and (ii) above, a temporal intensity modulation process occurs on the time domain. This temporal intensity modulation process is equivalent to mathematically multiplying the transmitted PLIB by the temporal intensity modulation function. This multiplication process on the time domain is equivalent on the time-frequency domain to the convolution of the Fourier Transform of the temporal intensity modulation function with the Fourier Transform of the transmitted PLIB. On the time-frequency domain, this convolution process generates temporally-incoherent (i.e. statistically-uncorrelated) spectral components which are permitted to spatially-overlap at each detection element of the image detection array (i.e. on the spatial domain) and produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of each detector element, to reduce the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In general, various types of temporal intensity modulation techniques can be used to carry out the first generalized method including, for example: mode-locked laser diodes (MLLDs) employed in the planar laser illumination array; electro-optical temporal intensity modulators disposed along the optical path of the composite planar laser illumination beam; internal and external type laser beam frequency modulation (FM) devices; internal and external laser beam amplitude modulation (AM) devices; etc. Several of these temporal intensity modulation mechanisms will be described in detail below. 
     Electro-optical Apparatus of the Present Invention for Temporal Intensity Modulating the Planar Laser Illumination (PLIB) Beam Prior to Target Object Illumination Employing High-speed Beam Gating/Shutter Principles 
     In FIGS.  1 I 14 A through  1 I 14 B, there is shown an optical assembly  420  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  420  comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with a refractive-type cylindrical lens array  421  (e.g. operating according to refractive, diffractive and/or reflective principles) supported in frame  822 , and an electrically-active temporal intensity modulation panel  423  (e.g. high-speed electro-optical gating/shutter device) arranged in front of the cylindrical lens array  421 . Electronic driver circuitry  424  is provided to drive the temporal intensity modulation panel  43  under the control of camera control computer  22 . In the illustrative embodiment, electronic driver circuitry  424  can be programmed to produce an output PLIB  425  consisting of a periodic light pulse train, wherein each light pulse has an ultra-short time duration and a rate of repetition (i.e. temporal characteristics) which generate spectral harmonics (i.e. components) on the time-frequency domain. These spectral harmonics, when optically combined by cylindrical lens array  421 , and projected onto a target object, illuminate the same points on the surface thereof, and reflect/scatter therefrom, resulting in the generation of numerous time-varying speckle-patterns at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof in the PLIIM-based system. 
     During system operation, the PLIB  424  is temporal intensity modulated according to a (random or periodic) temporal-intensity modulation (e.g. windowing) function (TIMF) so that numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof. The time-varying speckle-noise patterns detected at the image detection array are temporally and spatially averaged during each photo-integration time period thereof, thus reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 14 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated during each photo-integration time period: (i) the time duration of each light pulse in the output PLIB  425 ; (ii) the rate of repetition of the light pulses in the output PLIB; and (iii) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (i) and (ii) will factor into the specification of the temporal intensity modulation function (TIMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 14 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the temporal derivative of the temporal intensity modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Electro-optical Apparatus of the Present Invention for Temporal Intensity Modulating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Prior to Target Object Illumination Employing Visible Mode-locked Laser Diodes (MLLDs) 
     In FIGS.  1 I 15 A through  1 I 15 B, there is shown an optical assembly  440  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  440  comprises a cylindrical lens array  441  (e.g. operating according to refractive, diffractive and/or reflective principles), mounted in front of a PLIA  6 A,  6 B embodying a plurality of visible mode-locked visible diodes (MLLDs)  13 ′. In accordance with the second generalized method of the present invention, each visible MLLD  13 ′ is configured and tuned to produce ultra-short pulses of light having a time duration and at occurring at a rate of repetition (i.e. frequency) which causes the transmitted PLIB  443  to be temporal-intensity modulated according to a (random or periodic) temporal intensity modulation function (TIMF) prior to illumination of the target object with the PLIB. This causes numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during each photo-integration time period of the image detection array in the IFD Subsystem, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 I 15 B, each MLLD  13 ′ employed in the PLIA of FIG.  1 I 15 A comprises: a multi-mode laser diode cavity  444  referred to as the active layer (e.g. InGaAsP) having a wide emission-bandwidth over the visible band, and suitable time-bandwidth product for the application at hand; a collimating lenslet  445  having a very short focal length; an active mode-locker  446  (e.g. temporal-intensity modulator) operated under switched electronic control of a TIM controller  447 ; a passive-mode locker (i.e. saturable absorber)  448  for controlling the pulse-width of the output laser beam; and a mirror  449 , affixed to the passive-mode locker  447 , having 99% reflectivity and 1% transmittivity at the operative wavelength band of the visible MLLD. The multi-mode diode laser diode  13 ′ generates (within its primary laser cavity) numerous modes of oscillation at different optical wavelengths within the time-bandwidth product of the cavity. The collimating lenslet  445  collimates the divergent laser output from the diode cavity  444 , has a very short local length and defines the aperture of the optical system. The collimated output from the lenslet  445  is directed through the active mode locker  446 , disposed at a very short distance away (e.g. 1 millimeter). The active mode locker  446  is typically realized as a high-speed temporal intensity modulator which is electronically-switched between optically transmissive and optically opaque states at a switching frequency equal to the frequency (f MLB ) of the mode-locked laser beam pulses to be produced at the output of each MLLD. This laser beam pulse frequency f MLB  is governed by the following equation: f MLB =c/2L, where c is the speed of light, and L is the total length of the MLLD, as defined in FIG.  1 I 15 B. The partially transmission mirror 449, disposed a short distance (e.g. 1 millimeter) away from the active mode locker  446 , is characterized by a reflectivity of about 99%, and a transmittance of about 1% at the operative wavelength band of the MLLD. The passive mode locker  448 , applied to the interior surface of the mirror  449 , is a photo-bleachable saturatable material which absorbs photons at the operative wavelength band. When the passive mode blocker  448  is totally absorbed (i.e. saturated), it automatically transmits the absorbed photons as a burst (i.e. pulse) of output laser light from the visible MLLD. After the burst of photons are emitted, the passive mode blocker  448  quickly recovers for the next photon absorption/saturation/release cycle. Notably, absorption and recovery time characteristics of the passive mode blocker  448  controls the time duration (i.e. width) of the optical pulses produced from the visible MLLD. In typical high-speed package scanning applications requiring a relatively short photo-integration time period (e.g. 10 −4  sec), the absorption and recovery time characteristics of the passive mode blocker  448  can be on the order of femtoseconds. This will ensure that the composite PLIB  443  produced from the MLLD-based PLIA contains higher order spectral harmonics (i.e. components) with sufficient magnitude to cause a significant reduction in the temporal coherence of the PLIB and thus in the power-density spectrum of the speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem. For further details regarding the construction of MLLDs, reference should be made to “Diode Laser Arrays” (1994), by D. Botez and D. R. Scifres, supra, incorporated herein by reference. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 15 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated during each photo-integration time period: (i) the time duration of each light pulse in the output PLIB  443 ; (ii) the rate of repetition of the light pulses in the output PLIB; and (iii) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (i) and (ii) will factor into the specification of the temporal intensity modulation function (TIMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS ower of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 15 C, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the temporal derivative of the temporal intensity modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Electro-optical Apparatus of the Present Invention for Temporal Intensity Modulating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Prior to Target Object Illumination Employing Current-modulated Visible Laser Diodes (VLDs) 
     There are other techniques for reducing speckle-noise patterns by temporal intensity modulating PLIBs produced by PLIAs according to the principles of the present invention. A straightforward approach to temporal intensity modulating the PLIB would be to either (i) modulate the diode current driving the VLDs of the PLIA in a non-linear mode of operation, or (ii) use an external optical modulator to temporal intensity modulate the PLIB in a non-linear mode of operation. By operating VLDs in a non-linear manner, high order spectral harmonics can be produced which, in cooperation with a cylindrical lens array, cooperate to generate substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns during each photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     In principal, non-linear amplitude modulation (AM) techniques can be employed with the first approach (i) above, whereas the non-linear AM, frequency modulation (FM), or temporal phase modulation (PM) techniques can be employed with the second approach (ii) above. The primary purpose of applying such non-linear laser modulation techniques is to introduce spectral side-bands into the optical spectrum of the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB). The spectral harmonics in this side-band spectra are determined by the sum and difference frequencies of the optical carrier frequency and the modulation frequency(ies) employed. If the PLIB is temporal intensity modulated by a periodic temporal intensity modulation (time-windowing) function (e.g. 100% AM), and the time period of this time windowing function is sufficiently high, then two points on the target surface will be illuminated by light of different optical frequencies (i.e. uncorrelated virtual laser illumination sources) carried within pulsed-periodic PLIB. In general, if the difference in optical frequencies in the pulsed-periodic PLIB is large (i.e. caused by compressing the time duration of its constituent light pulses) compared to the inverse of the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, then observed the speckle-noise pattern will appear to be washed out (i.e. additively cancelled) by the beating of the two optical frequencies at the image detection array. To ensure that the uncorrelated speckle-noise patterns detected at the image detection array can additively average (i.e. cancel) out during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, the rate of light pulse repetition in the transmitted PLIB should be increased to the point where numerous time-varying speckle-patterns are produced thereat, while the time duration (i.e. duty cycle) of each light pulse in the pulsed PLIB is compressed so as to impart greater magnitude to the higher order spectral harmonics comprising the periodic-pulsed PLIB generated by the application of such non-linear modulation techniques. 
     In FIG.  1 I 15 C, there is shown an optical subsystem  760  for despeckling which comprises a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs)  13  and a plurality of cylindrical lens elements  16  arranged in front of a cylindrical lens array  441  supported within a frame  442 . Each VLD is driven by a digitally-controlled temporal intensity modulation (TIM) controller  761  so that the PLIB transmitted from the PLIA is temporal intensity modulated according to a temporal-intensity modulation function (TIMF) that is controlled by the programmable drive-current source. This temporal intensity modulation of the transmitted PLIB modulates the temporal phase along the wavefront of the transmitted PLIB, producing numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array of the IFD subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. In turn, these time-varying speckle-patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thus reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D, the temporal intensity modulation (TIM) controller  751  employed in optical subsystem  760  in FIG.  1 I 15 E, comprises: a programmable current source for driving each VLD, which is realized by a voltage source  762 , and a digitally-controllable potentiometer  763  configured in series with each VLD  13  in the PLIA; and a programmable microcontroller  764  in operable communication with the camera control computer  22 . The function of the microcontroller  764  is to receive timing/synchronization signals and control data from the camera control computer  22  in order to precisely control the amount of current flowing through each VLD at each instant in time. FIG.  1 I 15 E graphically illustrates an exemplary triangular current waveform which might be transmitted across the junction of each VLD in the PLIA of FIG.  1 I 15 C, as the current waveform is being controlled by the microcontroller  764 , voltage source  762  and digitally-controllable potentiometer  763  associated with the VLD  13 . FIG.  1 I 15 F graphically illustrates the light intensity output from each VLD in the PLIA of FIG.  1 I 15 C, generated in response to the triangular electrical current waveform transmitted across the junction of the VLD. 
     Notably, the current waveforms generated by the microcontroller  764  can be quite diverse in character, in order to produce temporal intensity modulation functions (TIMF) which exhibit a spectral harmonic constitution that results in a substantial reduction in the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observed at the image detection array of PLIIM-based systems. 
     In accordance with the second generalized method of the present invention, each VLD  13  is preferably driven in a non-linear manner by a time-varying electrical current produced by a high-speed VLD drive current modulation circuit, referred to as the TIM controller  761  in FIGS.  1 I 15 C and  1 I 15 D. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS.  1 I 15 C through  1 I 15 F, the electrical current flowing through each VLD  13  is controlled by the digitally-controllable potentiometer  763  configured in electrical series therewith, and having an electrical resistance value R programmably set under the control of microcontroller  753 . Notably, microcontroller  764  automatically responds to timing/synchronization signals and control data periodically received from the camera control computer  22  prior to the capture of each line of digital image data by the PLIIM-based system. The VLD drive current supplied to each VLD in the PLIA effectively modulates the amplitude of the output planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) component. Preferably, the depth of amplitude modulation (AM) of each output PLIB component will be close or equal to 100% in order to increase the magnitude of the higher order spectral harmonics generated during the AM process. Increasing the rate of change of the amplitude modulation of the laser beam (i.e. its pulse repetition frequency) will result in the generation of higher-order spectral components in the composite PLIB. Shortening the width of each optical pulse in the output pulse train of the transmitted PLIB will increase the magnitude of the higher-order spectral harmonics present therein during object illumination operations. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 15 C, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated during each photo-integration time period: (i) the time duration of each light pulse in the output PLIB  443 ; (ii) the rate of repetition of the light pulses in the output PLIB; and (iii) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (i) and (ii) will factor into the specification of the temporal intensity modulation function (TIMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 14 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the temporal derivative of the temporal intensity modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Notably, both external-type and internal-type laser modulation devices can be used to generate higher order spectral harmonics within transmitted PLIBs. Internal-type laser modulation devices, employing laser current and/or temperature control techniques, modulate the temporal intensity of the transmitted PLIB in a non-linear manner (i.e. zero PLIB power, full PLIB power) by controlling the current of the VLDs producing the PLIB. In contrast, external-type laser modulation devices, employing high-speed optical-gating and other light control devices, modulate the temporal intensity of the transmitted PLIB in a non-linear manner (i.e. zero PLIB power, full PLIB power) by directly controlling temporal intensity of luminous power in the transmitted PLIB. Typically, such external-type techniques will require additional heat management apparatus. Cost and spatial constraints will factor in which techniques to use in a particular application. 
     Third Generalized Method of Speckle-noise Pattern Reduction and Particular Forms of Apparatus therefor Based on Reducing the Temporal-Coherence of the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Before it Illuminates the Target Object by Applying Temporal Phase Modulation Techniques During the Transmission of the PLIB Towards the Target 
     Referring to FIGS.  1 I 16  through  1 I 17 E, the third generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor will be described. This generalized method is based on the principle of temporal phase modulating the “transmitted” planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating a target object therewith so that the object is illuminated with a temporally coherent reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. This method can be practiced with any of the PLIM-based systems of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as any system constructed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention. 
     As illustrated at Block A in FIG.  1 I 16 B, the first step of the third generalized method shown in FIGS.  1 I 16  through  1 I 16 A involves temporal phase modulating the transmitted PLIB along the entire extent thereof according to a (random or periodic) temporal phase modulation function (TPMF) prior to illumination of the target object with the PLIB, so as to produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. As indicated at Block B in FIG.  1 I 16 B, the second step of the method involves temporally and spatially averaging the numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     When using the third generalized method, the target object is repeatedly illuminated with laser light apparently originating from different moments (i.e. virtual illumination sources) in time over the photo-integration period of each detector element in the linear image detection array of the PLIIM system, during which reflected laser illumination is received at the detector element. As the relative phase delays between these virtual illumination sources are changing over the photo-integration time period of each image detection element, these virtual sources are effectively rendered temporally incoherent with each other. On a time-average basis, these time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection elements, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed thereat. As speckle-noise patterns are roughly uncorrelated at the image detection array, the reduction in speckle-noise power should be proportional to the square root of the number of independent virtual laser illumination sources contributing to the illumination of the target object and formation of the images frame thereof. As a result of the present invention, image-based bar code symbol decoders and/or OCR processors operating on such digital images can be processed with significant reductions in error. 
     The third generalized method above can be explained in terms of Fourier Transform optics. When temporal intensity modulating the transmitted PLIB by a periodic or random temporal phase modulation function (TPMF), while satisfying conditions (i) and (ii) above, a temporal phase modulation process occurs on the temporal domain. This temporal phase modulation process is equivalent to mathematically multiplying the transmitted PLIB by the temporal phase modulation function. This multiplication process on the temporal domain is equivalent on the temporal-frequency domain to the convolution of the Fourier Transform of the temporal phase modulation function with the Fourier Transform of the composite PLIB. On the temporal-frequency domain, this convolution process generates temporally-incoherent (i.e. statistically-uncorrelated or independent) spectral components which are permitted to spatially-overlap at each detection element of the image detection array (i.e. on the spatial domain) and produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of each detector element, to reduce the speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array. 
     In general, various types of spatial light modulation techniques can be used to carry out the third generalized method including, for example: an optically resonant cavity (i.e. etalon device) affixed to external portion of each VLD; a phase-only LCD (PO-LCD) temporal intensity modulation panel; and fiber optical arrays. Several of these temporal phase modulation mechanisms will be described in detail below. 
     Electrically-passive Optical Apparatus of the Present Invention for Temporal Phase Modulating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Prior to Target Object Illumination Employing Photon Trapping, Delaying and Releasing Principles within an Optically-reflective Cavity (i.e. Etalon) Externally Affixed to Each Visible Laser Diode within the Planar Laser Illumination Array (PLIA) 
     In FIGS.  1 I 17 A through  1 I 17 B, there is shown an optical assembly  430  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  430  comprises a PLIA  6 A,  6 B with a refractive-type cylindrical lens array  431  (e.g. operating according to refractive, diffractive and/or reflective principles) supported within frame  432 , and an electrically-passive temporal phase modulation device (i.e. etalon)  433  realized as an external optically reflective cavity) affixed to each VLD  13  of the PLIA  6 A,  6 B. 
     The primary principle of this temporal phase modulation technique is to delay portions of the laser light (i.e. photons) emitted by each laser diode  13  by times longer than the inherent temporal coherence length of the laser diode. In this embodiment, this is achieved by employing photon trapping, delaying and releasing principles within an optically reflective cavity. Typical laser diodes have a coherence length of a few centimeters (cm). Thus, if some of the laser illumination can be delayed by the time of flight of a few centimeters, then it will be incoherent with the original laser illumination. The electrically-passive device  433  shown in FIG.  1 I 17 B can be realized by a pair of parallel, reflective surfaces (e.g. plates, films or layers)  436 A and  436 B, mounted to the output of each VLD  13  in the PLIA  6 A,  6 B. If one surface is essentially totally reflective (e.g. 97% reflective) and the other about 94% reflective, then about 3% of the laser illumination (i.e. photons) will escape the device through the partially reflective surface of the device on each round trip. The laser illumination will be delayed by the time of flight for one round trip between the plates. If the plates  436 A and  436 B are separated by a space  437  of several centimeters length, then this delay will be greater than the coherence time of the laser source. In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS.  1 I 17 A and  1 I 17 B, the emitted light (i.e. photons) will make about thirty (30) trips between the plates. This has the effect of mixing thirty (30) photon distribution samples from the laser source, each sample residing outside the coherence time thereof, thus destroying or substantially reducing the temporal coherence of the laser beams produced from the laser illumination sources in the PLIA of the present invention. A primary advantage of this technique is that it employs electrically-passive components which might be manufactured relatively inexpensively in a mass-production environment. Suitable components for constructing such electrically-passive temporal phase modulation devices  433  can be obtained from various commercial vendors. 
     During operation, the transmitted PLIB  434  is temporal phase modulated according to a (random or periodic) temporal phase modulation function (TPMF) so that the phase along the wavefront of the PLIB is modulated and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof. The time-varying speckle-noise patterns detected at the image detection array are temporally and spatially averaged during each photo-integration time period thereof, thus reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 17 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated during each photo-integration time period: (i) the spacing between reflective surfaces (e.g. plates, films or layers)  436 A and  436 B; (ii) the reflection coefficients of these reflective surfaces; and (iii) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (i) and (ii) will factor into the specification of the temporal phase modulation function (TPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 17 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the time derivative of the temporal phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Temporal Phase Modulating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Using a Phase-only LCD-Based (PO-LCD) Temporal Phase Modulation Panel Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     As shown in FIG.  1 I 17 C, the general phase modulation principles embodied in the apparatus of FIG.  1 I 8 A can be applied in the design the optical assembly for reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array of a PLIIM-based system. As shown in FIG.  1 I 17 C, optical assembly  800  comprises: a backlit transmissive-type phase-only LCD (PO-LCD) temporal phase modulation panel  701  mounted slightly beyond a PLIA  6 A,  6 B to intersect the composite PLIB  702 ; and a cylindrical lens array  703  supported in frame  704  and mounted closely to, or against phase modulation panel  701 . In the illustrative embodiment, the phase modulation panel  701  comprises an array of vertically arranged phase modulating elements or strips  705 , each made from birefrigent liquid crystal material which is capable of imparting a phase delay at each control point along the PLIB wavefront, which is greater than the coherence length of the VLDs using in the PLIA. Under the control of camera control computer  22 , programmed drive voltage circuitry  706  supplies a set of phase control voltages to the array  705  so as to controllably vary the drive voltage applied across the pixels associated with each predefined phase modulating element  705 . 
     During system operation, the phase-modulation panel  701  is driven by applying substantially the same control voltage across each element  705  in the phase modulation panel  701  so that the temporal phase along the entire wavefront of the PLIB is modulated by substantially the same amount of phase delay. These temporally-phase modulated PLIB components are optically combined by the cylindrical lens array  703 , and projected  703  onto the same points on the surface of the object being illuminated. This illumination process results in producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array (of the accompanying IFD subsystem) during the photo-integration time period thereof. These time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and possibly spatially averaged thereover, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 17 C, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated during each photo-integration time period: (i) the number of phase modulating elements in the array; (ii) the amount of temporal phase delay introduced at each control point along the wavefront; (iii) the rate at which the temporal phase delay changes; and (iv) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (iv) will factor into the specification of the temporal phase modulation function (TPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 17 C, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the time derivative of the temporal phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Temporal Phase Modulating the Planar Laser Illumination (PLIB) Using a High-density Fiber-optic Array Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     As shown in FIGS.  1 I 17 D and  1 I 17 E, temporal phase modulation principles can be applied in the design of an optical assembly for reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array of a PLIIM-based system. As shown in FIGS.  1 I 17 C and  1 I 17 C, optical assembly  810  comprises: a high-density fiber optic array  811  mounted slightly beyond a PLIA  6 A,  6 B, wherein each optical fiber element intersects a portion of a PLIB component  812  (at a particular phase control point) and transmits a portion of the PLIB component therealong while introducing a phase delay greater than the temporal coherence length of the VLDs, but different than the phase delay introduced at other phase control points; and a cylindrical lens array  703  characterized by a high spatial frequency, and supported in frame  704  and either mounted closely to or optically interfaced with the fiber optic array (FOA)  811 , for the purpose of optically combining the differently phase-delayed PLIB subcomponents and projecting these optical combined components onto the same points on the target object to be illuminated. Preferably, the diameter of the individual fiber optical elements in the FOA  811  is sufficiently small to form a tightly packed fiber optic bundle with a rectangular form factor having a width dimension about the same size as the width of the cylindrical lens array  703 , and a height dimension high enough to intercept the entire heightwise dimension of the PLIB components directed incident thereto by the corresponding PLIA. Preferably, the FOA  811  will have hundreds, if not thousands of phase control points at which different amounts of phase delay can be introduced into the PLIB. The input end of the fiber optic array can be capped with an optical lens element to optimize the collection of light rays associated with the incident PLIB components, and the coupling of such rays to the high-density array of optical fibers embodied therewithin. Preferably, the output end of the fiber optic array is optically coupled to the cylindrical lens array to minimize optical losses during PLIB propagation from the FOA through the cylindrical lens array. 
     During system operation, the FOA  811  modulates the temporal phase along the wavefront of the PLIB by introducing (i.e. causing) different phase delays along different phase control points along the PLIB wavefront, and these phase delays are greater than the coherence length of the VLDs employed in the PLIA. The cylindrical lens array optically combines numerous phase-delayed PLIB subcomponents and projects them onto the same points on the surface of the object being illuminated, causing such points to be illuminated by a temporal coherence reduced PLIB. This illumination process results in producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array (of the accompanying IFD subsystem) during the photo-integration time period thereof. These time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and possibly spatially averaged thereover, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 17 C, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the number and diameter of the optical fibers employed in the FOA; (ii) the amount of phase delay introduced by fiber optical element, in comparison to the coherence length of the corresponding VLD; (iii) the spatial period of the cylindrical lens array; (iv) the number of temporal phase control points along the PLIB; and (v) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (1) through (v) will factor into the specification of the temporal phase modulation function (TPMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 17 C, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the time derivative of the temporal phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Fourth Generalized Method of Speckle-noise Pattern Reduction and Particular Forms of Apparatus therefor Based on Reducing the Temporal Coherence of the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Before it Illuminates the Target Object by Applying Temporal Frequency Modulation Techniques During the Transmission of the PLIB Towards the Target 
     Referring to FIGS.  1 I 18 A through  1 I 19 C, the fourth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor will be described. This generalized method is based on the principle of temporal frequency modulating the “transmitted” planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating a target object therewith so that the object is illuminated with a temporally coherent reduced planar laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), thereby allowing these speckle-noise patterns to be temporally averaged and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. This method can be practiced with any of the PLIM-based systems of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as any system constructed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention. 
     As illustrated at Block A in FIG.  1 I 18 B, the first step of the fourth generalized method shown in FIGS.  1 I 18  through  1 I 18 A involves modulating the temporal frequency of the transmitted PLIB along the entire extent thereof according to a (random or periodic) temporal frequency modulation function (TFMF) prior to illumination of the target object with the PLIB, so as to produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. As indicated at Block B in FIG.  1 I 18 B, the second step of the method involves temporally and spatially averaging the numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     When using the fourth generalized method, the target object is repeatedly illuminated with laser light apparently originating from different moments (i.e. virtual illumination sources) in time over the photo-integration period of each detector element in the linear image detection array of the PLIIM system, during which reflected laser illumination is received at the detector element. As the relative phase delays between these virtual illumination sources are changing over the photo-integration time period of each image detection element, these virtual illumination sources are effectively rendered temporally incoherent with each other. On a time-average basis, these virtual illumination sources produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection elements, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed thereat. As speckle-noise patterns are roughly uncorrelated at the image detection array, the reduction in speckle-noise power should be proportional to the square root of the number of independent virtual laser illumination sources contributing to the illumination of the target object and formation of the images frame thereof. As a result of the present invention, image-based bar code symbol decoders and/or OCR processors operating on such digital images can be processed with significant reductions in error. 
     The fourth generalized method above can be explained in terms of Fourier Transform optics. When temporal intensity modulating the transmitted PLIB by a periodic or random temporal frequency modulation function (TFMF), while satisfying conditions (i) and (ii) above, a temporal frequency modulation process occurs on the temporal domain. This temporal modulation process is equivalent to mathematically multiplying the transmitted PLIB by the temporal frequency modulation function. This multiplication process on the temporal domain is equivalent on the temporal-frequency domain to the convolution of the Fourier Transform of the temporal frequency modulation function with the Fourier Transform of the composite PLIB. On the temporal-frequency domain, this convolution process generates temporally-incoherent (i.e. statistically-uncorrelated or independent) spectral components which are permitted to spatially-overlap at each detection element of the image detection array (i.e. on the spatial domain) and produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of each detector element, to reduce the speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array. 
     In general, various types of spatial light modulation techniques can be used to carry out the third generalized method including, for example: junction-current control techniques for periodically inducing VLDs into a mode of frequency hopping, using thermal feedback; and multi-mode visible laser diodes (VLDs) operated just above their lasing threshold. Several of these temporal frequency modulation mechanisms will be described in detail below. 
     Electro-optical Apparatus of the Present Invention for Temporal Frequency Modulating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Prior to Target Object Illumination Employing Drive-current Modulated Visible Laser Diodes (VLDs) 
     In FIGS.  1 I 19 A and  1 I 19 B, there is shown an optical assembly  450  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  450  comprises a stationary cylindrical lens array  451  (e.g. operating according to refractive, diffractive and/or reflective principles), supported in a frame  452  and mounted in front of a PLIA  6 A,  6 B embodying a plurality of drive-current modulated visible laser diodes (VLDs)  13 . In accordance with the second generalized method of the present invention, each VLD  13  is driven in a non-linear manner by an electrical time-varying current produced by a high-speed VLD drive current modulation circuit  454 , In the illustrative embodiment, the VLD drive current modulation circuit  454  is supplied with DC power from a DC power source  403  and operated under the control of camera control computer  22 . The VLD drive current supplied to each VLD effectively modulates the amplitude of the output laser beam  456 . Preferably, the depth of amplitude modulation (AM) of each output laser beam will be close to 100% in order to increase the magnitude of the higher order spectral harmonics generated during the AM process. As mentioned above, increasing the rate of change of the amplitude modulation of the laser beam will result in higher order optical components in the composite PLIB. 
     In alternative embodiments, the high-speed VLD drive current modulation circuit  454  can be operated (under the control of camera control computer  22  or other programmed microprocessor) so that the VLD drive currents generated by VLD drive current modulation circuit  454  periodically induce “spectral mode-hopping” within each VLD numerous time during each photo-integration time interval of the PLIIM-based system. This will cause each VLD to generate multiple spectral components within each photo-integration time period of the image detection array. 
     Optionally, the optical assembly  450  may further comprise a VLD temperature controller  456 , operably connected to the camera controller  22 , and a plurality of temperature control elements  457  mounted to each VLD. The function of the temperature controller  456  is to control the junction temperature of each VLD. The camera control computer  22  can be programmed to control both VLD junction temperature and junction current so that each VLD is induced into modes of spectral hopping for a maximal percentage of time during the photo-integration time period of the image detector. The result of such spectral mode hopping is to cause temporal frequency modulation of the transmitted PLIB  458 , thereby enabling the generation of numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array, and the temporal and spatial averaging of these patterns during the photo-integration time period of the array to reduce the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     Notably, in some embodiments, it may be preferred that the cylindrical lens array  451  be realized using light diffractive optical materials so that each spectral component within the transmitted PLIB will be diffracted at slightly different angles dependent on its optical wavelength, causing the PLIB to undergo micro-movement during target illumination operations. In some applications, such as the one shown in FIGS.  1 I 25 M 1  and  1 I 25 M 2 , such wavelength dependent movement can be used to modulate the spatial phase of the PLIB wavefront along directions either within the plane of the PLIB or orthogonal thereto, depending on how the diffractive-type cylindrical lens array is designed. In such applications, both temporal frequency modulation and spatial phase modulation of the PLIB wavefront would occur, thereby creating a hybrid-type despeckling scheme. 
     Electro-optical Apparatus of the Present Invention for Temporal Frequency Modulating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Prior to Target Object Illumination Employing Multi Mode Visible Laser Diodes (VLDs) Operated Just Above Their Lasing Threshold 
     In FIGS.  1 I 19 C, there is shown an optical assembly  450  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  450  comprises a stationary cylindrical lens array  451  (e.g. operating according to refractive, diffractive and/or reflective principles), supported in a frame  452  and mounted in front of a PLIA  6 A,  6 B embodying a plurality of “multi-mode” type visible laser diodes (VLDs) operated just above their lasing threshold so that each multi-mode VLD produces a temporal coherence-reduced laser beam. The result of producing temporal coherence-reduced PLIBs from each PLIA using this method is that numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced at the image detection array during target illumination operations. Therefore these speckle-patterns are temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of observed speckle-noise patterns. 
     Fifth Generalized Method of Speckle-noise Pattern Reduction and Particular Forms of Apparatus therefor Based on Reducing the Spatial Coherence of the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Before it Illuminates the Target Object by Applying Spatial Intensity Modulation Techniques During the Transmission of the PLIB Towards the Target 
     Referring to FIGS.  1 I 20  through  1 I 21 D, the fifth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor will be described. This generalized method is based on the principle of modulating the spatial intensity of the wavefront of the “transmitted” planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) prior to illuminating a target object (e.g. package) therewith so that the object is illuminated with a spatially coherent-reduced planar laser beam. As a result, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem). These speckle-noise patterns are temporally averaged and possibly spatially averaged over the photo-integration time period and the RMS power of observable speckle-noise pattern reduced. This method can be practiced with any of the PLIM-based systems of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as any system constructed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention. 
     As illustrated at Block A in FIG.  1 I 20 B, the first step of the fifth generalized method shown in FIGS.  1 I 20  and  1 I 20 A involves modulating the spatial intensity of the transmitted planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) along the planar extent thereof according to a (random or periodic) spatial intensity modulation function (SIMF) prior to illumination of the target object with the PLIB, so as to produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern at the image detection array of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. As indicated at Block B in FIG.  1 I 20 B, the second step of the method involves temporally and spatially averaging the numerous substantially different speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array in the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. 
     When using the fifth generalized method, the target object is repeatedly illuminated with laser light apparently originating from different points (i.e. virtual illumination sources) in space over the photo-integration period of each detector element in the linear image detection array of the PLIIM system, during which reflected laser illumination is received at the detector element. As the relative phase delays between these virtual illumination sources are changing over the photo-integration time period of each image detection element, these virtual illumination sources are effectively rendered spatially incoherent with each other. On a time-average basis, these virtual illumination sources produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally (and possibly spatially) averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection elements, thereby reducing the RMS power of the speckle-noise pattern (i.e. level) observed thereat. As speckle noise patterns are roughly uncorrelated at the image detection array, the reduction in speckle-noise power should be proportional to the square root of the number of independent virtual laser illumination sources contributing to the illumination of the target object and formation of the image frame thereof. As a result of the present invention, image-based bar code symbol decoders and/or OCR processors operating on such digital images can be processed with significant reductions in error. 
     The fifth generalized method above can be explained in terms of Fourier Transform optics. When spatial intensity modulating the transmitted PLIB by a periodic or random spatial intensity modulation function (SIMF), while satisfying conditions (i) and (ii) above, a spatial intensity modulation process occurs on the spatial domain. This spatial intensity modulation process is equivalent to mathematically multiplying the transmitted PLIB by the spatial intensity modulation function. This multiplication process on the spatial domain is equivalent on the spatial-frequency domain to the convolution of the Fourier Transform of the spatial intensity modulation function with the Fourier Transform of the transmitted PLIB. On the spatial-frequency domain, this convolution process generates spatially-incoherent (i.e. statistically-uncorrelated) spectral components which are permitted to spatially-overlap at each detection element of the image detection array (i.e. on the spatial domain) and produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally (and possibly) spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of each detector element, to reduce the RMS power of the speckle-noise pattern observed at the image detection array. 
     In general, various types of spatial intensity modulation techniques can be used to carry out the fifth generalized method including, for example: a pair of comb-like spatial intensity modulating filter arrays reciprocated relative to each other at a high-speeds; rotating spatial filtering discs having multiple sectors with transmission apertures of varying dimensions and different light transmittivity to spatial intensity modulate the transmitted PLIB along its wavefront; a high-speed LCD-type spatial intensity modulation panel; and other spatial intensity modulation devices capable of modulating the spatial intensity along the planar extent of the PLIB wavefront. Several of these spatial light intensity modulation mechanisms will be described in detail below. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Micro-oscillating a Pair of Spatial Intensity Modulation (SIM) Panels with Respect to the Cylindrical Lens Arrays so as to Spatial Intensity Modulate the Wavefront of the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Prior to Target Object Illumination 
     In FIGS.  1 I 21  through  1 I 21 D, there is shown an optical assembly  730  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  730  comprises a PLIA  6 A with a pair of spatial intensity modulation (SIM) panels  731 A and  731 B, and an electronically-controlled mechanism  732  for micro-oscillating SIM panels  731 A and  731 B, behind a cylindrical lens array  733  mounted within a support frame  734  with the SIM panels. Each SIM panel comprises an array of light intensity modifying elements  735 , each having a different light transmittivity value (e.g. measured against a grey-scale) to impart a different degree of intensity modulation along the wavefront of the composite PLIB  738  transmitted through the SIM panels. The width dimensions of each SIM element  735 , and their spatial periodicity, may be determined by the spatial intensity modulation requirements of the application at hand. In some embodiments, the width of each SIM element  735  may be random or aperiodically arranged along the linear extent of each SIM panel. In other embodiments, the width of the SIM elements may be similar and periodically arranged along each SIM panel. As shown in FIG.  1 I 19 C, support frame  734  has a light transmission window  740 , and mounts the SIM panels  731 A and  731 B in a relative reciprocating manner, behind the cylindrical lens array  733 , and two pairs of ultrasonic (or other motion) transducers  736 A,  736 B, and  737 A,  737 B arranged (90 degrees out of phase) in a push-pull configuration, as shown in FIG.  1 I 21 D. 
     In accordance with the fifth generalized method, the SIM panels  731 A and  731 B are micro-oscillated, relative to each other (out of phase by 90 degrees) using motion transducers  736 A,  736 B, and  737 A,  737 B. During operation of the mechanism, the individual beam components within the composite PLIB  738  are transmitted through the reciprocating SIM panels  731 A and  731 B, and micro-oscillated (i.e. moved) along the planar extent thereof by an amount of distance Δx or greater at a velocity v(t) which causes the spatial intensity along the wavefronts of the transmitted PLIB  739  to be modulated. The cylindrical lens array  733  optically combines numerous phase modulated PLIB components and projects them onto the same points on the surface of the target object to be illuminated. This coherence-reduced illumination process causes numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be generated at the image detection array of the PLIIM-based during the photo-integration time period thereof. The time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced at the image detection array are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In the case of optical system of FIG.  1 I 21 A, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial frequency and light transmittance values of the SIM panels  731 A,  731 B; (ii) the length of the cylindrical lens array  733  and the SIM panels; (iii) the relative velocities thereof; and (iv) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. In general, if a system requires an increase in reduction in speckle-noise at the image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period of the image detection array employed in the system. Parameters (1) through (iii) will factor into the specification of the spatial intensity modulation function (SIMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 21 A, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial intensity modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Sixth Generalized Method of Speckle-noise Pattern Reduction and Particular Forms of Apparatus therefor Based on Reducing the Spatial-coherence of the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) 
     After it Illuminates the Target by Applying Spatial Intensity Modulation Techniques During the Detection of the Reflected/Scattered PLIB 
     Referring to FIGS.  1 I 22  through  1 I 23 B, the sixth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor will be described. This generalized method is based on the principle of spatial-intensity modulating the composite-type “return” PLIB produced when the transmitted PLIB illuminates and reflects and/or scatters off the target object. The return PLIB constitutes a spatially coherent-reduced laser beam and, as a result, numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array in the IFD subsystem. These time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and/or spatially averaged and the RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns significantly reduced. This method can be practiced with any of the PLIM-based systems of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as any system constructed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention. 
     As illustrated at Block A in FIG.  1 I 23 B, the first step of the sixth generalized method shown in FIGS.  1 I 22  through  1 I 23 A involves spatially modulating the received PLIB along the planar extent thereof according to a (random or periodic) spatial-intensity modulation function (SIMF) after illuminating the target object with the PLIB, so as to produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns during each photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. As indicated at Block B in FIG.  1 I 22 B, the second step of the method involves temporally and spatially averaging these time-varying speckle-noise patterns during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thus reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     When using the sixth generalized method, the image detection array in the PLIIM-based system repeatedly detects laser light apparently originating from different points in space (i.e. from different virtual illumination sources) over the photo-integration period of each detector element in the image detection array. As the relative phase delays between these virtual illumination sources are changing over the photo-integration time period of each image detection element, these virtual illumination sources are effectively rendered spatially incoherent (or spatially coherent-reduced) with respect to each other. On a time-average basis, these virtual illumination sources produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed thereat. As speckle noise patterns are roughly uncorrelated at the image detector, the reduction in speckle-noise power should be proportional to the square root of the number of independent real and virtual laser illumination sources contributing to formation of the image frames of the target object. As a result of the present invention, image-based bar code symbol decoders and/or OCR processors operating on such digital images can be processed with significant reductions in error. 
     The sixth generalized method above can be explained in terms of Fourier Transform optics. When spatially modulating a return PLIB by a periodic or random spatial modulation (i.e. windowing) function, while satisfying conditions (i) and (ii) above, a spatial intensity modulation process occurs on the spatial domain. This spatial intensity modulation process is equivalent to mathematically multiplying the composite return PLIB by the spatial intensity modulation function (SIMF). This multiplication process on the spatial domain is equivalent on the spatial-frequency domain to the convolution of the Fourier Transform of the spatial intensity modulation function with the Fourier Transform of the return PLIB. On the spatial-frequency domain, this equivalent convolution process generates spatially-incoherent (i.e. statistically-uncorrelated) spectral components which are permitted to spatially-overlap at each detection element of the image detection array (i.e. on the spatial domain) and produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of each detector element, to reduce the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     In general, various types of spatial intensity modulation techniques can be used to carry out the sixth generalized method including, for example: high-speed electro-optical (e.g. ferro-electric, LCD, etc.) dynamic spatial filters, located before the image detector along the optical axis of the camera subsystem; physically rotating spatial filters, and any other spatial intensity modulation element arranged before the image detector along the optical axis of the camera subsystem, through which the received PLIB beam may pass during illumination and image detection operations for spatial intensity modulation without causing optical image distortion at the image detection array. Several of these spatial intensity modulation mechanisms will be described in detail below. 
     Apparatus of the Present Invention for Spatial-intensity Modulating the Return Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Prior to Detection at the Image Detector 
     In FIGS.  1 I 22 A, there is shown an optical assembly  460  for use at the IFD Subsystem in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  460  comprises an electro-optical mechanism  460  mounted before the pupil of the IFD Subsystem for the purpose of generating a rotating a spatial intensity modulation structure (e.g. maltese-cross aperture)  461 . The return PLIB  462  is spatial intensity modulated at the IFD subsystem in accordance with the principles of the present invention, with introducing significant image distortion at the image detection array. The electro-optical mechanism  460  can be realized using a high-speed liquid crystal (LC) spatial intensity modulation panel  463  which is driven by a LCD driver circuit  464  so as to realize a maltese-cross aperture (or other spatial intensity modulation structure) before the camera pupil that rotates about the optical axis of the IFD subsystem during object illumination and imaging operations. In the illustrative embodiment, the maltese-cross aperture pattern has 100% transmittivity, against an optically opaque background. Preferably, the physical dimensions and angular velocity of the maltese-cross aperture  461  will be sufficient to achieve a spatial intensity modulation function (SIMF) suitable for speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     In FIGS.  1 I 22 B, there is shown a second optical assembly  470  for use at the IFD Subsystem in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  470  comprises an electro-mechanical mechanism  471  mounted before the pupil of the IFD Subsystem for the purpose of generating a rotating maltese-cross aperture  472 , so that the return PLIB  473  is spatial intensity modulated at the IFD subsystem in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The electromechanical mechanism  471  can be realized using a high-speed electric motor  474 , with appropriate gearing  475 , and a rotatable maltese-cross aperture stop  476  mounted within a support mount  477 . In the illustrative embodiment, the maltese-cross aperture pattern has 100% transmittivity, against an optically opaque background. As a motor drive circuit  478  supplies electrical power to the electrical motor  474 , the motor shaft rotates, turning the gearing  475 , and thus the maltese-cross aperture stop  476  about the optical axis of the IFD subsystem. Preferably, the maltese-cross aperture  476  will be driven to an angular velocity which is sufficient to achieve the spatial intensity modulation function required for speckle-noise pattern reduction in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     In the case of the optical systems of FIGS.  1 I 23 A and  1 I 23 B, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the spatial dimensions and relative physical position of the apertures used to form the spatial intensity modulation structure  461 ,  472 ; (ii) the angular velocity of the apertures in the rotating structures; and (iii) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (i) through (ii) will factor into the specification of the spatial intensity modulation function (SIMF) of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the systems of FIGS.  1 I 23 A and  1 I 23 B, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the spatial gradient of the spatial intensity modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     Seventh Generalized Method of Speckle-noise Pattern Reduction and Particular Forms of Apparatus therefor Based on Reducing the Temporal Coherence of the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) After it Illuminates the Target by Applying Temporal Intensity Modulation Techniques During the Detection of the Reflected/Scattered PLIB 
     Referring to  1 I 24  through  1 I 24 C, the seventh generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor will be described. This generalized method is based on the principle of temporal intensity modulating the composite-type “return” PLIB produced when the transmitted PLIB illuminates and reflects and/or scatters off the target object. The return PLIB constitutes a temporally coherent-reduced laser beam. As a result, numerous time-varying (random) speckle-noise patterns are produced and detected over the photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem). These time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and/or spatially averaged and the observable speckle-noise patterns significantly reduced. This method can be practiced with any of the PLIM-based systems of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as any system constructed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention. 
     As illustrated at Block A in FIG.  1 I 24 B, the first step of the seventh generalized method shown in FIGS.  1 I 24  and  1 I 24 A involves modulating the temporal phase of the received PLIB along the planar extent thereof according to a (random or periodic) temporal intensity modulation function (TIMF) after illuminating the target object with the PLIB, so as to produce numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns during each photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. As indicated at Block B in FIG.  1 I 24 B, the second step of the method involves temporally and spatially averaging these time-varying speckle-noise patterns during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thus reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     When using the seventh generalized method, the image detector of the IFD subsystem repeatedly detects laser light apparently originating from different moments in space (i.e. virtual illumination sources) over the photo-integration period of each detector element in the image detection array of the PLIIM system. As the relative phase delays between these virtual illumination sources are changing over the photo-integration time period of each image detection element, these virtual illumination sources are effectively rendered temporally incoherent with each other. On a time-average basis, these virtual illumination sources produce time-varying speckle-noise patterns which can be temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection elements, thereby reducing the speckle-noise pattern (i.e. level) observed thereat. As speckle noise patterns are roughly uncorrelated at the image detector, the reduction in speckle-noise power should be proportional to the square root of the number of independent real and virtual laser illumination sources contributing to formation of the image frames of the target object. As a result of the present invention, image-based bar code symbol decoders and/or OCR processors operating on such digital images can be processed with significant reductions in error. 
     In general, various types of temporal intensity modulation techniques can be used to carry out the method including, for example: high-speed temporal intensity modulators such as electro-optical shutters, pupils, and stops, located along the optical path of the composite return PLIB focused by the IFD subsystem; etc. 
     Electro-optical Apparatus of the Present Invention for Temporal Intensity Modulating the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Prior to Detecting Images by Employing High-speed Light Gating/Switching Principles 
     In FIG.  1 I 24 C, there is shown an optical assembly  480  for use in any PLIIM-based system of the present invention. As shown, the optical assembly  480  comprises a high-speed electro-optical temporal intensity modulation panel (e.g. high-speed electro-optical gating/switching panel)  481 , mounted along the optical axis of the IFD Subsystem, before the imaging optics thereof. A suitable high-speed temporal intensity modulation panel  481  for use in carrying out this particular embodiment of the present invention might be made using liquid crystal, ferro-electric or other high-speed light control technology. During operation, the received PLIB is temporal intensity modulated as it is transmitted through the temporal intensity modulation panel  481 . During temporal intensity modulation process at the IFD subsystem, numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns are produced. These speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged at the image detection array  3 A during each photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     The time characteristics of the temporal intensity modulation function (TIMF) created by the temporal intensity modulation panel  481  will be selected in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Preferably, the time duration of the light transmission window of the TIMF will be relatively short, and repeated at a relatively high rate with respect to the inverse of the photo-integration time period of the image detector so that many spectral-harmonics will be generated during each such time period, thus producing many time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the image detection array. Thus, if a particular imaging application at hand requires a very short photo-integration time period, then it is understood that the rate of repetition of the light transmission window of the TIMP (and thus the rate of switching/gating electro-optical panel  481 ) will necessarily become higher in order to generate sufficiently weighted spectral components on the time-frequency domain required to reduce the temporal coherence of the received PLIB falling incident at the image detection array. 
     In the case of the optical system of FIG.  1 I 24 C, the following parameters will influence the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns generated at the image detection array during each photo-integration time period thereof: (i) the time duration of the light transmission window of the TIMF realized by temporal intensity modulation panel  481 ; (ii) the rate of repetition of the light duration window of the TIMF; and (iii) the number of real laser illumination sources employed in each planar laser illumination array in the PLIIM-based system. Parameters (i) through (ii) will factor into the specification of the TIMF of this speckle-noise reduction subsystem design. In general, if the PLIIM-based system requires an increase in reduction in the RMS power of speckle-noise at its image detection array, then the system must generate more uncorrelated time-varying speckle-noise patterns for averaging over each photo-integration time period thereof. Adjustment of the above-described parameters should enable the designer to achieve the degree of speckle-noise power reduction desired in the application at hand. 
     For a desired reduction in speckle-noise pattern power in the system of FIG.  1 I 24 C, the number of substantially different time-varying speckle-noise pattern samples which need to be generated per each photo-integration time interval of the image detection array can be experimentally determined without undue experimentation. However, for a particular degree of speckle-noise power reduction, it is expected that the lower threshold for this sample number at the image detection array can be expressed mathematically in terms of (i) the time derivative of the temporal phase modulated PLIB, and (ii) the photo-integration time period of the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     While the speckle-noise pattern reduction (i.e. despeckling) techniques described above have been described in conjunction with the system of  FIG. 1A  for purposes of illustration, it is understood that that any of these techniques can be used in conjunction with any of the PLIIM-based systems of the present invention, and are hereby embodied therein by reference thereto as if fully explained in conjunction with its structure, function and operation. 
     Eighth Generalized Method of Speckle-noise Pattern Reduction and Particular Forms of Apparatus therefor Applied at the Image Formation and Detection Subsystem of a Hand-held (Linear or Area Type) PLIIM-based Imager of the Present Invention, Based on Temporally Averaging many Speckle-pattern Noise Containing Images Captured over Numerous Photo-integration Time Periods 
     Referring to FIGS.  1 I 24 D through  1 I 24 H, the eighth generalized method of speckle-noise pattern reduction and particular forms of apparatus therefor will be described. This generalized method is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG.  1 I 24 D. As shown in the flow chart of FIG.  1 I 24 D, the method involves performing the following steps: at Block A, consecutively capturing and buffering a series of digital images of an object, containing speckle-pattern noise, over a series of consecutively different photo-integration time periods; at Block B, storing these digital images in buffer memory; and at Block C, additively combining and averaging spatially corresponding pixel data subsets defined over a small window in the captured digital images so as to produce spatially corresponding pixels data subsets in a reconstructed image of the object, containing speckle-pattern noise having a substantially reduced level of RMS power. This method can be practiced with any PLIIM-based system of the present invention including, for example, any of the hand-held (linear or area type) PLIIM-based imagers shown in FIGS.  1 V 4 ,  2 H,  2 I 5 ,  3 I,  3 J 5 , and  4 E, as well as with conveyor, presentation, and other stationary-type PLIIM-based imagers. For purposes of illustration, this generalized method will be described in connection with a hand-held linear-type imager and also hand-held area-type imager of the present invention. 
     Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Method of FIG.  1 I 24 D. Carried Out within a Hand-held Linear-type PLIIM-Based Imager of the Present Invention 
     As illustrated at in FIG.  1 I 24 E the first step in the eighth generalized method involves sweeping a hand-held linear-type PLIIM-based imager over an object (e.g. 2-D bar code or other graphical indicia) to produce a series of consecutively captured digital 1-D (i.e. linear) images of an object over a series of photo-integration time periods of the PLIIM-Based Imager. Notably, each digital linear image of the object includes a substantially different speckle-noise pattern which is produced by natural oscillatory micro-motion of the human hand relative to the object during manual sweeping operations of the hand-held imager, and/or the forced oscillatory micro-movement of the hand-held imager relative to the object during manual sweeping operations of the hand-held imager. Once captured, these digital images are stored in buffer memory within the hand-held linear imager. 
     Natural oscillatory micro-motion of the human hand relative to the object during manual sweeping operations of the hand-held imager will produce slight motion to the imager relative to the object. For example, when using a PLIIM-based imager having a linear image detector with 14 micron wide pixels, an angular movement of the hand-supported housing by an amount of 0.5 millirad will cause the image of the object to shift by approximately one pixel, although it is understood that this amount of shift may vary depending on the object distance. Similarly, displacement of the hand-held imager by 14 microns will cause the image of the object to shift by one pixel as well. By virtue of these small shifts at the image plane, an entirely different speckle pattern will be induced in each digital image. Therefore, even though the consecutively captured images will be equally noisy in terms of speckle, the noise that is produced will originate from speckle patterns that are statistically independent from one another. 
     Notably, forced oscillatory micro-movement of the hand-held imager shown in FIG.  1 I 24 E can also be used to produce are statistically independent speckle-noise patterns in consecutively generated images. Such forced oscillatory micro-movement can be achieved by providing within the housing of the hand-held imager, an electromechanical mechanism which is designed to cause the optical bench of the PLIIM-based engine therein to micro-oscillate in both x and y directions during imaging operations. The mechanism should be engineered so that the amplitude of such micro-oscillations cause each captured image to shift by one or more pixels, and the small shifts produced at the image plane induce an entirely different speckle pattern in each captured image. 
     As illustrated at FIG.  1 I 24 F, the third step in the eighth generalized method involves using a relatively small (e.g. 3×3) windowed image processing filter to additively combine and average the pixel data in the series of consecutively captured digital linear images so as to produce a reconstructed digital linear image having a speckle noise pattern with reduced RMS power. As an alternative to the use of standard averaging techniques described above, one may use other pixel data filtering techniques based possibility on reiterative principles to generate the pixel data constituting the reconstructed digital linear image with reduced speckle-pattern noise power. Such pixel data filtering techniques may be derived from or carried out using software-based speckle-noise reduction tools employed in conventional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and ultrasonic image processing systems described, for example, in Chapter 6 of “Understanding Synthetic Aperture Radar Images,” by Chris Oliver and Shaun Quegan, published by Artech House Publishers, ISBN 0-89006-850-X, incorporated herein by reference. 
     Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Method of FIG.  1 I 24 D. Carried out within a Hand-held Area-Type PLIIM-Based Imager of the Present Invention 
     As illustrated at in FIG.  1 I 24 G the first step in the eighth generalized method involves sweeping a hand-held area (2-D) type PLIIM-based imager over an object (e.g. 2-D bar code or other graphical indicia) to produce a series of consecutively captured digital 2-D images of an object over a series of photo-integration time periods of the PLIIM-Based Imager. Notably, each digital 2-D image of the object includes a substantially different speckle-noise pattern which is produced by natural oscillatory micro-motion of the human hand relative to the object during manual sweeping operations of the hand-held imager, and/or the forced oscillatory micro-movement of the hand-held imager relative to the object during manual sweeping operations of the hand-held imager. Once captured, these digital images are stored in buffer memory within the hand-held linear imager. 
     Natural oscillatory micro-motion of the human hand relative to the object during manual sweeping operations of the hand-held area imager will produce slight motion to the imager relative to the object, as described above. Also, forced oscillatory micro-movement of the hand-held area imager shown in FIG.  1 I 24 G can also be used to produce are statistically independent speckle-noise patterns in consecutively generated images. Such forced oscillatory micro-movement can be achieved by providing within the housing of the hand-held imager, an electromechanical mechanism which is designed to cause the optical bench of the PLIIM-based engine therein to micro-oscillate in both x and y directions during imaging operations. The mechanism should be engineered so that the amplitude of such micro-oscillations cause each captured image to shift by one or more pixels, and the small shifts produced at the image plane induce an entirely different speckle pattern in each captured image. 
     As illustrated at FIG.  1 I 24 H, the third step in the eighth generalized method involves using a relatively small (e.g. 3×3) windowed image processing filter to additively combine and average the pixel data in the series of consecutively captured digital 2-D images so as to produce a reconstructed digital 2-D image having a speckle noise pattern with reduced RMS power. As an alternative to the use of standard averaging techniques described above, one may use other pixel data filtering techniques based possibility on reiterative principles to generate the pixel data constituting the reconstructed digital 2-D image with reduced speckle-pattern noise power. Such pixel data filtering techniques may be derived from or carried out using software-based speckle-noise reduction tools employed in conventional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and ultrasonic image processing systems described, for example, in Chapter 6 of “Understanding Synthetic Aperture Radar Images,” by Chris Oliver and Shaun Quegan, published by Artech House Publishers, ISBN 0-89006-850-X, incorporated herein by reference. 
     Ninth Generalized Method of Speckle-noise Pattern Reduction and Particular Forms of Apparatus therefor Applied at the Image Formation and Detection Subsystem of a Hand-held Linear-type PLIIM-Based Imager of the Present Invention, Based on Spatially Averaging many Speckle-pattern Noise Detected Over Each Photo-integration Time Period 
     Referring to  1 I 24 I, the ninth generalized speckle-noise pattern reduction method of the present invention will now be described. Notably, this generalized method can be practiced at the camera (i.e. IFD) subsystem of virtually any type PLIIM-based imager of the present invention, but will be as explained in detail hereinafter, is best applied in hand-supportable type PLIIM-based imagers as illustrated, for example, in FIGS.  1 V 4 ,  2 H,  2 I 5 ,  3 I, and  3 J 5  and  FIGS. 39A through 51C . 
     As indicated at Block A in FIG.  1 I 24 I, the first step in the ninth generalized method involves producing, during each photo-integration time period of a PLIIM-Based Imager, numerous substantially different spatially-varying speckle noise pattern elements (i.e. different speckle noise pattern elements located on different points) on each image detection element in the image detection array employed in the PLIIM-based Imager. Then at Block B in FIG.  1 I 24 I, the second step of the method involves spatially (and temporally) averaging the numerous spatially-varying speckle-noise pattern elements over the entire available surface area of each image detection element during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observed in said linear PLIIM-based Imager. 
     This generalized method is based on the principle of producing numerous spatially and temporally varying (random) speckle-noise patterns over each photo-integration time period of the image detection array (in the IFD subsystem), using any of the eight generalized methods described above. Then during each photo-integration time period, these spatially-varying (and temporally varying) speckle-noise patterns are spatially (and temporally) averaged over the surface area of each image detection element in the image detection array so that RMS power of observable speckle-noise patterns is significantly reduced. In general, this method can be used by itself, although it is expected that better results will be obtained when the method is practiced with other generalized methods of the present invention. Below, the theoretical principles underlying this generalized despeckling method will be described below. 
     In the case where the minimum speckle size is roughly equal to the typical speckle size in a PLIIM-based linear imaging system, the typical speckle size is given by the equation d=(1.22)(λ)(F/# of the IFD module). Based on this assumption, the speckle pattern noise process occurring in a linear-type PLIIM-based systems can be modeled by applying a one-dimensional analysis across the narrow dimension of each image detection element extending along the linear extent of a linear CCD image detection array. Using a simple sinusoidal approximation to the speckle intensity variation, a simple estimate of the Peak Speckle Noise Percentage is given by the equation: 
         N   PeakSpeckle     =       d     π   ⁢           ⁢   H       =       1.22   ⁢   λ   ⁢     (     ⁢   F   ⁢     /     ⁢   #   ⁢     )         π   ⁢           ⁢   H             
 
where H is the height of each detector element in the linear image detection array employed in the linear PLIIM-based imaging system. Notably, the accuracy of the above equation significantly decreases around or below the operating condition where H/d=1, (i.e. where the size of the speckle noise pattern element is equal to the size of the detector element in the linear image detection array employed in the linear PLIIM-based imaging system). Thus, the above model best holds for the case where the size of each speckle noise pattern element is smaller than the size of each detector element in the linear image detection array.
 
     From the above equation, it is important to note that the Peak Speckle Noise Percentage in a linear PLIIM-based imaging system equation is directly proportional to the F/# of the IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem) and inversely proportional to the height of the detector elements H. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the peak speckle noise percentage (as well as the RMS value thereof) in linear type PLIIM-based imaging systems by (i) reducing the F/# parameter of its IFD module (e.g. by increasing the camera aperture), or (ii) increasing the height H of each detector element in the linear image detection array employed in the PLIIM-based system. The effect of implementing such design criteria in a linear PLIIM-based system is that it will cause more individual speckles to occur on the same image detection element (corresponding to a particular image pixel) during each photo-integration time period of the linear PLIIM-based system, thereby enabling a significantly increased level of spatial averaging to occur in such systems employing image detection arrays having vertically-elongated image detection elements, as shown in  FIGS. 39A through 51C  and elsewhere throughout the present disclosure. To further appreciate this discovery, several PLIIM-based system designs will be considered below. 
     For the case of a hand-supportable PLIIM-based linear imager as disclosed in  FIGS. 39A through 51C  in particular, consider that the F/# is 40 and laser illumination wavelength is 650 nm. In such system designs, the Peak Speckle Noise Percentage is 18% when the height H of the detector elements in the image detection array is 56 um. However, the Peak Speckle Noise Percentage is significantly reduced 5% when the height H of the detector elements in the image detection array is 200 um. While these speckle noise calculation figures have not yet been matched with empirical measurements (and may be difficult to verify due to other factors present), the relative differences in such speckle noise figures should hold. 
     For the case of an overhead-mounted conveyor belt PLIIM-based linear imager as disclosed in  FIGS. 9 through 22B  in particular, consider using F/7 and H/d=1.26. In such system designs, the Peak Speckle Noise Percentage is 25% when the height H of the detector elements in the linear image detection array is 7 um. However, to reduce the Peak Speckle Noise Percentage 5% will require that the height H of the detector elements in the linear image detection array be increased to 35 microns, sacrificing a great deal of image resolution in the object-motion direction. 
     Thus, from this analysis, it appears that the spatial-averaging based despeckling method described above (involving elongation of the detector element height H in the linear image detection array) will be difficult to practice in high-speed overhead conveyor-type imaging applications where image resolution is a key requirement, but easy to practice in hand-supportable linear imaging applications described above. 
     In summary, when designing and constructing a linear-type PLIIM-based imaging system, the principles of the present invention disclosed herein teach choosing (i) a linear image detection array having the tallest possible image detection elements (i.e. having the greatest possible H value) and (ii) image formation optics in the IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem having the lowest possible F/# that does not go so far as to increase the aberrations of the linear-type PLIIM-based imaging system to a point of diminishing returns by blurring the optical signal received thereby. Such design considerations will help to minimize the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observable at the image detection array employed in PLIIM-based imaging systems. Notably, one advantage in using this despeckling technique in linear-type PLIIM-based systems is that increasing the height or vertical dimension of the image detection elements in the linear image detection array will not adversely effect the resolution of the PLIIM-based system. In contrast, when applying this despeckling technique in area (i.e. 2-D) type PLIIM-based imaging systems, increasing any one of the image detection element dimensions H and/or W to reduce speckle-pattern noise (through spatial averaging) will reduce the image resolution achievable by the 2-D PLIIM-based imaging system. 
     In each of the hand-supportable PLIIM-based imaging systems shown in FIGS.  1 I 25 A 1  through  1 I 25 N 2  and described below, the ninth generalized (spatial-averaging) despeckling technique is applied by employing a linear image detection array with vertically-elongated detection elements having a height dimension H that results in a significant reduction in the speckle noise power. Also, an additional despeckling mechanism is embodied within each such PLIIM-based imaging system as will be described in greater detail below. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein a Micro-oscillating Cylindrical Lens Array Micro-oscillates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Laterally Along its Planar Extent to Produce Spatial-incoherent PLIB Components and Optically Combines and Projects said Spatially-incoherent PLIB Component Onto the Same Points on an Object to be Illuminated, and wherein a Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Structure Micro-oscillates the PLIB Components Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Spatially Incoherence Components Reflected/Scattered off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 A 1  and  1 I 25 A 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  860  having an speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem embodied therewithin, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module  861 ; and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  866  arranged with each PLIM  865 A and  865 B in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  866  comprises: a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array  867  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 3 A through  1 I 3 D, and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflecting mirror  868  configured therewith. As shown in FIG.  1 I 25 A 2 , each PLIM  865 A and  865 B is pitched slightly relative to the optical axis of the IFD module  861  so that the PLIB  869  is transmitted perpendicularly through cylindrical lens array  867 , whereas the FOV of the image detection array  863  is disposed at a small acute angle so that the PLIB and FOV converge on the micro-oscillating mirror element  868  so that the PLIB and FOV maintain a coplanar relationship as they are jointly micro-oscillated in planar and orthogonal directions during object illumination operations. As shown, these optical components are configured together as an optical assembly for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB  869  laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB 870 is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto. This causes the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. During object illumination operations, these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein a First Micro-oscillating Light Reflective Element Micro-oscillates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Laterally Along its Planar Extent to Produce Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components, a Second Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Element Micro-oscillates the Spatially-incoherent PLIB Components Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent, and wherein a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects Said Spatially-incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by Spatial Incoherent Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 B 1  and  1 I 25 B 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  875  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench  862  on opposite sides of the IFD module; and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  876  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  876  comprises: a stationary PLIB folding mirror  877 , a micro-oscillating PLIB reflecting element  878 , and a stationary cylindrical lens array  879  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 5 A through  1 I 5 D. These optical component are configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB  880  laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB  881  transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto. This causes the spatial phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. During object illumination operations, these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein an Acousto-optic Bragg Cell Micro-oscillates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Laterally Along its Planar Extent to Produce Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components, a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects Said Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface on an Object to be Illuminated, and wherein a Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Structure Micro-oscillates the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  11 I 25 C 1  and  1 I 25 C 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  885  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module; and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  886  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  886  comprises: an acousto-optic Bragg cell panel  887  micro-oscillates a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  888  laterally along its planar extent to produce spatially incoherent PLIB components, as shown in FIGS.  1 I 6 A through  1 I 6 B; a stationary cylindrical lens array  889  optically combines and projects said spatially incoherent PLIB components onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated; and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflecting element  890  for micro-oscillating the PLIB components in a direction orthogonal to the planar extent of the PLIB. As shown in FIG.  1 I 25 C 2 , each PLIM  865 A and  865 B is pitched slightly relative to the optical axis of the IFD module  861  so that the PLIB  888  is transmitted perpendicularly through the Bragg cell panel  887  and the cylindrical lens array  889 , whereas the FOV of the image detection array  863  is disposed at a small acute angle, relative to PLIB  888 , so that the PLIB and FOV converge on the micro-oscillating mirror element  890 . The PLIB and FOV maintain a coplanar relationship as they are jointly micro-oscillated in planar and orthogonal directions during object illumination operations. These optical elements are configured together as shown as an optical assembly for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto. This causes the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. During target illumination operations, these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, Wherein a High-resolution Deformable Mirror (DM) Structure Micro-oscillates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Laterally Along its Planar Extent to Produce Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components, a Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Element Micro-oscillates the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent, and wherein a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by Said Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 D 1  and  1 I 25 D 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  895  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench  862  on opposite sides of the IFD module; and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  896  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  896  comprises: a stationary PLIB reflecting element  897 ; a micro-oscillating high-resolution deformable mirror (DM) structure  898  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 7 A through  1 I 7 C; and a stationary cylindrical lens array  899 . These optical components are configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB  900  laterally along its planar extent as well as transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto, so that during illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto. This causes the spatial phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. During target illumination operations, these numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein a Micro-oscillating Cylindrical Lens Array Micro-oscillates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Laterally Along its Planar Extent to Produce Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components which are Optically Combined and Projected Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and a Micro-oscillating Light Reflective Structure Micro-oscillates the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent as Well as the Field of View (FOV) of a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array Having Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements, whereby Said Linear CCD Image Detection Array Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 E 1  and  1 I 25 E 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  905  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench  862  on opposite sides of the IFD module; and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  906  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  906  comprises: a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array structure  907  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 4 A through  1 I 4 D for micro-oscillating the PLIB  908  laterally along its planar extent; a micro-oscillating PLIB/FOV refraction element  909  for micro-oscillating the PLIB and the field of view (FOV) of the linear CCD image sensor  863  transversely along the direction orthogonal to the planar extent of the PLIB; and a stationary PLIB/FOV folding mirror  910  for folding jointly the micro-oscillated PLIB and FOV towards the object to be illuminated and imaged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. These optical components are configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating both the PLIB and FOV of the linear CCD image sensor transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto. During illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein a Micro-oscillating Cylindrical Lens Array Micro-oscillates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Laterally Along its Planar Extent and Produces Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components which are Optically Combined and Project Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, a Micro-oscillating Light Reflective Structure Micro-oscillates Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent, Both PLIB and the Field of View (FOV) of a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array Having Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements, and a PLIB/FOV Folding Mirror Projects the Micro-oscillated PLIB and FOV Towards Said Object, whereby Said Linear CCD Image Detection Array Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 F 1  and  1 I 25 F 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  915  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench  862  on opposite sides of the IFD module  861 ; and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  916  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  916  comprises: a micro-oscillating cylindrical lens array structure  917  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 4 A through  1 I 4 D for micro-oscillating the PLIB  918  laterally along its planar extent; a micro-oscillating PLIB/FOV reflection element  919  for micro-oscillating the PLIB and the field of view (FOV)  921  of the linear CCD image sensor (collectively  920 ) transversely along the direction orthogonal to the planar extent of the PLIB; and a stationary PLIBIFOV folding mirror  921  for jointing folding the micro-oscillated PLIB and the FOV towards the object to be illuminated and imaged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. These optical components are configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating both the PLIB and FOV of the linear CCD image sensor  863  transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto. During illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM  922  is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto. This causes the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein a Phase-only LCD-Based Phase Modulation Panel Micro-oscillates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Laterally Along its Planar Extent and Produces Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components, a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and wherein a Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Structure Micro-oscillates the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 G 1  and  1 I 25 G 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  925  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench  862  on opposite sides of the IFD module  861 ; and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  926  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  926  comprises: a phase-only LCD phase modulation panel  927  for micro-oscillating PLIB  928  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 8 F and  1 IG; a stationary cylindrical lens array  929 ; and a micro-PLIB reflection element  930 . As shown in FIG.  1 I 25 G 2 , each PLIM  865 A and  865 B is pitched slightly relative to the optical axis of the IFD module  861  so that the PLIB  928  is transmitted perpendicularly through phase modulation panel  927 , whereas the FOV of the image detection array  863  is disposed at a small acute angle so that the PLIB and FOV converge on the micro-oscillating mirror element  930  so that the PLIB and FOV (collectively  931 ) maintain a coplanar relationship as they are jointly micro-oscillated in planar and orthogonal directions during object illumination operations. These optical components are configured together as an optical assembly as shown for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto. During illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal (i.e. transverse) thereto. This causes the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein a Multi-Faceted Cylindrical Lens Array Structure Rotating About its Longitudinal Axis within Each PLIM Micro-oscillates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Laterally Along its Planar Extent and Produces Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components therealong, a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and wherein a Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Structure Micro-oscillates the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 H 1  and  1 I 25 H 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  935  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  964  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A′ and  865 B′ mounted on the optical bench  862  on opposite sides of the IFD module  861 ; and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  936  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  936  comprises: a micro-oscillating multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure  937  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 12 A and  1 I 12 B, for micro-oscillating PLIB  938  produced therefrom along its planar extent as the cylindrical lens array structure  937  rotates about its axis of rotation; a stationary cylindrical lens array  939 ; and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element  940 . As shown in FIG.  1 I 25 H 2 , each PLIM  865 A and  865 B is pitched slightly relative to the optical axis of the IFD module  861  so that the PLIB is transmitted perpendicularly through cylindrical lens array  939 , whereas the FOV of the image detection array  863  is disposed at a small acute angle relative to the cylindrical lens array  939  so that the PLIB and FOV converge on the micro-oscillating mirror element  940  and the PLIB and FOV maintain a coplanar relationship as they are jointly micro-oscillated in planar and orthogonal directions during object illumination operations. As shown, these optical elements are configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto. During illumination operations, the PLIB  938  transmitted from each PLIM  865 A′ and  865 B′ is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto, causing the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein a Multi-faceted Cylindrical Lens Array Structure within Each PLIM Rotates About its Longitudinal and Transverse Axes, Micro-oscillates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Laterally Along its Planar Extent as Well as Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent, and Produces Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Along Said Orthogonal Directions, and wherein a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components PLIB Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Spatial Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 I 1  through  1 I 25 I 3 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  945  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module; and (iii) a 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  946  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the 2-D PLIB micro-oscillation mechanism  946  comprises: a micro-oscillating multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure  947  as generally shown in FIGS.  1 I 12 A and  1 I 12 B (adapted for micro-oscillation about the optical axis of the VLD&#39;s laser illumination beam as well as along the planar extent of the PLIB); and a stationary cylindrical lens array  948 . As shown in FIGS.  1 I 25 I 2  and  112513 , the multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure  947  is rotatably mounted within a housing portion  949 , having a light transmission aperture  950  through which the PLIB exits, so that the structure  947  can rotate about its axis, while the housing portion  949  is micro-oscillated about an axis that is parallel with the optical axis of the focusing lens  15  within the PLIM  865 A,  865 B. Rotation of structure  947  can be achieved using an electrical motor with or without the use of a gearing mechanism, whereas micro-oscillation of the housing portion  949  can be achieved using any electromechanical device known in the art. As shown, these optical components are configured together as an optical assembly, for the purpose of micro-oscillating the PLIB  951  laterally along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto. During illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial phase modulated along the planar extent thereof as well as along the direction orthogonal thereto. This causes the phase along the wavefront of each transmitted PLIB to be modulated in two orthogonal dimensions and numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns to be produced at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  863  during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated “Hybrid-type” Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein a High-speed Temporal Intensity Modulation Panel Temporal Intensity Modulates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) to Produce Temporally Incoherent PLIB Components Along its Planar Extent, a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects the Temporally Incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and wherein a Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Element Micro-oscillates the PLIB Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent to Produce Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Along Said Transverse Direction, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Temporally and Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 J 1  and  1 I 25 J 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  955  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module; and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism  956  arranged with each PLIM. 
     As shown, PLIB modulation mechanism  955  comprises: a temporal intensity modulation panel (i.e. high-speed optical shutter)  957  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 14 A and  1 I 14 B; a stationary cylindrical lens array  958 ; and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element  959 . As shown in FIG.  1 I 25 J 2 , each PLIM  865 A and  865 B is pitched slightly relative to the optical axis of the IFD module  861  so that the PLIB  960  is transmitted perpendicularly through temporal intensity modulation panel  957 , whereas the FOV of the image detection array  863  is disposed at a small acute angle relative to PLIB  960  so that the PLIB and FOV (collectively  961 ) converge on the micro-oscillating mirror element  959  and the PLIB and FOV maintain a coplanar relationship as they are jointly micro-oscillated in planar and orthogonal directions during object illumination operations. As shown, these optical elements are configured together as an optical assembly, for the purpose of temporal intensity modulating the PLIB  960  uniformly along its planar extent while micro-oscillating PLIB  960  transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto. During illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is temporal intensity modulated along the planar extent thereof and spatial phase modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated “Hybrid-type” Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein an Optically-reflective Cavity Externally Attached to Each VLD in the System Temporal Phase Modulates a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) to Produce Temporally Incoherent PLIB Components Along its Planar Extent, a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects the Temporally Incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and wherein a Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Element Micro-oscillates the PLIB Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent to Produce Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Along Said Transverse Direction, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Temporally and Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 K 1  and  1 I 25 K 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  965  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A″ and  865 B″ mounted on the optical bench  862  on opposite sides of the IFD module  861 ; and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism  966  arranged with each PLIM. 
     As shown, PLIB modulation mechanism  966  comprises an optically-reflective cavity (i.e. etalon)  967  attached external to each VLD  13  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 17 A and  1 I 17 B; a stationary cylindrical lens array  968 ; and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element  969 . As shown, these optical components are configured together as an optical assembly, for the purpose of temporal intensity modulating the PLIB  970  uniformly along its planar extent while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal thereto. As shown in FIG.  1 I 25 K 2 , each PLIM  865 A″ and  865 B″ is pitched slightly relative to the optical axis of the IFD module  961  so that the PLIB  970  is transmitted perpendicularly through cylindrical lens array  968 , whereas the FOV of the image detection array  863  is disposed at a small acute angle so that the PLIB and FOV converge on the micro-oscillating mirror element  968  so that the PLIB and FOV (collectively  971 ) maintain a coplanar relationship as they are jointly micro-oscillated in planar and orthogonal directions during object illumination operations. During illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is temporal phase modulated along the planar extent thereof and spatial phase modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated “Hybrid-type” Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein Each Visible Mode Locked Laser Diode (MLLD) Employed in the PLIM of the System Generates a High-speed Pulsed (i.e. Temporal Intensity Modulated) Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Having Temporally Incoherent PLIB Components Along its Planar Extent, a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects the Temporally Incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and wherein a Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Element Micro-oscillates PLIB Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent to Produce Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Along Said Transverse Direction, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Temporally and Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 L 1  and  1 I 25 L 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  975  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module; and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism  976  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the PLIB modulation mechanism  976  comprises: a visible mode-locked laser diode (MLLD)  977  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 15 A and  1 I 15 D; a stationary cylindrical lens array  978 ; and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element  979 . As shown in FIG.  1 I 25 L 2 , each PLIM  865 A and  865 B is pitched slightly relative to the optical axis of the IFD module  861  so that the PLIB  980  is transmitted perpendicularly through cylindrical lens array  978 , whereas the FOV of the image detection array  863  is disposed at a small acute angle, relative to PLIB  980 , so that the PLIB and FOV converge on the micro-oscillating mirror element  868  so that the PLIB and FOV (collectively  981 ) maintain a coplanar relationship as they are jointly micro-oscillated in planar and orthogonal directions during object illumination operations. As shown, these optical components are configured together as an optical assembly, for the purpose of producing a temporal intensity modulated PLIB while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to its planar extent. During illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is temporal intensity modulated along the planar extent thereof and spatial phase modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated “Hybrid-type” Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein the Visible Laser Diode (VLD) Employed in Each PLIM of the System is Continually Operated in a Frequency-hopping Mode so as to Temporal Frequency Modulate the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) and Produce Temporally Incoherent PLIB Components Along its Planar Extent, a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects the Temporally Incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and wherein a Micro-oscillating Light Reflecting Element Micro-oscillates the PLIB Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent and Produces Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Along Said Transverse Direction, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Temporally and Spatial Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 M 1  and  1 I 25 M 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  985  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module; and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism  986  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, PLIB modulation mechanism  986  comprises: a visible laser diode (VLD)  13  continuously driven into a high-speed frequency hopping mode (as shown in FIGS.  1 I 16 A and  1 I 15 B); a stationary cylindrical lens array  986 ; and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element  987 . As shown in FIG.  1 I 25 M 2 , each PLIM  865 A and  865 B is pitched slightly relative to the optical axis of the IFD module  861  so that the PLIB  988  is transmitted perpendicularly through cylindrical lens array  986 , whereas the FOV of the image detection array  863  is disposed at a small acute angle, relative to PLIB  988 , so that the PLIB and FOV (collectively  988 ) converge on the micro-oscillating mirror element  987  so that the PLIB and FOV maintain a coplanar relationship as they are jointly micro-oscillated in planar and orthogonal directions during object illumination operations. As shown, these optical components are configured together as an optical assembly as shown, for the purpose of producing a temporal frequency modulated PLIB while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to its planar extent. During illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is temporal frequency modulated along the planar extent thereof and spatial intensity modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array  863 , thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array. 
     PLIIM-Based System with an Integrated “Hybrid-type” Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Subsystem, wherein a Pair of Micro-oscillating Spatial Intensity Modulation Panels Spatial Intensity Modulate a Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) and Produce Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Along its Planar Extent, a Stationary Cylindrical Lens Array Optically Combines and Projects the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Onto the Same Points on the Surface of an Object to be Illuminated, and wherein a Micro-oscillating Light Reflective Structure Micro-oscillates Said PLIB Transversely Along the Direction Orthogonal to Said Planar Extent and Produces Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Along Said Transverse Direction, and a Linear (1D) CCD Image Detection Array Having Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements Detects Time-varying Speckle-noise Patterns Produced by the Spatially Incoherent PLIB Components Reflected/Scattered Off the Illuminated Object 
     In FIGS.  1 I 25 N 1  and  1 I 25 N 2 , there is shown a PLIIM-based system of the present invention  995  having speckle-pattern noise reduction capabilities embodied therein, which comprises: (i) an image formation and detection (IFD) module  861  mounted on an optical bench  862  and having a linear (1D) CCD image sensor  863  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  characterized by a large height-to-width (H/W) aspect ratio; (ii) a PLIA comprising a pair of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  865 A and  865 B mounted on the optical bench on opposite sides of the IFD module; and (iii) a hybrid-type PLIB modulation mechanism  996  arranged with each PLIM in an integrated manner. 
     As shown, the PLIB modulation mechanism  996  comprises a micro-oscillating spatial intensity modulation array  997  as shown in FIGS.  1 I 221 A through  1 I 21 D; a stationary cylindrical lens array  998 ; and a micro-oscillating PLIB reflection element  999 . As shown in FIG.  1 I 25 N 2 , each PLIM  865 A and  865 B is pitched slightly relative to the optical axis of the IFD module  861  so that the PLIB  1000  is transmitted perpendicularly through cylindrical lens array  998 , whereas the FOV of the image detection array  863  is disposed at a small acute angle, relative to PLIB  1000 , so that the PLIB and FOV (collectively  1001 ) converge on the micro-oscillating mirror element  999  so that the PLIB and FOV maintain a coplanar relationship as they are jointly micro-oscillated in planar and orthogonal directions during object illumination operations. As shown, these optical components are configured together as an optical assembly, for the purpose of producing a spatial intensity modulated PLIB while micro-oscillating the PLIB transversely along the direction orthogonal to its planar extent. During illumination operations, the PLIB transmitted from each PLIM is spatial intensity modulated along the planar extent thereof and spatial phase modulated during micro-oscillation along the direction orthogonal thereto, thereby producing numerous substantially different time-varying speckle-noise patterns at the vertically-elongated image detection elements of the IFD Subsystem during the photo-integration time period thereof. These numerous time-varying speckle-noise patterns are temporally and spatially averaged during the photo-integration time period of the image detection array, thereby reducing the RMS power level of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array; 
     Notably, in this embodiment, it may be preferred that the cylindrical lens array  998  may be realized using light diffractive optical materials so that each spectral component within the transmitted PLIB  1001  will be diffracted at slightly different angles dependent on its optical wavelength. For example, using this technique, the PLIB  1000  can be made to undergo micro-movement along the transverse direction (or planar extent of the PLIB) during target illumination operations. Therefore, such wavelength-dependent PLIB movement can be used to modulate the spatial phase of the PLIB wavefront along directions extending either within the plane of the PLIB or along a direction orthogonal thereto, depending on how the diffractive-type cylindrical lens array is designed. In such applications, both temporal frequency modulation as well as spatial phase modulation of the PLIB wavefront would occur, thereby creating a hybrid-type despeckling scheme. 
     Advantages of Using Linear Image Detection Arrays Having Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements 
     If the heights of the PLIB and the FOV of the linear image detection array are comparable in size in a PLIIM-based system, then only a slight misalignment of the PLIB and the FOV is required to displace the PLIB from the FOV, rendering a dark image at the image detector in the PLIIM-based system. To use this PLIB/FOV alignment technique successfully, the mechanical parts required for positioning the CCD linear image sensor and the VLDs of the PLIA must be extremely rugged in construction, which implies additional size, weight, and cost of manufacture. 
     The PLIB/FOV misalignment problem described above can be solved using the PLIIM-based imaging engine design shown in FIGS.  1 I 25 A 2  through  1 I 25 N 2 . In this novel design, the linear image detector  863  with its vertically-elongated image detection elements  864  is used in conjunction with a PLIB having a height that is substantially smaller than the height dimension of the magnified field of view (FOV) of each image detection element in the linear image detector  863 . This condition between the PLIB and the FOV reduces the tolerance on the degree of alignment that must be maintained between the FOV of the linear image sensor and the plane of the PLIB during planar laser illumination and imaging operations. It also avoids the need to increase the output power of the VLDs in the PLIA, which might either cause problems from a safety and laser class standpoint, or require the use of more powerful VLDs which are expensive to procure and require larger heat sinks to operate properly. Thus, using the PLIIM-based imaging engine design shown in FIGS.  1 I 25 A 2  through  1 I 25 N 2 , the PLIB and FOV thereof can move slightly with respect to each other during system operation without “loosing alignment” because the FOV of the image detection elements spatially encompasses the entire PLIB, while providing significant spatial tolerances on either side of the PLIB. By the term “alignment”, it is understood that the FOV of the image detection array and the principal plane of the PLIB sufficiently overlap over the entire width and depth of object space (i.e. working distance) such that the image obtained is bright enough to be useful in whatever application at hand (e.g. bar code decoding, OCR software processing, etc.). 
     A notable advantage derived when using this PLIB/FOV alignment method is that no sacrifice in laser intensity is required. In fact, because the FOV is guaranteed to receive all of the laser light from the illuminating PLIB, whether stationary or moving relative to the target object, the total output power of the PLIB may be reduced if necessary or desired in particular applications. 
     In the illustrative embodiments described above, each PLIIM-based system is provided with an integrated despeckling mechanism, although it is clearly understood that the PLIB/FOV alignment method described above can be practiced with or without such despeckling techniques. 
     In a first illustrative embodiment, the PLIB/FOV alignment method may be practiced using a linear CCD image detection array (i.e. sensor) with, for example, 10 micron tall image detection elements (i.e. pixels) and image forming optics having a magnification factor of say, for example, 15×. In this first illustrative embodiment, the height of the FOV of the image detection elements on the target object would be about 150 microns. In order for the height of the PLIB to be significantly smaller than this FOV height dimension, e.g. by a factor of five, the height of the PLIB would have to be focused to about 30 microns. 
     In a second alternative embodiment, using a linear CCD image detector with image detection elements having a 200 micron height dimension and equivalent optics (having a magnification factor 15×), the height dimension for the FOV would be 3000 microns. In this second alternative embodiment, a PLIB focused to 750 microns (rather than 30 microns in the first illustrative embodiment above) would provide the same amount of return signal at the linear image detector, but with angular tolerances which are almost 20 times as large as those obtained in the first illustrative embodiment. In view of the fact that it can be quite difficult to focus a planarized laser beam to a few microns thickness over an extended depth of field, the second illustrative embodiment would be preferred over the first illustrative embodiment. 
     In view of the fact that linear CCD image detectors with 200 micron tall image detection elements are generally commercially available in lengths of only one or two thousand image detection elements (i.e. pixels), the PLIB/FOV alignment method described above would be best applicable to PLIIM-based hand-held imaging applications as illustrated, for example, in FIGS.  1 I 25 A 2  through  1 I 25 N 2 . In view of the fact that most industrial-type imaging systems require linear image sensors having six to eight thousand image detection elements, the PLIB/FOV alignment method illustrated in FIG.  1 B 3  would be best applicable to PLIIM-based conveyor-mounted/industrial imaging systems as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 9 through 32A . Depending on the optical path lengths required in the PLIIM-based POS imaging systems shown in  FIGS. 33A through 34C , either of these PLIB/FOV alignment methods may be used with excellent results. 
     Second Alternative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 1A   
     In FIG.  1 Q 1 , the second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 1A , indicated by reference numeral  1 B, is shown comprising: a 1-D type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 ′, as shown in FIG.  1 B 1 ; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B. As shown, these arrays  6 A and  6 B are arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module  3  so that the field of view thereof is oriented in a direction that is coplanar with the planes of laser illumination produced by the planar illumination arrays, without using any laser beam or field of view folding mirrors. One primary advantage of this system architecture is that it does not require any laser beam or FOV folding mirrors, employs the few optical surfaces, and maximizes the return of laser light, and is easy to align. However, it is expected that this system design will most likely require a system housing having a height dimension which is greater than the height dimension required by the system design shown in FIG.  1 B 1 . 
     As shown in FIG.  1 Q 2 , PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 Q 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3  having an imaging subsystem with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a fixed focal distance, and a fixed field of view, and 1-D image detection array (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 , for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. Preferably, the PLIIM-based system of FIGS.  1 P 1  and  102  is realized using the same or similar construction techniques shown in FIGS.  1 G 1  through  1 I 2 , and described above. 
     Third Alternative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 1A   
     In FIG.  1 R 1 , the third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIGS. 1A , indicated by reference numeral  1 C, is shown comprising: a 1-D type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3  having a field of view (FOV), as shown in FIG.  1 B 1 ; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams; and a pair of planar laser beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B arranged. The function of the planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B is to fold the optical paths of the first and second planar laser illumination beams produced by the pair of planar illumination arrays  37 A and  37 B such that the field of view (FOV) of the image formation and detection module  3  is aligned in a direction that is coplanar with the planes of first and second planar laser illumination beams during object illumination and imaging operations. One notable disadvantage of this system architecture is that it requires additional optical surfaces which can reduce the intensity of outgoing laser illumination and therefore reduce slightly the intensity of returned laser illumination reflected off target objects. Also this system design requires a more complicated beam/FOV adjustment scheme. This system design can be best used when the planar laser illumination beams do not have large apex angles to provide sufficiently uniform illumination. In this system embodiment, the PLIMs are mounted on the optical bench as far back as possible from the beam folding mirrors, and cylindrical lenses with larger radiuses will be employed in the design of each PLIM. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 R 2 , PLIIM-based system  1 C shown in FIG.  1 R 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  6 A,  6 B, and each PLIM being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module having an imaging subsystem with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a fixed focal distance, and a fixed field of view, and 1-D image detection array (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem; pair of planar laser beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B arranged so as to fold the optical paths of the first and second planar laser illumination beams produced by the pair of planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 , for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. Preferably, the PLIIM system of FIGS.  1 Q 1  and  1 Q 2  is realized using the same or similar construction techniques shown in FIGS.  1 G 1  through  1 I 2 , and described above. 
     Fourth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 1A   
     In FIG.  1 S 1 , the fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIGS. 1A , indicated by reference numeral  1 D, is shown comprising: a 1-D type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3  having a field of view (FOV), as shown in  FIG. 1B   1 ; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams; a field of view folding mirror  9  for folding the field of view (FOV) of the image formation and detection module  3  about 90 degrees downwardly; and a pair of planar laser beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B arranged so as to fold the optical paths of the first and second planar laser illumination beams produced by the pair of planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B such that the planes of first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B are in a direction that is coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 . Despite inheriting most of the disadvantages associated with the system designs shown in FIGS.  1 B 1  and  1 R 1 , this system architecture allows the length of the system housing to be easily minimized, at the expense of an increase in the height and width dimensions of the system housing. 
     As shown in FIG.  1 S 2 , PLIIM-based system  1 D shown in FIG.  1 S 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  11 A through  11 F, and each PLIM being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3  having an imaging subsystem with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a fixed focal distance, and a fixed field of view, and 1-D image detection array (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem; a field of view folding mirror  9  for folding the field of view (FOV) of the image formation and detection module  3 ; a pair of planar laser beam folding mirrors  9  and  3  arranged so as to fold the optical paths of the first and second planar laser illumination beams produced by the pair of planar illumination arrays  37 A and  37 B; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 , for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. Preferably, the PLIIM-based system of FIGS.  1 S 1  and  1 S 2  is realized using the same or similar construction techniques shown in FIGS.  1 G 1  through  1 I 2 , and described above. 
     Applications for the First Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention, and the Illustrative Embodiments thereof 
     Fixed focal distance type PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  1 B 1  through  1 U are ideal for applications in which there is little variation in the object distance, such as in a conveyor-type bottom scanner applications. As such scanning systems employ a fixed focal length imaging lens, the image resolution requirements of such applications must be examined carefully to determine that the image resolution obtained is suitable for the intended application. Because the object distance is approximately constant for a bottom scanner application (i.e. the bar code almost always is illuminated and imaged within the same object plane), the dpi resolution of acquired images will be approximately constant. As image resolution is not a concern in this type of scanning applications, variable focal length (zoom) control is unnecessary, and a fixed focal length imaging lens should suffice and enable good results. 
     A fixed focal distance PLIIM system generally takes up less space than a variable or dynamic focus model because more advanced focusing methods require more complicated optics and electronics, and additional components such as motors. For this reason, fixed focus PLIIM-based systems are good choices for handheld and presentation scanners as indicated in  FIG. 1U , wherein space and weight are always critical characteristics. In these applications, however, the object distance can vary over a range from several to a twelve or more inches, and so the designer must exercise care to ensure that the scanner&#39;s depth of field (DOF) alone will be sufficient to accommodate all possible variations in target object distance and orientation. Also, because a fixed focus imaging subsystem implies a fixed focal length camera lens, the variation in object distance implies that the dots per inch resolution of the image will vary as well. The focal length of the imaging lens must be chosen so that the angular width of the field of view (FOV) is narrow enough that the dpi image resolution will not fall below the minimum acceptable value anywhere within the range of object distances supported by the PLIIM-based system. 
     Second Generalized Embodiment of the Planar Laser Illumination and Electronic Imaging System of the Present Invention 
     The second generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention  11  is illustrated in FIGS.  1 V 1  and  1 V 3 . As shown in FIG.  1 V 1 , the PLIIM-based system  1 ′ comprises: a housing  2  of compact construction; a linear (i.e. 1-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 ′; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B mounted on opposite sides of the IFD module  3 ′. During system operation, laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B each produce a planar beam of laser illumination  12 ′ which synchronously moves and is disposed substantially coplanar with the field of view (FOV) of the image formation and detection module  3 ′, so as to scan a bar code symbol or other graphical structure  4  disposed stationary within a 3-D scanning region. 
     As shown in FIGS.  1 V 2  and  1 V 3 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  1 V 1  comprises: an image formation and detection module  3 ′ having an imaging subsystem  3 B′ with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a fixed focal distance, and a fixed field of view, and a 1-D image detection array  3  (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem; a field of view sweeping mirror  9  operably connected to a motor mechanism  38  under control of camera control computer  22 , for folding and sweeping the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs)  7 A and  7 B, wherein each VLD  11  is driven by a VLD drive circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A and  37 B operably connected to motor mechanisms  39 A and  39 B, respectively, under control of camera control computer  22 , for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B, respectively, in synchronism with the FOV being swept by the FOV folding and sweeping mirror  9 ; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 , for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     An image formation and detection (IFD) module  3  having an imaging lens with a fixed focal length has a constant angular field of view (FOV); that is, the farther the target object is located from the IFD module, the larger the projection dimensions of the imaging subsystem&#39;s FOV become on the surface of the target object. A disadvantage to this type of imaging lens is that the resolution of the image that is acquired, in terms of pixels or dots per inch, varies as a function of the distance from the target object to the imaging lens. However, a fixed focal length imaging lens is easier and less expensive to design and produce than the alternative, a zoom-type imaging lens which will be discussed in detail hereinbelow with reference to FIGS.  3 A through  3 J 4 . 
     Each planar laser illumination module  6 A through  6 B in PLIIM-based system  1 ′ is driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  under the camera control computer  22 . Notably, laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirror  37 A′ and  38 B′, and FOV folding/sweeping mirror  9 ′ are each rotatably driven by a motor-driven mechanism  38 ,  39 A, and  39 B, respectively, operated under the control of the camera control computer  22 . These three mirror elements can be synchronously moved in a number of different ways. For example, the mirrors  37 A′,  37 B′ and  9 ′ can be jointly rotated together under the control of one or more motor-driven mechanisms, or each mirror element can be driven by a separate driven motor which is synchronously controlled to enable the planar laser illumination beams  7 A,  7 B and FOV  10  to move together in a spatially-coplanar manner during illumination and detection operations within the PLIIM-based system. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, the linear image formation and detection module  3 , the folding/sweeping FOV mirror  9 ′, and the planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′ employed in this generalized system embodiment, are fixedly mounted on an optical bench or chassis  8  so as to prevent any relative motion (which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes) between: (i) the image forming optics (e.g. imaging lens) within the image formation and detection module  3  and the FOV folding/sweeping mirror  9 ′ employed therewith; and (ii) each planar laser illumination module (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly) and the planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′ employed in this PLIIM system configuration. Preferably, the chassis assembly should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A′ and  6 B′, beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′, the image formation and detection module  3  and FOV folding/sweeping mirror  9 ′, as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this generalized PLIIM-based system embodiment  1 ′ employs the general “planar laser illumination” and “focus beam at farthest object distance (FBAFOD)” principles described above. 
     Applications for the Second Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM System of the Present Invention 
     The fixed focal length PLIIM-based system shown in FIGS.  1 V 1 - 1 V 3  has a 3-D fixed field of view which, while spatially-aligned with a composite planar laser illumination beam  12  in a coplanar manner, is automatically swept over a 3-D scanning region within which bar code symbols and other graphical indicia  4  may be illuminated and imaged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As such, this generalized embodiment of the present invention is ideally suited for use in hand-supportable and hands-free presentation type bar code symbol readers shown in FIGS.  1 V 4  and  1 V 5 , respectively, in which rasterlike-scanning (i.e. up and down) patterns can be used for reading 1-D as well as 2-D bar code symbologies such as the PDF  147  symbology. In general, the PLIIM-based system of this generalized embodiment may have any of the housing form factors disclosed and described in Applicants&#39; copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/204,176 entitled filed Dec. 3, 1998 and Ser. No. 09/452,976 filed Dec. 2, 1999, and WIPO Publication No. WO 00/33239 published Jun. 8, 2000, incorporated herein by reference. The beam sweeping technology disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 08/931,691 filed Sep. 16, 1997, incorporated herein by reference, can be used to uniformly sweep both the planar laser illumination beam and linear FOV in a coplanar manner during illumination and imaging operations. 
     Third Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention 
     The third generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention  40  is illustrated in FIG.  2 A. As shown therein, the PLIIM system  40  comprises: a housing  2  of compact construction; a linear (i.e. 1-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 ′ including a 1-D electronic image detection array  3 A, a linear (1-D) imaging subsystem (LIS)  3 B′ having a fixed focal length, a variable focal distance, and a fixed field of view (FOV), for forming a 1-D image of an illuminated object located within the fixed focal distance and FOV thereof and projected onto the 1-D image detection array  3 A, so that the 1-D image detection array  3 A can electronically detect the image formed thereon and automatically produce a digital image data set  5  representative of the detected image for subsequent image processing; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, each mounted on opposite sides of the IFD module  3 ′, such that each planar laser illumination array  6 A and  6 B produces a composite plane of laser beam illumination  12  which is disposed substantially coplanar with the field view of the image formation and detection module  3 ′ during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, the linear image formation and detection module  3 ′, and any non-moving FOV and/or planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors employed in any configuration of this generalized system embodiment, are fixedly mounted on an optical bench or chassis so as to prevent any relative motion (which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes) between: (i) the image forming optics (e.g. imaging lens) within the image formation and detection module  3 ′ and any stationary FOV folding mirrors employed therewith; and (ii) each planar laser illumination module (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly) and any planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors employed in the PLIIM system configuration. Preferably, the chassis assembly should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B as well as the image formation and detection module  3 ′, as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this generalized PLIIM-based system embodiment  40  employs the general “planar laser illumination” and “focus beam at farthest object distance (FBAFOD)” principles described above. Various illustrative embodiments of this generalized PLIIM-based system will be described below. 
     An image formation and detection (IFD) module  3  having an imaging lens with variable focal distance, as employed in the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 2A , can adjust its image distance to compensate for a change in the target&#39;s object distance; thus, at least some of the component lens elements in the imaging subsystem are movable, and the depth of field of the imaging subsystems does not limit the ability of the imaging subsystem to accommodate possible object distances and orientations. A variable focus imaging subsystem is able to move its components in such a way as to change the image distance of the imaging lens to compensate for a change in the target&#39;s object distance, thus preserving good focus no matter where the target object might be located. Variable focus can be accomplished in several ways, namely: by moving lens elements; moving imager detector/sensor; and dynamic focus. Each of these different methods will be summarized below for sake of convenience. 
     Use of Moving Lens Elements in the Image Formation and Detection Module 
     The imaging subsystem in this generalized PLIIM-based system embodiment can employ an imaging lens which is made up of several component lenses contained in a common lens barrel. A variable focus type imaging lens such as this can move one or more of its lens elements in order to change the effective distance between the lens and the image sensor, which remains stationary. This change in the image distance compensates for a change in the object distance of the target object and keeps the return light in focus. The position at which the focusing lens element(s) must be in order to image light returning from a target object at a given object distance is determined by consulting a lookup table, which must be constructed ahead of time, either experimentally or by design software, well known in the optics art. 
     Use of an Moving Image Detection Array in the Image Formation and Detection Module 
     The imaging subsystem in this generalized PLIIM-based system embodiment can be constructed so that all the lens elements remain stationary, with the imaging detector/sensor array being movable relative to the imaging lens so as to change the image distance of the imaging subsystem. The position at which the image detector/sensor must be located to image light returning from a target at a given object distance is determined by consulting a lookup table, which must be constructed ahead of time, either experimentally or by design software, well known in the art. 
     Use of Dynamic Focal Distance Control in the Image Formation and Detection Module 
     The imaging subsystem in this generalized PLIIM-based system embodiment can be designed to embody a “dynamic” form of variable focal distance (i.e. focus) control, which is an advanced form of variable focus control. In conventional variable focus control schemes, one focus (i.e. focal distance) setting is established in anticipation of a given target object. The object is imaged using that setting, then another setting is selected for the next object image, if necessary. However, depending on the shape and orientation of the target object, a single target object may exhibit enough variation in its distance from the imaging lens to make it impossible for a single focus setting to acquire a sharp image of the entire object. In this case, the imaging subsystem must change its focus setting while the object is being imaged. This adjustment does not have to be made continuously; rather, a few discrete focus settings will generally be sufficient. The exact number will depend on the shape and orientation of the package being imaged and the depth of field of the imaging subsystem used in the IFD module. 
     It should be noted that dynamic focus control is only used with a linear image detection/sensor array, as used in the system embodiments shown in FIGS.  2 A through  3 J 4 . The reason for this limitation is quite clear: an area-type image detection array captures an entire image after a rapid number of exposures to the planar laser illumination beam, and although changing the focus setting of the imaging subsystem might clear up the image in one part of the detector array, it would induce blurring in another region of the image, thus failing to improve the overall quality of the acquired image. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System Shown in  FIG. 2A   
     The first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 2A , indicated by reference numeral  40 A, is shown in FIG.  2 B 1 . As illustrated therein, the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ′ and the first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B produced by the planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, respectively, are arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship during object illumination and image detection operations. 
     The PLIIM-based system illustrated in FIG.  2 B 1  is shown in greater detail in FIG.  2 B 2 . As shown therein, the linear image formation and detection module  3 ′ is shown comprising an imaging subsystem  3 B′, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images (e.g. 6000 pixels, at a 60 MHZ scanning rate) formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B′, providing an image resolution of 200 dpi or 8 pixels/mm, as the image resolution that results from a fixed focal length imaging lens is the function of the object distance (i.e. the longer the object distance, the lower the resolution). The imaging subsystem  3 B′ has a fixed focal length imaging lens (e.g. 80 mm Pentax lens, F4.5), a fixed field of view (FOV), and a variable focal distance imaging capability (e.g. 36″ total scanning range), and an auto-focusing image plane with a response time of about 20-30 milliseconds over about 5 mm working range. 
     As shown, each planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 A,  6 B comprises a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  11 A through  11 F, closely arranged relative to each other, in a rectilinear fashion. As taught hereinabove, the relative spacing and orientation of each PLIM  11  is such that the spatial intensity distribution of the individual planar laser beams  7 A,  7 B superimpose and additively produce composite planar laser illumination beam  12  having a substantially uniform power density distribution along the widthwise dimensions of the laser illumination beam, throughout the entire working range of the PLIIM-based system. 
     As shown in FIG.  2 C 1 , the PLIIM system of FIG.  2 B 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  2 C 2  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ′ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  2 B 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ′ comprises a variable focus fixed focal length imaging subsystem  3 B′ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  30  contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). The imaging subsystem  3 B′ comprises a group of stationary lens elements  3 B′ mounted along the optical bench before the image detecting array  3 A, and a group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ (having a fixed effective focal length) mounted along the optical bench in front of the stationary lens elements  3 A 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis with an optical element translator  3 C in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the entire group of focal lens elements remain stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the entire group of focal lens elements back and forth with translator  3 C in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer, while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. In customized applications, it is possible for the individual lens elements in the group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ to be moved in response to control signals generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken, an IFD module  3 ′ with variable focus fixed focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 2A   
     The second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 2A , indicated by reference numeral  40 B, is shown in FIG.  2 D 1  as comprising: an image formation and detection module  3 ′ having an imaging subsystem  3 B′ with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B′; a field of view folding mirror  9  for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ′; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module  3 ′ such that the field of view thereof folded by the field of view folding mirror  9  is oriented in a direction that is coplanar with the composite plane of laser illumination  12  produced by the planar illumination arrays, during object illumination and image detection operations, without using any laser beam folding mirrors. 
     One primary advantage of this system design is that it enables a construction having an ultra-low height profile suitable, for example, in unitary object identification and attribute acquisition systems of the type disclosed in  FIGS. 17-22 , wherein the image-based bar code symbol reader needs to be installed within a compartment (or cavity) of a housing having relatively low height dimensions. Also, in this system design, there is a relatively high degree of freedom provided in where the image formation and detection module  3 ′ can be mounted on the optical bench of the system, thus enabling the field of view (FOV) folding technique disclosed in FIG.  1 L 1  to be practiced in a relatively easy manner. 
     As shown in FIG.  2 D 2 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  2 D 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ′; a field of view folding mirror  9  for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ′; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ′, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  2 D 2  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ′ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  2 D 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ′ comprises a variable focus fixed focal length imaging subsystem  3 B′ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  3 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). The imaging subsystem  3 B′ comprises a group of stationary lens elements  3 A′ mounted along the optical bench before the image detecting array  3 A′, and a group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ (having a fixed effective focal length) mounted along the optical bench in front of the stationary lens elements  3 A 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis with a translator  3 E, in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the entire group of focal lens elements remain stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the entire group of focal lens elements  3 B′ back and forth with translator  3 C in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. In customized applications, it is possible for the individual lens elements in the group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ to be moved in response to control signals generated by the camera control computer. Regardless of the approach taken, an IFD module  3 ′ with variable focus fixed focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Third Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 2A   
     The second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 2A , indicated by reference numeral  40 C, is shown in FIG.  2 D 1  as comprising: an image formation and detection module  3 ′ having an imaging subsystem  3 B′ with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B′; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A,  7 B, and a pair of planar laser beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B for folding the planes of the planar laser illumination beams produced by the pair of planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, in a direction that is coplanar with the plane of the field of view of the image formation and detection during object illumination and image detection operations. 
     The primary disadvantage of this system architecture is that it requires additional optical surfaces (i.e. the planar laser beam folding mirrors) which reduce outgoing laser light and therefore the return laser light slightly. Also this embodiment requires a complicated beam/FOV adjustment scheme. Thus, this system design can be best used when the planar laser illumination beams do not have large apex angles to provide sufficiently uniform illumination. Notably, in this system embodiment, the PLIMs are mounted on the optical bench  8  as far back as possible from the beam folding mirrors  37 A,  37 B, and cylindrical lenses  16  with larger radiuses will be employed in the design of each PLIM  11 . 
     As shown in FIG.  2 E 2 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  2 E 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ′; a field of view folding mirror  9  for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ′; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  2 E 3  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ′ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  2 E 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ′ comprises a variable focus fixed focal length imaging subsystem  3 B′ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  3 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). The imaging subsystem  3 B′ comprises a group of stationary lens elements  3 A 1  mounted along the optical bench before the image detecting array  3 A, and a group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ (having a fixed effective focal length) mounted along the optical bench in front of the stationary lens elements  3 A 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the entire group of focal lens elements  3 B′ remain stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the entire group of focal lens elements  3 B′ back and forth with translator  3 C in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. In customized applications, it is possible for the individual lens elements in the group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ to be moved in response to control signals generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken, an IFD module  3 ′ with variable focus fixed focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Fourth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 2A   
     The fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 2A , indicated by reference numeral  40 D, is shown in FIG.  2 F 1  as comprising: an image formation and detection module  3 ′ having an imaging subsystem  3 B′ with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B′; a field of view folding mirror  9  for folding the FOV of the imaging subsystem  3 B′; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams; and a pair of planar laser beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B arranged in relation to the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B so as to fold the optical paths of the first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A,  7 B in a direction that is coplanar with the folded FOV of the image formation and detection module  3 ′, during object illumination and image detection operations. 
     As shown in FIG.  2 F 2 , the PLIIM system  40 D of FIG.  2 F 1  further comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 B, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ′; a field of view folding mirror  9  for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ′; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  2 F 3  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ′ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  2 F 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ′ comprises a variable focus fixed focal length imaging subsystem  3 B′ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  3 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). The imaging subsystem  3 B′ comprises a group of stationary lens elements  3 A 1  mounted along the optical bench  3 D before the image detecting array  3 A, and a group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ (having a fixed effective focal length) mounted along the optical bench in front of the stationary lens elements  3 A 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis with translator  3 C in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the entire group of focal lens elements  3 B′ remain stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the entire group of focal lens elements  3 B′ back and forth with translator  3 C in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. In customized applications, it is possible for the individual lens elements in the group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ to be moved in response to control signals generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken, an IFD module with variable focus fixed focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Applications for the Third Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention, and the Illustrative Embodiments thereof 
     As the PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  2 A through  2 F 3  employ an IFD module  3 ′ having a linear image detecting array and an imaging subsystem having variable focus (i.e. focal distance) control, such PLIIM-based systems are good candidates for use in a conveyor top scanner application, as shown in  FIG. 2G , as the variation in target object distance can be up to a meter or more (from the imaging subsystem). In general, such object distances are too great a range for the depth of field (DOF) characteristics of the imaging subsystem alone to accommodate such object distance parameter variations during object illumination and imaging operations. Provision for variable focal distance control is generally sufficient for the conveyor top scanner application shown in  FIG. 2G , as the demands on the depth of field and variable focus or dynamic focus control characteristics of such PLIIM-based system are not as severe in the conveyor top scanner application, as they might be in the conveyor side scanner application, also illustrated in FIG.  2 G. 
     Notably, by adding dynamic focusing functionality to the imaging subsystem of any of the embodiments shown in FIGS.  2 A through  2 F 3 , the resulting PLIIM-based system becomes appropriate for the conveyor side-scanning application discussed above, where the demands on the depth of field and variable focus or dynamic focus requirements are greater compared to a conveyor top scanner application. 
     Fourth Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM System of the Present Invention 
     The fourth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system  40 ′ of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.  2 I 1  and  2 I 2 . As shown in FIG.  2 I 1 , the PLIIM-based system  40 ′ comprises: a housing  2  of compact construction; a linear (i.e. 1-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 ′; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B mounted on opposite sides of the IFD module  3 ′. During system operation, laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B each produce a moving planar laser illumination beam  12 ′ which synchronously moves and is disposed substantially coplanar with the field of view (FOV) of the image formation and detection module  3 ′, so as to scan a bar code symbol or other graphical structure  4  disposed stationary within a 3-D scanning region. 
     As shown in FIGS.  2 I 2  and  2 I 3 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  2 I 1  comprises: an image formation and detection module  3 ′ having an imaging subsystem  3 B′ with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B′; a field of view folding and sweeping mirror  9 ′ for folding and sweeping the field of view  10  of the image formation and detection module  3 ′; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B, wherein each VLD  11  is driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; a pair of planar laser illumination beam sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′ for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B, respectively, in synchronism with the FOV being swept by the FOV folding and sweeping mirror  9 ′; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. As shown in FIG.  2 F 2 , each planar laser illumination module  11 A through  11 F, is driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  under the camera control computer  22 . Notably, laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′, and FOV folding/sweeping mirror  9 ′ are each rotatably driven by a motor-driven mechanism  39 A,  39 B,  38 , respectively, operated under the control of the camera control computer  22 . These three mirror elements can be synchronously moved in a number of different ways. For example, the mirrors  37 A′,  37 B′ and  9 ′ can be jointly rotated together under the control of one or more motor-driven mechanisms, or each mirror element can be driven by a separate driven motor which are synchronously controlled to enable the composite planar laser illumination beam and FOV to move together in a spatially-coplanar manner during illumination and detection operations within the PLIIM system. 
     FIG.  2 I 4  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ′ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  2 I 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ′ comprises a variable focus fixed focal length imaging subsystem  3 B′ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  3 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). The imaging subsystem  3 B′ comprises a group of stationary lens elements  3 A 1  mounted along the optical bench before the image detecting array  3 A, and a group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ (having a fixed effective focal length) mounted along the optical bench in front of the stationary lens elements  3 A 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the entire group of focal lens elements  3 B′ remain stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the entire group of focal lens elements  3 B′ back and forth with a translator  3 C in response to a first set of control signals  3 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. In customized applications, it is possible for the individual lens elements in the group of focusing lens elements  3 B′ to be moved in response to control signals generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken, an IFD module  3 ′ with variable focus fixed focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, the linear image formation and detection module  3 ′, the folding/sweeping FOV mirror  9 ′, and the planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′ employed in this generalized system embodiment, are fixedly mounted on an optical bench or chassis  8  so as to prevent any relative motion (which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes) between: (i) the image forming optics (e.g. imaging lens) within the image formation and detection module  3 ′ and the FOV folding/sweeping mirror  9 ′ employed therewith; and (ii) each planar laser illumination module (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly) and the planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′ employed in this PLIIM-based system configuration. Preferably, the chassis assembly should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′, the image formation and detection module  3 ′ and FOV folding/sweeping mirror  9 ′, as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this generalized PLIIM system embodiment  40 ′ employs the general “planar laser illumination” and “focus beam at farthest object distance (FBAFOD)” principles described above. 
     Applications for the Fourth Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention 
     As the PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  2 I 1  through  2 I 4  employ (i) an IFD module having a linear image detecting array and an imaging subsystem having variable focus (i.e. focal distance) control, and (ii) a mechanism for automatically sweeping both the planar (2-D) FOV and planar laser illumination beam through a 3-D scanning field in an “up and down” pattern while maintaining the inventive principle of “laser-beam/FOV coplanarity” disclosed herein, such PLIIM-based systems are good candidates for use in a hand-held scanner application, shown in FIG.  2 I 5 , and the hands-free presentation scanner application illustrated in FIG.  2 I 6 . The provision of variable focal distance control in these illustrative PLIIM-based systems is most sufficient for the hand-held scanner application shown in FIG.  2 I 5 , and presentation scanner application shown in FIG.  2 I 6 , as the demands placed on the depth of field and variable focus control characteristics of such systems will not be severe. Fifth Generalized Embodiment Of The PLIIM-Based System Of The Present Invention The fifth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, indicated by reference numeral  50 , is illustrated in FIG.  3 A. As shown therein, the PLIIM system  50  comprises: a housing  2  of compact construction; a linear (i.e. 1-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 ″ including a 1-D electronic image detection array 3A, a linear (1-D) imaging subsystem (LIS)  3 B″ having a variable focal length, a variable focal distance, and a variable field of view (FOV), for forming a 1-D image of an illuminated object located within the fixed focal distance and FOV thereof and projected onto the 1-D image detection array  3 A, so that the 1-D image detection array  3 A can electronically detect the image formed thereon and automatically produce a digital image data set  5  representative of the detected image for subsequent image processing; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, each mounted on opposite sides of the IFD module  3 ″, such that each planar laser illumination array  6 A and  6 B produces a plane of laser beam illumination  7 A,  7 B which is disposed substantially coplanar with the field view of the image formation and detection module  3 ″ during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. 
     In the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 3A , the linear image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 ″ has an imaging lens with a variable focal length (i.e. a zoom-type imaging lens)  3 B 1 , that has a variable angular field of view (FOV); that is, the farther the target object is located from the IFD module, the larger the projection dimensions of the imaging subsystem&#39;s FOV become on the surface of the target object. A zoom imaging lens is capable of changing its focal length, and therefore its angular field of view (FOV) by moving one or more of its component lens elements. The position at which the zooming lens element(s) must be in order to achieve a given focal length is determined by consulting a lookup table, which must be constructed ahead of time either experimentally or by design software, in a manner well known in the art. An advantage to using a zoom lens is that the resolution of the image that is acquired, in terms of pixels or dots per inch, remains constant no matter what the distance from the target object to the lens. However, a zoom camera lens is more difficult and more expensive to design and produce than the alternative, a fixed focal length camera lens. 
     The image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 ″ in the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 3A  also has an imaging lens  3 B 2  with variable focal distance, which can adjust its image distance to compensate for a change in the target&#39;s object distance. Thus, at least some of the component lens elements in the imaging subsystem  3 B 2  are movable, and the depth of field (DOF) of the imaging subsystem does not limit the ability of the imaging subsystem to accommodate possible object distances and orientations. This variable focus imaging subsystem  3 B 2  is able to move its components in such a way as to change the image distance of the imaging lens to compensate for a change in the target&#39;s object distance, thus preserving good image focus no matter where the target object might be located. This variable focus technique can be practiced in several different ways, namely: by moving lens elements in the imaging subsystem; by moving the image detection/sensing array relative to the imaging lens; and by dynamic focus control. Each of these different methods has been described in detail above. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B the image formation and detection module  3 ″ are fixedly mounted on an optical bench or chassis assembly  8  so as to prevent any relative motion between (i) the image forming optics (e.g. camera lens) within the image formation and detection module  3 ″ and (ii) each planar laser illumination module (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly) employed in the PLIIM-based system which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes. Preferably, the chassis assembly should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B as well as the image formation and detection module  3 ″, as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this PLIIM-based system employs the general “planar laser illumination” and “FBAFOD” principles described above. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in FIG.  3 B 1   
     The first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-Based system of  FIG. 3A , indicated by reference numeral  50 A, is shown in FIG.  3 B 1 . As illustrated therein, the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ″ and the first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B produced by the planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, respectively, are arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship during object illumination and image detection operations. 
     The PLIIM-based system  50 A illustrated in FIG.  3 B 1  is shown in greater detail in FIG.  3 B 2 . As shown therein, the linear image formation and detection module  3 ″ is shown comprising an imaging subsystem  3 B″, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B″. The imaging subsystem  3 B″ has a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view. As shown, each planar laser illumination array  6 A,  6 B comprises a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  11 A through  11 F, closely arranged relative to each other, in a rectilinear fashion. As taught hereinabove, the relative spacing of each PLIM  11  in the illustrative embodiment is such that the spatial intensity distribution of the individual planar laser beams superimpose and additively provide a composite planar case illumination beam having substantially uniform composite spatial intensity distribution for the entire planar laser illumination array  6 A and  6 B. 
     As shown in FIG.  3 C 1 , the PLIIM-based system  50 A of FIG.  3 B 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ″; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  3 C 2  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ″ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 B 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ″ comprises a variable focus variable focal length imaging subsystem  3 B″ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  3 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). In general, the imaging subsystem  3 B′ comprises: a first group of focal lens elements  3 A 1  mounted stationary relative to the image detecting array  3 A; a second group of lens elements  3 B 2 , functioning as a focal lens assembly, movably mounted along the optical bench in front of the first group of stationary lens elements  3 A 1 ; and a third group of lens elements  3 B 1 , functioning as a zoom lens assembly, movably mounted between the second group of focal lens elements and the first group of stationary focal lens elements  3 A 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  back and forth with translator  3 C 1  in response to a first set of control signals generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis with translator  3 C 1  in response to a first set of control signals  3 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  remain stationary. For zoom control (i.e. variable focal length control), the focal lens elements in the third group  3 B 2  are typically moved relative to each other with translator  3 C 1  in response to a second set of control signals  3 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken in any particular illustrative embodiment, an IFD module with variable focus variable focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     A first preferred implementation of the image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem of FIG.  3 C 2  is shown in FIG.  3 D 1 . As shown in FIG.  3 D 1 , IFD subsystem  3 ″ comprises: an optical bench  3 D having a pair of rails, along which mounted optical elements are translated; a linear CCD-type image detection array  3 A (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) fixedly mounted to one end of the optical bench; a system of stationary lenses  3 A 1  fixedly mounted before the CCD-type linear image detection array  3 A; a first system of movable lenses  3 B 1  slidably mounted to the rails of the optical bench  3 D by a set of ball bearings, and designed for stepped movement relative to the stationary lens subsystem  3 A 1  with translator  3 C 1  in automatic response to a first set of control signals  3 E 1  generated by the camera control computer  22 ; and a second system of movable lenses  3 B 2  slidably mounted to the rails of the optical bench by way of a second set of ball bearings, and designed for stepped movements relative to the first system of movable lenses  3 B with translator  3 C 2  in automatic response to a second set of control signals  3 D 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 . As shown in  FIG. 3D , a large stepper wheel  42  driven by a zoom stepper motor  43  engages a portion of the zoom lens system  3 B 1  to move the same along the optical axis of the stationary lens system  3 A 1  in response to control signals  3 C 1  generated from the camera control computer  22 . Similarly, a small stepper wheel  44  driven by a focus stepper motor  45  engages a portion of the focus lens system  3 B 2  to move the same along the optical axis of the stationary lens system  3 A 1  in response to control signals  3 E 2  generated from the camera control computer  22 . 
     A second preferred implementation of the IFD subsystem of FIG.  3 C 2  is shown in FIGS.  3 D 2  and  3 D 3 . As shown in FIGS.  3 D 2  and  3 D 3 , IFD subsystem  3 ″ comprises: an optical bench (i.e. camera body)  400  having a pair of side rails  401 A and  401 B, along which mounted optical elements are translated; a linear CCD-type image detection array  3 A (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) rigidly mounted to a heat sinking structure  1100  and the rigidly connected camera body  400 , using the image sensor chip mounting arrangement illustrated in FIGS.  3 D 4  through  3 D 7 , and described in detail hereinbelow; a system of stationary lenses  3 A 1  fixedly mounted before the CCD-type linear image detection array  3 A; a first movable (zoom) lens system  402  including a first electrical rotary motor  403  mounted to the camera body  400 , an arm structure  404  mounted to the shaft of the motor  403 , a first lens mounting fixture  405  (supporting a zoom lens group)  406  slidably mounted to camera body on first rail structure  401 A, and a first linkage member  407  pivotally connected to a first slidable lens mount  408  and the free end of the first arm structure  404  so that as the first motor shaft rotates, the first slidable lens mount  405  moves along the optical axis of the imaging optics supported within the camera body; a second movable (focus) lens system  410  including a second electrical rotary motor  411  mounted to the camera body  400 , a second arm structure  412  mounted to the shaft of the second motor  411 , a second lens mounting fixture  413  (supporting a focal lens group  414 ) slidably mounted to the camera body on a second rail structure  401 B, and a second linkage member  415  pivotally connected to a second slidable lens mount  416  and the free end of the second arm structure  412  so that as the second motor shaft rotates, the second slidable lens mount  413  moves along the optical axis of the imaging optics supported within the camera body. Notably, the first system of movable lenses  406  are designed to undergo relative small stepped movement relative to the stationary lens subsystem  3 A 1  in automatic response to a first set of control signals  3 E 1  generated by the camera control computer  22  and transmitted to the first electrical motor  403 . The second system of movable lenses  414  are designed to undergo relatively larger stepped movements relative to the first system of movable lenses  406  in automatic response to a second set of control signals  3 D 2  generated by the camera control computer  22  and transmitted to the second electrical motor  411 . 
     Method of and Apparatus for Mounting a Linear Image Sensor Chip within a PLIIM-Based System to Prevent Misalignment Between the Field of View (FOV) of Said Linear Image Sensor Chip and the Planar Laser Illumination Beam (PLIB) Used Therewith, in Response to Thermal Expansion or Cycling within Said PLIIM-Based System 
     When using a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) to illuminate the narrow field of view (FOV) of a linear image detection array, even the smallest of misalignment errors between the FOV and the PLIB can cause severe errors in performance within the PLIIM-based system. Notably, as the working/object distance of the PLIIM-based system is made longer, the sensitivity of the system to such FOV/PLIB misalignment errors markedly increases. One of the major causes of such FOV/PLIB misalignment errors is thermal cycling within the PLIIM-based system. As materials used within the PLIIM-based system expand and contract in response to increases and decreases in ambient temperature, the physical structures which serve to maintain alignment between the FOV and PLIB move in relation to each other. If the movement between such structures becomes significant, then the PLIB may not illuminate the narrow field of view (FOV) of the linear image detection array, causing dark levels to be produced in the images captured by the system without planar laser illumination. In order to mitigate such misalignment problems, the camera subsystem (i.e. IFD module) of the present invention is provided with a novel linear image sensor chip mounting arrangement which helps maintain precise alignment between the FOV of the linear image sensor chip and the PLIB used to illuminate the same. Details regarding this mounting arrangement will be described below with reference to FIGS.  3 D 4  through  3 D 7 . 
     As shown in FIG.  3 D 3 , the camera subsystem further comprises: heat sinking structure  1100  to which the linear image sensor chip  3 A and camera body  400  are rigidly mounted; a camera PC electronics board  1101  for supporting a socket  1108  into which the linear image sensor chip  3 A is connected, and providing all of the necessary functions required to operate the linear CCD image sensor chip  3 A, and capture high-resolution linear digital images therefrom for buffering, storage and processing. 
     As best illustrated in FIG.  3 D 4 , the package of the image sensor chip  3 A is rigidly mounted and thermally coupled to the back plate  1102  of the heat sinking structure  1100  by a releasable image sensor chip fixture subassembly  1103  which is integrated with the heat sinking structure  1100 . The primary function of this image sensor chip fixture subassembly  1103  is to prevent relative movement between the image sensor chip  3 A and the heat sinking structure  1100  and camera body  400  during thermal cycling within the PLIIM-based system. At the same time, the image sensor chip fixture subassembly  1103  enables the electrical connector pins  1104  of the image sensor chip to pass freely through four sets of apertures  1105 A through  1105 D formed through the back plate  1102  of the heat sinking structure, as shown in FIG.  3 D 5 , and establish secure electrical connection with electrical contacts  1107  contained within a matched electrical socket  1108  mounted on the camera PC electronics board  1101 , shown in greater detail in FIG.  3 D 6 . As shown in FIGS.  3 D 4  and  3 D 7 , the camera PC electronics board  1101  is mounted to the heat sinking structure  1100  in a manner which permits relative expansion and contraction between the camera PC electronics board  1101  and heat sinking structure  1100  during thermal cycling. Such mounting techniques may include the use of screws or other fastening devices known in the art. 
     As shown in FIG.  3 D 5 , the releasable image sensor chip fixture subassembly  1103  comprises a number of subcomponents integrated on the heat sinking structure  1100 , namely: a set of chip fixture plates  1109 , mounted at about 45 degrees with respect to the back plate  1102  of the heat sinking structure, adapted to clamp one side edge of the package of the linear image sensor chip  3 A as it is pushed down into chip mounting slot  1110  (provided by clearing away a rectangular volume of space otherwise occupied by heat exchanging fins  1111  protruding from the back plate  1102 ), and permit the electrical connector pins  1104  extending from the image sensor chip  3 A to pass freely through apertures  1105 A through  1105 D formed through the back plate  1102 ; and a set of spring-biased chip clamping pins  1112 A and  1112 B, mounted opposite the chip fixture plates  1109 A and  1109 B, for releasably clamping the opposite side of the package of the linear image sensor chip  3 A when it is pushed down into place within the chip mounting slot  1110 , and securely and rigidly fixing the package of the linear image sensor chip  3 A (and thus image detection elements therewithin) relative to the heat sinking structure  1100  and thus the camera body  400  and all of the optical lens components supported therewithin. 
     As shown in FIG.  3 D 7 , when the linear image sensor chip  3 A is mounted within its chip mounting slot  1110 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the electrical connector pins  1104  of the image sensor chip are freely passed through the four sets of apertures  1105 A through  1105 D formed in the back plate of the heat sinking structure, while the image sensor chip package  3 A is rigidly fixed to the camera system body, via its heat sinking structure. When so mounted, the image sensor chip  3 A is not permitted to undergo any significant relative movement with respect to the heat sinking structure and camera body  400  during thermal cycling. However, the camera PC electronics board  1101  may move relative to the heat sinking structure and camera body  400 , in response to thermal expansion and contraction during cycling. The result is that the image sensor chip mounting technique of the present invention prevents any misalignment between the field of view (FOV) of the image sensor chip and the PLIA produced by the PLIA within the camera subsystem, thereby improving the performance of the PLIIM-based system during planar laser illumination and imaging operations. 
     Method of Adjusting the Focal Characteristics of the Planar Laser Illumination Beams (PLIBs) Generated by Planar Laser Illumination Arrays (PLIAs) Used in Conjunction with Image Formation and Detection (IFD) Modules Employing Variable Focal Length (Zoom) Imaging Lenses 
     Unlike the fixed focal length imaging lens case, there occurs a significant a 1/r 2  drop-off in laser return light intensity at the image detection array when using a zoom (variable focal length) imaging lens in the PLIIM-based system hereof. In PLIIM-based system employing an imaging subsystem having a variable focal length imaging lens, the area of the imaging subsystem&#39;s field of view (FOV) remains constant as the working distance increases. Such variable focal length control is used to ensure that each image formed and detected by the image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 ″ has the same number of “dots per inch” (DPI) resolution, regardless of the distance of the target object from the IFD module  3 ″. However, since module&#39;s field of view does not increase in size with the object distance, equation (8) must be rewritten as the equation (10) set forth below 
                     ⁢       E   ccd   zoom     =         E   0     ⁢     f   2     ⁢     s   2         8   ⁢     d   2     ⁢     F   2     ⁢     r   2                   (   10   )             
 
     where s 2  is the area of the field of view and d 2  is the area of a pixel on the image detecting array. This expression is a strong function of the object distance, and demonstrates 1/r 2  drop off of the return light. If a zoom lens is to be used, then it is desirable to have a greater power density at the farthest object distance than at the nearest, to compensate for this loss. Again, focusing the beam at the farthest object distance is the technique that will produce this result. 
     Therefore, in summary, where a variable focal length (i.e. zoom) imaging subsystem is employed in the PLIIM-based system, the planar laser beam focusing technique of the present invention described above helps compensate for (i) decreases in the power density of the incident illumination beam due to the fact that the width of the planar laser illumination beam increases for increasing distances away from the imaging subsystem, and (ii) any 1/r 2  type losses that would typically occur when using the planar laser planar illumination beam of the present invention. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 3A   
     The second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 3A , indicated by reference numeral  50 B, is shown in FIG.  3 E 1  as comprising: an image formation and detection module  3 ″ having an imaging subsystem  3 B with a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B″; a field of view folding mirror  9  for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ″; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module  3 ″ such that the field of view thereof folded by the field of view folding mirror  9  is oriented in a direction that is coplanar with the composite plane of laser illumination  12  produced by the planar illumination arrays, during object illumination and image detection operations, without using any laser beam folding mirrors. 
     As shown in FIG.  3 E 2 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 E 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A; a field of view folding mirror  9 ′ for folding the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ″; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ″, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  3 E 3  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ″ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 E 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ″ comprises a variable focus variable focal length imaging subsystem  3 B″ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  3 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). In general, the imaging subsystem  3 B″ comprises: a first group of focal lens elements  3 A 1  mounted stationary relative to the image detecting array  3 A; a second group of lens elements  3 B 2 , functioning as a focal lens assembly, movably mounted along the optical bench in front of the first group of stationary lens elements  3 A; and a third group of lens elements  3 B 1 , functioning as a zoom lens assembly, movably mounted between the second group of focal lens elements and the first group of stationary focal lens elements  3 B 2 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  back and forth with translator  3 C 2  in response to a first set of control signals  3 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis with translator  3 C 2  in response to a first set of control signals  3 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  remain stationary. For zoom control (i.e. variable focal length control), the focal lens elements in the third group  3 B 1  are typically moved relative to each other with translator  3 C 1  in response to a second set of control signals  3 E 1  generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken in any particular illustrative embodiment, an IFD module  3 ″ with variable focus variable focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Detailed Description of an Exemplary Realization of the PLIIM-Based System Shown in FIG.  3 E 1  through  3 E 3   
     Referring now to FIGS.  3 E 4  through  3 E 8 , an exemplary realization of the PLIIM-based system, indicated by reference numeral  50 B, shown in FIGS.  3 E 1  through  3 E 3  will now be described in detail below. 
     As shown in FIGS.  3 E 41  and  3 E 5 , an exemplary realization of the PLIIM-based system  50 B shown in FIGS.  3 E 1 - 3 E 3  is indicated by reference numeral  25 ′ contained within a compact housing  2  having height, length and width dimensions of about 4.5″, 21.7″ and 19.7″, respectively, to enable easy mounting above a conveyor belt structure or the like. As shown in FIG.  3 E 4 ,  3 E 5  and  3 E 6 , the PLIIM-based system comprises a linear image formation and detection module  3 ″, a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A, and  6 B, and a field of view (FOV) folding structure (e.g. mirror, refractive element, or diffractive element)  9 . The function of the FOV folding mirror  9  is to fold the field of view (FOV)  10  of the image formation and detection module  3 ′ in an imaging direction that is coplanar with the plane of laser illumination beams (PLIBs)  7 A and  7 B produced by the planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B. As shown, these components are fixedly mounted to an optical bench  8  supported within the compact housing  2  so that these optical components are forced to oscillate together. The linear CCD imaging array  3 A can be realized using a variety of commercially available high-speed line-scan camera systems such as, for example, the Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com. Notably, image frame grabber  19 , image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20 , image processing computer  21 , and camera control computer  22  are realized on one or more printed circuit (PC) boards contained within a camera and system electronic module  27  also mounted on the optical bench, or elsewhere in the system housing  2 . 
     As shown in FIG.  3 E 6 , a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  is mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) adjacent the illumination window formed within the optics bench  8  of the PLIIM-based system  25 ′. The function performed by cylindrical lens array  299  is to optically combine the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and project the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated. By virtue of this inventive feature, each point on the object surface being imaged will be illuminated by different sources of laser illumination located at different points in space (i.e. spatially coherent-reduced laser illumination), thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observable at the linear image detection array of the PLIIM-based system. 
     While this system design requires additional optical surfaces (i.e. planar laser beam folding mirrors) which complicates laser-beam/FOV alignment, and attenuates slightly the intensity of collected laser return light, this system design will be beneficial when the FOV of the imaging subsystem cannot have a large apex angle, as defined as the angular aperture of the imaging lens (in the zoom lens assembly), due to the fact that the IFD module  3 ″ must be mounted on the optical bench in a backed-off manner to the conveyor belt (or maximum object distance plane), and a longer focal length lens (or zoom lens with a range of longer focal lengths) is chosen. 
     One notable advantage of this system design is that it enables a construction having an ultra-low height profile suitable, for example, in unitary object identification and attribute acquisition systems of the type disclosed in  FIGS. 17-22 , wherein the image-based bar code symbol reader needs to be installed within a compartment (or cavity) of a housing having relatively low height dimensions. Also, in this system design, there is a relatively high degree of freedom provided in where the image formation and detection module  3 ″ can be mounted on the optical bench of the system, thus enabling the field of view (FOV) folding technique disclosed in FIG.  1 L 1  to be practiced in a relatively easy manner. 
     As shown in FIG.  3 E 4 , the compact housing  2  has a relatively long light transmission window  28  of elongated dimensions for the projecting the FOV  10  of the image formation and detection module  3 ″ through the housing towards a predefined region of space outside thereof, within which objects can be illuminated and imaged by the system components on the optical bench. Also, the compact housing  2  has a pair of relatively short light transmission apertures  30 A and  30 B, closely disposed on opposite ends of light transmission window  28 , with minimal spacing therebetween, as shown in FIG.  3 E 4 . Such spacing is to ensure that the FOV emerging from the housing  2  can spatially overlap in a coplanar manner with the substantially planar laser illumination beams projected through transmission windows  29 A and  29 B, as close to transmission window  28  as desired by the system designer, as shown in FIGS.  3 E 6  and  3 E 7 . Notably, in some applications, it is desired for such coplanar overlap between the FOV and planar laser illumination beams to occur very close to the light transmission windows  28 ,  29 A and  29 B (i.e. at short optical throw distances), but in other applications, for such coplanar overlap to occur at large optical throw distances. 
     In either event, each planar laser illumination array  6 A and  6 B is optically isolated from the FOV of the image formation and detection module  3 ″ to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the system. In the preferred embodiment, such optical isolation is achieved by providing a set of opaque wall structures  30 A,  30 B about each planar laser illumination array, extending from the optical bench  8  to its light transmission window  29 A or  29 B, respectively. Such optical isolation structures prevent the image formation and detection module  3 ″ from detecting any laser light transmitted directly from the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B within the interior of the housing. Instead, the image formation and detection module  3 ″ can only receive planar laser illumination that has been reflected off an illuminated object, and focused through the imaging subsystem  3 B″ of the IFD module  3 ″. 
     Notably, the linear image formation and detection module of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 E 4  has an imaging subsystem  3 B″ with a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance, and a variable field of view. In FIG.  3 E 8 , the spatial limits for the FOV of the image formation and detection module are shown for two different scanning conditions, namely: when imaging the tallest package moving on a conveyor belt structure; and when imaging objects having height values close to the surface of the conveyor belt structure. In a PLIIM system having a variable focal length imaging lens and a variable focusing mechanism, the PLIIM system would be capable of imaging at either of the two conditions indicated above. 
     In order that PLLIM-based subsystem  25 ′ can be readily interfaced to and an integrated (e.g. embedded) within various types of computer-based systems, as shown in  FIGS. 9 through 34C , subsystem  25 ′ also comprises an I/O subsystem  500  operably connected to camera control computer  22  and image processing computer  21 , and a network controller  501  for enabling high-speed data communication with others computers in a local or wide area network using packet-based networking protocols (e.g. Ethernet, AppleTalk, etc.) well known in the art. 
     Third Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 3A   
     The third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 3A , indicated by reference numeral  50 C, is shown in FIG.  3 F 1  as comprising: an image formation and detection module  3 ″ having an imaging subsystem  3 B″ with a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B″; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs)  7 A and  7 B, respectively; and a pair of planar laser beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B for folding the planes of the planar laser illumination beams produced by the pair of planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, in a direction that is coplanar with the plane of the FOV of the image formation and detection module  3 ″ during object illumination and imaging operations. 
     One notable disadvantage of this system architecture is that it requires additional optical surfaces (i.e. the planar laser beam folding mirrors) which reduce outgoing laser light and therefore the return laser light slightly. Also this system design requires a more complicated beam/FOV adjustment scheme than the direct-viewing design shown in FIG.  3 B 1 . Thus, this system design can be best used when the planar laser illumination beams do not have large apex angles to provide sufficiently uniform illumination. Notably, in this system embodiment, the PLIMs are mounted on the optical bench as far back as possible from the beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B, and cylindrical lenses  16  with larger radiuses will be employed in the design of each PLIM  11 A through  11 P. 
     As shown in FIG.  3 F 2 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 F 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A; a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B, for folding the planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B in the imaging direction; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ″, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  3 F 3  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ″ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 F 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ″ comprises a variable focus variable focal length imaging subsystem  3 B″ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  3 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). In general, the imaging subsystem  3 B′ comprises: a first group of focal lens elements  3 A′ mounted stationary relative to the image detecting array  3 A; a second group of lens elements  3 B 2 , functioning as a focal lens assembly, movably mounted along the optical bench  3 D in front of the first group of stationary lens elements  3 A 1 ; and a third group of lens elements  3 B 1 , functioning as a zoom lens assembly, movably mounted between the second group of focal lens elements and the first group of stationary focal lens elements  3 A 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  back and forth in response to a first set of control signals generated by the camera control computer, while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis with translator in response to a first set of control signals  3 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  remain stationary. For zoom control (i.e. variable focal length control), the focal lens elements in the third group  3 B 1  are typically moved relative to each other with translator  3 C 1  in response to a second set of control signals  3 E 1  generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken in any particular illustrative embodiment, an IFD module with variable focus variable focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Fourth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 3A   
     The fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 3A , indicated by reference numeral  50 D, is shown in FIG.  3 G 1  as comprising: an image formation and detection module  3 ″ having an imaging subsystem  3 B″ with a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B″; a FOV folding mirror  9  for folding the FOV of the imaging subsystem in the direction of imaging; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A,  7 B; and a pair of planar laser beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B for folding the planes of the planar laser illumination beams produced by the pair of planar illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, in a direction that is coplanar with the plane of the FOV of the image formation and detection module during object illumination and image detection operations. 
     As shown in FIG.  3 G 2 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 G 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ″; a FOV folding mirror  9  for folding the FOV of the imaging subsystem in the direction of imaging; a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding mirrors  37 A and  37 B, for folding the planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B in the imaging direction; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 ″, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer  20 ; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  3 G 3  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ″ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 G 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ″ comprises a variable focus variable focal length imaging subsystem  3 B″ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  3 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). In general, the imaging subsystem  3 B′ comprises: a first group of focal lens elements  3 A 1  mounted stationary relative to the image detecting array  3 A; a second group of lens elements  3 B 2 , functioning as a focal lens assembly, movably mounted along the optical bench in front of the first group of stationary lens elements  3 A 1 ; and a third group of lens elements  3 B 11 , functioning as a zoom lens assembly, movably mounted between the second group of focal lens elements and the first group of stationary focal lens elements  3 A 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  back and forth with translator  3 C 2  in response to a first set of control signals  3 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis in response to a first set of control signals  3 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  remain stationary. For zoom control (i.e. variable focal length control), the focal lens elements in the third group  3 B 1  are typically moved relative to each other with translator  3 C 1  in response to a second set of control signals  3 C 1  generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken in any particular illustrative embodiment, an IFD module with variable focus variable focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Applications for the Fifth Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention, and the Illustrative Embodiments thereof 
     As the PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  3 A through  3 G 3  employ an IFD module having a linear image detecting array and an imaging subsystem having variable focal length (zoom) and variable focus (i.e. focal distance) control mechanisms, such PLIIM-based systems are good candidates for use in the conveyor top scanner application shown in  FIG. 3H , as variations in target object distance can be up to a meter or more (from the imaging subsystem) and the imaging subsystem provided therein can easily accommodate such object distance parameter variations during object illumination and imaging operations. Also, by adding dynamic focusing functionality to the imaging subsystem of any of the embodiments shown in FIGS.  3 A through  3 F 3 , the resulting PLIIM-based system will become appropriate for the conveyor side scanning application also shown in  FIG. 3G , where the demands on the depth of field and variable focus or dynamic focus requirements are greater compared to a conveyor top scanner application. 
     Sixth Generalized Embodiment of the Planar Laser Illumination and Electronic Imaging (PLIIM-Based) System of the Present Invention 
     The sixth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 3A , indicated by reference numeral  50 ′, is illustrated in FIGS.  3 J 1  and  3 J 2 . As shown in FIG.  3 J 1 , the PLIIM-based system  50 ′ comprises: a housing  2  of compact construction; a linear (i.e. 1-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3 ″; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B mounted on opposite sides of the IFD module  3 ″. During system operation, laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B each produce a composite laser illumination beam  12  which synchronously moves and is disposed substantially coplanar with the field of view (FOV) of the image formation and detection module  3 ″, so as to scan a bar code symbol or other graphical structure  4  disposed stationary within a 2-D scanning region. 
     As shown in FIGS.  3 J 2  and  3 J 3 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 J 1   50 ′ comprises: an image formation and detection module  3 ″ having an imaging subsystem  3 B″ with a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view, and a linear array of photo-electronic detectors  3 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. Piranha Model Nos. CT-P4, or CL-P4 High-Speed CCD Line Scan Camera, from Dalsa, Inc. USA—http://www.dalsa.com) for detecting 1-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  3 B″; a field of view folding and sweeping mirror  9 ′ for folding and sweeping the field of view of the image formation and detection module  3 ″; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B; a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding and sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′ for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B, respectively, in synchronism with the FOV being swept by the FOV folding and sweeping mirror  9 ′; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to the linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A, for accessing 1-D images (i.e. 1-D digital image data sets) therefrom and building a 2-D digital image of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     As shown in FIG.  3 J 3 , each planar laser illumination module  11 A through  11 F is driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  under the camera control computer  22  in a manner well known in the art. Notably, laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirror  37 A′ and  37 B′, and FOV folding/sweeping mirror  9 ′ are each rotatably driven by a motor-driven mechanism  39 A,  39 B, and  38 , respectively, operated under the control of the camera control computer  22 . These three mirror elements can be synchronously moved in a number of different ways. For example, the mirrors  37 A′,  37 B′ and  9 ′ can be jointly rotated together under the control of one or more motor-driven mechanisms, or each mirror element can be driven by a separate driven motor which are synchronously controlled to enable the planar laser illumination beams and FOV to move together during illumination and detection operations within the PLIIM system. 
     FIG.  3 J 4  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  3 ″ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  3 J 1 . As shown, the IFD module  3 ″ comprises a variable focus variable focal length imaging subsystem  3 B′ and a 1-D image detecting array  3 A mounted along an optical bench  3 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). In general, the imaging subsystem  3 B″ comprises: a first group of focal lens elements  3 B″ mounted stationary relative to the image detecting array  3 A 1  a second group of lens elements  3 B 2 , functioning as a focal lens assembly, movably mounted along the optical bench in front of the first group of stationary lens elements  3 A 1 ; and a third group of lens elements  3 B 1 , functioning as a zoom lens assembly, movably mounted between the second group of focal lens elements and the first group of stationary focal lens elements  3 A 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  back and forth in response to a first set of control signals generated by the camera control computer, while the 1-D image detecting array  3 A remains stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 1-D image detecting array  3 A back and forth along the optical axis with translator  3 C 2  in response to a first set of control signals  3 E 1  generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the second group of focal lens elements  3 B 2  remain stationary. For zoom control (i.e. variable focal length control), the focal lens elements in the third group  3 B 1  are typically moved relative to each other with translator  3 C 1  in response to a second set of control signals  3 E 1  generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken in any particular illustrative embodiment, an IFD module with variable focus variable focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, the linear image formation and detection module  3 ″, the folding/sweeping FOV mirror  9 ′, and the planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′ employed in this generalized system embodiment, are fixedly mounted on an optical bench or chassis  8  so as to prevent any relative motion (which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes) between: (i) the image forming optics (e.g. imaging lens) within the image formation and detection module  3 ″ and the FOV folding/sweeping mirror  9 ′ employed therewith; and (ii) each planar laser illumination module (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly) and the planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′ employed in this PLIIM-based system configuration. Preferably, the chassis assembly should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, beam folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′, the image formation and detection module  3 ″ and FOV folding/sweeping mirror  9 ′, as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this generalized PLIIM system embodiment employs the general “planar laser illumination” and “focus beam at farthest object distance (FBAFOD)” principles described above. 
     Applications for the Sixth Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention 
     As the PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  3 J 1  through  3 J 4  employ (i) an IFD module having a linear image detecting array and an imaging subsystem having variable focal length (zoom) and variable focal distance control mechanisms, and also (ii) a mechanism for automatically sweeping both the planar (2-D) FOV and planar laser illumination beam through a 3-D scanning field in a raster-like pattern while maintaining the inventive principle of “laser-beam/FOV coplanarity” herein disclosed, such PLIIM systems are good candidates for use in a hand-held scanner application, shown in FIG.  3 J 5 , and the hands-free presentation scanner application illustrated in FIG.  3 J 6 . As such, these embodiments of the present invention are ideally suited for use in hand-supportable and presentation-type hold-under bar code symbol reading applications shown in FIGS.  3 J 5  and  3 J 6 , respectively, in which raster—like (“up and down”) scanning patterns can be used for reading 1-D as well as 2-D bar code symbologies such as the PDF  147  symbology. In general, the PLIIM-based system of this generalized embodiment may have any of the housing form factors disclosed and described in Applicant&#39;s copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/204,176 filed Dec. 3, 1998, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/452,976 filed Dec. 2, 1999, and WIPO Publication No. WO 00/33239 published Jun. 8, 2000 incorporated herein by reference. The beam sweeping technology disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 08/931,691 filed Sep. 16, 1997, incorporated herein by reference, can be used to uniformly sweep both the planar laser illumination beam and linear FOV in a coplanar manner during illumination and imaging operations. 
     Seventh Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention 
     The seventh generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, indicated by reference numeral  60 , is illustrated in FIG.  4 A. As shown therein, the PLIIM-based system  60  comprises: a housing  2  of compact construction; an area (i.e. 2-D) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  55  including a 2-D electronic image detection array  55 A, and an area (2-D) imaging subsystem (LIS)  55 B having a fixed focal length, a fixed focal distance, and a fixed field of view (FOV), for forming a 2-D image of an illuminated object located within the fixed focal distance and FOV thereof and projected onto the 2-D image detection array  55 A, so that the 2-D image detection array  55 A can electronically detect the image formed thereon and automatically produce a digital image data set  5  representative of the detected image for subsequent image processing; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, each mounted on opposite sides of the IFD module  55 , for producing first and second planes of laser beam illumination  7 A and  7 B that are folded and swept so that the planar laser illumination beams are disposed substantially coplanar with a section of the FOV of image formation and detection module  55  during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM system. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, the linear image formation and detection module  55 , and any stationary FOV folding mirror employed in any configuration of this generalized system embodiment, are fixedly mounted on an optical bench or chassis so as to prevent any relative motion (which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes) between: (i) the image forming optics (e.g. imaging lens) within the image formation and detection module  55  and any stationary FOV folding mirror employed therewith; and (ii) each planar laser illumination module (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly) and each planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirror employed in the PLIIM-based system configuration. Preferably, the chassis assembly should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B as well as the image formation and detection module  55 , as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this generalized PLIIM system embodiment employs the general “planar laser illumination” and “focus beam at farthest object distance (FBAFOD)” principles described above. Various illustrative embodiments of this generalized PLIIM system will be described below. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 4A   
     The first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-Based system of  FIG. 4A , indicated by reference numeral  60 A, is shown in FIG.  4 B 1  as comprising: an image formation and detection module (i.e. camera)  55  having an imaging subsystem  55 B with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a fixed focal distance and a fixed field of view (FOV) of three-dimensional extent, and an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors  55 A realized using high-speed CCD technology (e.g. the Sony ICX085AL Progressive Scan CCD Image Sensor with Square Pixels for B/W Cameras, or the Kodak KAF-4202 Series 2032(H)×2044(V) Full-Frame CCD Image Sensor) for detecting 2-D arean images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  55 B; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B; and a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B, arranged in relation to the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, respectively, such that the planar laser illumination beams  7 A,  7 B are folded and swept so that the planar laser illumination beams are disposed substantially coplanar with a section of the 3-D FOV  40 ′ of image formation and detection module during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. 
     As shown in FIG.  4 B 3 , the PLIIM-based system  60 A of FIG.  4 B 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; area-type image formation and detection module  55 ; planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to area-type image formation and detection module  55 , for accessing 2-D digital images of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B during image formation and detection operations; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 4A   
     The second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 4A , indicated by reference numeral  601 , is shown in FIG.  4 C 1  as comprising: an image formation and detection module  55  having an imaging subsystem  55 B with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a fixed focal distance and a fixed field of view, and an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors  55 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. the Sony ICX085AL Progressive Scan CCD Image Sensor with Square Pixels for B/W Cameras, or the Kodak KAF-4202 Series 2032(H)×2044(V) Full-Frame CCD Image Sensor) for detecting 2-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  55 ; a FOV folding mirror  9  for folding the FOV in the imaging direction of the system; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B; and a pair of PLIB folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B, arranged in relation to the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, respectively, such that the planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs)  7 A,  7 B are folded and swept so that the planar laser illumination beams are disposed substantially coplanar with a section of the FOV of the image formation and detection module during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. 
     In general, the arean image detection array  55 B employed in the PLIIM systems shown in FIGS.  4 A through  6 F 4  has multiple rows and columns of pixels arranged in a rectangular array. Therefore, arean image detection array is capable of sensing/detecting a complete 2-D image of a target object in a single exposure, and the target object may be stationary with respect to the PLIIM-based system. Thus, the image detection array  55 D is ideally suited for use in hold-under type scanning systems However, the fact that the entire image is captured in a single exposure implies that the technique of dynamic focus cannot be used with an arean image detector. 
     As shown in FIG.  4 C 2 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  4 C 1  comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 B, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; area-type image formation and detection module  55 B; FOV folding mirror  9 ; planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to area-type image formation and detection module  55 , for accessing 2-D digital images of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B during image formation and detection operations; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof, including synchronous driving motors  58 A and  68 B, in an orchestrated manner. 
     Applications for the Seventh Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention, and the Illustrative Embodiments thereof 
     The fixed focal distance area-type PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  4 A through  4 C 2  are ideal for applications in which there is little variation in the object distance, such as in a 2-D hold-under scanner application as shown in  FIG. 4D. A  fixed focal distance PLIIM-based system generally takes up less space than a variable or dynamic focus model because more advanced focusing methods require more complicated optics and electronics, and additional components such as motors. For this reason, fixed focus PLIIM systems are good choices for the hands-free presentation and hand-held scanners applications illustrated in  FIGS. 4D and 4E , respectively, wherein space and weight are always critical characteristics. In these applications, however, the object distance can vary over a range from several to twelve or more inches, and so the designer must exercise care to ensure that the scanner&#39;s depth of field (DOF) alone will be sufficient to accommodate all possible variations in target object distance and orientation. Also, because a fixed focus imaging subsystem implies a fixed focal length imaging lens, the variation in object distance implies that the dpi resolution of acquired images will vary as well, and therefore image-based bar code symbol decode-processing techniques must address such variations in image resolution. The focal length of the imaging lens must be chosen so that the angular width of the field of view (FOV) is narrow enough that the dpi image resolution will not fall below the minimum acceptable value anywhere within the range of object distances supported by the PLIIM system. 
     Eighth Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM System of the Present Invention 
     The eighth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM system of the present invention  70  is illustrated in FIG.  5 A. As shown therein, the PLIIM system  70  comprises: a housing  2  of compact construction; an area (i.e. 2-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  55 ′ including a 2-D electronic image detection array  55 A, an area (2-D) imaging subsystem (LIS)  55 B′ having a fixed focal length, a variable focal distance, and a fixed field of view (FOV), for forming a 2-D image of an illuminated object located within the fixed focal distance and FOV thereof and projected onto the 2-D image detection array  55 A, so that the 2-D image detection array  55 A can electronically detect the image formed thereon and automatically produce a digital image data set  5  representative of the detected image for subsequent image processing; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, each mounted on opposite sides of the IFD module  55 ′, for producing first and second planes of laser beam illumination  7 A and  7 B such that the 3-D field of view  10 ′ of the image formation and detection module  55 ′ is disposed substantially coplanar with the planes of the first and second PLIBs  7 A,  7 B during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM system. While possible, this system configuration would be difficult to use when packages are moving by on a high-speed conveyor belt, as the planar laser illumination beams would have to sweep across the package very quickly to avoid blurring of the acquired images due to the motion of the package while the image is being acquired. Thus, this system configuration might be better suited for a hold-under scanning application, as illustrated in  FIG. 5D , wherein a person picks up a package, holds it under the scanning system to allow the bar code to be automatically read, and then manually routes the package to its intended destination based on the result of the scan. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, the linear image formation and detection module  55 ′, and any stationary FOV folding mirror employed in any configuration of this generalized system embodiment, are fixedly mounted on an optical bench or chassis  8  so as to prevent any relative motion (which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes) between: (i) the image forming optics (e.g. imaging lens) within the image formation and detection module  55 ′ and any stationary FOV folding mirror employed therewith, and (ii) each planar laser illumination module (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly)  55 ′ and each PLIB folding/sweeping mirror employed in the PLIIM-based system configuration. Preferably, the chassis assembly  8  should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B as well as the image formation and detection module  55 ′, as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this generalized PLIIM-based system embodiment employs the general “planar laser illumination” and “focus beam at farthest object distance (FBAFOD)” principles described above. Various illustrative embodiments of this generalized PLIIM system will be described below. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System Shown in  FIG. 5A   
     The first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 5A , indicated by reference numeral, indicated by reference numeral  70 A, is shown in FIGS.  5 B 1  and  5 B 2  as comprising: an image formation and detection module  55 ′ having an imaging subsystem  55 B′ with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view (of 3-D spatial extent), and an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors  55 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. the Sony ICX085AL Progressive Scan CCD Image Sensor with Square Pixels for B/W Cameras, or the Kodak KAF4202 Series 2032(H)×2044(V) Full-Frame CCD Image Sensor) for detecting 2-D images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  55 B′; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B; and a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B, arranged in relation to the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, respectively, such that the planar laser illumination beams are folded and swept so that the planar laser illumination beams  7 A,  7 B are disposed substantially coplanar with a section of the 3-D FOV ( 10 ′) of the image formation and detection module  55 ′ during object illumination and imaging operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. 
     As shown in FIG.  5 B 3 , PLIIM-based system  70 A comprises: planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; area-type image formation and detection module  55 ′; PLIB folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B, driven by motors  58 A and  58 B, respectively; a high-resolution image frame grabber  19  operably connected to area-type image formation and detection module  55 A, for accessing 2-D digital images of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B during image formation and detection operations; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. The operation of this system configuration is as follows. Images detected by the low-resolution area camera  61  are grabbed by the image frame grabber  62  and provided to the image processing computer  21  by the camera control computer  22 . The image processing computer  21  automatically identifies and detects when a label containing a bar code symbol structure has moved into the 3-D scanning field, whereupon the high-resolution CCD detection array camera  55 A is automatically triggered by the camera control computer  22 . At this point, as the planar laser illumination beams  12 ′ begin to sweep the 3-D scanning region, images are captured by the high-resolution array  55 A and the image processing computer  21  decodes the detected bar code by a more robust bar code symbol decode software program. 
     FIG.  5 B 4  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  55 ′ used in the PLIIM-base system of FIG.  5 B 3 . As shown, the IFD module  55 ′ comprises a variable focus fixed focal length imaging subsystem  55 B′ and a 2-D image detecting array  55 A mounted along an optical bench  55 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). The imaging subsystem  55 B′ comprises a group of stationary lens elements  55 B 1 ′ mounted along the optical bench before the image detecting array  55 A, and a group of focusing lens elements  55 B 2 ′ (having a fixed effective focal length) mounted along the optical bench in front of the stationary lens elements  55 B 1 ′. In a non-customized application, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 2-D image detecting array  55 A back and forth along the optical axis with translator  55 C in response to a first set of control signals  55 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the entire group of focal lens elements remain stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the entire group of focal lens elements  55 B 2 ′ back and forth with translator  55 C in response to a first set of control signals  55 E generated by the camera control computer, while the 2-D image detecting array  55 A remains stationary. In customized applications, it is possible for the individual lens elements in the group of focusing lens elements  55 B 2 ′ to be moved in response to control signals generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken, an IFD module  55 ′ with variable focus fixed focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in FIG.  5 A. 
     The second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 5A  is shown in FIGS.  5 C 1 ,  5 C 2  comprising: an image formation and detection module  55 ′ having an imaging subsystem  55 B′ with a fixed focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a fixed field of view, and an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors  55 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. the Sony ICX085AL Progressive Scan CCD Image Sensor with Square Pixels for B/W Cameras, or the Kodak KAF4202 Series 2032(H)×2044(V) Full-Frame CCD Image Sensor) for detecting 2-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  55 ; a FOV folding mirror  9  for folding the FOV in the imaging direction of the system; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B, wherein each VLD  11  is driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  bring provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; and a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B, arranged in relation to the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, respectively, such that the planar laser illumination beams are folded and swept so that the planar laser illumination beams are disposed substantially coplanar with a section of the FOV of the image formation and detection module  55 ′ during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. 
     As shown in FIG.  5 C 3 , the PLIIM-based system  70 A of FIG.  5 C 1  is shown in slightly greater detail comprising: a low-resolution analog CCD camera  61  having (i) an imaging lens  61 B having a short focal length so that the field of view (FOV) thereof is wide enough to cover the entire 3-D scanning area of the system, and its depth of field (DOF) is very large and does not require any dynamic focusing capabilities, and (ii) an area CCD image detecting array  61 A for continuously detecting images of the 3-D scanning area formed by the imaging from ambient light reflected off target object in the 3-D scanning field; a low-resolution image frame grabber  62  for grabbing 2-D image frames from the 2-D image detecting array  61 A at a video rate (e.g. 3-frames/second or so); planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18 ; area-type image formation and detection module  55 ′; FOV folding mirror  9 ; planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B, driven by motors  58 A and  58 B, respectively; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to area-type image formation and detection module  55 ′, for accessing 2-D digital images of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B during image formation and detection operations; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  5 C 4  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  55 ′ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  5 C 1 . As shown, the IFD module  55 ′ comprises a variable focus fixed focal length imaging subsystem  55 B′ and a 2-D image detecting array  55 A mounted along an optical bench  55 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). The imaging subsystem  55 B′ comprises a group of stationary lens elements  55 B 1  mounted along the optical bench before the image detecting array  55 A, and a group of focusing lens elements  55 B 2  (having a fixed effective focal length) mounted along the optical bench in front of the stationary lens elements  55 B 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 2-D image detecting array  55 A back and forth along the optical axis with translator  55 C in response to a first set of control signals  55 E generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the entire group of focal lens elements  55 B 1  remain stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the entire group of focal lens elements  55 B 2  back and forth with the translator  55 C in response to a first set of control signals  55 E generated by the camera control computer, while the 2-D image detecting array  55 A remains stationary. In customized applications, it is possible for the individual lens elements in the group of focusing lens elements  55 B 2  to be moved in response to control signals generated by the camera control computer. Regardless of the approach taken, the IFD module  55 B′ with variable focus fixed focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Applications for the Eighth Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention, and the Illustrative Embodiments thereof 
     As the PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  5 A through  5 C 4  employ an IFD module having an arean image detecting array and an imaging subsystem having variable focus (i.e. focal distance) control, such PLIIM-based systems are good candidates for use in a presentation scanner application, as shown in  FIG. 5D , as the variation in target object distance will typically be less than  15  or so inches from the imaging subsystem. In presentation scanner applications, the variable focus (or dynamic focus) control characteristics of such PLIIM-based system will be sufficient to accommodate for expected target object distance variations. 
     Ninth Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention 
     The ninth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention, indicated by reference numeral  80 , is illustrated in FIG.  6 A. As shown therein, the PLIIM-based system  80  comprises: a housing  2  of compact construction; an area (i.e. 2-dimensional) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  55 ′ including a 2-D electronic image detection array  55 A, an area (2-D) imaging subsystem (LIS)  55 B″ having a variable focal length, a variable focal distance, and a variable field of view (FOV) of 3-D spatial extent, for forming a 1-D image of an illuminated object located within the fixed focal distance and FOV thereof and projected onto the 2-D image detection array  55 A, so that the 2-D image detection array  55 A can electronically detect the image formed thereon and automatically produce a digital image data set  5  representative of the detected image for subsequent image processing; and a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, each mounted on opposite sides of the IFD module  55 ″, for producing first and second planes of laser beam illumination  7 A and  7 B such that the field of view of the image formation and detection module  55 ″ is disposed substantially coplanar with the planes of the first and second planar laser illumination beams during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM system. While possible, this system configuration would be difficult to use when packages are moving by on a high-speed conveyor belt, as the planar laser illumination beams would have to sweep across the package very quickly to avoid blurring of the acquired images due to the motion of the package while the image is being acquired. Thus, this system configuration might be better suited for a hold-under scanning application, as illustrated in  FIG. 5D , wherein a person picks up a package, holds it under the scanning system to allow the bar code to be automatically read, and then manually routes the package to its intended destination based on the result of the scan. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, the linear image formation and detection module  55 ″, and any stationary FOV folding mirror employed in any configuration of this generalized system embodiment, are fixedly mounted on an optical bench or chassis so as to prevent any relative motion (which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes) between: (i) the image forming optics (e.g. imaging lens) within the image formation and detection module  55 ″ and any stationary FOV folding mirror employed therewith, and (ii) each planar laser illumination module (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly) and each PLIB folding/sweeping mirror employed in the PLIIM-based system configuration. Preferably, the chassis assembly should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B as well as the image formation and detection module  55 ″, as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this generalized PLIIM-based system embodiment employs the general “planar laser illumination” and “focus beam at farthest object distance (FBAFOD)” principles described above. Various illustrative embodiments of this generalized PLIIM system will be described below. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 6A   
     The first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 6A , indicated by reference numeral  80 A, is shown in FIGS.  6 B 1  and  6 B 2  as comprising: an area-type image formation and detection module  55 ″ having an imaging subsystem  55 B″ with a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view, and an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors  55 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. the Sony ICX085AL Progressive Scan CCD Image Sensor with Square Pixels for B/W Cameras, or the Kodak KAF-4202 Series 2032(H)×2044(V) Full-Frame CCD Image Sensor) for detecting 2-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  55 A; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B; and a pair of PLIB folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B, arranged in relation to the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, respectively, such that the planar laser illumination beams are folded and swept so that the planar laser illumination beams are disposed substantially coplanar with a section of the FOV of image formation and detection module during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. 
     As shown in FIG.  6 B 3 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 B 1  comprises: a low-resolution analog CCD camera  61  having (i) an imaging lens  61 B having a short focal length so that the field of view (FOV) thereof is wide enough to cover the entire 3-D scanning area of the system, and its depth of field (DOF) is very large and does not require any dynamic focusing capabilities, and (ii) an area CCD image detecting array  61 A for continuously detecting images of the 3-D scanning area formed by the imaging from ambient light reflected off target object in the 3-D scanning field; a low-resolution image frame grabber  62  for grabbing 2-D image frames from the 2-D image detecting array  61 A at a video rate (e.g. 3-frames/second or so); planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; area-type image formation and detection module  55 B; planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to area-type image formation and detection module  55 ″, for accessing 2-D digital images of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B during image formation and detection operations; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  6 B 4  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  55 ″ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 B 31 . As shown, the IFD module  55 ″ comprises a variable focus variable focal length imaging subsystem  55 B″ and a 2-D image detecting array  55 A mounted along an optical bench  55 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). In general, the imaging subsystem  55 B″ comprises: a first group of focal lens elements  55 B 1  mounted stationary relative to the image detecting array  55 A; a second group of lens elements  55 B 2 , functioning as a focal lens assembly, movably mounted along the optical bench in front of the first group of stationary lens elements  55 B 1 ; and a third group of lens elements  55 B 3 , functioning as a zoom lens assembly, movably mounted between the second group of focal lens elements  55 B 2  and the first group of stationary focal lens elements  55 B 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the second group of focal lens elements  55 B 2  back and forth with translator  55 C 1  in response to a first set of control signals generated by the camera control computer, while the 2-D image detecting array  55 A remains stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 2-D image detecting array  55 A back and forth along the optical axis in response to a first set of control signals  55 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the second group of focal lens elements  55 B 2  remain stationary. For zoom control (i.e. variable focal length control), the focal lens elements in the third group  55 B 3  are typically moved relative to each other with translator  55 C 2  in response to a second set of control signals  55 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken in any particular illustrative embodiment, an IFD module with variable focus variable focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention Shown in  FIG. 6A   
     The second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of  FIG. 6A , indicated by reference numeral  80 B, is shown in FIGS.  6 C 1  and  6 C 2  as comprising: an image formation and detection module  55 ″ having an imaging subsystem  55 B″ with a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view, and an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors  55 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. the Sony ICX085AL Progressive Scan CCD Image Sensor with Square Pixels for B/W Cameras, or the Kodak KAF-4202 Series 2032(H)×2044(V) Full-Frame CCD Image Sensor) for detecting 2-D line images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  55 B″; a FOV folding mirror  9  for folding the FOV in the imaging direction of the system; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for producing first and second planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B; and a pair of planar laser illumination beam folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B, arranged in relation to the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, respectively, such that the planar laser illumination beams are folded and swept so that the planar laser illumination beams are disposed substantially coplanar with a section of the FOV of the image formation and detection module during object illumination and image detection operations carried out by the PLIIM system. 
     As shown in FIG.  6 C 3 , the PLIIM-based system of FIGS.  6 C 1  and  6 C 2  comprises: a low-resolution analog CCD camera  61  having (i) an imaging lens  61 B having a short focal length so that the field of view (FOV) thereof is wide enough to cover the entire 3-D scanning area of the system, and its depth of field (DOF) is very large and does not require any dynamic focusing capabilities, and (ii) an area CCD image detecting array  61 A for continuously detecting images of the 3-D scanning area formed by the imaging from ambient light reflected off target object in the 3-D scanning field; a low-resolution image frame grabber  62  for grabbing 2-D image frames from the 2-D image detecting array  61 A at a video rate (e.g. 30 frames/second or so); planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, each having a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs)  11 A through  11 F, and each planar laser illumination module being driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; area-type image formation and detection module  55 A; FOV folding mirror  9 ; PLIB folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B; a high-resolution image frame grabber  19  operably connected to area-type image formation and detection module  55 ″ for accessing 2-D digital images of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIA)  6 A and  6 B during image formation and detection operations; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabbers  62  and  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     FIG.  6 C 4  illustrates in greater detail the structure of the IFD module  55 ″ used in the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 C 1 . As shown, the IFD module  55 ″ comprises a variable focus variable focal length imaging subsystem  55 B″ and a 2-D image detecting array  55 A mounted along an optical bench  55 D contained within a common lens barrel (not shown). In general, the imaging subsystem  55 B″ comprises: a first group of focal lens elements  55 B 1  mounted stationary relative to the image detecting array  55 A; a second group of lens elements  55 B 2 , functioning as a focal lens assembly, movably mounted along the optical bench in front of the first group of stationary lens elements  55 A 1 ; and a third group of lens elements  55 B 3 , functioning as a zoom lens assembly, movably mounted between the second group of focal lens elements  55 B 2  and the first group of stationary focal lens elements  55 B 1 . In a non-customized application, focal distance control can also be provided by moving the second group of focal lens elements  55 B 2  back and forth with translator  55 C 1  in response to a first set of control signals  55 E 1  generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the 2-D image detecting array  55 A remains stationary. Alternatively, focal distance control can be provided by moving the 2-D image detecting array  55 A back and forth along the optical axis with translator  55 C 1  in response to a first set of control signals  55 A generated by the camera control computer  22 , while the second group of focal lens elements  55 B 2  remain stationary. For zoom control (i.e. variable focal length control), the focal lens elements in the third group  55 B 3  are typically moved relative to each other with translator in response to a second set of control signals  55 E 2  generated by the camera control computer  22 . Regardless of the approach taken in any particular illustrative embodiment, an IFD (i.e. camera) module with variable focus variable focal length imaging can be realized in a variety of ways, each being embraced by the spirit of the present invention. 
     Applications for the Ninth Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention 
     As the PLIIM-based systems shown in FIGS.  6 A through  6 C 4  employ an IFD module having an area-type image detecting array and an imaging subsystem having variable focal length (zoom) and variable focal distance (focus) control mechanism, such PLIIM-based systems are good candidates for use in presentation scanner applications, as shown in FIG.  6 C 5 , as the variation in target object distance will typically be less than 15 or so inches from the imaging subsystem. In presentation scanner applications, the variable focus (or dynamic focus) control characteristics of such PLIIM system will be sufficient to accommodate for expected target object distance variations. All digital images acquired by this PLIIM-based system will have substantially the same dpi image resolution, regardless of the object&#39;s distance during illumination and imaging operations. This feature is useful in 1-D and 2-D bar code symbol reading applications. 
     Exemplary Realization of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention, wherein a Pair of Coplanar Laser Illumination Beams are Controllably Steered About a 3-D Scanning Region 
     In FIGS.  6 D 1  through  6 D 5 , there is shown an exemplary realization of the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 A. As shown, PLIIM-based system  25 ″ comprises: an image formation and detection module  55 ′; a stationary field of view (FOV) folding mirror  9  for folding and projecting the FOV through a 3-D scanning region; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B; and pair of PLIB folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in an imaging direction that is coplanar with a section of the field of view of the image formation and detection module  55 ″ as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations. As shown in FIG.  6 D 3 , the FOV of the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  55 ″ is folded by the stationary FOV folding mirror  9  and projected downwardly through a 3-D scanning region. The planar laser illumination beams produced from the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B are folded and swept by mirror  57 A and  57 B so that the optical paths of these planar laser illumination beams are oriented in a direction that is coplanar with a section of the FOV of the image formation and detection module as the planar laser illumination beams are swept through the 3-D scanning region during object illumination and imaging operations. As shown in FIG.  6 D 5 , PLIIM-based system  25 ″ is capable of auto-zoom and auto-focus operations, and producing images having constant dpi resolution regardless of whether the images are of tall packages moving on a conveyor belt structure or objects having height values close to the surface height of the conveyor belt structure. 
     As shown in FIG.  6 D 2 , a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  is mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) provided within the PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ″. The function performed by cylindrical lens array  299  is to optically combine the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and project the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated. By virtue of this inventive feature, each point on the object surface being imaged will be illuminated by different sources of laser illumination located at different points in space (i.e. spatially coherent-reduced laser illumination), thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observable at the linear image detection array of the PLIIM-based subsystem. 
     In order that PLLIM-based subsystem  25 ″ can be readily interfaced to and integrated (e.g. embedded) within various types of computer-based systems, as shown in  FIGS. 9 through 34C , subsystem  25 ″ further comprises an I/O subsystem  500  operably connected to camera control computer  22  and image processing computer  21 , and a network controller  501  for enabling high-speed data communication with other computers in a local or wide area network using packet-based networking protocols (e.g. Ethernet, AppleTalk, etc.) well know in the art. 
     Tenth Generalized Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention, wherein a 3-D Field of View and a Pair of Planar Laser Illumination Beams are Controllably Steered About a 3-D Scanning Region 
     Referring to FIGS.  6 E 1  through  6 E 4 , the tenth generalized embodiment of the PLIIM-based system of the present invention  90  will now be described, wherein a 3-D field of view  101  and a pair of planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) are controllably steered about a 3-D scanning region in order to achieve a greater region of scan coverage. 
     As shown in FIG.  6 E 2 , PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 E 1  comprises: an area-type image formation and detection module  55 ′; a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B; a pair of x and y axis field of view (FOV) sweeping mirrors  91 A and  91 B, driven by motors  92 A and  92 B, respectively, and arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module  55 ″; and a pair of x and y planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) folding and sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B, driven by motors  94 A and  94 B, respectively, so that the planes of the laser illumination beams  7 A,  7 B are coplanar with a planar section of the 3-D field of view ( 101 ) of the image formation and detection module  55 ″ as the PLIBs and the FOV of the IFD module  55 ″ are synchronously scanned across a 3-D region of space during object illumination and image detection operations. 
     As shown in FIG.  6 E 3 , the PLIIM-based system of FIG.  6 E 2  comprises: area-type image formation and detection module  55 ″ having an imaging subsystem  55 B″ with a variable focal length imaging lens, a variable focal distance and a variable field of view (FOV) of 3-D spatial extent, and an area (2-D) array of photo-electronic detectors  55 A realized using CCD technology (e.g. the Sony ICX085AL Progressive Scan CCD Image Sensor with Square Pixels for B/W Cameras, or the Kodak KAF-4202 Series 2032(H)×2044(V) Full-Frame CCD Image Sensor) for detecting 2-D images formed thereon by the imaging subsystem  55 A; planar laser illumination arrays,  6 A,  6 B, wherein each VLD  11  is driven by a VLD driver circuit  18  embodying a digitally-programmable potentiometer (e.g.  763  as shown in FIG.  1 I 15 D for current control purposes) and a microcontroller  764  being provided for controlling the output optical power thereof; a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) and ideally integrated therewith, for optically combining the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and projecting the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated; x and y axis FOV steering mirrors  91 A and  91 B; x and y axis PLIB sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B; an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to area-type image formation and detection module  55 A, for accessing 2-D digital images of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B during image formation and detection operations; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. Area-type image formation and detection module  55 ″ can be realized using a variety of commercially available high-speed area-type CCD camera systems such as, for example, the KAF-4202 Series 2032(H)×2044(V) Full-Frame CCD Image Sensor, from Eastman Kodak Company-Microelectronics Technology Division-Rochester, N.Y. 
     FIG.  6 E 4  illustrates a portion of the PLIIM-based system  90  shown in FIG.  6 E 1 , wherein the 3-D field of view (FOV) of the image formation and detection module  55 ″ is shown steered over the 3-D scanning region of the system using a pair of x and y axis FOV folding mirrors  91 A and  91 B, which work in cooperation with the x and y axis PLIB folding/steering mirrors  57 A and  57 B to steer the pair of planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs)  7 A and  7 B in a coplanar relationship with the 3-D FOV ( 101 ), in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, the linear image formation and detection (IFD) module  55 ″, FOV folding/sweeping mirrors  91 A and  91 B, and PLIB folding/sweeping mirrors  57 A and  57 B employed in this system embodiment, are mounted on an optical bench or chassis so as to prevent any relative motion (which might be caused by vibration or temperature changes) between: (i) the image forming optics (e.g. imaging lens) within the image formation and detection module  55 ″ and FOV folding/sweeping mirrors  91 A,  91 B employed therewith; and (ii) each planar laser illumination module (i.e. VLD/cylindrical lens assembly) and each PLIB folding/sweeping mirror  57 A and  57 B employed in the PLIIM-based system configuration. Preferably, the chassis assembly should provide for easy and secure alignment of all optical components employed in the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B as well as the image formation and detection module  55 ″, as well as be easy to manufacture, service and repair. Also, this PLIIM-based system embodiment employs the general “planar laser illumination beam” and “focus beam at farthest object distance (FBAFOD)” principles described above. Various illustrative embodiments of this generalized PLIIM-based system will be described below. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the Hybrid Holographic/CCD PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention 
     In  FIG. 7A , a first illustrative embodiment of the hybrid holographic/CCD PLIIM-based system of the present invention  100  is shown, wherein a holographic-based imaging subsystem is used to produce a wide range of discrete field of views (FOVs), over which the system can acquire images of target objects using a linear image detection array having a 2-D field of view (FOV) that is coplanar with a planar laser illumination beam in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In this system configuration, it is understood that the PLIIM-based system will be supported over a conveyor belt structure which transports packages past the PLIIM-based system  100  at a substantially constant velocity so that lines of scan data can be combined together to construct 2-D images upon which decode image processing algorithms can be performed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the hybrid holographic/CCD PLIIM-based system  100  comprises: (i) a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for generating a pair of planar laser illumination beams  7 A and  7 B that produce a composite planar laser illumination beam  12  for illuminating a target object residing within a 3-D scanning volume; a holographic-type cylindrical lens  101  is used to collimate the rays of the planar laser illumination beam down onto the conveyor belt surface; and a motor-driven holographic imaging disc  102 , supporting a plurality of transmission-type volume holographic optical elements (HOE)  103 , as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,185, incorporated herein by reference. Each HOE  103  on the imaging disc  102  has a different focal length, which is disposed before a linear (1-D) CCD image detection array  3 A. The holographic imaging disc  102  and image detection array  3 A function as a variable-type imaging subsystem that is capable of detecting images of objects over a large range of object distances within the 3-D FOV ( 10 ″) of the system while the composite planar laser illumination beam  12  illuminates the object. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the PLIIM-based system  100  further comprises: an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to linear-type image formation and detection module  3 A, for accessing 1-D digital images of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B during object illumination and imaging operations; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7B , a coplanar relationship exists between the planar laser illumination beam(s) produced by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B, and the variable field of view (FOV)  10 ″ produced by the variable holographic-based focal length imaging subsystem described above. An advantage of this hybrid PLIIM-based system design is that it also enables the generation of a 3-D image-based scanning volume having multiple depths of focus by virtue of its holographic-based variable focal length imaging subsystem. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Hybrid Holographic/CCD PLIIM-Based System of the Present Invention 
     In  FIG. 8A , a second illustrative embodiment of the hybrid holographic/CCD PLIIM-based system of the present invention  100 ′ is shown, wherein a holographic-based imaging subsystem is used to produce a wide range of discrete field of views (FOVs), over which the system can acquire images of target objects using an area-type image detection array having a 3-D field of view (FOV) that is coplanar with a planar laser illumination beam in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In this system configuration, it is understood that the PLIIM system  100 ′ can used in a holder-over type scanning application, hand-held scanner application, or presentation-type scanner. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , the hybrid holographic/CCD PLIIM-based system  101 ′ comprises: (i) a pair of planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B for generating a pair of planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs)  7 A and  7 B; a pair of PLIB folding/sweeping mirrors  37 A′ and  37 B′ for folding and sweeping the planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) through the 3-D field of view of the imaging subsystem; a holographic-type cylindrical lens  101  for collimating the rays of the planar laser illumination beam down onto the conveyor belt surface; and a motor-driven holographic imaging disc  102 , supporting a plurality of transmission-type volume holographic optical elements (HOE)  103 , as the disc is rotated about its rotational axis. Each HOE  103  on the imaging disc has a different focal length, and is disposed before an area (2-D) type CCD image detection array  55 A. The holographic imaging disc  102  and image detection array  55 A function as a variable-type imaging subsystem that is capable of detecting images of objects over a large range of object (i.e. working) distances within the 3-D FOV ( 10 ″) of the system while the composite planar laser illumination beam  12  illuminates the object. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , the PLIIM-based system  101 ′ further comprises: an image frame grabber  19  operably connected to an area-type image formation and detection module  55 ″, for accessing 2-D digital images of the object being illuminated by the planar laser illumination arrays  6 A and  6 B during object illumination and imaging operations; an image data buffer (e.g. VRAM)  20  for buffering 2-D images received from the image frame grabber  19 ; an image processing computer  21 , operably connected to the image data buffer  20 , for carrying out image processing algorithms (including bar code symbol decoding algorithms) and operators on digital images stored within the image data buffer; and a camera control computer  22  operably connected to the various components within the system for controlling the operation thereof in an orchestrated manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8B , a coplanar relationship exists between the planar laser illumination beam(s) produced by the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  6 A and  6 B, and the variable field of view (FOV)  10 ″ produced by the variable holographic-based focal length imaging subsystem described above. The advantage of this hybrid system design is that it enables the generation of a 3-D image-based scanning volume having multiple depths of focus by virtue of the holographic-based variable focal length imaging subsystem employed in the PLIIM system. 
     Application of Despeckling Methods and Mechanisms of Present Invention to Area-type PLIIM-Based Imaging Systems and Devices 
     Notably, in any area-type PLIIM-based system, a mechanism is provided to automatically sweep the PLIB through the 3-D field of view (FOV) of the system during each image capture period. In such systems, the photo-integration time period associated with each row of image detection elements in its 2D image detection array, should be relatively short in relation to the total time duration of each image capture period associated with the entire 2-D image detection array. This ensures that all rows of linear image data will be faithfully captured and buffered, without creating motion blur and other artifacts. 
     Any of the first through eight generalized methods of despeckling described above can be applied to an area-type PLIIM-based system. Any wavefront control techniques applied to the PLIB in connection with the realization of a particular despeckling technique described herein will enable time and (possibly a little spatial) averaging across each row of image detection elements (in the area image detection array) which corresponds to each linear image captured by the PLIB as it is being swept over the object surface within the 3-D FOV of the PLIIM-based system. In turn, this will enable a reduction in speckle-pattern noise along the horizontal direction (i.e. width dimension) of the image detection elements in the area image detection array. 
     Also, vertically-directed sweeping action of the PLIB over the object surface during each image capture period will produce temporally and spatially varying speckle noise pattern elements along that direction which can be both temporally and spatially averaged to a certain degree during each photo-integration time period of the area-type PLIIM-based imaging system, thereby helping to reduce the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observed at the area image detection array in the PLIIM-based imaging system. 
     By applying the above teachings, each and every area-type PLIIM-based imaging system can benefit from the generalized despeckling methods of the present invention. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the Unitary Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System of the Present Invention Embodying a PLIIM-Based Object Identification Subsystem and a LADAR-based Imaging, Detecting and Dimensioning Subsystem 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 , a unitary object identification and. attribute acquisition system of the first illustrated embodiment  120 , installed above a conveyor belt structure in a tunnel system configuration, will now be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the unitary system  120  of the present invention comprises an integration of subsystems, contained within a single housing of compact construction supported above the conveyor belt of a high-speed conveyor subsystem  121 , by way of a support frame or like structure. In the illustrative embodiment, the conveyor subsystem  121  has a conveyor belt width of at least 48 inches to support one or more package transport lanes along the conveyor belt. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the unitary system comprises four primary subsystem components, namely: (1) a LADAR-based package imaging, detecting and dimensioning subsystem  122  capable of collecting range data from objects on the conveyor belt using a pair of amplitude-modulated (AM) multi-wavelength (i.e. containing visible and IR spectral components) laser scanning beams projected at different angular spacings as taught in copending US application Ser. No. 09/327,756 filed Jun. 7, 1999, supra, and International PCT Application No. PCT/US00/15624 filed Jun. 7, 2000, incorporated herein by reference, and now published as WIPO Publication No. WO 00/75856 A1, on Dec. 14, 2000; (2) a PLIIM-based bar code symbol reading (i.e. object identification) subsystem  25 ′, as shown in FIGS.  3 E 4  through  3 E 8 , for producing a 3-D scanning volume above the conveyor belt, for scanning bar codes on packages transported therealong; (3) an input/output subsystem  127  for managing the data inputs to and data outputs from the unitary system, including data inputs from subsystem  25 ′; (4) a data management computer  129  with a graphical user interface (GUI)  130 , for realizing a data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131 , as well as other data and system management functions; and (5) and a network controller  132 , operably connected to the I/O subsystem  127 , for connecting the system  120  to the local area network (LAN) associated with the tunnel-based system, as well as other packet-based data communication networks supporting various network protocols (e.g. Ethernet, IP, etc). Also, the network communication controller  132  enables the unitary system to receive, using Ethernet or like networking protocols, data inputs from a number of package-attribute input devices including, for example: weighing-in-motion subsystem  132 , shown in  FIG. 10  for weighing packages as they are transported along the conveyor belt; an RFID-tag reading (i.e. object identification) subsystem for reading RF tags on packages as they are transported along the conveyor belt; an externally mounted belt tachometer for measuring the instant velocity of the belt and package transported therealong; and various “object attribute” data producing subsystems, such as airport x-ray scanning systems, cargo x-ray scanners, PFNA-based explosive detection systems (EDS), Quadrupole Resonance Analysis (QRA) based or MRI-based screening systems for screening/analyzing the interior of objects to detect the presence of contraband, explosive material, biological warfare agents, chemical warfare agents, and/or dangerous or security threatening devices. 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 through 11 , this array of Ethernet data input/output ports is realized by a plurality of Ethernet connectors mounted on the exterior of the housing, and operably connected to an Ethernet hub mounted within the housing. In turn, the Ethernet hub is connected to the I/O unit  127 , shown in FIG.  10 . In the illustrative embodiment, each object attribute producing subsystem indicated above will also have a network controller, and a dynamically or statically assigned IP address on the LAN in which unitary system  120  is connected, so that each such subsystem is capable of transporting data packets using TCP/IP. 
     In addition, an optical filter (FO) network controller  133  may be provided within the unitary system  120  for supporting the Ethernet or other network protocol over a fiber optical cable communication medium. The advantage of fiber optical cable is that it can be run thousands of feet within and about an industrial work environment while supporting high information transfer rates (required for image lift and transfer operations) without information loss. The fiber-optic data communication interface supported by FO network controller  133  enables the tunnel-based system of  FIG. 9  to be installed thousands of feet away from a keying station in a package routing hub (i.e. center), where lifted digital images and OCR (or barcode) data are simultaneously displayed on the display of a computer work station. Each bar code and/or OCR image processed by tunnel system  120  is indexed in terms of a probabilistic reliability measure, and if the measure falls below a predetermined threshold, then the lifted image and bar code and/or OCR data are simultaneously displayed for a human “key” operator to verify and correct file data, if necessary. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the data management computer  129  employed in the object identification and attribute acquisition system  120  is realized as complete micro-computing system running operating system (OS) software (e.g. Microsoft NT, Unix, Solaris, Linux, or the like), and providing full support various protocols, including: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP); File Transfer Protocol (FTP); HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP); Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP); and Simple Message Transport Protocol (SMTP). The function of these protocols in the object identification and attribute acquisition system  120 , and networks built using the same, will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to FIGS.  30 A through  30 D 2 . 
     While a LADAR-based package imaging, detecting and dimensioning/profiling (i.e. LDIP) subsystem  122  is shown embodied within system  120 , it is understood that other types of package imaging, detecting and dimensioning subsystems based on non-LADAR height/range data acquisition techniques (e.g. using structured laser illumination, CCD-imaging, and triangulation measurement techniques) may be used to realize the unitary package identification and attribute-acquisition system of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the LADAR-based object imaging, detecting and dimensioning/profiling (LDIP) subsystem  122  comprises an integration of subsystems, namely: an object velocity measurement subsystem  123 , for measuring the velocity of transported packages by analyzing range-based height data maps generated by the different angularly displaced AM laser scanning beams of the subsystem, using the inventive methods disclosed in International PCT Application No. PCT/US00/15624 filed Dec. 7, 2000, supra; automatic package detection and tracking subsystem comprising (i) a package-in-the-tunnel (PITT) indication (i.e. detection) subsystem  125 , for automatically detecting the presence of each package moving through the scanning volume by reflecting a portion of one of the laser scanning beams across the width of the conveyor belt in a retro-reflective manner and then analyzing the return signal using first derivative and thresholding techniques disclosed in International PCT Application No. PCT/US00/15624 filed Dec. 7, 2000, and (ii) a package-out-of-the-tunnel (POOT) indication (i.e. detection) subsystem  125 , integrated within subsystem  122 , realized using, for example, predictive techniques based on the output of the PITT indication subsystem  125 , for automatically detecting the presence of packages moving out of the scanning volume; and a package (x-y) height, width and length (H/W/L) dimensioning (or profiling) subsystem  124 , integrated within subsystem  122 , for producing x,y,z profile data sets for detected packages, referenced against one or more coordinate reference systems symbolically embedded within subsystem  122 , and/or unitary system  120 . 
     The primary function of LDIP subsystem  122  is to measure dimensional (including profile) characteristics of objects (e.g. packages) passing through the scanning volume, and produce a package dimension data element for each dimensioned/profiled package. The primary function of PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′ is to automatically identify dimensioned/profiled packages by reading bar code symbols on thereon and produce a package identification data element representative of each identified package. The primary function of the I/O subsystem  127  is to transport package dimension data elements and package identification data elements to the data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131  for automatic linking (i.e. matching) operations. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the primary function of the data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131  in the illustrative is to automatically link (i.e. match) each package dimension data element with its corresponding package identification data element, and to transport such data element pairs to an appropriate host system for subsequent use (e.g. package routing subsystems, cost-recovery subsystems, etc.). As unitary system  120  has application beyond packages and parcels, and in fact, can be used in connection with virtually any type of object having an identity and attribute characteristics, it becomes important to understand that the data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131  of the present invention has a much broader role to play during the operation of the unitary system  120 . As will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 10A , broader function to be performed by subsystem  130  is to automatically link object identity data elements with object attribute data elements, and to transport these linked data element sets to host systems, databases, and other systems adapted to use such correlated data. 
     By virtue of subsystem  25 ′ and LDIP subsystem  122  being embodied within a single housing  121 , an ultra-compact device is provided that can automatically detect, track, identify, acquire attributes (e.g. dimensions/profile characteristics) and link identity and attribute data elements associated with packages moving along a conveyor structure without requiring the use of any external peripheral input devices, such as tachometers, light-curtains, etc. 
     Data-element Queuing, Handling and Processing (Q, H &amp; P) Subsystem Integrated within the PLIIM-Based Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System of  FIG. 10   
     In  FIG. 10A , the Data-element Queuing, Handling And Processing (QHP) Subsystem  131  employed in the PLIIM-based Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System of  FIG. 10 , is illustrated in greater detail. As shown, the data element QHP subsystem  131  comprises a Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  which automatically receives object identity data element inputs  2601  (e.g. from a bar code symbol reader, RFID-tag reader, or the like) and object attribute data element inputs  2602  (e.g. object dimensions, object weight, x-ray images, Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA) image data captured by a PFNA scanner by Ancore, and QRA image data captured by a QRA scanner by Quantum Magnetics, Inc.) from the I/O unit  127 , as shown in FIG.  10 . 
     The primary functions of the a Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  are to queue, handle, process and link data elements (of information files) supplied by the I/O unit  127 , and automatically generate as output, for each object identity data element supplied as input, a combined data element  2603  comprising (i) an object identity data element, and (ii) one or more object attribute data elements (e.g. object dimensions, object weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, etc.) collected by the I/O unit of the unitary system  120  and supplied to the data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131  of the illustrative embodiment. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, each object identification data element is typically a complete information structure representative of a numeric or alphanumeric character string uniquely identifying the particular object under identification and analysis. Also, each object attribute data element is typically a complete information file associated, for example, with the information content of an optical, X-ray, PFNA or QRA image captured by an object attribute information producing subsystem. In the case where the size of the information content of a particular object attribute data element is substantially large, in comparison to the size of the data blocks transportable within the system, then each object attribute data element may be decomposed into one or more object attribute data elements, for linking with its corresponding object identification data elements. In this case, each combined data element  2603  will be transported to its intended data storage destination, where object attribute data elements corresponding to a particular object attribute (e.g. x-ray image) are reconstituted by a process of synthesis so that the entire object attribute data element can be stored in memory as a single data entity, and accessed for future analysis as required by the application at hand. 
     In general, Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  employed in the PLIIM-based Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System of  FIG. 10  is a programmable data element tracking and linking (i.e. indexing) module constructed from hardware and software components. Its primary function is to link (1) object identity data to (2) corresponding object attribute data (e.g. object dimension-related data, object-weight data, object-content data, object-interior data, etc.) in both singulated and non-singulated environments. Depending on the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute acquisition capabilities of the system configuration at hand, the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  will need to be programmed in a different manner to enable the underlying functions required by its specified capabilities, indicated above. 
     For example, consider the case where one uses one or more object identification and attribute acquisition systems  120  to build a “singulated-type” tunnel-based package identification dimensioning system as taught in Applicant&#39;s WIPO Publication No. 99/49411, published Sep. 30, 1999, incorporated herein by reference. In this case, the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  employed therein will need to be configured to accommodate the fact that object identification data elements and object attribute data elements (e.g. package dimension data elements) have been acquired from “singulated” packages moving along a conveyor belt structure. However, specification of this system capacity (i.e. singulation) is not sufficient to program the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600 . Several other system capabilities, identified in  FIG. 10B , require specification before the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  can be properly programmed. At this juncture, it will be helpful to consider several different package identification and dimensioning systems and their system capabilities, in order to obtain a keener appreciation for the information requirements necessary to properly program Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  and enable the specified capabilities of the system configuration. 
     Consider the case, wherein one or more “flying-spot” laser scanning bar code readers are used to identify singulated packages or parcels by reading bar code symbols thereon with laser scanning beams, and wherein an LDIP Subsystem  122  is used to determine the coordinate dimensions of packages transported along a high-speed conveyor belt structure, as taught in the system shown in  FIGS. 1 through 32B  in Applicants&#39; WIPO Publication No. 99/49411, supra. In this case, the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  can be configured (via programming) to provide the subsystem structure shown in  FIGS. 22A and 22B  in said WIPO Publication No. 99/49411. 
     Consider a different case, wherein “image-based” bar code readers are used to identify singulated packages or parcels by reading bar code symbols represented in captured images, and wherein an LDIP Subsystem  122  is used to determine the coordinate dimensions of packages transported along a high-speed conveyor belt structure, as taught in the system shown in  FIGS. 49 through 56  in Applicants&#39; WIPO Publication No. 00/75856 published on Dec. 14, 2000, incorporated herein by reference. In this case, the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  can be configured (via programming) to provide the subsystem structure generally shown in  FIGS. 22 and 22A  in said WIPO Publication No. 99/49411, wherein 1-D or 2-D image detection arrays (employed in the system) are modeling in a manner somewhat similar to a polygon-based bottom-type scanning subsystem shown in  FIG. 28  in WIPO Publication No. 99/49411 where scanning occurs only at the surface of a conveyor belt structure. 
     Consider a more complicated case, wherein “flying-spot” laser scanning bar code readers are used to identify non-singulated packages by reading bar code symbols thereon with laser scanning beams, and wherein an LDIP Subsystem  122  is used to determine coordinate dimensions of packages, as taught in the system shown in  FIGS. 47 through 59B  in Applicants&#39; WIPO Publication No. 99/49411. In this case, the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600  might be configured (via programming) to provide the subsystem structure shown in  FIGS. 51 and 51A  in said WIPO Publication No. 99/49411. 
     As shown above, system configurations having different object detection, tracking, identification and attribute-acquisition capabilities will necessitate different requirements in its Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600 , and such requirements can be satisfied by implementing appropriate data element queuing, handling and processing techniques in accordance with the principles of the present invention taught herein. 
     In FIG.  68 C 4 , the Object Identification And Attribute Acquisition System  120  of the illustrative embodiment is shown used to automatically link (i) baggage identification information (i.e. collected by either a image-based bar code reader or an RFID-tag reader) with (ii) baggage attribute information (i.e. collected by an x-ray scanner, a PFNA scanner, QRA scanner or the like). In this application, the Data Element Queuing, Handling And Processing Subsystem  131  is programmed to receive two different streams of data input at its I/O unit  127 , namely: (i) baggage identification data input (e.g. from a bar code reader or RFID reader) used at the baggage check-in or screening station of the airport security screening system shown in  FIG. 68 ; and (ii) corresponding baggage attribute data input (e.g. baggage profile characteristics and dimensions, weight, X-ray images, PFNA images, QRA images, etc.) generated at the baggage check-in and screening station. 
     During operation of the system shown in  FIG. 68 , streams of baggage identification information and baggage attribute information are automatically generated at the baggage screening subsystem thereof. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, each baggage attribute data is automatically attached to each corresponding baggage identification data element, so as to produce a composite linked data element comprising the baggage identification data element symbolically linked to corresponding baggage attribute data element(s) received at the system. In turn, the composite linked data element is transported to a database for storage and subsequent processing, or directly to a data processor for immediate processing, as described in detail above. 
     Stand-alone Object Identification and Attribute Information Tracking and Linking Computer System of the Present Invention 
     As shown in  FIGS. 68A ,  68 C 1 ,  68 C 2  and  68 C 3 , the Data Element QHP Subsystem  131  shown in  FIG. 10A  also can be realized as a stand-alone, Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System  2639  for use in diverse systems generating and collecting streams of object identification information and object attribute information. 
     According to this alternative embodiment shown in FIGS.  68 C 1  and  68 C 2 , the Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System  2639  is realized as a compact computing/network communications device having a set of comprises a number of: a housing  3000  of compact construction; a computing platform including a microprocessor (e.g. 800 MHz Celeron processor from Intel)  3001 , system bus  3002 , an associated memory architecture (e.g. hard-drive  3003 , RAM  3004 , ROM  3005  and cache memory), and operating system software (e.g. Microsoft NT OS), networking software, etc.  3006 ; a LCD display panel  3007  mounted within the wall of the housing, and interfaced with the system bus  3002  by interface drivers  3008 ; a membrane-type keypad  3009  also mounted within the wall of the housing below the LCD panel, and interfaced with the system bus  3002  by interface drivers  3010 ; a network controller card  3011  operably connected to the microprocessor  3001  by way of interface drivers  3012 , for supporting high-speed data communications using any one or more networking protocols (e.g. Ethernet, Firewire, USB, etc.); a first set of data input port connectors  3013  mounted on the exterior of the housing  3000 , and configurable to receive “object identity” data input from an object identification device (e.g. a bar code reader and/or an RFID reader) using a networking protocol such as Ethernet; a second set of the data input port connectors  3014  mounted on the exterior of the housing  3000 , and configurable to receive “object attribute” data input from external data generating sources (e.g. an LDIP Subsystem  131 , a PLIIM-based imager  25 ′, an x-ray scanner, a neutron beam scanner, MRI scanner and/or a QRA scanner) using a networking protocol such as Ethernet; a network connection port  3015  for establishing a network connection between the network controller  3011  and the communication medium to which the Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System is connected; data element queuing, handling, processing and linking software  3016  stored on the hard-drive, for enabling the automatic queuing, handling, processing, linking and transporting of object identification (1D) and object attribute data elements generated within the network and/or system, to a designated database for storage and subsequent analysis; and a networking hub  3017  (e.g. Ethernet hub) operably connected to the first and second sets of data input port connectors  3013  and  3014 , the network connection port  3015 , and also the network controller card  3011 , as shown in FIG.  68 C 2 , so that all networking devices connected through the networking hub  3017  can send and receive data packets and support high-speed digital data communications. 
     As illustrated in FIG.  68 C 3 , the Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer  2639  employed in the system of FIG.  68 C 1  is programmed to receive at its I/O unit  127  two different streams of data input, namely: (i) passenger identification data input  3020  (e.g. from a bar code reader or RFID reader) used at the passenger check-in and screening station; and (ii) corresponding passenger attribute data input  3021  (e.g. passenger profile characteristics and dimensions, weight, X-ray images, etc.) generated at the passenger check-in and screening station. During operation, each passenger attribute data input is automatically attached to each corresponding passenger identification data element input, so as to produce a composite linked output data element  3022  comprising the passenger identification data element symbolically linked to corresponding passenger attribute data elements received at the system. In turn, the composite linked output data element is automatically transported to a database for storage for subsequent processing, or to a data processor for immediate processing. 
     A Method of and Subsystem for Configuring and Setting-up any Object Identity and Attribute Information Acquisition System or Network Employing the Data Element Queuing, Handling, and Processing Mechanism of the Present Invention 
     The way in which Data Element Queuing, Handling And Processing Subsystem  131  will be programmed will depend on a number of factors, including the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute-acquisition capabilities required by or otherwise to be provided to the system or network under design and configuration. 
     To enable a system engineer or technician to quickly configure the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2600 , the present invention provides an software-based system configuration manager (i.e. system configuration “wizard” program) which can be integrated (i) within the Object Identification And Attribute Acquisition Subsystem of the present invention  120 , as well as (ii) within the Stand-Alone Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System of the present invention shown in FIGS.  68 C 1 ,  68 C 2  and  68 C 3 . 
     As graphically illustrated in  FIG. 10B , the system configuration manager of the present invention assists the system engineer or technician in simply and quickly configuring and setting-up the Object Identity And Attribute Information Acquisition System  120 , as well as the Stand-Alone Object Identification And Attribute Information Tracking And Linking Computer System  2639  shown in FIGS.  68 C 1  through  68 C 3 . In the illustrative embodiment, the system configuration manager employs a novel graphical-based application programming interface (API) which enables a systems configuration engineer or technician having minimal programming skill to simply and quickly perform the following tasks: (1) specify the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute acquisition capabilities (i.e. functionalities) which the system or network being designed and configured should possess, as indicated in Steps A, B and C in  FIG. 10C ; (2) determine the configuration of hardware components required to build the configured system or network, as indicated in Step D in  FIG. 10C ; and (3) determine the configuration of software components required to build the configured system or network, as indicated in Step E in  FIG. 10C , so that it will possess the object detection, tracking, identification, and attribute-acquisition capabilities specified in Steps A, B, and C. 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10B and 10C , system configuration manager of the present invention enables the specification of the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute acquisition capabilities (i.e. functionalities) of the system or network by presenting a logically-ordered sequence of questions to the systems configuration engineer or technician, who has been assigned the task of configuring the Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System or Network at hand. As shown in  FIG. 10B , these questions are arranged into three predefined groups which correspond to the three primary functions of any object identity and attribute acquisition system or network being considered for configuration, namely: (1) the object detection and tracking capabilities and functionalities of the system or network; (2) the object identification capabilities and functionalities of the system or network; and (3) the object attribute acquisition capabilities and functionalities of the system or network. By answering the questions set forth at each of the three levels of the tree structure shown in  FIG. 10B , a full specification of the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute-acquisition capabilities of the system will be provided. Such intelligence is then by the system configuration manager program to automatically select and configure appropriate hardware and software components into a physical realization of the system or network configuration design. 
     At the first (i.e. highest) level of the tree structure in  FIG. 10B , the systems configuration manager presents a set of questions to the systems configuration engineer inquiring whether or not the system or network should be capable of detecting and tracking singulated objects, or non-singulated objects. As shown at Block A in  FIG. 10C , this can be achieved by presenting a GUI display screen asking the following question, and providing a list of answers which correspond to the capabilities realizable by the software and hardware libraries on hand: “What kind of object detection and tracking capability will the configured system have (e.g. singulated object detection and tracking, or non-singulated object detection and tracking)?” 
     At the second (i.e. middle) level of the tree structure in  FIG. 10B , the systems configuration manager presents a set of questions to the systems configuration engineer inquiring whether how objection identification will be carried out in the system or network. As shown at Block B in  FIG. 10C , this can be achieved by presenting a GUI display screen asking the following question, and providing a list of answers which correspond to the capabilities realizable by the software and hardware libraries on hand: “What kind of object identification capability will the configured system employ (i.e. one employing “flying-spot” laser scanning techniques, image capture and processing techniques, and/or radio-frequency identification (RFID) techniques)?” 
     At the third (i.e. lowest) level of the tree structure in  FIG. 10B , the systems configuration manager presents a set of questions to the systems configuration engineer inquiring whether what kinds of object attributes will be acquired either by the system or network or by any of the subsystems which are operably connected thereto. As shown at Block C in  FIG. 10C , this can be achieved by presenting a GUI display screen asking the following question, and providing a list of answers which correspond to the capabilities realizable by the software and hardware libraries on hand: “What kind of object attribute information collection capabilities will the configured system have (e.g. object dimensioning only, or object dimensioning with other object attribute intelligence collection such as optical analysis, x-ray analysis, neutron-beam analysis, QRA, MRA, etc.)?” 
     As shown in  FIG. 10B , there are twelve (12) primary “possible” lines of questioning in the illustrative embodiment which the system configuration manager program may conduct. Depending on the answers provided to these questions, schematically depicted in the tree structure of  FIG. 10B , the subsystems which perform these functions in the system or network will have different hardware and software specifications (to be subsequently used to configure the network or system). Therefore, the systems configuration manager will automatically specify a different set of hardware and software components available in its software and hardware libraries which, when configured properly, are capable of carrying out the specified functionalities of the system or network. 
     As illustrated at Block D in  FIG. 10C , the system configuration manager program analyzes the answers provided to the questions presented during Steps A, B and C, and based thereon, automatically determines the hardware components (available in its Hardware Library) that it will need to construct the hardware-aspects of the specified system configuration. This specified information is then used by technicians to physically build the system or network according to the specified system or network configuration. 
     As indicated at Block E in  FIG. 10C , the system configuration manager program analyzes the answers provided to the above questions presented during Steps A, B and C, and based thereon, automatically determines the software components (available in its Software Library) that it will need to construct the software-aspects of the specified system or network configuration. 
     As indicated at Block F in  FIG. 10C , the system configuration manager program thereafter accesses the determined software components from its Software Library (e.g. maintained on an information server within the system engineering department), and compiles these software components with all other required software programs, to produce a complete “System Software Package” designed for execution upon a particular operating system supported upon the specified hardware configuration. This System Software Package can be stored on either a CD-ROM disc and/or on FTP-enabled information server, from which the compiled System Software Package can be downloaded by an system configuration engineer or technician having a proper user identification and password. Alternatively, prior to shipment to the installation site, the compiled System Software Package can be installed on respective computing platforms within the appropriate unitary object identification and attribute acquisition systems, to simplify installation of the configured system or network in a plug-and-play, turn-key like manner. 
     As indicated at Block G in  FIG. 10C , the systems configuration manager program will automatically generate an easy-to-follow set of Installation Instructions for the configured system or network, guiding the technician through an easy to follow installation and set-up procedures making sure all of the necessary system and subsystem hardware components are properly installed, and system and network parameters set up for proper system operation and remote servicing. 
     As indicated at Block H in  FIG. 10C , once the hardware components of the system have been properly installed and configured, the set-up procedure properly completed, the technician is ready to operate and test the system for troubles it may experience, and diagnose the same with or without remote service assistance made available through the remote monitoring, configuring, and servicing system of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS.  30 A through  30 D 2 . 
     The Subsystem Architecture of Unitary PLIIM-Based Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System of the Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     In  FIG. 11 , the subsystem architecture of unitary PLIIM-based object identification and attribute-acquisition (e.g. dimensioning) system  140  is schematically illustrated in greater detail. As shown, various information signals (e.g., Velocity(t), Intensity(t), Height(t), Width(t), Length(t)) are automatically generated by LDIP subsystem  122  mounted therein and provided to the camera control computer  22  embodied within its PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′. Notably, the Intensity(t) data signal generated from LDIP subsystem  122  represents the magnitude component of the polar-coordinate referenced range-map data stream, and specifies the “surface reflectivity” characteristics of the scanned package. The function of the camera control computer  22  is to generate digital camera control signals which are provided to the IFD subsystem (i.e. “variable zoom/focus camera”)  3 ″ so that subsystem  25 ′ can carry out its diverse functions in an integrated manner, including, but not limited to: (1) automatically capturing digital images having (i) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (ii) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (iii) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (DPI) independent of package height or velocity and without the use of costly telecentric optics employed by prior art systems; (2) automatically cropping captured digital images so that digital data concerning only “regions of interest” reflecting the spatial boundaries of a package wall surface or a package label are transmitted to the image processing computer  21  for (i) image-based bar code symbol decode-processing, and/or (ii) OCR-based image processing; and (3) automatic digital image-lifting operations for supporting other package management operations carried out by the end-user. 
     During system operation, the PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′ automatically generates and buffers digital images of target objects passing within the field of view (FOV) thereof. These images, image cropping indices, and possibly cropped image components, are then transmitted to image processing computer  21  for decode-processing and generation of package identification data representative of decoded bar code symbols on the scanned packages. Each such package identification data element is then provided to data management computer  129  via I/O subsystem  127  (as shown in  FIG. 10 ) for linking with a corresponding package dimension data element, as described in hereinabove. Optionally, the digital images of packages passing beneath the PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′ can be acquired (i.e. lifted) and processed by image processing computer  21  in diverse ways (e.g. using OCR programs) to extract other relevant features of the package (e.g. identity of sender, origination address, identity of recipient, destination address, etc.) which might be useful in package identification, tracking, routing and/or dimensioning operations. Details regarding the cooperation of the LDIP subsystem  122 , the camera control computer  22 , the IFD Subsystem  3 ″ and the image processing computer  21  will be described herein after with reference to  FIGS. 20 through 29 . 
     In  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the physical construction and packaging of unitary system  120  is shown in greater detail. As shown, PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′ of FIGS.  3 E 1 - 3 E 8  and LDIP subsystem  122  are contained within specially-designed, dual-compartment system housing design  161  shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B  to be described in detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12A , the PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′ is mounted within a first optically-isolated compartment  162  formed in system housing  161 , whereas the LDIP subsystem  122  and associated beam folding mirror  163  are mounted within a second optically isolated compartment  164  formed therein below the first compartment  162 . Both optically isolated compartments are realized using optically-opaque wall structures. As shown in  FIG. 12A , a first set of spatially registered light transmission apertures  165 A 1 ,  165 A 2  and  165 A 3  are formed through the bottom panel of the first compartment  162 , in spatial registration with the light transmission apertures  29 A′,  28 ′,  29 B′ formed in subsystem  25 ′. Below light transmission apertures  165 A 1 ,  165 A 2  and  165 A 3 , there is formed a completely open light transmission aperture  165 B, defined by vertices EFBC, which permits laser light to exit and enter the first compartment  162  during system operation. A hingedly connected panel  169  is provided on the side opening of the system housing  161 , defined by vertices ABCD. The function of this hinged panel  169  is to enable authorized personnel to access the interior of the housing and clean the glass windows provided over light transmission apertures  29 A′,  28 ′,  29 B′. This is an important consideration in most industrial scanning environments. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12B , the LDIP subsystem  122  is mounted within the second compartment  164 , along with beam folding mirror  163  directed towards a second light transmission aperture  166  formed in the bottom panel of the second compartment  164 , in an optically-isolated manner from the first set of light transmission apertures  165 A 1 ,  165 A 2  and  165 A 3 . The function of the beam folding mirror  163  is to enable the LDIP subsystem  122  to project its dual, angularly-spaced amplitude-modulated (AM) laser beams  167 A/ 167 B out of its housing, off beam folding mirror  163 , and towards a target object to be dimensioned and profiled in accordance with the principles of invention detailed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/327,756 filed Jun. 7, 1999, supra, and International PCT Application No. PCT/US00/15624, supra. Also, this light transmission aperture  166  enables reflected laser return light to be collected and detected Off the illuminated target object. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12B , a stationary cylindrical lens array  299  is mounted in front of each PLIA ( 6 A,  6 B) adjacent the illumination window formed within the optics bench  8  of the PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′. The function performed by cylindrical lens array  299  is to optically combine the individual PLIB components produced from the PLIMs constituting the PLIA, and project the combined PLIB components onto points along the surface of the object being illuminated. By virtue of this inventive feature, each point on the object surface being imaged will be illuminated by different sources of laser illumination located at different points in space (i.e. spatially coherent-reduced laser illumination), thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observable at the linear image detection array of the PLIIM-based subsystem. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12C , various optical and electro-optical components associated with the unitary object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 9  are mounted on a first optical bench  510  that is installed within the first optically-isolated cavity  162  of the system housing. As shown, these components include: the camera subsystem  3 ″, its variable zoom and focus lens assembly, electric motors for driving the linear lens transport carriages associated with this subsystem, and the microcomputer for realizing the camera control computer  22 ; camera FOV folding mirror  9 , power supplies; VLD racks  6 A and  6 B associated with the PLIAs of the system; microcomputer  512  employed in the LDIP subsystem  122 ; the microcomputer for realizing the camera control computer  22  and image processing computer  21 ; connectors, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12D , various optical and electro-optical components associated with the unitary object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 9  are mounted on a second optical bench  520  that is installed within the second optically-isolated cavity  164  of the system housing. As shown, these components include, for the LDIP subsystem  122 : a pair of VLDs  521 A and  521 B for producing a pair of AM laser beams  167 A and  167 B for use by the subsystem; a motor-driven rotating polygon structure  522  for sweeping the pair of AM laser beams across the rotating polygon  522 ; a beam folding mirror  163  for folding the swept AM laser beams and directing the same out into the scanning field of the subsystem at different scanning angles, so enable the scanning of packages and other objects within its scanning field via AM laser beams  167 A/ 167 B; a first collector mirror  523  for collecting AM laser light reflected off a package scanned by the first AM laser beam, and first light focusing lens  524  for focusing this collected laser light to a first focal point; a first avalanche-type photo-detector  525  for detecting received laser light focused to the first focal point, and generating a first electrical signal corresponding to the received AM laser beam detected by the first avalanche-type photo-detector  525 ; a second collector mirror  526  for collecting AM laser light reflected off the package scanned by the second AM laser beam, and a second light focusing lens  527  for focusing collected laser light to a second focal point; a second avalanche-type photo-detector  528  for detecting received laser light focused to the second focal point, and generating a second electrical signal corresponding to the received AM laser beam detected by the second avalanche-type photo-detector  528 ; and a microcontroller and storage memory (e.g. hard-drive)  529  which, in cooperation with LDIP computer  512 , provides the computing platform used in the LDIP subsystem  122  for carrying out the image processing, detection and dimensioning operations performed thereby. For further details concerning the LDIP subsystem  122 , and its digital image processing operations, reference should be made to copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/327,756 filed Jun. 7, 1999, supra, and International PCT Application No. PCT/US00/15624, supra. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12E , the IFD subsystem  3 ″ employed in unitary system  120  comprises: a stationary lens system  530  mounted before the stationary linear (CCD-type) image detection array  3 A; a first movable lens system  531  for stepped movement relative to the stationary lens system during image zooming operations; and a second movable lens system  532  for stepped movements relative to the first movable lens system  531  and the stationary lens system  530  during image focusing operations. Notably, such variable zoom and focus capabilities that are driven by lens group translators  533  and  534 , respectively, operate under the control of the camera control computer  22  in response to package height, length, width, velocity and range intensity information produced in real-time by the LDIP subsystem  122 . The IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  3 ″ of the illustrative embodiment will be described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the tables and graphs shown in  FIGS. 21 ,  22  and  23 . 
     In  FIGS. 13A through 13C , there is shown an alternative system housing design  540  for use with the unitary object identification and attribute acquisition system of the present invention. As shown, the housing  540  has the same light transmission apertures of the housing design shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , but has no housing panels disposed about the light transmission apertures  541 A,  541 B and  542 , through which planar laser illumination beams (PLIBs) and the field of view (FOV) of the PLIIM-based subsystem extend, respectively. This feature of the present invention provides a region of space (i.e. housing recess) into which an optional device (not shown) can be mounted for carrying out a speckle-noise reduction solution within a compact box that fits within said housing recess, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Light transmission aperture  543  enables the AM laser beams  167 A/ 167 B from the LDIP subsystem  122  to project out from the housing.  FIGS. 13B and 13C  provide different perspective views of this alternative housing design. 
     In  FIG. 14 , the system architecture of the unitary (PLIIM-based) object identification and attribute acquisition system  120  is shown in greater detail. As shown therein, the LDIP subsystem  122  embodied therein comprises: a Real-Time Object (e.g. Package) Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550 ; and an LDIP Package Dimensioner  551  provided with an integrated object (e.g. package) velocity deletion module that computes the velocity of transported packages based on package range (i.e. height) data maps produced by the front end of the LDIP subsystem  122 , as taught in greater detail in copending US Application No. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/327,756 filed Jun. 7, 1999, and International Application No. PCT/US00/15624, filed Jun. 7, 2000, published by WIPO on Dec. 14, 2000 under WIPO No. WO 00/75856 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The function of Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  is to automatically process raw data received by the LDIP subsystem  122  and generate, as output, time-stamped data sets that are transmitted to the camera control computer  22 . In turn, the camera control computer  22  automatically processes the received time-stamped data sets and generates real-time camera control signals that drive the focus and zoom lens group translators within a high-speed auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem (i.e. the IFD module)  3 ″ so that the image grabber  19  employed therein automatically captures digital images having (1) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (2) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (3) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (dpi) independent of package height or velocity. These digital images are then provided to the image processing computer  21  for various types of image processing described in detail hereinabove. 
       FIG. 15  sets forth a flow chart describing the primary data processing operations that are carried out by the Real-time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  within LDIP subsystem  122  employed in the PLIIM-based system  120 . 
     As illustrated at Block A in  FIG. 15 , a row of raw range data collected by the LDIP subsystem  122  is sampled every 5 milliseconds, and time-stamped when received by the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550 . 
     As indicated at Block B, the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  converts the raw data set into range profile data R=f (int. phase), referenced with respect to a polar coordinate system symbolically embedded in the LDIP subsystem  122 , as shown in FIG.  17 . 
     At Block C, the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  uses geometric transformations (described at Block C) to convert the range profile data set R[i] into a height profile data set h[i] and a position data set x[i]. 
     At Block D, the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  obtains current package height data values by finding the prevailing height using package edge detection without filtering, as taught in the method of FIG.  16 . 
     At Block E, the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  finds the coordinates of the left and right package edges (LPE, RPE) by searching for the closest coordinates from the edges of the conveyor belt (X a , X b ) towards the center thereof. 
     At Block F, the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  analyzes the data values {R(nT)} and determines the X coordinate position range X Δ1 , X Δ2  (measured in R global) where the range intensity changes (i) within the spatial bounds (X LPE , X RPE ), and (ii) beyond predetermined range intensity data thresholds. 
     At Block G in  FIG. 15 , the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  creates a time-stamped data set {X LPE , h, X RPE , V B , nT} by assembling the following six (6) information elements, namely: the coordinate of the left package edge (LPE); the current height value of the package (h); the coordinate of the right package edge (RPE); X coordinate subrange where height values exhibit maximum intensity changes and the height values within said subrange; package velocity (V b ); and the time-stamp (nT). Notably, the belt/package velocity measure V b  is computed by the LDIP Package Dimensioner  551  within LDIP Subsystem  122 , and employs integrated velocity detection techniques described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/327,756 filed Jun. 7, 1999, and International Application No. PCT/US00/15624, filed Jun. 7, 2000, published by WIPO on Dec. 14, 2000 under WIPO No. WO 00/75856 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Thereafter, at Block H in  FIG. 15 , the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  transmits the assembled (hextuple) data set to the camera control computer  22  for processing and subsequent generation of real-time camera control signals that are transmitted to the Auto-Focus/Auto-Zoom Digital Camera Subsystem  3 ″. These operations will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
       FIG. 16  sets forth a flow chart describing the primary data processing operations that are carried out by the Real-Time Package Edge Detection Processing Method which is performed by the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  at Block D in FIG.  15 . This routine is carried out each time a new raw range data set is received by the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module, which occurs at a rate of about every 5 milliseconds or so in the illustrative embodiment. Understandably, this processing time may be lengthened and shortened as the applications at hand may require. 
     As shown at Block A in  FIG. 16 , this module commences by setting (i) the default value for x coordinate of the left package edge X LPE  equal to the x coordinate of the left edge pixel of the conveyor belt, and (ii) the default pixel index i equal to location of left edge pixel of the conveyor belt I a . As indicated at Block B, the module sets (i) the default value for the x coordinate of the right package edge X RPE  equal to the x coordinate of the right edge pixel of the conveyor belt I b , and (ii) the default pixel index i equal to the location of the right edge pixel of the conveyor belt I b . 
     At Block C in  FIG. 16 , the module determines whether the search for left edge of the package reached the right edge of the belt (I b ) minus the search (i.e. detection) window size WIN. Notably, the size of the WIN parameter is set on the basis of the noise level present within the captured image data. 
     At Block D in  FIG. 16 , the module verifies whether the pixels within the search window satisfy the height threshold parameter, Hthres. In the illustrative embodiment, the height threshold parameter Hthres is set on the basis of a percentage of the expected package height of the packages, although it is understood that more complex height thresholding techniques can be used to improve performance of the method, as may be required by particular applications. 
     At Block E in  FIG. 16 , the module verifies whether the pixels within the search window are located to the right of the left belt edge. 
     At Block F in  FIG. 16 , the module slides the search window one (1) pixel location to the right direction. 
     At Block G in  FIG. 16 , the module sets: (i) the x-coordinate of the left edge of the package to equal the x-coordinate of the left most pixel in the search window WIN; (ii) the default x-coordinate of the package&#39;s right edge equal to the x-coordinate of the belt&#39;s right edge; and (iii) the default pixel location of the package&#39;s right edge equal to the pixel location of the belt&#39;s right edge. 
     At Block H in  FIG. 16 , the module verifies whether the search for right package edge reached the left edge of the belt, minus the size of the search window WIN. 
     At Block I in  FIG. 16 , the module verifies whether the pixels within search window WIN satisfy the height threshold Hthres. 
     As Block J in  FIG. 16 , the module verifies whether the pixels within search window are located to the left of the belt&#39;s right edge. 
     At Block K in  FIG. 16 , the module sides the search window one (1) pixel location to the left direction. 
     At Block L in  FIG. 16 , the module sets the RIGHT package x-coordinate to the x-coordinate of the right most pixel in the search window. 
     At Block M in  FIG. 16 , the package edge detection process is completed. The variables LPE and RPE (i.e. stored in its memory locations) contain the x coordinates of the left and right edges of the detected package. These coordinate values are returned to the process at Block D in the flow chart of FIG.  15 . 
     Notably, the processes and operations specified in  FIGS. 15 and 16  are carried out for each sampled row of raw data collected by the LDIP subsystem  122 , and therefore, do not rely on the results computed by the computational-based package dimensioning processes carried out in the LDIP subsystem  122 , described in great detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/327,756 filed Jun. 7, 1999, and incorporated herein reference in its entirety. This inventive feature enables ultra-fast response time during control of the camera subsystem. 
     As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the camera control computer  22  controls the auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem  3 ″ in an intelligent manner using the real-time camera control process illustrated in  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B- 1  and  18 B 2 . A particularly important inventive feature of this camera process is that it only needs to operate on one data set at time a time, obtained from the LDIP Subsystem  122 , in order to perform its complex array of functions. Referring to  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B- 1  and  18 B 2 , the real-time camera control process of the illustrative embodiment will now be described with reference to the data structures illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , and the data tables illustrated in  FIGS. 2I and 23 . 
     Real-time Camera Control Process of the Present Invention 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the Real-Time Camera Control Process  560  illustrated in  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B- 1  and  18 B 2  is carried out within the camera control computer  21  of the PLIIM-based system  120  shown in FIG.  9 . It is understood, however, that this control process can be carried out within any of the PLIIM-based systems disclosed herein, wherein there is a need to perform automated real-time object detection, dimensioning and identification operations. 
     This Real-Time Camera Control Process provides each PLIIM-based camera subsystem of the present invention with the ability to intelligently zoom in and focus upon only the surfaces of a detected object (e.g. package) which might bear object identifying and/or characterizing information that can be reliably captured and utilized by the system or network within which the camera subsystem is installed. This inventive feature of the present invention significantly reduces the amount of image data captured by the system which does not contain relevant information. In turn, this increases the package identification performance of the camera subsystem, while using less computational resources, thereby allowing the camera subsystem to perform more efficiently and productivity. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B- 1  and  18 B 2 , the camera control process of the present invention has multiple control threads that are carried out simultaneously during each data processing cycle (i.e. each time a new data set is received from the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550  within the LDIP subsystem  122 ). As illustrated in this flow chart, the data elements contained in each received data set are automatically processed within the camera control computer in the manner described in the flow chart, and at the end of each data set processing cycle, generates real-time camera control signals that drive the zoom and focus lens group translators powered by high-speed motors and quick-response linkage provided within high-speed auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem (i.e. the IFD module)  3 ″ so that the camera subsystem  3 ″ automatically captures digital images having (1) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (2) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (3) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (DPI) independent of package height or velocity. Details of this control process will be described below. 
     As indicated at Block A in  FIG. 18A , the camera control computer  22  receives a time-stamped hextuple data set from the LDIP subsystem  122  after each scan cycle completed by AM laser beams  167 A and  167 B. In the illustrative embodiment, this data set contains the following data elements: the coordinate of the left package edge (LPE); the current height value of the package (h); x coordinate subrange, and exhibit maximum intensity changes or variations (e.g. indicative of text or other graphic information markings) and the height values contained within said subrange; the coordinate of the right package edge (RPE); package velocity (V b ); and the time-stamp (nT). The data elements associated with each current data set are initially buffered in an input row (i.e. Row 1) of the Package Data Buffer illustrated in FIG.  19 . Notably, the Package Data Buffer shown in  FIG. 19  functions like a six column first-in-first-out (FIFO) data element queue. As shown, each data element in the raw data set is assigned a fixed column index and (variable) row index which increments as the raw data set is shifted one index unit as each new incoming raw data set is received into the Package Data Buffer. In the illustrative embodiment, the Package Data Buffer has M number of rows, sufficient in size to determine the spatial boundaries of a package scanned by the LDIP subsystem using real-time sampling techniques which will be described in detail below. 
     As indicated at Block A in  FIG. 18A , in response to each Data Set received, the camera control computer  22  also performs the following operations: (i) computes the optical power (measured in milliwatts) which each VLD in the PLIIM-based system  25 ″ (shown in FIGS.  3 E 1  through  3 E 8 ) must produce in order that each digital image captured by the PLIIM-based system will have substantially the same “white” level, regardless of conveyor belt speed; and (2) transmits the computed VLD optical power value(s) to the microcontroller  764  associated with each PLIA in the PLIIM-based system. The primary motivation for capturing images having a substantially the same “white” level is that this information level condition greatly simplifies the software-based image processing operations to be subsequently carried out by the image processing computer subsystem. Notably, the flow chart shown in FIGS.  18 C 1  and  18 C 2  describes the steps of a method of computing the optical power which must be produced from each VLD in the PLIIM-based system, to ensure the capture of digital images having a substantially uniform “white” level, regardless of conveyor belt speed. This method will be described below. 
     As indicated at Block A in FIG.  18 C 1 , the camera control computer  22  computes the Line Rate of the linear CCD image detection array (i.e. sensor chip)  3 A based on (i) the conveyor belt speed (computed by the LDIP subsystem  122 ), and (ii) the constant image resolution (i.e. in dots per inch) desired, using the following formula: Line Rate=[Belt Velocity]×[Resolution]. 
     As indicated at Block B in FIG.  18 C 1 , the camera control computer  22  then computes the photo-integration time period of the linear image detection array  3 A required to produce digital images having a substantially uniform “white” level, regardless of conveyor belt speed. This step is carried out using the formula: Photo-Integration Time Period=1/Line Rate. 
     As indicated at Block C in FIG.  18 C 2 , the camera control computer  22  then computes the optical power (e.g. milliwatts) which each VLD in the PLIIM-based system must illuminate in order to produce digital images having a substantially uniform “white” level, regardless of conveyor belt speed. This step is carried out using the formula: VLD Optical Power=Constant/Photo-Integration Time Period. 
     Once the VLD Optical Power is computed for each VLD in the system, the camera control computer  22  then transmits (i.e. broadcasts) this parameter value, as control data, to each PLIA microcontroller  764  associated with each PLIA, along with a global timing (i.e. synchronization) signal. The PLIA micro-controller  764  uses the global synchronization signal to determine when it should enable its associated VLDs to generate the particular level of optical power indicated by the currently received control data values. When the Optical Power value is received by the microcontroller  764 , it automatically converts this value into a set of digital control signals which are then provided to the digitally-controlled potentimeters ( 763 ) associated with the VLDs so that the drive current running through the junction of each VLD is precisely controlled to produce the computed level of optical power to be used to illuminate the object (whose speed was factored into the VLD optical power calculation) during the subsequent image capture operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, as the speed of the conveyor belt and thus objects transported therealong will vary over time, the camera control process, running the control subroutine set forth in FIGS.  18 C 1  and  18 C 2 , will dynamically program each PLIA microcontroller  764  within the PLIIM-based system so that the VLDs in each PLIA illuminate at optical power levels which ensure that captured digital images will automatically have a substantially uniform “white” level, independent of conveyor belt speed. 
     Notably, the intensity control method of the present invention described above enables the electronic exposure control (EEC) capability provided on most linear CCD image sensors to be disabled during normal operation so that image sensor&#39;s nominal noise pattern, otherwise distorted by the EEC aboard the imager sensor, can be used to perform offset correction on captured image data. 
     Returning now to Block B in  FIG. 18A , the camera control computer  22  analyzes the height data in the Package Data Buffer and detects the occurrence of height discontinuities, and based on such detected height discontinuities, camera control computer  22  determines the corresponding coordinate positions of the leading package edges specified by the left-most and right-most coordinate values (LPE and RPE) contained in the data set in the Package Data Buffer at the which the detected height discontinuity occurred. 
     At Block C in  FIG. 18A , the camera control computer  22  determines the height of the package associated with the leading package edges determined at Block B above. 
     At Block D in  FIG. 18A , at this stage in the control process, the camera control computer  22  analyzes the height values (i.e. coordinates) buffered in the Package Data Buffer, and determines the current “median” height of the package. At this stage of the control process, numerous control “threads” are started, each carrying out a different set of control operations in the process. As indicated in the flow chart of  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B- 1  and  18 B 2 , each control thread can only continue when the necessary parameters involved in its operation have been determined (e.g. computed), and thus the control process along a given control thread must wait until all involved parameters are available before resuming its ultimate operation (e.g. computation of a particular intermediate parameter, or generation of a particular control command), before ultimately returning to the start Block A, at which point the next time-stamped data set is received from the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550 . In the illustrative embodiment, such data set input operations are carried out every 5 milliseconds, and therefore updated camera commands are generated and provided to the auto-focus/auto-zoom camera subsystem at substantially the same rate, to achieve real-time adaptive camera control performance required by demanding imaging applications. 
     As indicated at Blocks E, F, G H, I, A in  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B- 1  and  18 B 2 , a first control thread runs from Block D to Block A so as to reposition the focus and zoom lens groups within the auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem each time a new data set is received from the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550 . 
     As indicated at Block E, the camera control computer  22  uses the Focus/Zoom Lens Group Position Lookup Table in  FIG. 21  to determine the focus and zoom lens group positions based which will capture focused digital images having constant dpi resolution, independent of detected package height. This operation requires using the median height value determined at Block D, and looking up the corresponding focus and zoom lens group positions listed in the Focus/Zoom Lens Group Position Lookup Table of FIG.  2 I. 
     At Block F, the camera control computer  22  transmits the Lens Group Movement translates the focus and zoom lens group positions determined at Block E into Lens Group Movement Commands, which are then transmitted to the lens group position translators employed in the auto-focus/auto-zoom camera subsystem (i.e. IFD Subsystem)  3 ″. 
     At Block G, the IFD Subsystem  3 ″ uses the Lens Group Movement Commands to move the groups of lenses to their target positions within the IFD Subsystem. 
     Then at Block H, the camera control computer  22  checks the resulting positions achieved by the lens group position translators, responding to the transmitted Lens Group Movement Commands. At Blocks I and J, the camera control computer  22  automatically corrects the lens group positions which are required to capture focused digital images having constant dpi resolution, independent of detected package height. As indicated at by the control loop formed by Blocks H, I, J, H, the camera control computer  22  corrects the lens group positions until focused images are captured with constant dpi resolution, independent of detected package height, and when so achieved, automatically returns this control thread to Block A as shown in FIG.  18 A. 
     As indicated at Blocks D, K, L, M in  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B- 1  and  18 B 2 , a second control thread runs from Block D in order to determine and set the optimal photo-integration time period (ΔT photo-integration ) parameter which will ensure that digital images captured by the auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem will have pixels of a square geometry (i.e. aspect ratio of 1:1) required by typical image-based bar code symbol decode processors and OCR processors. As indicated at Block K, the camera control computer analyzes the current median height value in the Data Package Buffer, and determines the speed of the package (V b ). At Block L, the camera control computer uses the computed values of average (i.e. median) package height, belt speed and Photo-Integration Time Look-Up Table in  FIG. 22B , to determine the photo-integration time parameter (ΔT photo-integration ) which will ensure that digital images captured by the auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem will have pixels of a “square” geometry (i.e. aspect ratio of 1:1). 
     As indicated at Block I, the camera control computer  22  also uses (1) the computed belt speed/velocity, (2) the prespecified image resolution desired or required (dpi), and (3) the computed slope of the laser scanned surface so as to compute the compensated line rate of the camera (i.e. IFD) subsystem which helps ensure that the captured linear images have substantially constant pixel resolution (dpi) independent of the angular arrangement of the package surface during surface profiling and imaging operations. As indicated in the flow chart set forth in  FIG. 18D , the above information elements (1), (2) and (3) defined above are used by the camera control computer  22  to dynamically adjust the Line Rate is of camera (i.e. IFD) subsystem in response to real-time measurements of the object surface gradient (i.e. slope) performed by the camera control computer  22  using object height data captured by the LDIP subsystem  122  and transmitted to the camera control computer  22 . 
     Reference will now be made to FIGS.  18 D and  18 E 1  and E 2  in order to explain the camera line rate compensation operation of the present invention carried out at Block L in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2 . Notably, the primary purpose of this operation is to automatically compensate for viewing-angle distortion which would otherwise occur in images of object surfaces captured as the object surfaces move past the coplanar PLIB/FOV of PLIIM-based linear  25 ′ at skewed viewing angles, defined by slope angles θ and φ in FIGS.  18 E 1  and  18 E 2 , for the cases of top scanning and side scanning, respectively. 
     As indicated at Block A in  FIG. 18D , the camera control computer  22  computes the Line Rate of the linear image detection array (dots/second) based on the computed Belt Velocity (inches/second) and the constant Image Resolution (dots/inch) desired, using the equation: Line Rate=(Belt Velocity)(Image Resolution). As indicated at Block B in  FIG. 18D , the camera control computer  22  computes the Line Rate Compensation Factor, i.e. cosine (θ- or φ), where θ and φ are defined in FIGS.  18 E 1  and  18 E 2  respectively, as the computed gradient or slope of the package surface laser scanned by the AM laser beams powered by the LDIP subsystem  122 , and is computed at Block D in FIG.  18 A. As indicated at Block C in  FIG. 18D , the camera control computer  22  computes the Compensated Line Rate for the IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem using the equation: Compensated Line Rate=(Line Rate)(Cos(θ or φ). 
     In a PLIIM-based linear imaging system, configured above a conveyor belt structure as shown in FIG.  18 E 1 , the Line Rate of the linear image detection array in the camera subsystem will be dynamically adjusted in accordance with the principles of the present invention described above. In this case, the method employed at Block L in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2  and detailed in  FIG. 18D  will provide a high level of compensation for viewing angle distortion presented when imaging (the plane of) a moving object surface disposed skewed at some slope angle θ measured relative to the planar surface of the conveyor belt. In this case, the difficulty will should not reside in line-rate compensation, but rather in dynamically focusing the image formation optics of the camera (IFD) subsystem in response to the geometrical characteristics of the top surfaces of packages measured by the LDIP subsystem (i.e. instrument)  122  on a real-time basis. For example, during illumination and imaging operations, a slanted or sloped top surface of a transported box or object must remain in focus under the camera subsystem. To achieve such focusing, the slope of the object&#39;s top surface should be within a certain value, across the entire conveyor belt. However, in the top scanning case, if the box is rotated along the direction of travel so that the slope of the top surface thereof is not substantially the same across the conveyor belt (i.e. the height values of the box vary across the width of the conveyor belt), then it will be difficult for the camera subsystem to focus on the entire top surface of the box, across the width of the conveyor belt. In such instances, the LDIP subsystem  122  in system  120  has the option (at Block L in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2 ) of providing only a single height value to the camera control computer  22  (e.g. the average value of the height values of the box measured across the conveyor belt), and for this average value to be used by the camera control computer  22  to adjustably control the camera&#39;s zoom and focus characteristics. Alternatively, the LDIP subsystem  122  can transmit to the camera control computer  22 , data representative of the actual slope and shape of the top surface of the box, and such data can be used to control the focusing optics of the camera subsystem in a more complicated manner permitted by the image forming optics used in the linear PLIIM-based imaging system. 
     For the case of side scanning shown in FIG.  18 E 2 , the method of the present invention employed at Block L in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2  and detailed in  FIG. 18D  will provide a high level of compensation for viewing angle distortion which will otherwise occur in images of object surfaces when viewing (the plane of) the moving object surface disposed skewed at some angle φ measured relative to the edge of the conveyor belt. 
     Referring back now to Block M in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2 , it is noted that the camera control computer  22  generates a digital control signals for the parameters (1) Photo-integration Time Period (ΔT photo-integration ) found in the Photo-Integration Time Look-Up Table set forth in  FIG. 1822B , and (2) the Compensated Line Rate parameter computed using the procedure set forth in FIG.  18 D. Thereafter, the camera control computer  22  transmits these digital control signals to the CCD image detection array employed in the auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem (i.e. the IFD Module). Thereafter, this control thread returns to Block A as indicated in FIG.  18 A. 
     As indicated at Blocks D, N, O, P, R in  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B- 1  and  18 B- 2 , a third control thread runs from Block D in order to determine the pixel indices (i,j) of a selected portion of a captured image which defines the “region of interest” (ROI) on a package bearing package identifying information (e.g. bar code label, textual information, graphics, etc.), and to use these pixel indices (i,j) to produce image cropping control commands which are sent to the image processing computer  21 . In turn, these control commands are used by the image processing computer  21  to crop pixels in the ROI of captured images, transferred to image processing computer  21  for image-based bar code symbol decoding and/or OCR-based image processing. This ROI cropping function serves to selectively identify for image processing only those image pixels within the Camera Pixel Buffer of  FIG. 20  having pixel indices (i,j) which spatially correspond to the (row, column) indices in the Package Data Buffer of FIG.  19 . 
     As indicated at Block N in  FIG. 18A , the camera control computer transforms the position of left and right package edge (LPE, RPE) coordinates (buffered in the row the Package Data Buffer at which the height value was found at Block D), from the local Cartesian coordinate reference system symbolically embedded within the LDIP subsystem shown in  FIG. 17 , to a global Cartesian coordinate reference system R global  embedded, for example, within the center of the conveyor belt structure, beneath the LDIP subsystem  122 , in the illustrative embodiment. Such coordinate frame conversions can be carried out using homogeneous transformations (HG) well known in the art. 
     At Block O in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2 , the camera control computer detects the x coordinates of the package boundaries based on the spatially transformed coordinate values of the left and right package edges (LPE,RPE) buffered in the Package Data Buffer, shown in FIG.  19 . 
     At Block P in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2 , the camera control computer  22  determines the corresponding pixel indices (i,j) which specifies the portion of the image frame (i.e. a slice of the region of interest), to be effectively cropped from the image to be subsequently captured by the auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem  3 ″. This pixel indices specification operation involves using (i) the x coordinates of the detected package boundaries determined at Block O, and (ii) optionally, the subrange of x coordinates bounded within said detected package boundaries, over which maximum range “intensity” data variations have been detected by the module of FIG.  15 . By using the x coordinate boundary information specified in item (i) above, the camera control computer  22  can determine which image pixels represent the overall detected package, whereas when using the x coordinate subrange information specified in item (ii) above, the camera control computer  22  can further determine which image pixels represent a bar code symbol label, hand-writing, typing, or other graphical indicia recorded on the surface of the detected package. Such additional information enables the camera control computer  22  to selectively crop only pixels representative of such information content, and inform the image processing computer  21  thereof, on a real-time scanline-by-scanline basis, thereby reducing the computational load on image processing computer  21  by use of such intelligent control operations. 
     Thereafter, this control thread dwells at Block R in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2  until the other control threads terminating at Block Q have been executed, providing the necessary information to complete the operation specified at Block Q, and then proceed to Block R, as shown in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2 . 
     As indicated at Block Q in  FIGS. 18B-1  and  18 B- 2 , the camera control computer uses the package time stamp (nT) contained in the data set being currently processed by the camera control computer, as well as the package velocity (V b ) determined at Block K, to determine the “Start Time” of Image Frame Capture (STIC). The reference time is established by the package time stamp (nT). The Start Time when the image frame capture should begin is measured from the reference time, and is determined by (1) predetermining the distance Δz measured between (i) the local coordinate reference frame embedded in the LDIP subsystem and (ii) the local coordinate reference frame embedded within the auto-focus/auto-zoom camera subsystem, and dividing this predetermined (constant) distance measure by the package velocity (V b ). Then at Block R, the camera control computer  22  (i) uses the Start Time of Image Frame Capture determined at Block Q to generate a command for starting image frame capture, and (ii) uses the pixel indices (i,j) determined at Block P to generate commands for cropping the corresponding slice (i.e. section) of the region of interest in the image to be or being captured and buffered in the Image Buffer within the IFD Subsystem (i.e. auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem). 
     Then at Block S, these real-time “image-cropping” commands are transmitted to the IFD Subsystem (auto-focus/auto-zoom digital camera subsystem)  3 ″ and the control process returns to Block A to begin processing another incoming data set received from the Real-Time Package Height Profiling And Edge Detection Processing Module  550 . This aspect of the inventive camera control process  560  effectively informs the image processing computer  21  to only process those cropped image pixels which the LDIP subsystem  122  has determined as representing graphical indicia containing information about either the identity, origin and/or destination of the package moving along the conveyor belt. 
     Alternatively, camera control computer  22  can use computed ROI pixel information to crop pixel data in captured images within the camera control computer  22  and then transfer such cropped images to the image processing computer  21  for subsequent processing. 
     Also, any one of the numerous methods of and apparatus for speckle-pattern noise reduction described in great detail hereinabove can be embodied within the unitary system  120  to provide an ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight system capable of high performance image acquisition and processing operation, undaunted by speckle-pattern noise which seriously degrades the performance of prior art systems attempting to illuminate objects using solid-state VLD devices, as taught herein. 
     Method of and System for Performing Automatic Recognition of Graphical Forms of Intelligence Contained in 2-D Images Captured from Arbitrary 3-D Surfaces of Object Surfaces Moving Relative to Said System 
     As shown in  FIGS. 23A , the PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system  120  of the present invention further comprises a subprogram within its camera control computer  22 . The subprogram enables the automated collection, processing and transmission (e.g. exportation) of data elements relating to the arbitrary 3-D surfaces of objects being transported beneath the light transmission apertures of the system  120 . In the illustrative embodiment, such data elements include, for example: (i) linear 3-D surface profile maps captured by the LDIP subsystem  122  during each photo-integration time period of the PLIIM-based imager  25 ′; (ii) high-resolution linear images captured by the PLIIM-based imager  25 ′ during each photo-integration time period; (iii) object velocity measurements captured by the LDIP subsystem  122  during each photo-integration time period; and (iv) IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem parameters captured by the PLIIM-based imager  25 ′ during each photo-integration time period. After each photo-integration time period, these data elements are automatically transmitted to the image processing computer  21  for use in modeling the following geometrical objects: (i) the arbitrary 3-D object surface using a 3-D polygon-mesh surface model comprising a plurality of polygon-surface patches, whose vertices are specified by the x,y,z coordinates measured by the LDIP subsystem  122 ; (ii) each pixel in the high-resolution linear image thereof, using a pixel ray having vector representation; and (iii) the points of intersection between the pixel rays and particular polygon-surface patches at point of intersection (POI) coordinate locations p(x′,y′,z′). Once the points of intersection are computed, the pixel intensity value originally associated with each pixel is assigned to the newly computed point of intersection coordinates, so that when this newly computed set of pixel points are taken as a whole, they produce a high-resolution 3-D image of the object surface. By the term “3D image of the object surface”, one means that each pixel in the high-resolution image is specified by a pixel intensity value I(x′,y′,z′) and three Cartesian coordinates x′,y′,z′. This inventive feature provides the PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system  120  (and  140 ) of the present invention with the capacity to produce high-resolution 3-D images of three-dimensional surfaces of virtually any object including natural objects (e.g. human faces) and synthetic objects (e.g. manufactured parts). 
     Notably, depending on the particular application at hand, the image processing computer  21  associated with system  120  (or  140 ) may be integrated into the system and contained within its housing  161  to provide a completely integrated solution. In other applications, it will be desirable that the image processing computer  21  is realized as a stand-alone computer, typically an image processing workstation, provided with sufficient computing and memory storage resources, and a graphical user interface (GUI). 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the “computed” high-resolution 3-D images described above can be further processed in order to “unwarp” or “undistort” the effects which the object&#39;s arbitrary  3 D surface characteristics may have had on any “graphical intelligence” carried by the object, as an intelligence carrying substrate, so that conventional OCR and bar code symbol recognition methods can be carried out without error occasioned by surface distortion of graphical intelligence rendered to the object&#39;s arbitrary 3D surface characteristics. Notably, as used herein the term “graphical intelligence” shall include symbolic character strings, bar code symbol structures, and like structures capable of carrying symbolic meaning or sense a natural or synthetic source of intelligence. 
     The 3-D image generation and graphical intelligence recognition capabilities of system  120  have been described in an overview manner above. It is appropriate at this juncture to now describe these inventive features in greater detail with reference to the method of graphical intelligence recognition shown in FIGS.  23 A through  23 C 5   
     As indicated at Block A in FIG.  23 C 1 , the first step of method involves using the laser doppler imaging and profiling (LDIP) subsystem employed in the unitary PLIIM-based object imaging and profiling system, to (i) consecutively capture a series of linear 3-D surface profile maps on a targeted arbitrary (e.g. non-planar or planar) 3-D object surface bearing forms of graphical intelligence and (ii) measure the velocity of the arbitrary 3-D object surface. Notably, the polar coordinates of each point in the captured linear 3-D surface profile map are specified in a local polar coordinate system R LDIP/Polar , symbolically embedded within the LDIP subsystem. 
     As indicated at Block B in FIG.  23 C 1 , the second step of method involves using coordinate transforms to automatically convert the polar coordinates of each point p(α, R) in the captured linear 3-D surface profile map into x,y,z Cartesian coordinates specified as p(x,y,z) in a local Cartesian coordinate system R LDIP/Cartesian , symbolically embedded within the LDIP subsystem. 
     As indicated at Block C in FIG.  23 C 1 , the third step of method involves using the PLIIM-based imager  25 ′ to consecutively capture high-resolution linear 2-D images of the arbitrary 3-D object surface bearing forms of graphical intelligence (e.g. symbol character strings). As shown in  FIG. 23A , (i) the x′, y′ coordinates of each pixel in each said captured high-resolution linear 2-D image is specified in local Cartesian coordinate system R PLIM/Cartesian  symbolically embedded within the PLIIM-based imager, and (ii) the intensity value of the pixel I(x′,y′) is associated with the x′, y′ Cartesian coordinates of the image detection element in the linear image detection array at which the pixel is detected. Also, (iii) the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) of the PLIIM-based imager is spaced from the amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beam of the LDIP subsystem is about D centimeters. 
     As indicated at Block D in FIG.  23 C 2 , the fourth step of method involves capturing and buffering (at the PLIIM-based object imaging and profiling subsystem) the camera (IFD) parameters used to form and detect each linear high-resolution 2-D image captured during the corresponding photo-integration time period ΔT k , by the PLIIM-based imager. 
     As indicated at Block E in FIG.  23 C 2 , the fifth step of method involves, at the end of each photo-integration time period ΔT k , using the unitary PLIIM-based object imaging and profiling system to transmit the following information elements to the Image Processing Computer for data storage and subsequent information processing: 
     (1) the converted coordinates x, y, z, of each point in the linear 3-D surface profile map of the arbitrary 3-D object surface captured during photo-integration time period ΔT k ; 
     (2) the measured velocity(ies) of the arbitrary 3-D object surface during photo-integration time period ΔT k ; 
     (3) the x′, y′ coordinates and intensity value I(x′,y′) of each pixel in each high-resolution linear 2-D image captured during photo-integration time period ΔT k  and specified in the local Cartesian coordinate system R PLIIM/Cartesian ; and 
     (4) the captured camera (IFD) parameters used to form and detect each linear high-resolution 2-D image captured during the photo-integration time period ΔT k . 
     As indicated at Block F in FIG.  23 C 2 , the sixth step of method involves receiving, at the Image Processing Computer, the data elements transmitted from the PLIIM-based profiling and imaging system during Step  5 , buffer data elements (1) and (2) in a first FIFO buffer memory structure, and data elements (3) and (4) in a second FIFO buffer memory structure. 
     As indicated at Block G in FIG.  23 C 3 , the seventh step of method involves using at the Image Processing Computer, the x, y, z coordinates associated with a consecutively captured series of linear 3-D surface profile maps (i.e. stored in first FIFO memory storage structure) in order to construct a 3-D polygon-mesh surface representation of said arbitrary 3-D object surface, represented by S LDIP (x,y,z) and having (i) vertices specified by x,y,z in local coordinate reference system R LDIP/Cartesian , and (ii) planar polygon surface patches s i (x,y,z) and being defined by a set of said vertices. 
     As indicated at Block H in FIG.  23 C 3 , the eighth step of method involves converting, at the Image Processing Computer, the x′,y′,z′ coordinates of each vertex in the 3-D polygon-mesh surface representation into the local Cartesian coordinate reference system R PLIM/Cartesian  symbolically embedded within the PLIIM-based imager. 
     As indicated at Block I in FIG.  23 C 3 , the ninth step of method of involves specifying at the Image Processing Computer, the x′,y′,z′ coordinates of each i-th planar polygon surface patch s(x,y,z) represented in the local Cartesian coordinate reference system R PLIM/Cartesian , so as to produce a set of corresponding polygon surface patch {s i (x′,y′,z′)} represented in system R PLIM/Cartesian . 
     As indicated at Block J in FIG.  23 C 3 , the tenth step of method involves, at the Image Processing Computer, for a selected linear high-resolution 2-D image captured at photo-integration time period ΔT k , and spatially corresponding to one of the linear 3-D surface profile maps employed at Block G, use the camera (IFD) parameters used and recorded (i.e. captured) during the corresponding photo-integration time period in order to construct a 3-D vector-based “pixel ray” model specifying the optical formation of each pixel in the linear 2-D image, wherein a pixel ray reflected off a point on the arbitrary 3-D object surface is focused through the camera&#39;s image formation optics (i.e. configured by the camera parameters) and is detected at the pixel&#39;s detection element in the linear image detection array of the IFD (camera) subsystem. 
     As indicated at Block K in FIG.  23 C 4 , the eleventh step of method involves performing at the Image Processing Computer, the following operation for each laser beam ray (producing one of the pixels in said selected linear 2-D image): (i) determining which polygon surface patch si(x′,y′,z′) the pixel ray intersects; (ii) computing the x′,y′, z′ coordinates of the point of intersection (POI) between the pixel ray and the polygon surface patch represented in Cartesian coordinate reference system R PLIM/Cartesian ; and (iii) designating the computed set of points of intersection as {pi(x′,y′,z′)}. 
     As indicated at Block L in FIG.  23 C 4 , the twelfth step of method involves at the Image Processing Computer, for each laser beam ray passing through a determined polygon surface patch s(x′,y′,z′) at a computed point of intersection pi(x′,y′,z′), assigning the intensity value I(x′,y′) of the pixel ray to the x′, y′, z′ coordinates of the point of intersection. This produces a linear high-resolution 3-D image comprising a 2-D array of pixels, each said pixel having as its attributes (i) an Intensity value I(x′,y′,z′) and (ii) coordinates x′, y′, z′ specified in the local Cartesian coordinate reference system R PLIM/Cartesian . 
     As indicated at Block M in FIG.  23 C 4 , the thirteenth step of method involves putting the computed linear high-resolution 3-D image in a third FIFO memory storage structure in the image processing computer. 
     As indicated at Block N in FIG.  23 C 4 , the fourteenth step of method involves repeating steps one through six above to update the first and second FIFO data queues maintained in the image processing computer, and steps seven through thirteen to update the consecutively computed linear high-resolution 3-D image stored in the third FIFO memory storage structure. 
     As indicated at Block O in FIG.  23 C 4 , the fifteenth step of method involves assembling, in an image buffer in the image processing computer, a set of consecutively computed linear high-resolution 3-D images retrieved from the third FIFO data storage device so as to construct an “area-type” high-resolution 3-D image of said arbitrary 3-D object surface. 
     As indicated at Block P in FIG.  23 C 5 , the sixteenth step of method involves at the Image Processing Computer, mapping the intensity value I(x′, y′, z′) of each pixel in the computed area-type 3-D image onto the x′,y′,z′ coordinates of the points on a uniformly-spaced apart “grid” positioned perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera subsystem (i.e. to model the 2-D planar substrate on which the forms of graphical intelligence was originally rendered). Here, the mapping process involves using an intensity weighing function based on the x′, y′, z′ coordinate values of each pixel in the area-type high-resolution 3-D image. This produces an area-type high-resolution 2-D image of the 2-D planar substrate surface bearing said forms of graphical intelligence (e.g. symbol character strings). 
     As indicated at Block Q in FIG.  23 C 5 , the sixteenth step of the method involves at the Image Processing Computer, using said OCR algorithm to perform automated recognition of graphical intelligence contained in said area-type high-resolution 2-D image of said 2-D planar substrate surface so as to recognize said graphical intelligence and generate symbolic knowledge structures representative thereof. 
     As indicated at Block R in FIG.  23 C 5 , the seventeenth step of the method involves repeating steps one through seventeen described above as often as required to recognize changes in graphical intelligence on the arbitrary moving 3-D object surface. The process continues by the camera control computer  22  collecting and transmitting the above-described data elements to the image processing computer  21  each passage of a photo-integration time period, during which the received elements are buffered in their respective data queues prior to processing in accordance with the scheme depicted in FIG.  23 B. 
     In applications where the time is not a critical factor at the image processing computer, large volumes of 3-D profile and high-resolution 1-D image data can be first collected from the arbitrary 3-D object surface and then buffered at the image processing computer so that data for the entire arbitrary 3-D object surface is first collected and buffered for use in a batch-type implementation of the high-resolution 3-D image reconstruction process of the present invention depicted in  FIGS. 23A and 23B . 
     Alternatively, portions of the high-resolution 3-D image of an arbitrary 3-D object surface can be generated in an incremental manner as new data is collected and received at the image processing computer  21 . In such cases, after each predetermined time period (which may be substantially larger than the photo-integration time period of the camera) the polygon-surface patch model and the pixel rays used during point of intersection analysis illustrated in  FIG. 23B , are automatically updated to reflect that a new part of the arbitrary 3-D object surface is being modeled and analyzed. In applications where graphical intelligence is recorded on planar substrates that have been physically distorted as a result of either (i) application of the graphical intelligence to an arbitrary 3-D object surface, or (ii) deformation of a 3-D object on which the graphical intelligence has been rendered, then the process steps illustrated at Blocks L through R in FIGS.  23 C 4  and  23 C 5  can be performed to “undistort” any distortions imparted to the graphical intelligence while being carried by the arbitrary 3-D object surface due to, for example, non-planar surface characteristics. By virtue of the present invention, graphical intelligence, originally formatted for application onto planar surfaces, can be applied to non-planar surfaces or otherwise to substrates having surface characteristics which differ from the surface characteristics for which the graphical intelligence was originally designed without spatial distortion. In practical terms, bar coded baggage identification tags as well as graphical character encoded labels which have been deformed, bent or otherwise distorted be easily recognized using the graphical intelligence recognition method of the present invention. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Unitary Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System of the Present Invention Embodying a PLIIM-Based Subsystem of the Present Invention and a LADAR-Based Imaging, Detecting and Dimensioning/Profiling (LDIP) Subsystem 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 24 ,  25 ,  25 A,  25 B,  25 C and  26 , a unitary PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of the second illustrated embodiment, indicated by reference numeral  140 , will now be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , the unitary PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system  140  comprises an integration of subsystems, contained within a single housing of compact construction supported above the conveyor belt of a high-speed conveyor subsystem  121 , by way of a support frame or like structure. In the illustrative embodiment, the conveyor subsystem  141  has a conveyor belt width of at least 48 inches to support one or more package transport lanes along the conveyor belt. As shown in  FIG. 25 , the unitary PLIIM-based system  140  comprises four primary subsystem components, namely: a LADAR-based (i.e. LIDAR-based) object imaging, detecting and dimensioning subsystem  122  capable of collecting range data from objects (e.g. packages) on the conveyor belt using a pair of multi-wavelength (i.e. containing visible and IR spectral components) laser scanning beams projected at different angular spacing as taught in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/327,756 filed Jun. 7, 1999, supra, and International PCT Application No. PCT/US00/15624 filed Dec. 7, 2000, incorporated herein by reference; a PLIIM-based bar code symbol reading subsystem  25 ″, shown in FIGS.  6 D 1  through  6 D 5 , for producing a 3-D scanning volume above the conveyor belt, for scanning bar codes on packages transported therealong; an input/output subsystem  127  for managing the inputs to and outputs from the unitary system; and a network controller  132  for connecting to a local or wide area IP network, and supporting one or more networking protocols, such as, for example, Ethernet, AppleTalk, etc. 
     Notably, network communication controller  132  also enables the unitary system  140  to receive, using Ethernet or like networking protocols, data inputs from a number of object attribute input devices including, for example: a weighing-in-motion subsystem  132 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , for weighing packages as they are transported along the conveyor belt; an RFID-tag reading (i.e. object identification) subsystem for reading RF tags on objects and identifying the same as such objects are transported along the conveyor belt; an externally-mounted belt tachometer for measuring the instant velocity of the belt and objects transported therealong; and various other types of “object attribute” data producing subsystems such as, as for example, but not limited to: airport x-ray scanning systems; cargo x-ray scanners; PFNA-based explosive detection systems (EDS); and Quadrupole Resonance Analysis (QRA) based and/or MRI-based screening systems for screening/analyzing the interior of objects to detect the presence of contraband, explosive material, biological warfare agents, chemical warfare agents, and/or dangerous or security threatening devices. 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 24 through 26 , this array of Ethernet data input/output ports is realized by a plurality of Ethernet connectors mounted on the exterior of the housing, and operably connected to an Ethernet hub mounted within the housing. In turn, the Ethernet hub is connected to the I/O unit  127 , shown in FIG.  25 . In the illustrative embodiment, each object attribute producing subsystem indicated above will also have a network controller, and a dynamically or statically assigned IP address on the LAN in which unitary system  140  is connected, so that each such subsystem is capable of transporting data packets using TCP/IP. 
     The unitary PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system  140  further comprises: a high-speed fiber optic (FO) network controller  133  for connecting the subsystem  140  to a local or wide area IP network and supporting one or more networking protocols such as, for example, Ethernet, AppleTalk, etc.; and (4) a data management computer  129  with a graphical user interface (GUI)  130 , for realizing a data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131 , as well as other data and system management functions. As shown in  FIG. 25 , the package imaging, detecting and dimensioning subsystem  122  embodied within system  140  comprises the same integration of subsystems as shown in  FIG. 10 , and thus warrants no further discussion. It is understood, however, that other non-LADAR based package detection, imaging and dimensioning subsystems could be used to emulate the functionalities of the LDIP subsystem  122 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the data management computer  129  employed in the object identification and attribute acquisition system  140  is realized as complete micro-computing system running operating system (OS) software (e.g. Microsoft NT, Unix, Solaris, Linux, or the like), and providing full support for various protocols, including: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP); File Transfer Protocol (FTP); HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP); Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP); and Simple Message Transport Protocol (SMTP). The function of these protocols in the object identification and attribute acquisition system  140 , and networks built using the same, will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to FIGS.  30 A through  30 D 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , unitary system  140  comprises a PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ′ which includes a high-resolution  2 D CCD camera subsystem  25 ″ similar in many ways to the subsystem shown in FIGS.  6 D 1  through  6 E 3 , except that the 2-D CCD camera&#39;s 3-D field of view is automatically steered over a large scanning field, as shown in FIG.  6 E 4 , in response to FOV steering control signals automatically generated by the camera control computer  22  as a low-resolution CCD area-type camera (640×640 pixels)  61  determines the x,y position coordinates of bar code labels on scanned packages. As shown in FIGS.  5 B 3 ,  5 C 3 ,  6 B 3 , and  6 C 3 , the components ( 61 A,  61 B and  62 ) associated with low-resolution CCD area-type camera  61  are easily integrated within the system architecture of PLIIM-based camera subsystems. In the illustrative embodiment, low-resolution camera  61  is controlled by a camera control process carried out within the camera control computer  22 , by modifying the camera control process illustrated in  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B- 1  and  18 B- 2 . The major difference with this modified camera control process is that it will include subprocesses that generate FOV steering control signals, in addition to zoom and focus control signals, discussed in great detail hereinabove. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, when the low-resolution CCD image detection array  61 A detects a bar code symbol on a package label, the camera control computer  22  automatically (i) triggers into operation a high-resolution CCD image detector  55 A and the planar laser illumination arrays (PLIA)  6 A and  6 B operably associated therewith, and (ii) generates FOV steering control signals for steering the FOV of camera subsystem  55 ′″ and capturing 2-D images of packages within the 3-D field of view of the high-resolution image detection array  61 A. The zoom and focal distance of the imaging subsystem employed in the high-resolution camera (i.e. IFD module)  55 ′″ are automatically controlled by the camera control process running within the camera control computer  22  using, for example, package height coordinate and velocity information acquired by the LDIP subsystem  122 . High-resolution image frames (i.e. scan data) captured by the 2-D image detector  55 A are then provided to the image processing computer  21  for decode processing of bar code symbols on the detected package label, or OCR processing of textual information represented therein. In all other respects, the PLIIM-based system  140  shown in  FIG. 24  is similar to PLIIM-based system  120  shown in FIG.  9 . By embodying PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ″ and object detecting, tracking and dimensioning/profiling (LDIP) subsystem  122  within a single housing  141 , an ultra-compact device is provided that uses a low-resolution CCD imaging device to detect package labels and dimension, identify and track packages moving along the package conveyor, and then uses such detected label information to activate a high-resolution CCD imaging device to acquire high-resolution images of the detected label for high performance decode-based image processing. 
     Notably, any one of the numerous methods of and apparatus for speckle-pattern noise reduction described in great detail hereinabove can be embodied within the unitary system  140  to provide an ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight system capable of high performance image acquisition and processing operation, undaunted by speckle-noise patterns which seriously degrade the performance of prior art systems attempting to illuminate objects using coherent radiation. 
     Data-element Queuing, Handling and Processing (Q, H &amp; P) Subsystem Integrated within the PLIIM-Based Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System of  FIG. 25   
     In  FIG. 25A , the Data-element Queuing, Handling And Processing (QHP) Subsystem  131  employed in the PLIIM-based Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System  140  of  FIG. 25 , is illustrated in greater detail. As shown, the data element QHP subsystem  131  comprises a Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2610  which automatically receives object identity data element inputs  2611  (e.g. from a bar code symbol reader, RFID-tag reader, or the like) and object attribute data element inputs  2612  (e.g. object dimensions, object weight, x-ray images, Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA) image data captured by a PFNA scanner by Ancore, and QRA image data captured by a QRA scanner by Quantum Magnetics, Inc.) from the I/O unit  127 , as shown in FIG.  25 . 
     The primary functions of the a Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2610  are to queue, handle, process and link data elements (of information files)  2611  and  2612  supplied by the I/O unit  127 , and automatically generate as output, for each object identity data element supplied as input, a combined data element  2613  comprising (i) an object identity data element, and (ii) one or more object attribute data elements (e.g. object dimensions, object weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, etc.) collected by the I/O unit of the unitary system  140  and supplied to the data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131  of the illustrative embodiment. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, each object identification data element is typically a complete information structure representative of a numeric or alphanumeric character string uniquely identifying the particular object under identification and analysis. Also, each object attribute data element is typically a complete information file associated, for example, with the information content of an optical, X-ray, PFNA or QRA image captured by an object attribute information producing subsystem. In the case where the size of the information content of a particular object attribute data element is substantially large, in comparison to the size of the data blocks transportable within the system, then each object attribute data element may be decomposed into one or more object attribute data elements, for linking with its corresponding object identification data elements. In this case, each combined data element  2613  will be transported to its intended data storage destination, where object attribute data elements corresponding to a particular object attribute (e.g. x-ray image) are reconstituted by a process of synthesis so that the entire object attribute data element can be stored in memory as a single data entity, and accessed for future analysis as required by the application at hand. 
     In general, Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2610  employed in the PLIIM-based Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System  140  of  FIG. 25  is a programmable data element tracking and linking (i.e. indexing) module constructed from hardware and software components. Its primary function is to link (1) object identity data to (2) corresponding object attribute data (e.g. object dimension-related data, object-weight data, object-content data, object-interior data, etc.) in both singulated and non-singulated environments. Depending on the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute acquisition capabilities of the system configuration at hand, the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2610  will need to be programmed in a different manner to enable the underlying functions required by its specified capabilities, indicated above. 
     A Method of and Subsystem for Configuring and Setting-up any Object Identity and Attribute Information Acquisition System or Network Employing the Data Element Queuing, Handling, and Processing Mechanism of the Present Invention 
     The way in which Data Element Queuing, Handling And Processing Subsystem  131  will be programmed will depend on a number of factors, including the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute-acquisition capabilities required by or otherwise to be provided to the system or network under design and configuration. 
     To enable a system engineer or technician to quickly configure the Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing And Linking Mechanism  2610 , the present invention provides an software-based system configuration manager (i.e. system configuration “wizard” program) which is integrated within the Object Identification And Attribute Acquisition Subsystem of the present invention  140 . 
     As graphically illustrated in  FIG. 25B , the system configuration manager of the present invention assists the system engineer or technician in simply and quickly configuring and setting-up the Object Identity And Attribute Information Acquisition System  140 . In the illustrative embodiment, the system configuration manager employs a novel graphical-based application programming interface (API) which enables a systems configuration engineer or technician having minimal programming skill to simply and quickly perform the following tasks: (1) specify the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute acquisition capabilities (i.e. functionalities) which the system or network being designed and configured should possess, as indicated in Steps A, B and C in  FIG. 25C ; (2) determine the configuration of hardware components required to build the configured system or network, as indicated in Step D in  FIG. 25C ; and (3) determine the configuration of software components required to build the configured system or network, as indicated in Step E in  FIG. 25C , so that it will possess the object detection, tracking, identification, and attribute-acquisition capabilities specified in Steps A, B, and C. 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 25B and 25C , system configuration manager of the present invention enables the specification of the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute acquisition capabilities (i.e. functionalities) of the system or network by presenting a logically-ordered sequence of questions to the systems configuration engineer or technician, who has been assigned the task of configuring the Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System or Network at hand. As shown in  FIG. 10B , these questions are arranged into three predefined groups which correspond to the three primary functions of any object identity and attribute acquisition system or network being considered for configuration, namely: (1) the object detection and tracking capabilities and functionalities of the system or network; (2) the object identification capabilities and functionalities of the system or network; and (3) the object attribute acquisition capabilities and functionalities of the system or network. By answering the questions set forth at each of the three levels of the tree structure shown in  FIG. 10B , a full specification of the object detection, tracking, identification and attribute-acquisition capabilities of the system will be provided. Such intelligence is then by the system configuration manager program to automatically select and configure appropriate hardware and software components into a physical realization of the system or network configuration design. 
     At the first (i.e. highest) level of the tree structure in  FIG. 25B , the systems configuration manager presents a set of questions to the systems configuration engineer inquiring whether or not the system or network should be capable of detecting and tracking singulated objects, or non-singulated objects. As shown at Block A in  FIG. 25C , this can be achieved by presenting a GUI display screen asking the following question, and providing a list of answers which correspond to the capabilities realizable by the software and hardware libraries on hand: “What kind of object detection and tracking capability will the configured system have (e.g. singulated object detection and tracking, or non-singulated object detection and tracking)?” 
     At the second (i.e. middle) level of the tree structure in  FIG. 25B , the systems configuration manager presents a set of questions to the systems configuration engineer inquiring whether how objection identification will be carried out in the system or network. As shown at Block B in  FIG. 10C , this can be achieved by presenting a GUI display screen asking the following question, and providing a list of answers which correspond to the capabilities realizable by the software and hardware libraries on hand: “What kind of object identification capability will the configured system employ (i.e. one employing “flying-spot” laser scanning techniques, image capture and processing techniques, and/or radio-frequency identification (RFID) techniques)?” 
     At the third (i.e. lowest) level of the tree structure in  FIG. 25B , the systems configuration manager presents a set of questions to the systems configuration engineer inquiring whether what kinds of object attributes will be acquired either by the system or network or by any of the subsystems which are operably connected thereto. As shown at Block C in  FIG. 25C , this can be achieved by presenting a GUI display screen asking the following question, and providing a list of answers which correspond to the capabilities realizable by the software and hardware libraries on hand: “What kind of object attribute information collection capabilities will the configured system have (e.g. object dimensioning only, or object dimensioning with other object attribute intelligence collection such as optical analysis, x-ray analysis, neutron-beam analysis, QRA, MRA, etc.)?” 
     As shown in  FIG. 25B , there are twelve (12) primary “possible” lines of questioning in the illustrative embodiment which the system configuration manager program may conduct. Depending on the answers provided to these questions, schematically depicted in the tree structure of  FIG. 25B , the subsystems which perform these functions in the system or network will have different hardware and software specifications (to be subsequently used to configure the network or system). Therefore, the systems configuration manager will automatically specify a different set of hardware and software components available in its software and hardware libraries which, when configured properly, are capable of carrying out the specified functionalities of the system or network. 
     As illustrated at Block D in  FIG. 25C , the system configuration manager program analyzes the answers provided to the questions presented during Steps A, B and C, and based thereon, automatically determines the hardware components (available in its Hardware Library) that it will need to construct the hardware-aspects of the specified system configuration. This specified information is then used by technicians to physically build the system or network according to the specified system or network configuration. 
     As indicated at Block E in  FIG. 25C , the system configuration manager program analyzes the answers provided to the above questions presented during Steps A, B and C, and based thereon, automatically determines the software components (available in its Software Library) that it will need to construct the software-aspects of the specified system or network configuration. 
     As indicated at Block F in  FIG. 25C , the system configuration manager program thereafter accesses the determined software components from its Software Library (e.g. maintained on an information server within the system engineering department), and compiles these software components with all other required software programs, to produce a complete “System Software Package” designed for execution upon a particular operating system supported upon the specified hardware configuration. This System Software Package can be stored on either a CD-ROM disc and/or on FTP-enabled information server, from which the compiled System Software Package can be downloaded by an system configuration engineer or technician having a proper user identification and password. Alternatively, prior to shipment to the installation site, the compiled System Software Package can be installed on respective computing platforms within the appropriate unitary object identification and attribute acquisition systems, to simplify installation of the configured system or network in a plug-and-play, turn-key like manner. 
     As indicated at Block G in  FIG. 25C , the systems configuration manager program will automatically generate an easy-to-follow set of Installation Instructions for the configured system or network, guiding the technician through an easy to follow installation and set-up procedures making sure all of the necessary system and subsystem hardware components are properly installed, and system and network parameters set up for proper system operation and remote servicing. 
     As indicated at Block H in  FIG. 25C , once the hardware components of the system have been properly installed and configured, the set-up procedure properly completed, the technician is ready to operate and test the system for troubles it may experience, and diagnose the same with or without remote service assistance made available through the remote monitoring, configuring, and servicing system of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS.  30 A through  30 D 2 . 
     Tunnel-type Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System of the Present Invention 
     The PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition systems and subsystems described hereinabove can be configured as building blocks to build more complex, more robust systems and networks designed for use in diverse types of object identification and attribute acquisition and management applications. 
     In  FIG. 27 , there is shown a four-sided tunnel-type object identification and attribute acquisition system  570  that has been constructed by (i) arranging, about a high-speed package conveyor belt subsystem  571 , four PLIIM-based package identification and attribute acquisition (PID) units  120  of the type shown in  FIGS. 13A through 26 , and (ii) integrating these PID units within a high-speed data communications network  572  having a suitable network topology and configuration, as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . 
     In this illustrative tunnel-type system, only the top PID unit  120  includes an LDIP subsystem  122  for object detection, tracking, velocity-detection and dimensioning/profiling functions, as this PID unit functions as a master PID unit within the tunnel system  570 , whereas the side and bottom PID units  120  are not provided with a LDIP subsystem  122  and function as slave PID units. As such, the side and bottom PID units  120 ′ are programmed to receive object dimension data (e.g. height, length and width coordinates) from the master PID unit  120  on a real-time basis, and automatically convert (i.e. transform) these object dimension coordinates into their local coordinate reference frames in order to use the same to dynamically control the zoom and focus parameters of the camera subsystems employed in the tunnel system. This centralized method of object dimensioning offers numerous advantages over prior art systems and will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 30-1  through  32 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 27 , the camera field of view (FOV) of the bottom PID unit  120 ′ of the tunnel system  570  is arranged to view packages through a small gap  573  provided between conveyor belt sections  571 A and  571 B. Notably, this arrangement is permissible by virtue of the fact that the camera&#39;s FOV and its coplanar PLIB jointly have thickness dimensions on the order of millimeters. As shown in  FIG. 28 , all of the PID units in the tunnel system are operably connected to an Ethernet control hub  575  (ideally contained in one of the slave PID units) associated with a local area network (LAN) embodied within the tunnel system. As shown, an external tachometer (i.e. encoder)  576  connected to the conveyor belt  571  provides tachometer input signals to each slave unit  120  and master unit  120 , as a backup to the integrated object velocity detector provided within the LDIP subsystem  122 . This is an optional feature which may have advantages in environments where, for example, the belt speed fluctuates frequently and by significant amounts in the case of conveyor-enabled tunnel systems. 
       FIG. 28  shows the tunnel-based system of  FIG. 27  embedded within a first-type LAN having an Ethernet control hub  575 , for communicating data packets to control the operation of units  120  in the LAN, but not for transferring camera data (e.g. 80 megabytes/sec) generated within each PID unit  120 ,  120 ′. 
       FIG. 29  shows the tunnel system of  FIG. 27  embedded within a second-type LAN having an Ethernet control hub  575 , an Ethernet data switch  577 , and an encoder  576 . The function of the Ethernet data switch  577  is to transfer data packets relating to camera data output, whereas the function of control hub  575  is the same as in the tunnel network system configuration of FIG.  28 . The advantages of using the tunnel network configuration of  FIG. 29  is that camera data can be transferred over the LAN, and when using fiber optical (FO) cable, camera data can be transferred over very long distances using FO-cable and the Ethernet networking protocol (i.e. “Ethernet over fiber”). As discussed hereinabove, the advantage of using the Ethernet protocol over fiber optical cable is that a “keying” workstation  580  can be located thousands of feet away from the physical location of the tunnel system  570 , e.g. somewhere within a package routing facility, without compromising camera data integrity due to transmission loss and/or errors. 
     Real-time Object Coordinate Data Driven Method of Camera Zoom and Focus Control in Accordance with the Principles of the Present Invention 
     In  FIGS. 30-1  through  32 B, CCD camera-based tunnel system  570  of  FIG. 27  is schematically illustrated employing a real-time method of automatic camera zoom and focus control in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As will be described in greater detail below, this real-time method is driven by object coordinate data and involves (i) dimensioning packages in a global coordinate reference system, (ii) producing object (e.g. package) coordinate data referenced to said global coordinate reference system, and (iii) distributing said object coordinate data to local coordinate references frames in the system for conversion of said object coordinate data to local coordinate reference frames and subsequent use automatic camera zoom and focus control operations upon said packages. This method of the present invention will now be described in greater detail below using the four-sided tunnel-based system  570  of  FIG. 27 , described above. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 30-1  through  30 - 4 , the four-sided tunnel-type camera-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of  FIG. 27  comprises: a single master PID unit  120  embodying a LDIP subsystem  122 , mounted above the conveyor belt structure  571 ; three slave PID units  120 ′,  120 ′ and  120 ′, mounted on the sides and bottom of the conveyor belt; and a high-speed data communications network  572  supporting a network protocol such as, for example, Ethernet protocol, and enabling high-speed packet-type data communications among the four PID units within the system. As shown, each PID unit is connected to the network communication medium of the network through its network controller  132  ( 133 ) in a manner well known in the computer networking arts. 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 30-1  through  31 , local coordinate reference systems are symbolically embodied within each of the PID units deployed in the tunnel-type system of  FIG. 27 , namely: local coordinate reference system R local0  symbolically embodied within the master PID unit  120 ; local coordinate reference system R local1  symbolically embodied within the first side PID unit  120 ′; local coordinate reference system R local2  symbolically embodied within the second side PID unit  120 ′; and local coordinate reference system R local3  symbolically embodied within the bottom PID unit  120 ′. In turn, each of these local coordinate reference systems is “referenced” with respect to a global coordinate reference system R global  symbolically embodied within the conveyor belt structure. Object coordinate information specified (by vectors) in the global coordinate reference system can be readily converted to object coordinate information specified in any local coordinate reference system by way of a homogeneous transformation (HG) constructed for the global and the particular local coordinate reference system. Each homogeneous transformation can be constructed by specifying the point of origin and orientation of the x,y,z axes of the local coordinate reference system with respect to the point of origin and orientation of the x,y,z axes of the global coordinate reference system. Such details on homogeneous transformations are well known in the art. 
     To facilitate construction of each such homogeneous transformation between a particular local coordinate reference system (symbolically embedded within a particular slave PID unit  120 ′) and the global coordinate reference system (symbolically embedded within the master PID unit  120 ), the present invention further provides a novel method of and apparatus for measuring, in the field, the pitch and yaw angles of each slave PID unit  120 ′ in the tunnel system, as well as the elevation (i.e. height) of the PID unit, that is relative to the local coordinate reference frame symbolically embedded within the local PID unit. In the illustrative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 31A , such apparatus is realized in the form of two different angle-measurement (e.g. protractor) devices  2500 A and  2500 B integrated within the structure of each slave and master PID housing and the support structure provided to support the same within the tunnel system. The purpose of such apparatus is to enable the taking of such field measurements (i.e. angle and height readings) so that the precise coordinate location of each local coordinate reference frame (symbolically embedded within each PID unit) can be precisely determined, relative to the master PID unit  120 . Such coordinate information is then used to construct a set of “homogeneous transformations” which are used to convert globally acquired package dimension data at each local coordinate frame, into locally referenced object dimension data. In the illustrative embodiment, the master PID unit  120  is provided with an LDIP subsystem  122  for acquiring object dimension information on a real-time basis, and such information is broadcasted to each of the slave PID units  120 ′ employed within the tunnel system. By providing such object dimension information to each PID unit in the system, and converting such information to the local coordinate reference system of each such PID unit, the optical parameters of the camera subsystem within each local PID unit are accurately controlled by its camera control computer  22  using such locally-referenced package dimension information, as will be described in greater detail below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 31A , each angle measurement device  2500 A and  2500 B is integrated into the structure of the PID unit  120 ′ ( 120 ) by providing a pointer or indicating structure (e.g. arrow)  2501 A ( 2501 B) on the surface of the housing of the PID unit, while mounting angle-measurement indicator  2503 A ( 2503 A) on the corresponding support structure  2504 A ( 2400 B) used to support the housing above the conveyor belt of the tunnel system. With this arrangement, to read the pitch or yaw angle, the technician only needs to see where the pointer  2501 A (or  2501 B) points against the angle-measurement indicator  2503 A ( 2503 B), and then visually determine the angle measure at that location which is the angle measurement to be recorded for the particular PID unit under analysis. As the position and orientation of each angle-measurement indicator  2503 A ( 2503 B) will be precisely mounted (e.g. welded) in place relative to the entire support system associated with the tunnel system, PID unit angle readings made against these indicators will be highly accurate and utilizable in computing the homogeneous transformations (e.g. during the set-up and calibration stage) and carried out at each slave PID unit  120 ′ and possibly the master PID unit  120  if the LDIP subsystem  122  is not located within the master PID unit, which may be the case in some tunnel installations. To measure the elevation of each PID unit  120 ′ (or  120 ), an arrow-like pointer  2501 C is provided on the PID unit housing and is read against an elevation indicator  2503 C mounted on one of the support structures. 
     Once the PID units have been installed within a given tunnel system, such information must be ascertained to (i) properly construct the homogeneous transformation expression between each local coordinate reference system and the global coordinate reference system, and (ii) subsequently program this mathematical construction within camera control computer  22  within each PID unit  120  ( 120 ′). Preferably, a PID unit support framework installed about the conveyor belt structure, can be used in the tunnel system to simplify installation and configuration of the PID units at particular predetermined locations and orientations required by the scanning application at hand. In accordance with such a method, the predetermined location and orientation position of each PID unit can be premarked or bar coded. Then, once a particular PID unit  120 ′ has been installed, the location/orientation information of the PID unit can be quickly read in the field and programmed into the camera control computer  22  of each PID unit so that its homogeneous transformation (HG) expression can be readily constructed and programmed into the camera control compute for use during tunnel system operation. Notably, a hand-held bar code symbol reader, operably connected to the master PID unit, can be used in the field to quickly and accurately collect such unit position/orientation information (e.g. by reading bar code symbols pre-encoded with unit position/orientation information) and transmit the same to the master PID unit  120 . 
     In addition,  FIGS. 30-1  through  30 - 4  illustrates that the LDIP subsystem  122  within the master unit  120  generates (i) package height, width, and length coordinate data and (ii) velocity data, referenced with respect to the global coordinate reference system R global . These package dimension data elements are transmitted to each slave PID unit  120 ′ on the data communication network, and once received, its camera control computer  22  converts there values into package height, width, and length coordinates referenced to its local coordinate reference system using its preprogrammable homogeneous transformation. The camera control computer  22  in each slave PID unit  120  uses the converted object dimension coordinates to generate real-time camera control signals which automatically drive its camera&#39;s automatic zoom and focus imaging optics in an intelligent, real-time manner in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The “object identification” data elements generated by the slave PID unit are automatically transmitted to the master PID unit  120  for time-stamping, queuing, and processing to ensure accurate object identity and object attribute (e.g. dimension/profile) data element linking operations in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 32A and 32B , the object-coordinate driven camera control method of the present invention will now be described in detail. 
     As indicated at Block A in  FIG. 32A , Step A of the camera control method involves the master PID unit (with LDIP subsystem  122 ) generating an object dimension data element (e.g. containing height, width, length and velocity data {H,W,L,V} G ) for each object transported through tunnel system, and then using the system&#39;s data communications network, to transmit such object dimension data to each slave PID unit downstream the conveyor belt. Preferably, the coordinate information contained in each object dimension data element is referenced with respect to global coordinate reference system R global , although it is understood that the local coordinate reference frame of the master PID unit may also be used as a central coordinate reference system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     As indicated at Block B in  FIG. 32A , Step B of the camera control method involves each slave unit receiving the transmitted object height, width and length data {H,W,L,V} G  and converting this coordinate information into the slave unit&#39;s local coordinate reference system R local I , I{H,W,L,V} j . 
     As indicated at Block C in  FIG. 32A , Step C of the camera control method involves the camera control computer in each slave unit using the converted object height, width, length data {H,W,L} i  and package velocity data to generate camera control signals for driving the camera subsystem in the slave unit to zoom and focus in on the transported package as it moves by the slave unit, while ensuring that captured images having substantially constant d.p.i. resolution and 1:1 aspect ratio. 
     As indicated at Block D in  FIG. 32B , Step D of the camera control method involves each slave unit capturing images acquired by its intelligently controlled camera subsystem, buffering the same, and processing the images so as to decode bar code symbol identifiers represented in said images, and/or to perform optical character recognition (OCR) thereupon. 
     As indicated at Block E in  FIG. 32B , Step E of the camera control method involves the slave unit, which decoded a bar code symbol in a processed image, to automatically transmit an object identification data element (containing symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol) to the master unit (or other designated system control unit employing data element management functionalities) for object data element processing. 
     As indicated at Block F in  FIG. 32B , Step F of the camera control method involves the master unit time-stamping each received object identification data element, placing said data element in a data queue, and processing object identification data elements and time-stamped package dimension data elements in said queue so as to link each object identification data element with one said corresponding object dimension data element (i.e. object attribute data element). 
     The real-time camera zoom and focus control process described above has the advantage of requiring on only one LDIP object detection, tracking and dimensioning/profiling subsystem  122 , yet enabling (i) intelligent zoom and focus control within each camera subsystem in the system, and (ii) precise cropping of “regions of interest” (ROI) in captured images. Such inventive features enable intelligent filtering and processing of image data streams and thus substantially reduce data processing requirements in the system. 
     The Internet-based Remote Monitoring, Configuration and Service (RMCS) System and Method of the Present Invention 
     In FIGS.  30 A through  30 D 2 , an Internet-based remote monitoring, configuration and service (RMCS) system and associated method of the present invention  2620  is schematically illustrated. The primary function of RMCS system and associated method  2620  is to enable a systems or network engineer or service technician to use any Internet-enabled client computing machine to remotely monitor, configure and/or service any PLIIM-based network, system or subsystem of the present invention in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. 
     In  FIG. 30A , a plurality of different tunnel-based systems  2621  and their underlying LANs are schematically illustrated as being operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet. In this figure, a remotely situated Internet-enabled client computer  2622  is shown having access to the infrastructure of the Internet by way of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Network Service Provider (NSP) as the case may be. As shown, each tunnel-based network (of systems)  2621  comprises: a LAN router  2623  with a SNMP agent; a LAN hub  2624  with a SNMP agent; a LAN http/Servlet Server  2625 , functioning as the SNMP management server; a Database  2626  operably connected to the SNMP management server  2625 , and functioning as a central Management Information Base (MIB); a master-type object identification and attribute acquisition system  120  with TCP/IP, FTP, HTTP, ETHERNET, SNMP, and SMTP dameons, and a local Management Information Base (MIB); and a plurality of “slave-type” object identification and attribute acquisition system, each indicated by reference number  120 ′ and not provided with an LDIP subsystem  122  as described hereinabove, but provided with a TCP/IP, FTP, HTTP, ETHERNET, SNMP, and SMTP dameons, and a local management information base (MIB). 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 30A through 30C , RMCS system  2620  is realized using the simple network management protocol (SNMP) that presently forms a key component to the Internet network management architecture used in the contemporary period. In the illustrative embodiment, SNMP is used to enable network management and communication between (i) SNMP agents, which are built into each node (i.e. object identification and attribute acquisition system  120 ,  120 ′) in the tunnel-based LAN  2621 , and (ii) SNMP managers, which can be built into LAN http/Servlet Server  2625  as well as any Internet-enabled client computing machine  2622  functioning as the network management station (NMS) or management console. 
     The SNMP-based RMCS system  2620  contains two primary elements, namely: a manager and agents. The manager is the console (e.g. GUI-based API) through which the network/system administrator performs network, system and subsystem management functions in each tunnel-based LAN installation, such as, for example: (1) checking configuration and performance statistics associated with the computing platform and the OS of each system  120 ,  120 ′, as well as configuration and performance statistics associated with the LAN hub  2624 , and LAN router  2623 , and the LAN http/Servlet Server  2625 ; (2) monitoring configuration parameters and performance statistics of the network, systems and subsystems of the tunnel-based LAN using the “read” capabilities of SNMP agents; (3) configuring services provided at the network, system and subsystem level of the tunnel-based LAN using the “write” capabilities of SNMP agents; and (4) providing other levels of remote servicing using the read and/or write capabilities of SNMP agents built into each system  120  and  120 ′, and other components of the tunnel-based LAN  2621 . 
     SNMP Agents are the entities that interface to the actual “device” being managed. Examples of managed “devices” in a tunnel-based LAN which may contain managed “objects”, include: network bridges; hubs; routers; network servers; Object Identification And Attribute Acquisition Systems  120 , and  120 ′; the PLIIM-Based Object Identification Subsystem  25 ′; the IFD Module (i.e. Camera Subsystem); the Image Processing Computer; the Camera Control Computer; the RFID-Based Object Identification Subsystem; the Data Element Queuing, Handling And Processing (QHP) Subsystem  131 ; the LDIP-based Object Identification, Velocity-Measurement, And Dimensioning Subsystem; the Object Velocity Measurement Subsystem; the Object H/W/L Profiling Subsystem; the Object Detection subsystem; an X-ray scanning subsystem; a Neutron-beam scanning subsystem; and any other object attribute producing subsystem configured with a particular system may include an object attribute code indicating the attributes which it generates during its operation. 
     Managed “objects” can include, for example: hardware and/or software based systems, subsystems, modules, and/or components thereof such as, for example, the PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′ and components therein (e.g. the linear image detection array in the IFD module), the LDIP subsystem  122  and components therein (e.g. the polygon scanning mechanism), PLIAs and PLIMs employed therein, the Camera Control Computer, and the like; configuration parameters at the network, system and subsystem level; performance statistics associated with the network, systems and subsystems employed therein; and other monitorable parameters (i.e. variables) that directly relate to the current operation of the device in question. 
     The managed objects are arranged in what is known as a virtual information database, called a Management Information Base (MIB). Such virtual information databases, or MIBs, can be maintained locally at each object identification and attribute acquisition system  120 ,  121 ′, as well as centrally at a database server somewhere in the tunnel-based LAN, as shown in FIG.  30 A. However, in each case, the MIB must be retrievable and modifiable. SNMP actually performs the data retrieval and modification operations. SNMP allows managers and agents to communicate for the purpose of accessing these objects whether they are stored locally or centrally. 
     The Structure of Management Information (SMI) in the manager/agent paradigm described above, organizes, names and describes information so that logical access can occur. The SMI states that each managed object must have a name, a syntax, and an encoding. The name, an object identifier (OID), uniquely identifies or names the MIB object in an abstract tree with an unnamed root; individual data items make up the leaves of the tree, and while the MIB tree has standardized branches, containing objects grouped by protocol (including TCP. IP, UDP, SNMP and others) and other categories (including “system” and “interfaces”). The syntax defines the data type, such as an integer or string of octets. The encoding describes how the information associated with the managed objects is serialized for transmission between machines. 
     The MIB tree is extensible by virtue of experimental and private branches which vendors, such as Metrologic Instruments, Inc., assignee of the present application, can define to include instances of its own products. As will be explained in greater detail below, an unique OID will be created and assigned to each MIB object to be managed within a device in the tunnel-based LAN in order to uniquely identify the MIB object in the MIB tree. 
     Management Information Bases (MIBs) are a collection of definitions, which define the properties of the managed object within the device (e.g. system  120 ,  120 ′) to be managed. Every managed device keeps a database of values for each of the definitions written in the MIB. Collections of related managed objects are defined in specific MIB modules. The MIB is not the actual database itself; it is implementation dependant. The definition of the MIB conforms the SMI. One can think of the MIB as an information warehouse which can be local as well as central. 
     Interactions between the remote network management system (NMS)  2622 , referred to as the RMCS management console, and managed devices in the tunnel-based LAN  2621 , can be any of the four different types of commands:
     (1) READS—commands used for monitoring managed devices, by the NMS reading variables maintained within the MIB of the managed devices;   (2) WRITES—commands used for controlling managed devices, by the NMS writing variables stored within the MIB of managed devices;   (3) TRANSVERSAL OPERATIONS—commands used NMSs to determine which variables a managed device supports and to sequentially gather information from variable tables (e.g. IP routing tables) in the managed devices; and   (4) TRAPS—commands used by managed devices to asynchronously report certain events to the NMS.   

     As shown in  FIG. 30A , the data management computer  129  employed within each object identification and attribute acquisition system  120 , and  120 ′ identification and attribute acquisition system  120  is realized as complete micro-computing system running operating system (OS) software (e.g. Microsoft NT, Unix, Solaris, Linux, or the like), and providing full support for various protocols, including: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP); File Transfer Protocol (FTP); HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP); Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Agent; and Simple Message Transport Protocol (SMTP). 
     At the network level of a tunnel-based network, and thus of the RMCS system  2620 , there is a set of network level parameters which serve to describe the configuration and state of each LAN on the Internet. At the system level thereof, there is a set of system level parameters which serve to describe the configuration and state of each system within a given network on the Internet. Similarly, at the subsystem level, thereof there is a set of subsystem level parameters which serve to describe the configuration and state of each subsystem within any given system within any given network on the Internet. 
     In  FIG. 30B , the system and subsystem structure of an exemplary tunnel-based system  2621  is schematically illustrated in greater detail to show the environment in which the RMCS system and associated method thereof operates. In  FIG. 30B , several object attribute data producing systems (e.g. neutron-based scanning subsystem and x-ray scanning subsystem) are shown as subsystems of the Object Identification And Attribute Acquisition System  120 . 
     In  FIG. 30C , a table is presented listing the network configuration parameters of the tunnel-based system, its system configuration parameters, its performance statistics, and the monitorable performance parameters and configuration for each subsystem within each system in the tunnel-based system. 
     In accordance with the present invention, such parameters identified above are used to create a MIB OID for each SNMP “object” within a “device” to be managed in each tunnel-based LAN  2621 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 30C , the network configuration parameters for each tunnel-based LAN  2621  might typically include, for example: router IP address; the number of nodes (i.e. systems) in LAN; passwords, and LAN location; name of customer facility; name of technical contact; the phone number of the technical contact; the domain name assigned to the LAN; the object identity (i.e. identification) codes (OIC) assigned to subsystems (e.g. bar code readers and RFID readers) within the tunnel-based system capable of identifying objects, and inherited by the systems and networks employing said subsystems; object attribute acquisition codes (OAAC) assigned to subsystems within systems and networks, capable of acquiring object attributes (e.g. by either generation or collection processes) and object attribute data producing devices (e.g. X-ray scanners, PFNA scanners, QRA scanners, and the like). 
     As shown in  FIG. 30C , the system configuration parameters for each tunnel-based LAN  2621  might typically include, for example: system IP address, passwords; object identity codes OIC); object attribute acquisition codes (OAAC); etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 30C , each subsystem within each system in a specified tunnel-based LAN  2621  will have one or more monitorable and/or configurable parameters. For example, PLIIM-based object identification subsystem may include the following parameters: object identity code; and object attribute acquisition codes. The PLIM Subsystem may include the following parameters: VLD status; power VLD; TIM function; temperature, etc. The IFD module (Camera Subsystem) may include the parameter: Sensor Temperature. The Image Processing Computer may include the following parameters: processor load history; system up time; number of frames (pgs); bar code read rate; current line rate; etc. The Camera Control Computer may include the following parameters: number of frames dropped; number of focused zoom commands; number and kinds of motor control errors; etc. RFID-based object identification subsystem might include an object identity code as a parameter. 
     The data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131  might include object identity and attribute codes indicating the types of data elements which it is programmed to handle. The LDIP-based object identification, velocity-measurement, and dimensioning subsystem  122  might include the object identity codes indicating the types of object attributes which it generates during its operation. Object velocity measurement subsystem might include the following parameters: polygon RPM; polygon laser output X; channel X drift; channel X noise; trigger error events; instant lock reference drift; and temperature. The Object H/W/L profiling subsystem may include the object identity codes indicating the types of object attributes which it generates during its operation. The Object detection subsystem may include an object attribute code (e.g. non-singulation/singulation code) indicating the attributes which it generates during its operation. Also, an X-ray scanning subsystem, a Neutron-beam scanning subsystem, and any other object attribute producing subsystem configured with a particular system may include an object attribute code indicating the attributes which it generates during its operation. 
     In general, the RMCS management console can be realized in a variety of ways, depending on the requirements of the application at hand. 
     For example, a SNMP management console  2622  can be constructed so as to enable the querying of each SNMP agent in each device being managed in the network, as well as reading and writing variables associated with managed objects in the network. In this embodiment, the SNMP management console enables communication with each and every SNMP agent in the tunnel-based LAN in order to communicate for the purpose of accessing SNMP objects whether they are stored locally or centrally. One advantage of this object management technique is that it only depends on SNMP and its elements, and does not require the support of an http Server  2625  to serve a RMCS management console (GUI) to the service engineer or technician. However, such an SNMP management console is generally limited in terms of providing diagnostic and trouble-shooting tools which can be integrated into the management console, and thus the service engineer or technician with a more advanced level of monitoring, control and service required in industrial applications of the PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition systems and networks of the present invention. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the RMCS management console  2622  is realized by a GUI generated by one or more HTML-documents served from the LAN http/Servlet server  2625  during the practice of the RMCS method of the present invention. Preferably, the HTML-enabled RCMS management console (GUI) has a plurality of servlet-tags embedded within each HTML-encoded document of the GUI. These servlet tags are located beneath textual labels and/or graphical icons which identify particular “devices” and “objects” in a particular tunnel-based LAN which are to being managed by the RMCS system and method of the present invention. The compiled servlet code associated with each embedded servlet tag is loaded on the LAN http/Servlet Server  2625  in a manner well known in the Applet/Servlet arts. When the network administrator selects a particular servlet-tag on the RMCS management console GUI, viewed using an Internet-enabled browser program  2622 , the browser program automatically executes (on the server side of the network) the servlet-code loaded on the Server  2626  at the URL specified by the selected servlet-tag. The executed servlet-code on the Server  2625  automatically invokes a method (i.e. process) which requests the SNMP agent on a particular system (or node) of the tunnel-based network to read or write variables at a particular SNMP MIB, or perform a transversal operation within a managed device. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, when executed by a servlet selected from the RMCS management console (GUI), a specified method may initiate one of three possible SNMP agent operations: (1) the RCMS management console sends a READ command to the SNMP agent enabling the reading of variables maintained within the MIB of any specified managed device in the tunnel-based LAN, in order to monitor the same; (2) the RCMS management console sends a WRITE command to the SNMP agent to write variables stored within the MIB of any managed device in the tunnel-based LAN, to control the same; (3) the RMCS management console sends a TRANSVERSAL OPERATION command to the SNMP agent to determine which variables a managed device supports and to sequentially gather information from variable tables (e.g. IP routing tables, bar code error rate tables, performance statistics tables, etc.) in any managed devices; and (4); and the RMCS management console sends a TRAP commands to the SNMP agent, requesting that the SNMP agent asynchronously report certain events to the RCMS management console (i.e. NMS). 
     Notably, there are several advantages to using servlets in an HTML-encoded RMCS management console to trigger SNMP agent operations within devices managed within the tunnel-based LAN. For example, a servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can simultaneously invoke multiple methods on the server side of the network, to monitor (i.e. read) particular variables (e.g. parameters) in each object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 , and  120 ′, and then process these monitored parameters for subsequent storage in a central MIB in the  2626  and/or display. A servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can invoke a method on the server side of the network, to control (i.e. write) particular variables (e.g. parameters) in a particular device being managed within the tunnel-based LAN. A servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can invoke a method on the server side of the network, to control (i.e. write) particular variables (e.g. parameters) in a particular device being managed within the tunnel-based LAN. A servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can invoke a method on the server side of the network, to determine which variables a managed device supports and to sequentially gather information from variable tables for processing and storage in a central MIB in database  2626 . Also, a servlet embedded in the RMCS management console can invoke a method on the server side of the network, to detect and asynchronously report certain events to the RCMS management console. 
     Notably, each object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 , and  120 ′ in the tunnel-based LAN has an http server daemon, as well as SNMP, FTP, and SMTP. As such, in an alternative embodiment of the RMCS system and method of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the use of the separate stand-alone http/Servlet server  2625  and backend database  2626 , and instead designate one of the http servers on the subsystems  120  and  120 ′ to serve as the LAN http/Servlet server, from which the RMCS management console (GUI) with its embedded servlets is served to the network administrator or system configuration engineer or technician. 
     The FTP service provided on each subsystem  120 , and  120 ′ (as well as on subsystem  140 ,  140 ′ as well) enables the uploading of system and application software from an FTP site, as well as downloading of diagnostic error tables maintained in, for example, a central MIB database  2526 . The FTP service can be launched from the RMCS management console by the system or network administrator or service technician. Also, the SMTP service provided on each subsystem  120 , and  120 ′ will enable the system  120 , and  120 ′ to issue an outgoing-mail message to the remote service technician stating, for example, “My name is iQ180, located at IP address 123.125.1.1; I have a system error problem, please fix me.” 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS.  30 A through  30 D 2 , the RMCS system  2620  enables an engineer, service technician or network manager, while remotely situated from the system or network installation requiring service, to use an Internet-enabled client machine to: 
     (1) monitor a robust set of network, system and subsystem parameters associated with any tunnel-based network installation (i.e. linked to the Internet through an ISP or NSP); 
     (2) analyze these parameters to trouble-shoot and diagnose performance failures of networks, systems and/or subsystems performing object identification and attribute acquisition functions; 
     (3) reconfigure and/or tune some of these parameters to improve network, system and/or subsystem performance; 
     (4) make remote service calls and repairs where possible over the Internet; and 
     (5) instruct local service technicians on how to repair and service networks, systems and/or subsystems performing object identification and attribute acquisition functions. 
     In general, the RMCS method of the present invention is carried out over a globally-extensive switched-packet data communication network, such as the Internet. As illustrated at Block A in FIG.  30 D 1 , the first step of the RCMS method of the illustrative embodiment involves using an Internet-enabled client computer  2622  to establish a network connection (i.e. via network router) with an http server  2625  in the tunnel-based LAN  2621  requiring remote monitoring, control and/or service. 
     As illustrated at Block B in FIG.  30 D 1 , the second step of the method involves using the Internet-enabled client computer to access a RMCS management console from the http Server and display the same on the client computer. 
     As illustrated at Block C in FIG.  30 D 1 , the third step of the method involves using the RMCS management console to display the network configuration parameters and use such parameters to establish a network connection with each system in the tunnel-based LAN, and to monitor the configuration parameters of each such system therein. 
     As illustrated at Block D in FIG.  30 D 1 , the fourth step of the method involves using the RMCS management console to monitor the configuration and other monitorable parameters of each subsystem in the system. 
     As illustrated at Block E in FIG.  30 D 1 , the fifth step of the method involves using the RMCS management console to run one or more diagnostic programs adapted to trouble-shoot any performance problems with the system and/or network in which it operates. 
     As illustrated at Block F in FIG.  30 D 1 , the sixth step of the method involves using information collected by the diagnostic program, and the RMCS management console to reconfigure (i.e. write) selected parameters in the system and instruct, by e-mail or other communication means, any hardware repairs that may be required at the LAN location. 
     As illustrated at Block G in FIG.  30 D 2 , the seventh step of the method involves using the RMCS management console to rerun the diagnostic program on any troubled system in the tunnel-based LAN after parameter reconfiguration and/or hardware repair at the LAN location so as to test the performance of such systems, subsystems and the overall tunnel-based LAN. 
     As illustrated at Block H in FIG.  30 D 2 , the eighth step of the method involves using the RMCS management console to monitor, from time to time, parameters of systems and subsystems in the tunnel-based LAN, so at to determine whether or not any of the systems and/or tunnel-based LAN requires servicing. 
     As illustrated at Block I in FIG.  30 D 2 , the ninth step of the method involves using the RMCS management console to record, in a Customer Service RDBMS, all monitored parameter data and the results of executed diagnostic programs for future access, reference, and use during subsequent remote service calls over the Internet. 
     Notably, during parameter monitoring and diagnostic routines of the RMCS method described above at Blocks D and E, the RMCS management console will communicate with particular subsystems/modules within a given system to determine the states of a number of important parameters set within the each Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System in the tunnel-based LAN Thus, remotely-situated client computer and accessed subsystems will communication and cooperate in various ways through their supporting systems to provide valuable levels of remote monitoring, configuration, and service including performance tuning. 
     Bioptical PLIIM-Based Product Dimensioning, Analysis and Identification System of the First Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     The numerous types of PLIIM-based camera systems disclosed hereinabove can be used as stand-alone devices, as well as components within resultant systems designed to carry out particular functions. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 33A through 33C , a pair of PLIIM-based package identification (PID) systems  25 ′ of FIGS.  3 E 4  through  3 E 8  are modified and arranged within a compact POS housing  581  having bottom and side light transmission apertures  582  and  583  (beneath bottom and side imaging windows  584  and  585 , respectively), to produce a bioptical PLIIM-based product identification, dimensioning and analysis (PIDA) system  580  according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 33C , the bioptical PIDA system  580  comprises: a bottom PLIIM-based unit  586 A mounted within the bottom portion of the housing  581 ; a side PLIIM-based unit  586 B mounted within the side portion of the housing  581 ; an electronic product weigh scale  587 , mounted beneath the bottom PLIIM-based unit  587 A, in a conventional manner; and a local data communication network  588 , mounted within the housing, and establishing a high-speed data communication link between the bottom and side units  586 A and  586 B, and the electronic weigh scale  587 , and a host computer system (e.g. cash register)  589 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 33C , the bottom unit  586 A comprises: a PLIIM-based PID subsystem  25 ′ (without LDIP subsystem  122 ), installed within the bottom portion of the housing  587 , for projecting a coplanar PLIB and 1-D FOV through the bottom light transmission aperture  582 , on the side closest to the product entry side of the system indicated by the “arrow” ( ) indicator shown in the figure drawing; a I/O subsystem  127  providing data, address and control buses, and establishing data ports for data input to and data output from the PLIIM-based PID subsystem  25 ′; and a network controller  132 , operably connected to the I/O subsystem  127  and the communication medium of the local data communication network  588 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 33C , the side unit  586 B comprises: a PLIIM-based PID subsystem  25 ′ (with LDIP subsystem  122 ), installed within the side portion of the housing  581 , for projecting (i) a coplanar PLIB and 1-D FOV through the side light transmission aperture  583 , also on the side closest to the product entry side of the system indicated by the “arrow” ( ) indicator shown in the figure drawing, and also (ii) a pair of AM laser beams, angularly spaced from each other, through the side light transmission aperture  583 , also on the side closest to the product entry side of the system indicated by the “arrow” ( ) indicator shown in the figure drawing, but closer to the arrow indicator than the coplanar PLIB and 1-D FOV projected by the subsystem, thus locating them slightly downstream from the AM laser beams used for product dimensioning and detection; a I/O subsystem  127  for establishing data ports for data input to and data output from the PLIIM-based PIB subsystem  25 ′; a network controller  132 , operably connected to the I/O subsystem  127  and the communication medium of the local data communication network  588 ; and a system control computer  590 , operably connected to the I/O subsystem  127 , for (i) receiving package identification data elements transmitted over the local data communication network by either PLIIM-based PID subsystem  25 ′, (ii) package dimension data elements transmitted over the local data communication network by the LDIP subsystem  122 , and (iii) package weight data elements transmitted over the local data communication network by the electronic weigh scale  587 . As shown, LDIP subsystem  122  includes an integrated package/object velocity measurement subsystem In order that the bioptical PLIIM-based PIDA system  580  is capable of capturing and analyzing color images, and thus enabling, in supermarket environments, “produce recognition” on the basis of color as well as dimensions and geometrical form, each PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′ employs (i) a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs) having different color producing wavelengths to produce a multi-spectral planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) from the side and bottom light transmission apertures  582  and  583 , and also (ii) a 1-D (linear-type) CCD image detection array for capturing color images of objects (e.g. produce) as the objects are manually transported past the imaging windows  584  and  585  of the bioptical system, along the direction of the indicator arrow, by the user or operator of the system (e.g. retail sales clerk). 
     Any one of the numerous methods of and apparatus for speckle-noise reduction described in great detail hereinabove can be embodied within the bioptical system  580  to provide an ultra-compact system capable of high performance image acquisition and processing operation, undaunted by speckle-noise patterns which seriously degrade the performance of prior art systems attempting to illuminate objects using solid-state VLD devices, as taught herein. 
     Notably, the image processing computer  21  within each PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′ is provided with robust image processing software  582  that is designed to process color images captured by the subsystem and determine the shape/geometry, dimensions and color of scanned products in diverse retail shopping environments. In the illustrative embodiment, the IFD subsystem (i.e. “camera”)  3 ″ within the PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ″ is capable of: (1) capturing digital images having (i) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (ii) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (iii) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (DPI) independent of package height or velocity and without the use of costly telecentric optics employed by prior art systems, (2) automatic cropping of captured images so that only regions of interest reflecting the package or package label are transmitted to either an image-processing based 1-D or 2-D bar code symbol decoder or an optical character recognition (OCR) image processor, and (3) automatic image lifting operations. Such functions are carried out in substantially the same manner as taught in connection with the tunnel-based system shown in  FIGS. 27 through 32B . 
     In most POS retail environments, the sales clerk may pass either a UPC or UPC/EAN labeled product past the bioptical system, or an item of produce (e.g. vegetables, fruits, etc.). In the case of UPC labeled products, the image processing computer  21  will decode process images captured by the IFD subsystem  3 ′ (in conjunction with performing OCR processing for reading trademarks, brandnames, and other textual indicia) as the product is manually moved past the imaging windows of the system in the direction of the arrow indicator. For each product identified by the system, a product identification data element will be automatically generated and transmitted over the data communication network to the system control/management computer  590 , for transmission to the host computer (e.g. cash register computer)  589  and use in check-out computations. Any dimension data captured by the LDIP subsystem  122  while identifying a UPC or UPC/EAN labeled product, can be disregarded in most instances; although, in some instances, it might make good sense that such information is automatically transmitted to the system control/management computer  590 , for comparison with information in a product information database so as to cross-check that the identified product is in fact the same product indicated by the bar code symbol read by the image processing computer  21 . This feature of the bioptical system can be used to increase the accurately of product identification, thereby lowering scan error rates and improving consumer confidence in POS technology. 
     In the case of an item of produce swept past the light transmission windows of the bioptical system, the image processing computer  21  will automatically process images captured by the IFD subsystem  3 ″ (using the robust produce identification software mentioned above), alone or in combination with produce dimension data collected by the LDIP subsystem  122 . In the preferred embodiment, produce dimension data (generated by the LDIP subsystem  122 ) will be used in conjunction with produce identification data (generated by the image processing computer  21 ), in order to enable more reliable identification of produce items, prior to weigh in on the electronic weigh scale  587 , mounted beneath the bottom imaging window  584 . Thus, the image processing computer  21  within the side unit  586 B (embodying the LDIP subsystem  122 ) can be designated as providing primary color images for produce recognition, and cross-correlation with produce dimension data generated by the LDIP subsystem  122 . The image processing computer  21  within the bottom unit (without an LDIP subsystem) can be designated as providing secondary color images for produce recognition, independent of the analysis carried out within the side unit, and produce identification data generated by the bottom unit can be transmitted to the system control/management computer  590 , for cross-correlation with produce identification and dimension data generated by the side unit containing the LDIP subsystem  122 . 
     In alternative embodiments of the bioptical system described above, both the side and bottom units can be provided with an LDIP subsystem  122  for product/produce dimensioning operations. Also, it may be desirable to use a simpler set of image forming optics than that provided within IFD subsystem  3 ″. Also, it may desirable to use PLIIM-based subsystems which have FOVs that are automatically swept across a large 3-D scanning volume definable between the bottom and side imaging windows  584  and  585 . The advantage of this type of system design is that the product or item of produce can be presented to the bioptical system without the need to move the product or produce item past the bioptical system along a predetermined scanning/imaging direction, as required in the illustrative system of  FIGS. 33A through 33C . With this modification in mind, reference is now made to  FIGS. 34A through 34C  in which an alternative bioptical vision-based product/produce identification system  600  is disclosed employing the PLIIM-based camera system disclosed in FIGS.  6 D 1  through  6 E 3 . 
     Bioptical PLIIM-Based Product Identification, Dimensioning and Analysis System of the Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     As shown in  FIGS. 34A through 34C , a pair of PLIIM-based package identification (PID) systems  25 ″ of FIGS.  6 D 1  through  6 E 3  are modified and arranged within a compact POS housing  601  having bottom and side light transmission windows  602  and  603  (beneath bottom and side imaging windows  604  and  605 , respectively), to produce a bioptical PLIIM-based product identification, dimensioning and analysis (PIDA) system  600  according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 34C , the bioptical PIDA system  600  comprises: a bottom PLIIM-based unit  606 A mounted within the bottom portion of the housing  601 ; a side PLIIM-based unit  606 B mounted within the side portion of the housing  601 ; an electronic product weigh scale  589 , mounted beneath the bottom PLIIM-based unit  606 A, in a conventional manner; and a local data communication network  588 , mounted within the housing, and establishing a high-speed data communication link between the bottom and side units  606 A and  606 B, and the electronic weigh scale  589 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 34C , the bottom unit  606 A comprises: a PLIIM-based PIB subsystem  25 ″ (without LDIP subsystem  122 ), installed within the bottom portion of the housing  601 , for projecting an automatically swept PLIB and a stationary 3-D FOV through the bottom light transmission window  602 ; a I/O subsystem  127  providing data, address and control buses, and establishing data ports for data input to and data output from the PLIIM-based PID subsystem  25 ″; and a network controller  132 , operably connected to the I/O subsystem  127  and the communication medium of the local data communication network  588 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 34C , the side unit  606 A comprises: a PLIIM-based PID subsystem  25 ″ (with modified LDIP subsystem  122 ′), installed within the side portion of the housing  601 , for projecting (i) an automatically swept PLIB and a stationary 3-D FOV through the bottom light transmission window  605 , and also (ii) a pair of automatically swept AM laser beams  607 A,  607 B, angularly spaced from each other, through the side light transmission window  604 ; a I/O subsystem  127  for establishing data ports for data input to and data output from the PLIIM-based PID subsystem  25 ″; a network controller  132 , operably connected to the I/O subsystem  127  and the communication medium of the local data communication network  588 ; and a system control data management computer  609 , operably connected to the I/O subsystem  127 , for (i) receiving package identification data elements transmitted over the local data communication network by either PLIIM-based PID subsystem  25 ″, (ii) package dimension data elements transmitted over the local data communication network by the LDIP subsystem  122 , and (iii) package weight data elements transmitted over the local data communication network by the electronic weigh scale  587 . As shown, modified LDIP subsystem  122 ′ is similar in nearly all respects to LDIP subsystem  122 , except that its beam folding mirror  163  is automatically oscillated during dimensioning in order to swept the pair of AM laser beams across the entire 3-D FOV of the side unit of the system when the product or produce item is positioned at rest upon the bottom imaging window  604 . In the illustrative embodiment, the PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ″ is programmed to automatically capture images of its 3-D FOV to determine whether or not there is a stationary object positioned on the bottom imaging window  604  for dimensioning. When such an object is detected by this PLIIM-based subsystem, it either directly or indirectly automatically activates LDIP subsystem  122 ′ to commence laser scanning operations within the 3-D FOV of the side unit and dimension the product or item of produce. 
     In order that the bioptical PLIIM-based PIDA system  600  is capable of capturing and analyzing color images, and thus enabling, in supermarket environments, “produce recognition” on the basis of color as well as dimensions and geometrical form, each PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ″ employs (i) a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs) having different color producing wavelengths to produce a multi-spectral planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) from the bottom and side imaging windows  604  and  605 , and also (ii) a 2-D (area-type) CCD image detection array for capturing color images of objects (e.g. produce) as the objects are presented to the imaging windows of the bioptical system by the user or operator of the system (e.g. retail sales clerk). 
     Any one of the numerous methods of and apparatus for speckle-noise reduction described in great detail hereinabove can be embodied within the bioptical system  600  to provide an ultra-compact system capable of high performance image acquisition and processing operation, undaunted by speckle-noise patterns which seriously degrade the performance of prior art systems attempting to illuminate objects using solid-state VLD devices, as taught herein. 
     Notably, the image processing computer  21  within each PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ″ is provided with robust image processing software  610  that is designed to process color images captured by the subsystem and determine the shape/geometry, dimensions and color of scanned products in diverse retail shopping environments. In the illustrative embodiment, the IFD subsystem (i.e. “camera”)  3 ″ within the PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ″ is capable of: (1) capturing digital images having (i) square pixels (i.e. 1:1 aspect ratio) independent of package height or velocity, (ii) significantly reduced speckle-noise levels, and (iii) constant image resolution measured in dots per inch (dpi) independent of package height or velocity and without the use of costly telecentric optics employed by prior art systems, (2) automatic cropping of captured images so that only regions of interest reflecting the package or package label are transmitted to either an image-processing based 1-D or 2-D bar code symbol decoder or an optical character recognition (OCR) image processor, and (3) automatic image lifting operations. Such functions are carried out in substantially the same manner as taught in connection with the tunnel-based system shown in  FIGS. 27 through 32B . 
     In most POS retail environments, the sales clerk may pass either a UPC or UPC/EAN labeled product past the bioptical system, or an item of produce (e.g. vegetables, fruits, etc.). In the case of UPC labeled products, the image processing computer  21  will decode process images captured by the IFD subsystem  55 ″ (in conjunction with performing OCR processing for reading trademarks, brandnames, and other textual indicia) as the product is manually presented to the imaging windows of the system. For each product identified by the system, a product identification data element will be automatically generated and transmitted over the data communication network to the system control/management computer  609 , for transmission to the host computer (e.g. cash register computer)  589  and use in check-out computations. Any dimension data captured by the LDIP subsystem  122 ′ while identifying a UPC or UPC/EAN labeled product, can be disregarded in most instances; although, in some instances, it might make good sense that such information is automatically transmitted to the system control/management computer  609 , for comparison with information in a product information database so as to cross-check that the identified product is in fact the same product indicated by the bar code symbol read by the image processing computer  21 . This feature of the bioptical system can be used to increase the accurately of product identification, thereby lowering scan error rates and improving consumer confidence in POS technology. 
     In the case of an item of produce presented to the imaging windows of the bioptical system, the image processing computer  21  will automatically process images captured by the IFD subsystem  55 ″ (using the robust produce identification software mentioned above), alone or in combination with produce dimension data collected by the LDIP subsystem  122 . In the preferred embodiment, produce dimension data (generated by the LDIP subsystem  122 ) will be used in conjunction with produce identification data (generated by the image processing computer  21 ), in order to enable more reliable identification of produce items, prior to weigh in on the electronic weigh scale  587 , mounted beneath the bottom imaging window  604 . Thus, the image processing computer  21  within the side unit  606 B (embodying the LDIP subsystem′) can be designated as providing primary color images for produce recognition, and cross-correlation with produce dimension data generated by the LDIP subsystem  122 ′. The image processing computer  21  within the bottom unit  606 A (without LDIP subsystem  122 ′) can be designated as providing secondary color images for produce recognition, independent of the analysis carried out within the side unit  606 B, and produce identification data generated by the bottom unit can be transmitted to the system control/management computer  609 , for cross-correlation with produce identification and dimension data generated by the side unit containing the LDIP subsystem  122 ′. 
     In alternative embodiments of the bioptical system described above, it may be desirable to use a simpler set of image forming optics than that provided within IFD subsystem  55 ″. 
     PLIIM-Based Systems Employing Planar Laser Illumination Arrays (PLIAs) with Visible Laser Diodes Having Characteristic Wavelengths Residing within Different Portions of the Visible Band 
     Numerous illustrative embodiments of PLIIM-based imaging systems according to the principles of the present invention have been described in detail below. While the illustrative embodiments described above have made reference to the use of multiple VLDs to construct each PLIA, and that the characteristic wavelength of each such VLD is substantially similar, the present invention contemplates providing a novel planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM) which employs a planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 A,  6 B comprising a plurality of visible laser diodes having a plurality of different characteristic wavelengths residing within different portions of the visible band. The present invention also contemplates providing such a novel PLIIM-based system, wherein the visible laser diodes within the PLIA thereof are spatially arranged so that the spectral components of each neighboring visible laser diode (VLD) spatially overlap and each portion of the composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) along its planar extent contains a spectrum of different characteristic wavelengths, thereby imparting multi-color illumination characteristics to the composite laser illumination beam. The multi-color illumination characteristics of the composite planar laser illumination beam will reduce the temporal coherence of the laser illumination sources in the PLIA, thereby reducing the speckle noise pattern produced at the image detection array of the PLIIM. 
     The present invention also contemplates providing a novel planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM) which employs a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) comprising a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs) which intrinsically exhibit high “spectral mode hopping” spectral characteristics which cooperate on the time domain to reduce the temporal coherence of the laser illumination sources operating in the PLIA, and thereby reduce the speckle noise pattern produced at the image detection array in the PLIIM. 
     The present invention also contemplates providing a novel planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM) which employs a planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 A,  6 B comprising a plurality of visible laser diodes (VLDs) which are “thermally-driven” to exhibit high “mode-hopping” spectral characteristics which cooperate on the time domain to reduce the temporal coherence of the laser illumination sources operating in the PLIA, and thereby reduce the speckle-noise pattern produced at the image detection array in the PLIIM accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     In some instances, it may also be desirable to use VLDs having characteristics outside of the visible band, such as in the ultra-violet (UV) and infra-red (IR) regions. In such cases, PLIIM-based subsystems will be produced capable of illuminating objects with planar laser illumination beams having IR and/or UV energy characteristics. Such systems can prove useful in diverse industrial environments where dimensioning and/or imaging in such regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are required or desired. 
     Planar Laser Illumination Module (PLIM) Fabricated by Mounting a Micro-sized Cylindrical Lens Array upon a Linear Array of Surface Emitting Lasers (SELs) Formed on a Semiconductor Substrate 
     Various types of planar laser illumination modules (PLIM) have been described in detail above. In general, each PLIM will employ a plurality of linearly arranged laser sources which collectively produce a composite planar laser illumination beam. In certain applications, such as hand-held imaging applications, it will be desirable to construct the hand-held unit as compact and as lightweight as possible. Also, in most applications, it will be desirable to manufacture the PLIMs as inexpensively as possible. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 35A and 35B , the present invention addresses the above design criteria by providing a miniature planar laser illumination module (PLIM) on a semiconductor chip  620  that can be fabricated by aligning and mounting a micro-sized cylindrical lens array  621  upon a linear array of surface emitting lasers (SELs)  622  formed on a semiconductor substrate  623 , encapsulated (i.e. encased) in a semiconductor package  624  provided with electrical pins  625 , a light transmission window  626  and emitting laser emission in the direction normal to the substrate. The resulting semiconductor chip  620  is designed for installation in any of the PLIIM-based systems disclosed, taught or suggested by the present disclosure, and can be driven into operation using a low-voltage DC power supply. The laser output from the PLIM semiconductor chip  620  is a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) composed of numerous (e.g. 100-400 or more) spatially incoherent laser beams emitted from the linear array of SELs  622  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     Preferably, the power density characteristics of the composite PLIB produced from this semiconductor chip  620  should be substantially uniform across the planar extent thereof, i.e. along the working distance of the optical system in which it is employed. If necessary, during manufacture, an additional diffractive optical element (DOE) array can be aligned upon the linear array of SELs  620  prior to placement and alignment of the cylindrical lens array  621 . The function of this additional DOE array would be to spatially filter (i.e. smooth out) laser emissions produced from the SEL array so that the composite PLIB exhibits substantially uniform power density characteristics across the planar extent thereof, as required during most illumination and imaging operations. In alternative embodiments, the optional DOE array and the cylindrical lens array can be designed and manufactured as a unitary optical element adapted for placement and mounting on the SEL array  622 . While holographic recording techniques can be used to manufacture such diffractive optical lens arrays, it is understood that refractive optical elements can also be used in practice with equivalent results. Also, while end user requirements will typically specify PLIB power characteristics, currently available SEL array fabrication techniques and technology will determine the realizeability of such design specifications. 
     In general, there are various ways of realizing the PLIIM-based semiconductor chip of the present invention, wherein surface emitting laser (SEL) diodes produce laser emission in the direction normal to the substrate. 
     In  FIG. 36A , a first illustrative embodiment of the PLIM-based semiconductor chip  620  is shown constructed from a plurality of “45 degree mirror” (SELs)  622 ′. As shown, each 45 degree mirror SEL  627  of the illustrative embodiment comprises: an n-doped quarter-wave GaAs/AlAs stack  628  functioning as the lower distributed Bragg reflector (DBR); an In 0.2 Ga 0.8 As/GaAs strained quantum well active region  629  in the center of a one-wave Ga 0.5 Al 0.5 As spacer; and a p-doped upper GaAs/AlAs stack  630  (grown on a n+-GaAs substrate), functioning as the top DBR; a 45 degree slanted mirror  631  (etched in the n-doped layer) for reflecting laser emission output from the active region, in a direction normal to the surface of the substrate. Isolation regions  632  are formed between each SEL  627 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 36A , a linear array of 45 degree mirror SELs are formed upon the n-doped substrate, and then a micro-sized cylindrical lens array  621  (e.g. diffractive or refractive lens array) is (i) placed upon the SEL array, (ii) aligned with respect to SEL array so that the cylindrical lens array planarizes the output PLIB, and finally (iii) permanently mounted upon the SEL array to produce the monolithic PLIM device of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 35A and 35B , the resulting assembly is then encapsulated within an IC package  624  having a light transmission window  626  through which the composite PLIB may project outwardly in direction substantially normal to the substrate, as well as connector pins  625  for connection to SEL array drive circuits described hereinabove. Preferably, the light transmission window  626  is provided with a narrowly-tuned band-pass spectral filter, permitting transmission of only the spectral components of the composite PLIB produced from the PLIM semiconductor chip. 
     In  FIG. 36B , a second illustrative embodiment of the PLIM-based semiconductor chip is shown constructed from “grating-coupled” surface emitting laser (SELs)  635 . As shown, each grating couple SEL  635  comprises: an n-doped GaAs/AlAs stack  636  functioning as the lower distributed Bragg reflector (DBR); an In 0.2 Ga 0.8 As/GaAs strained quantum well active region  637  in the center of a Ga 0.5 Al 0.5 As spacer; and a p-doped upper GaAs/AlAs stack  638  (grown on a n+-GaAs substrate), functioning as the top DBR; and a 2 nd  order diffraction grating  639 , formed in the p-doped layer, for coupling laser emission output from the active region, through the 2 nd  order grating, and in a direction normal to the surface of the substrate. Isolation regions  640  are formed between each SEL  635 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 36B , a linear array of grating-coupled SELs are formed upon the n-doped substrate, and then a micro-sized cylindrical lens array  621  (e.g. diffractive or refractive lens array) is (i) placed upon the SEL array, (ii) aligned with respect to SEL array so that the cylindrical lens array planarizes the output PLIB, and finally (iii) permanently mounted upon the SEL array to produce the monolithic PLIM device of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 35A and 35B , the resulting assembly is then encapsulated within an IC package having a light transmission window  626  through which the composite PLIB may project outwardly in direction substantially normal to the substrate, as well as connector pins  625  for connection to SEL array drive circuits described hereinabove. Preferably, the light transmission window  626  is provided with a narrowly-tuned band-pass spectral filter, permitting transmission of only the spectral components of the composite PLIB produced from the PLIM semiconductor chip. 
     In  FIG. 36C , a third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based semiconductor chip  620  is shown constructed from “vertical cavity” (SELs), or VCSELs. As shown, each VCSEL comprises: an n-doped quarter-wave GaAs/AlAs stack  646  functioning as the lower distributed Bragg reflector (DBR); an In 0.2 Ga 0.8 As/GaAs strained quantum well active region  647  in the center of a one-wave Ga 0.5 Al 0.5 As spacer; and a p-doped upper GaAs/AlAs stack  648  (grown on a n+-GaAs substrate), functioning as the top DBR, with the topmost layer is a half-wave-thick GaAs layer to provide phase matching for the metal contact; wherein laser emission from the active region is directed in opposite directions, normal to the surface of the substrate. Isolation regions  649  are provided between each VCSEL  645 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 36C , a linear array of VCSELs are formed upon the n-doped substrate, and then a micro-sized cylindrical lens array  621  (e.g. diffractive or refractive lens array) is (i) placed upon the SEL array, (ii) aligned with respect to SEL array so that the cylindrical lens array planarizes the output PLIB, and finally (iii) permanently mounted upon the SEL array to produce the monolithic PLIM device of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 35A and 35B , the resulting assembly is then encapsulated within an IC package having a light transmission window  626  through which the composite PLIB may project outwardly in direction substantially normal to the substrate, as well as connector pins  625  for connection to SEL array drive circuits described hereinabove. Preferably, the light transmission window  626  is provided with a narrowly-tuned band-pass spectral filter, permitting transmission of only the spectral components of the composite PLIB produced from the PLIM semiconductor chip. 
     Each of the illustrative embodiments of the PLIM-based semiconductor chip described above can be constructed using conventional VCSEL array fabricating techniques well known in the art. Such methods may include, for example, slicing a SEL-type visible laser diode (VLD) wafer into linear VLD strips of numerous (e.g. 200-400) VLDs. Thereafter, a cylindrical lens array  621 , made using from light diffractive or refractive optical material, is placed upon and spatially aligned with respect to the top of each VLD strip  622  for permanent mounting, and subsequent packaging within an IC package  624  having an elongated light transmission window  626  and electrical connector pins  625 , as shown in  FIGS. 35A and 35B . For details on such SEL array fabrication techniques, reference can be made to pages 368-413 in the textbook “Laser Diode Arrays” (1994), edited by Dan Botez and Don R. Scifres, and published by Cambridge University Press, under Cambridge Studies in Modern Optics, incorporated herein by reference. 
     Notably, each SEL in the laser diode array can be designed to emit coherent radiation at a different characteristic wavelengths to produce an array of coplanar laser illumination beams which are substantially temporally and spatially incoherent with respect to each other. This will result in producing from the PLIM-based semiconductor chip, a temporally and spatially coherent-reduced planar laser illumination beam (PLIB), capable of illuminating objects and producing digital images having substantially reduced speckle-noise patterns observable at the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system in which the PLIM-based semiconductor chip is used (i.e. when used in accordance with the principles of the invention taught herein). 
     The PLIM semiconductor chip of the present invention can be made to illuminate outside of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g. over the UV and/or IR portion of the spectrum). Also, the PLIM semiconductor chip of the present invention can be modified to embody laser mode-locking principles, shown in FIGS.  1 I 15 C and  1 I 15 D and described in detail above, so that the PLIB transmitted from the chip is temporally-modulated at a sufficient high rate so as to produce ultra-short planes light ensuring substantial levels of speckle-noise pattern reduction during object illumination and imaging applications. 
     One of the primary advantages of the PLIM-based semiconductor chip of the present invention is that by providing a large number of VCSELs (i.e. real laser sources) on a semiconductor chip beneath a cylindrical lens array, speckle-noise pattern levels can be substantially reduced by an amount proportional to the square root of the number of independent laser sources (real or virtual) employed. 
     Another advantage of the PLIM-based semiconductor chip of the present invention is that it does not require any mechanical parts or components to produce a spatially and/or temporally coherence-reduced PLIB during system operation. 
     Also, during manufacture of the PLIM-based semiconductor chip of the present invention, the cylindrical lens array and the VCSEL array can be accurately aligned using substantially the same techniques applied in state-of-the-art photo-lithographic IC manufacturing processes. Also, de-smiling of the output PLIB can be easily corrected during manufacture by simply rotating the cylindrical lens array in front of the VLD strip. 
     Notably, one or more PLIM-based semiconductor chips of the present invention can be employed in any of the PLIIM-based systems disclosed, taught or suggested herein. Also, it is expected that the PLIM-based semiconductor chip of the present invention will find utility in diverse types of instruments and devices, and diverse fields of technical application. 
     Fabricating a Planar Laser Illumination and Imaging Module (PLIIM) by Mounting a Pair of Micro-sized Cylindrical Lens Arrays upon a Pair of Linear Arrays of Surface Emitting Lasers (SELs) Formed Between a Linear CCD Image Detection Array on a Common Semiconductor Substrate 
     As shown in  FIG. 37 , the present invention further contemplates providing a novel planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM)  650  realized on a semiconductor chip. As shown in  FIG. 36 , a pair of micro-sized (diffractive or refractive) cylindrical lens arrays  651 A and  651 B are mounted upon a pair of large linear arrays of surface emitting lasers (SELs)  652 A and  652 B fabricated on opposite sides of a linear CCD image detection array  653 . Preferably, both the linear CCD image detection array  653  and linear SEL arrays  652 A and  652 B are formed a common semiconductor substrate  654 , and encased within an integrated circuit package  655  having electrical connector pins  656 , a first and second elongated light transmission windows  657 A and  657 B disposed over the SEL arrays  652 A and  652 B, respectively, and a third light transmission window  658  disposed over the linear CCD image detection array  653 . Notably, SEL arrays  652 A and  652 B and linear CCD image detection array  653  must be arranged in optical isolation of each other to avoid light leaking onto the CCD image detector from within the IC package. When so configured, the PLIIM semiconductor chip  650  of the present invention produces a composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) composed of numerous (e.g. 400-700) spatially incoherent laser beams, aligned substantially within the planar field of view (FOV) provided by the linear CCD image detection array, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. This PLIIM-based semiconductor chip is powered by a low voltage/low power P.C. supply and can be used in any of the PLIIM-based systems and devices described above. In particular, this PLIIM-based semiconductor chip can be mounted on a mechanically oscillating scanning element in order to sweep both the FOV and coplanar PLIB through a 3-D volume of space in which objects bearing bar code and other machine-readable indicia may pass. This imaging arrangement can be adapted for use in diverse application environments. 
     Planar Laser Illumination and Imaging Module (PLIIM) Fabricated by Forming a 2D Array of Surface Emitting Lasers (SELs) About a 2D Area-type CCD Image Detection Array on a Common Semiconductor Substrate, with a Field of View Defining Lens Element Mounted over the 2D CCD Image Detection Array and a 2D Array of Cylindrical Lens Elements Mounted over the 2D Array of SELs 
     A shown in  FIGS. 38A and 38B , the present invention also contemplates providing a novel  2 D PLIIM-based semiconductor chip  360  embodying a plurality of linear SEL arrays  361 A,  361 B . . . ,  361   n , which are electronically-activated to electro-optically scan (i.e. illuminate) the entire 3-D FOV of a CCD image detection array  362  without using mechanical scanning mechanisms. As shown in  FIG. 38B , the miniature 2D VLD/CCD camera  360  of the illustrative embodiment can be realized by fabricating a 2-D array of SEL diodes  361  about a centrally located 2-D area-type CCD image detection array  362 , both on a semiconductor substrate  363  and encapsulated within a IC package  364  having connection pins  364 , a centrally-located light transmission window  365  positioned over the CCD image detection array  362 , and a peripheral light transmission window  366  positioned over the surrounding 2-D array of SEL diodes  361 . As shown in  FIG. 38B , a light focusing lens element  367  is aligned with and mounted beneath the centrally-located light transmission window  365  to define a 3D field of view (FOV) for forming images on the 2-D image detection array  362 , whereas a 2-D array of cylindrical lens elements  368  is aligned with and mounted beneath the peripheral light transmission window  366  to substantially planarize the laser emission from the linear SEL arrays (comprising the 2-D SEL array  361 ) during operation. In the illustrative embodiment, each cylindrical lens element  368  is spatially aligned with a row (or column) in the 2-D SEL array  361 . Each linear array of SELs  361   n  in the 2-D SEL array  361 , over which a cylindrical lens element  366 n is mounted, is electrically addressable (i.e. activatable) by laser diode control and drive circuits  369  which can be fabricated on the same semiconductor substrate. This way, as each linear SEL array is activated, a PLIB  370  is produced therefrom which is coplanar with a cross-sectional portion of the 3-D FOV  371  of the 2-D CCD image detection array. To ensure that laser light produced from the SEL array does not leak onto the CCD image detection array  362 , a light buffering (isolation) structure  372  is mounted about the CCD array  362 , and optically isolates the CCD array  362  from the SEL array  361  from within the IC package  364  of the PLIIM-based chip  360 . 
     The novel optical arrangement shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  enables the illumination of an object residing within the  3 D FOV during illumination operations, and formation of an image strip on the corresponding rows (or columns) of detector elements in the CCD array. Notably, beneath each cylindrical lens element  366   n  (within the 2-D cylindrical lens array  366 ), there can be provided another optical surface (structure) which functions to widen slightly the geometrical characteristics of the generated PLIB, thereby causing the laser beams constituting the PLIB to diverge slightly as the PLIB travels away from the chip package, ensuring that all regions of the 3D FOV  371  are illuminated with laser illumination, understandably at the expense of a decrease beam power density. Preferably, in this particular embodiment of the present invention, the 2-D cylindrical lens array  366  and FOV-defining optical focusing element  367  are fabricated on the same (plastic) substrate, and designed to produce laser illumination beams having geometrical and optical characteristics that provide optimum illumination coverage while satisfying illumination power requirements to ensuring that the signal-to-noise (SNR) at the CCD image detector  362  is sufficient for the application at hand. 
     One of the primary advantages of the PLIIM-based semiconductor chip design  360  shown in  FIGS. 38A and 38B  is that its linear SEL arrays  361   n  can be electronically-activated in order to electro-optically illuminate (i.e. scan) the entire 3-D FOV  371  of the CCD image detection array  362  without using mechanical scanning mechanisms. In addition to the providing a miniature 2D CCD camera with an integrated laser-based illumination system, this novel semiconductor chip  360  also has ultra-low power requirements and packaging constraints enabling its embodiment within diverse types of objects such, as for example, appliances, keychains, pens, wallets, watches, keyboards, portable bar code scanners, stationary bar code scanners, OCR devices, industrial machinery, medical instrumentation, office equipment, hospital equipment, robotic machinery, retail-based systems, and the like. Applications for PLIIM-based semiconductor chip  360  will only be limited by ones imagination. The SELs in the device may be provided with multi-wavelength characteristics, as well as tuned to operate outside the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g. within the IR and UV bands). Also, the present invention contemplates embodying any of the speckle-noise pattern reduction techniques disclosed herein to enable its use in demanding applications where speckle-noise is intolerable. Preferably, the mode-locking techniques taught herein may be embodied within the PLIIM-based semiconductor chip  360  shown in  FIGS. 38A and 38B  so that it generates and repeated scans temporally coherent-reduced PLIBs over the  3 D FOV of its CCD image detection array  362 . 
     In  FIG. 39A , there is shown a first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention  1200 . As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1200  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1201 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1202  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1203  through its imaging window  1204  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1205  of the linear image detection array  1206  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1207  mounted on the upper top surface  1208  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1209  mounted on the middle top surface of the housing  1210  for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1211  contained within the handle of the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1212  with a digital communication network  1213 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     Hand-supportable Planar Laser Illumination and Imaging (PLIIM) Devices Employing Linear Image Detection Arrays and Optically-combined Planar Laser Illumination Beams (PLIBS) Produced from a Multiplicity of Laser Diode Sources to Achieve a Reduction in Speckle-pattern Noise Power in Said Devices 
     In the PLIIM-based hand-supportable linear imager of  FIG. 42 , speckle-pattern noise is reduced by employing optically-combined planar laser illumination beams (PLIB) components produced from a multiplicity of spatially-incoherent laser diode sources. The greater the number of spatially-incoherent laser diode sources that are optically combined and projected onto points on the objects being illuminated, then greater the reduction in RMS power of observed speckle-pattern noise within the PLIIM-based imager. 
     As shown in  FIG. 42 , PLIIM-based imager  4700  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4701 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4702  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4701  through its imaging window  4704  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  4705  of the linear image detection array  4706  (having vertically elongated image detection elements (H/W&gt;&gt;1) enabling spatial averaging of speckle pattern noise) employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4707  mounted on the top surface  4708  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4709  also mounted on the top surface  4708  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4710  contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4711  with a digital communication network  4712 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown, the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4702  includes: (1) a 1-D (i.e. linear) image formation and detection (IFD) module  4713 ; (2) a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  4714 A and  4714 B; and (3) an optical element  4715 A and  4715 B mounted before PLIAs  4714 A and  4714 B, respectively, (e.g. cylindrical lens array). As shown, the linear IFD module is mounted within the hand-supportable housing and contains a linear image detection array  4706  and image formation optics  4718  with a field of view (FOV) projected through said light transmission window  4704  into an illumination and imaging field external to the hand-supportable housing. The PLIAs  4714 A and  4714 B are mounted within the hand-supportable housing and arranged on opposite sides of the linear image detection array  4706 . Each PLIA comprises a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs), each PLIM having its own visible laser diode (VLD), for producing a plurality of spatially-incoherent planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) components. Each spatially-incoherent PLIB component is arranged in a coplanar relationship with a portion of the FOV. Each optical element  4715 A,  4715 B is mounted within the hand-supportable housing, for optically combining and projecting the plurality of spatially-incoherent PLIB components through the light transmission window in coplanar relationship with the FOV, onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated. By virtue of such operations, the linear image detection array detects time-varying and spatially-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially-incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object, and the time-varying and spatially-varying speckle-noise patterns are time-averaged and spatially-averaged at the linear image detection array  4706  during each photo-integration time period thereof so as to reduce the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observable at the linear image detection array. 
     Below, a number of illustrative embodiments of hand-supportable PLIIM-based linear imagers are described. In such illustrative embodiments, image detection arrays with vertically-elongated image detection elements are employed in order to reduce speckle-pattern noise through spatial averaging, using the ninth generalized despeckling methodology of the present invention described in detail hereinabove. In addition, these linear imagers also embody despeckling mechanisms based on the principle of reducing either the temporal and/or spatial coherence of the PLIB either before or after object illumination operations. Collectively, these despeckling techniques provide robust solutions to speckle-pattern noise problems arising in hand-supportable linear-type PLIIM-based imaging systems. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 1 A through  1 I 3 A 
     As shown in  FIG. 39B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1202  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1214  contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1215 A and  1215 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1216  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D (i.e. linear) CCD image detection array  1207  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1216  and being contained within a light-box  1217  provided with image formation optics  1218 , through which laser light collected from the illuminated object along the field of view (FOV)  1205  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA)  1219 A and  1219 B mounted on optical bench  1214  on opposite sides of the IFD module  1216 , for producing the PLIB  1203  within the FOV  1205 ; and an optical assembly  1220  including a pair of micro-oscillating cylindrical lens arrays  1221 A and  1221 B, configured with PLIMs  1219 A and  1219 B, and a stationary cylindrical lens array  1222 , to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 1 A through  1 I 3 A. As shown in  FIG. 39E , the field of view of the IFD module  1216  spatially-overlaps and is coextensive (i.e. coplanar) with the PLIBs  1203  that are generated by the PLIMs  1219 A and  1219 B employed therein. 
     In this illustrative embodiment, cylindrical lens array  1222  is stationary relative to reciprocating cylindrical lens array  1221 A,  1221 B and the spatial periodicity of the lenslets is higher than the spatial periodicity of lenslets therein in cylindrical lens arrays  1221 A,  1221 B. In the illustrative embodiment, the physical spacing of cylindrical lens array  1221 A,  1221 B from its PLIM, and the spacing between cylindrical lens arrays  1221 A and  1222  at each PLIM is on the order of about a few millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the focal length of each lenslet in the reciprocating cylindrical lens array  1221 A,  1221 B is about 0.085 inches, whereas the focal length of each lenslet in the stationary cylindrical lens array  1222  is about 0.010 inches. In the illustrative embodiment, the width-to-height dimensions of reciprocating cylindrical lens array is about 7×7 millimeters, whereas the width-to-height dimensions of each reciprocating cylindrical lens array is about 10×10 millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the rate of reciprocation of each cylindrical lens array relative to its stationary cylindrical lens array is about 67.0 Hz, with a maximum array displacement of about +/−0.085 millimeters. It is understood that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, such parameters will naturally vary in order to achieve the level of despeckling performance required by the application at hand. 
     System Control Architectures for PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imagers of the Present Invention Employing Linear-type Image Formation and Detection (IFD) Modules Having a Linear Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements 
     In general, there are a various types of system control architectures (i.e. schemes) that can be used in conjunction with any of the hand-supportable PLIIM-based linear-type imagers shown in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C, and described throughout the present Specification. Also, there are three principally different types of image forming optics schemes that can be used to construct each such PLIIM-based linear imager. Thus, it is possible to classify hand-supportable PLIIM-based linear imagers into least fifteen different system design categories based on such criteria. Below, these system design categories will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.  40 A through  40 C 5 . 
     System Control Architectures for PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imagers of the Present Invention Employing Linear-type Image Formation and Detection (IFD) Modules Having a Linear Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements and Fixed Focal Length/Fixed Focal Distance Image Formation Optics 
     In FIG.  40 A 1 , there is shown a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 A 1 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1225  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ;a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1228  having a linear image detection array  1229  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1230 , fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1231 , an image frame grabber  1232 , and an image data buffer  1233 ; an image processing computer  1234 ; a camera control computer  1235 ; a LCD panel  1236  and a display panel driver  1237 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1238  and a keypad driver  1239 ; and a manually-actuated trigger switch  1240  for manually activating the planar laser illumination arrays, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch  1240 . Thereafter, the system control program carried out within the camera control computer  1235  enables: (1) the automatic capture of digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1231  provided within the linear imager; (2) the automatic decode-processing of the bar code symbol represented therein; (3) the automatic generation of symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol; (4) the automatic buffering of the symbol character data within the hand-supportable housing or transmitting the same to a host computer system; and (5) thereafter the automatic deactivation of the subsystem components described above. When using a manually-actuated trigger switch  1240  having a single-stage operation, manually depressing the switch  1240  with a single pull-action will thereafter initiate the above sequence of operations with no further input required by the user. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the system design shown in FIG.  40 A 1 , manually-actuated trigger switch  1240  would be replaced with a dual-position switch  1240 ′ having a dual-positions (or stages of operation) so as to further embody the functionalities of both switch  1240  shown in FIG.  40 A 1  and transmission activation switch  1261  shown in FIG.  40 A 2 . Also, the system would be further provided with a data transfer mechanism  1260  as shown in FIG.  40 A 2 , for example, so that it embodies the symbol character data transmission functions described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In such an alternative embodiment, when the user pulls the dual-position switch  1240 ′ to its first position, the camera control computer  1235  will automatically activate the following components: the planar laser illumination array  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1228 , and the image processing computer  1234  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically and repeatedly captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are repeatedly decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of each decoded bar code symbol is automatically generated in a cyclical manner (i.e. after each reading of each instance of the bar code symbol) and buffered in the data transmission mechanism  1260 . Then, when the user further depresses the dual-position switch to its second position (i.e. complete depression or activation), the camera control computer  1235  enables the data transmission mechanism  1260  to transmit character data from the imager processing computer  1234  to a host computer system in response to the manual activation of the dual-position switch  1240 ′ to its second position at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1234  and buffered in data transmission switch  1260 . This dual-stage switching mechanism provides the user with an additional degree of control when trying to accurately read a bar code symbol from a bar code menu, on which two or more bar code symbols reside on a single line of a bar code menu, and width of the FOV of the hand-held imager spatially extends over these bar code symbols, making bar code selection challenging if not difficult. 
     In FIG.  40 A 2 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through S 1 C. As shown in FIG.  40 A 2 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1245  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1246  having a linear image detection array  1247  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1248 , fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1249 , an image frame grabber  1250 , and an image data buffer  1251 ; an image processing computer  1252 ; a camera control computer  1253 ; a LCD panel  1254  and a display panel driver  1255 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1256  and a keypad driver  1257 ; an IR-based object detection subsystem  1258  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating, upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field  1259 , the planar laser illumination arrays  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1246 , and the image processing computer  1252 , via the camera control computer  1253 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1260  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1261 , integrated with the hand-supportable housing, for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer  1252  to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1260 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1261  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1252 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In FIG.  40 A 3 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 A 3 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1265  comprises: a planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1266  having a linear image detection array  1267  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1268 , fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1269 , an image frame grabber  1270  and an image data buffer  1271 ; an image processing computer  1272 ; a camera control computer  1273 ; a LCD panel  1274  and a display panel driver  1275 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1276  and a keypad driver  1277 ; a laser-based object detection subsystem  1278  embodied within camera control computer for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays  6  into a full-power mode of operation, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1266 , and the image processing computer  1272 , via the camera control computer  1273 , in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field  1279 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1280  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1281  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1280 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1281  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1272 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Notably, in the illustrative embodiment of FIG.  40 A 3 , the PLIIM-based system has an object detection mode, a bar code detection mode, and a bar code reading mode of operation, as taught in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, supra. During the object detection mode of operation of the system, the camera control computer  1293  transmits a control signal to the VLD drive circuitry  11 , (optionally via the PLIA microcontroller), causing each PLIM to generate a pulsed-type planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) consisting of planar laser light pulses having a very low duty cycle (e.g. as low as 0.1%) and high repetition frequency (e.g. greater than 1 kHz), so as to function as a non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam, as the case may be). Then, when the camera control computer receives an activation signal from the laser-based object detection subsystem  1278  (i.e. indicative that an object has been detected by the non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam), the system automatically advances to either: (i) its bar code detection state, where it increases the power level of the PLIB, collects image data and performs bar code detection operations, and therefrom, to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is further increased, image data is collected and decode processed; or (ii) directly to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is increased, image data is collected and decode processed. A primary advantage of using a pulsed high-frequency/low-duty-cycle PLIB as an object sensing beam is that it consumes minimal power yet enables image capture for automatic object and/or bar code detection purposes, without distracting the user by visibly blinking or flashing light beams which tend to detract from the user&#39;s experience. In yet alternative embodiments, however, it may be desirable to drive the VLD in each PLIM so that a visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) is generated during the object detection (and bar code detection) mode of system operation. The visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam will typically consist of planar laser light pulses having a moderate duty cycle (e.g. 25%) and low repetition frequency (e.g. less than 30 HZ). In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the low frequency blinking nature of the PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) would be rendered visually conspicuous, thereby facilitating alignment of the coplanar PLIB/FOV with the bar code symbol, or graphics being imaged in relatively bright imaging environments. 
     In FIG.  40 A 4 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 A 4 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1285  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1286  having a linear image detection array  1287  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1288 , fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1289 , an image frame grabber  1290  and an image data buffer  1291 ; an image processing computer  1292 ; a camera control computer  1293 ; a LCD panel  1294  and a display panel driver  1295 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1296  and a keypad driver  1297 ; an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem  1298  embodied within the camera control computer  1293 , for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1286 , and the image processing computer  1292 , via the camera control computer  1293 , upon automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field  1299  enabled by the linear image sensor  1287  within the IFD module  1286 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1300  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1301  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer  1292  to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1300 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1301  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1292 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Notably, in some applications, the passive-mode objection detection subsystem  1298  employed in this system might require (i) using a different system of optics for collecting ambient light from objects during the object detection mode of the system, or (ii) modifying the light collection characteristics of the light collection system to permit increased levels of ambient light to be focused onto the CCD image detection array  1287  in the IFD module (i.e. subsystem). In other applications, the provision of image intensification optics on the surface of the CCD image detection array should be sufficient to form images of sufficient brightness to perform object detection and/or bar code detection operations. 
     In FIG.  40 A 5 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 A 5 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1305  comprises: a planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1306  having a linear image detection array  1307  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1308 , fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1309 , an image frame grabber  1310 , and image data buffer  1311 ; an image processing computer  1312 ; a camera control computer  1313 ; a LCD panel  1314  and a display panel driver  1315 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1316  and a keypad driver  1317 ; an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem  1318  embodied within camera control computer  1313  for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of a bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field by the linear image sensor within the IFD module  1306  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1319  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1320  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer  1312  to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1319 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1320  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     System Control Architectures for PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imagers of the Present Invention Employing Linear-type Image Formation and Detection (IFD) Modules Having a Linear Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements and Fixed Focal Length/Variable Focal Distance Image Formation Optics 
     In FIG.  40 B 1 , there is shown a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 B 1 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1325  comprises: a planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1326  having a linear image detection array  1328  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1329 , fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  1330 , an image frame grabber  1331 , and an image data buffer  1332 ; an image processing computer  1333 ; a camera control computer  1334 ; a LCD panel  1335  and a display panel driver  1336 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1337  and a keypad driver  1338 ; and a manually-actuated trigger switch  1339  for manually activating the planar laser illumination arrays  6 , the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1326 , and the image processing computer  1333 , via the camera control computer  1334 , in response to manual activation of the trigger switch  1339 . Thereafter, the system control program carried out within the camera control computer  1334  enables: (1) the automatic capture of digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1330  provided within the linear imager; (2) decode-processing the bar code symbol represented therein; (3) generating symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol; (4) buffering the symbol character data within the hand-supportable housing or transmitting the same to a host computer system; and (5) thereafter automatically deactivating the subsystem components described above. When using a manually-actuated trigger switch  1339  having a single-stage operation, manually depressing the switch  1339  with a single pull-action will thereafter initiate the above sequence of operations with no further input required by the user. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the system design shown in FIG.  40 B 1 , manually-actuated trigger switch  1339  would be replaced with a dual-position switch  1339 ′ having a dual-positions (or stages of operation) so as to further embody the functionalities of both switch  1339  shown in FIG.  40 B 1  and transmission activation switch  1356  shown in FIG.  40 B 2 . Also, the system would be further provided with a data transfer mechanism  1355  as shown in FIG.  40 B 2 , for example, so that it embodies the symbol character data transmission functions described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In such an alternative embodiment, when the user pulls the dual-position switch  1339 ′ to its first position, the camera control computer  1348  will automatically activate the following components: the planar laser illumination array  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1341 , and the image processing computer  1347  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically and repeatedly captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are repeatedly decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of each decoded bar code symbol is automatically generated in a cyclical manner (i.e. after each reading of each instance of the bar code symbol) and buffered in the data transmission mechanism  1335 . Then, when the user further depresses the dual-position switch to its second position (i.e. complete depression or activation), the camera control computer  1248  enables the data transmission mechanism  1355  to transmit character data from the imager processing computer  1347  to a host computer system in response to the manual activation of the dual-position switch  1339 ′ to its second position at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1347  and buffered in data transmission mechanism  1355  This dual-stage switching mechanism provides the user with an additional degree of control when trying to accurately read a bar code symbol from a bar code menu, on which two or more bar code symbols reside on a single line of a bar code menu, and width of the FOV of the hand-held imager spatially extends over these bar code symbols, making bar code selection challenging if not difficult. 
     In FIG.  40 B 2 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 B 2 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1340  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1341  having a linear image detection array  1342  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1343 , fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  1344 , an image frame grabber  1345 , and an image data buffer  1346 ; an image processing computer  1347 ; a camera control computer  1348 ; a LCD panel  1349  and a display panel driver  1350 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1351  and a keypad driver  1352 ; an IR-based object detection subsystem  1353  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field  1354 , the planar laser illumination arrays  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1341 , as well as the image processing computer  1347 , via the camera control computer  1348 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1355  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1356  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1355 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1356  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated from the image processing computer  1347 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In FIG.  40 B 3 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 B 3 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1361  comprises: a planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1361  having a linear image detection array  1362  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1363 , fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  1364 , an image frame grabber  1365 , and an image data buffer  1366 ; an image processing computer  1367 ; a camera control computer  1368 ; a LCD panel  1369  and a display panel driver  1370 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1371  and a keypad driver  1372 ; a laser-based object detection subsystem  1373  embodied within the camera control computer  1368  for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays  6  into a full-power mode of operation, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1366 , and the image processing computer  1367 , via the camera control computer  1373 , in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field  1374 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1375  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1376  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1375  in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1376  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1367 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of FIG.  40 B 3 , the PLIIM-based system has an object detection mode, a bar code detection mode, and a bar code reading mode of operation, as taught in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, supra. During the object detection mode of operation of the system, the camera control computer  1368  transmits a control signal to the VLD drive circuitry  11 , (optionally via the PLIA microcontroller), causing each PLIM to generate a pulsed-type planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) consisting of planar laser light pulses having a very low duty cycle (e.g. as low as 0.1%) and high repetition frequency (e.g. greater than 1 kHz), so as to function as a non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam, as the case may be). Then, when the camera control computer receives an activation signal from the laser-based object detection subsystem  1373  (i.e. indicative that an object has been detected by the non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam), the system automatically advances to either: (i) its bar code detection state, where it increases the power level of the PLIB, collects image data and performs bar code detection operations, and therefrom, to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is further increased, image data is collected and decode processed; or (ii) directly to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is increased, image data is collected and decode processed. A primary advantage of using a pulsed high-frequency/low-duty-cycle PLIB as an object sensing beam is that it consumes minimal power yet enables image capture for automatic object and/or bar code detection purposes, without distracting the user by visibly blinking or flashing light beams which tend to detract from the user&#39;s experience. In yet alternative embodiments, however, it may be desirable to drive the VLD in each PLIM so that a visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) is generated during the object detection (and bar code detection) mode of system operation. The visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam will typically consist of planar laser light pulses having a moderate duty cycle (e.g. 25%) and low repetition frequency (e.g. less than 30 HZ). In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the low frequency blinking nature of the PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) would be rendered visually conspicuous, thereby facilitating alignment of the PLIB/FOV with the bar code symbol, or graphics being imaged in relatively bright imaging environments. 
     In FIG.  40 B 4 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 B 4 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1380  comprises: a planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1381  having a linear image detection array  1382  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1383 , fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  1384 , an image frame grabber  1385 , and an image data buffer  1386 ; an image processing computer  1387 ; a camera control computer  1388 ; a LCD panel  1389  and a display panel driver  1390 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1391  and a keypad driver  1392 ; an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem  1393  embodied within the camera control computer  1388  for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1386 , and the image processing computer  1387 , via the camera control computer  1388 , in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field  1394  enabled by the linear image sensor within the IFD module  1381 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1395  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1396  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1395  in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1395  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1387 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Notably, in some applications, the passive-mode objection detection subsystem  1393  employed in this system might require (i) using a different system of optics for collecting ambient light from objects during the object detection mode of the system, or (ii) modifying the light collection characteristics of the light collection system to permit increased levels of ambient light to be focused onto the CCD image detection array  1382  in the IFD module (i.e. subsystem). In other applications, the provision of image intensification optics on the surface of the CCD image detection array should be sufficient to form images of sufficient brightness to perform object detection and/or bar code detection operations. 
     In FIG.  40 B 5 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 B 5 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1400  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1401  having a linear image detection array  1402  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1403 , fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  14054 , an image frame grabber  1405 , and an image data buffer  1406 ; an image processing computer  1407 ; a camera control computer  1409 , a LCD panel  1409  and a display panel driver  1410 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1411  and a keypad driver  1412 ; an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem  1413  embodied within camera control computer  1408  for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing upon automatic detection of a bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field by the linear image sensor within the IFD module  1401  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1414  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1415  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1414 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1415  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1407 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     System Control Architectures for PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imagers of the Present Invention Employing Linear-type Image Formation and Detection (IFD) Modules Having a Linear Image Detection Array with Vertically-elongated Image Detection Elements and Variable Focal Length/Variable Focal Distance Image Formation Optics 
     In FIG.  40 C 1 , there is shown a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 C 1 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1420  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1421  having a linear image detection array  1422  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1423 , variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  1424 , an image frame grabber  1425 , and an image data buffer  1426 ; an image processing computer  1427 ; a camera control computer  1428 ; a LCD panel  1429  and a display panel driver  1430 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1431  and a keypad driver  1432 ; and a manually-actuated trigger switch  1433  for manually activating the planar laser illumination array  6 , the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1421 , and the image processing computer  1427 , via the camera control computer  1428 , in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch  1433 . Thereafter, the system control program carried out within the camera control computer  1428  enables: (1) the automatic capture of digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1424  provided within the linear imager; (2) decode-processing the bar code symbol represented therein; (3) generating symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol; (4) buffering the symbol character data within the hand-supportable housing or transmitting the same to a host computer system; and (5) thereafter automatically deactivating the subsystem components described above. When using a manually-actuated trigger switch  1433  having a single-stage operation, manually depressing the switch  1433  with a single pull-action will thereafter initiate the above sequence of operations with no further input required by the user. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the system design shown in FIG.  40 C 1 , manually-actuated trigger switch  1433  would be replaced with a dual-position switch  1433 ′ having a dual-positions (or stages of operation) so as to further embody the functionalities of both switch  1433  shown in FIG.  40 C 1  and transmission activation switch  1451  shown in FIG.  40 C 2 . Also, the system would be further provided with a data transmission mechanism  1450  as shown in FIG.  40 C 2 , for example, so that it embodies the symbol character data transmission functions described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In such an alternative embodiment, when the user pulls the dual-position switch  1433 ′ to its first position, the camera control computer  1428  will automatically activate the following components: the planar laser illumination array  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1421 , and the image processing computer  1427  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically and repeatedly captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are repeatedly decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of each decoded bar code symbol is automatically generated in a cyclical manner (i.e. after each reading of each instance of the bar code symbol) and buffered in the data transmission mechanism  1260 . Then, when the user further depresses the dual-position switch to its second position (i.e. complete depression or activation), the camera control computer  1428  enables the data transmission mechanism  1401  to transmit character data from the imager processing computer  1427  to a host computer system in response to the manual activation of the dual-position switch  1433 ′ to its second position at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1427  and buffered in data transmission mechanism  1450 . This dual-stage switching mechanism provides the user with an additional degree of control when trying to accurately read a bar code symbol from a bar code menu, on which two or more bar code symbols reside on a single line of a bar code menu, and width of the FOV of the hand-held imager spatially extends over these bar code symbols, making bar code selection challenging if not difficult. 
     In FIG.  40 C 2 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  5  IC. As shown in FIG.  40 C 2 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1435  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1436  having a linear image detection array  1437  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1438 , variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  1439 , an image frame grabber  1440 , and an image data buffer  1441 ; an image processing computer  1442 ; a camera control computer  1443 ; a LCD panel  1444  and a display panel driver  1445 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1446  and a keypad driver  1447 ; an IR-based object detection subsystem  1448  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field  1449 , the planar laser illumination arrays  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1436 , as well the image processing computer  1442 , via the camera control computer  1443 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1450  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1451  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1450 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1451  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1442 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In FIG.  40 C 3 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 C 3 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1455  comprises: a planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1456  having a linear image detection array  1457  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1458 , variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  1459 , an image frame grabber  1460 , and an image data buffer  1461 ; an image processing computer  1462 ; a camera control computer  1463 ; a LCD panel  1464  and a display panel driver  1465 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1466  and a keypad driver  1467 ; a laser-based object detection subsystem  1468  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array  6  into a full-power mode of operation, the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1456 , and the image processing computer  1462 , via the camera control computer  1463 , in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field  1469 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1470  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1471  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1470 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1471  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1462 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of FIG.  40 C 3 , the PLIIM-based system has an object detection mode, a bar code detection mode, and a bar code reading mode of operation, as taught in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, supra. During the object detection mode of operation of the system, the camera control computer  1463  transmits a control signal to the VLD drive circuitry  11 , (optionally via the PLIA microcontroller), causing each PLIM to generate a pulsed-type planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) consisting of planar laser light pulses having a very low duty cycle (e.g. as low as 0.1%) and high repetition frequency (e.g. greater than 1 kHz), so as to function as a non-visible (i.e. invisible) PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam, as the case may be). Then, when the camera control computer receives an activation signal from the laser-based object detection subsystem  1468  (i.e. indicative that an object has been detected by the non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam), the system automatically advances to either: (i) its bar code detection state, where it increases the power level of the PLIB, collects image data and performs bar code detection operations, and therefrom, to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is further increased, image data is collected and decode processed; or (ii) directly to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is increased, image data is collected and decode processed. A primary advantage of using a pulsed high-frequency/low-duty-cycle PLIB as an object sensing beam is that it consumes minimal power yet enables image capture for automatic object and/or bar code detection purposes, without distracting the user by visibly blinking or flashing light beams which tend to detract from the user&#39;s experience. In yet alternative embodiments, however, it may be desirable to drive the VLD in each PLIM so that a visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) is generated during the object detection (and bar code detection) mode of system operation. The visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam will typically consist of planar laser light pulses having a moderate duty cycle (e.g. 25%) and low repetition frequency (e.g. less than 30 HZ). In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the low frequency blinking nature of the PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) would be rendered visually conspicuous, thereby facilitating alignment of the PLIB/FOV with the bar code symbol, or graphics being imaged in relatively bright imaging environments. 
     In FIG.  40 C 4 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, or example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 C 4 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1475  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1476  having a linear image detection array  1477  with vertically-elongated image detection elements  1478 , variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  1479 , an image frame grabber  1480 , and an image data buffer  1481 ; an image processing computer  1482 ; a camera control computer  1483 ; a LCD panel  1484  and a display panel driver  1485 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1486  and a keypad driver  1487 ; an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem  1488  embodied within the camera control computer  1488 , for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1476 , and the image processing computer  1482 , via the camera control computer  1483 , in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field  1489  enabled by the linear image sensor within the IFD  1476  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1490  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1491  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1490 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1491  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1482 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Notably, in some applications, the passive-mode objection detection subsystem  1488  employed in this system might require (i) using a different system of optics for collecting ambient light from objects during the object detection mode of the system, or (ii) modifying the light collection characteristics of the light collection system to permit increased levels of ambient light to be focused onto the CCD image detection array  1477  in the IFD module (i.e. subsystem). In other applications, the provision of image intensification optics on the surface of the CCD image detection array should be sufficient to form images of sufficient brightness to perform object detection and/or bar code detection operations. 
     In FIG.  40 C 5 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based linear imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 39A through 39C  and  41 A through  51 C. As shown in FIG.  40 C 5 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  1495  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , and an integrated despeckling mechanism  1226  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1227 ; a linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1496  having a linear image detection array  1497  with vertically-elongated image detection element  1498 , variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  1499 , an image frame grabber  1500 , and an image data buffer  1501 ; an image processing computer  1502 ; a camera control computer  1503 ; a LCD panel  1504  and a display panel driver  1505 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1506  and a keypad driver  1507 ; an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem  1508  embodied within the camera control computer  1508  for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing upon automatic detection of a bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field  1509  by the linear image sensor within the IFD module  1496  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1510  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1511  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1510 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1511  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1502 . This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in  FIGS. 116A and 116B   
     In  FIG. 41A , there is shown a second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1520  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1521 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1522  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1523  through its imaging window  1524  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1525  of the linear image detection array  1526  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1527  mounted on the upper top surface  1528  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1529  mounted on the middle top surface  1530  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1531  contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface with a digital communication network, such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 41B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1522  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1532  contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1534 A and  1534 B; an IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem)  1535  mounted on the optical bench  1532 , and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1536  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1537  and being contained within a light-box  1538  provided with image formation optics  1539  through which light collected from the illuminated object along a field of view (FOV)  1540  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. PLIA)  1541 A and  1541 B mounted on optical bench  1532  on opposite sides of the IFD module  1535 , for producing a PLIB  1542  within the FOV  1540 ; and an optical assembly  1543  including a pair of Bragg cell structures  1544 A and  1544 B, and a pair of stationary cylindrical lens arrays  1545 A and  1545 B closely configured with PLIMs  1541 A and  1541 B, respectively, to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 6 A through  116 B. As shown in  FIG. 41D , the field of view of the IFD module  1535  spatially-overlaps and is coextensive (i.e. coplanar) with the PLIBs that are generated by the PLIMs  1541 A and  1541 B employed therein. 
     In this illustrative embodiment, each cylindrical lens array  1545 A ( 1545 B) is stationary relative to its Bragg-cell panel  1544 A ( 1544 B). In the illustrative embodiment, the height-to-width dimensions of each Bragg cell structure is about 7×7 millimeters, whereas the width-to-height dimensions of stationary cylindrical lens array is about 10× millimeters. It is understood that in alternative embodiments, such parameters will naturally vary in order to achieve the level of despeckling performance required by the application at hand. 
     Third Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 12 G and  1 I 12 H 
     In  FIG. 42A , there is shown a third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1550  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1551 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1552  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1553  through its imaging window  1554  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1555  of the linear image detection array  1556  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1557  mounted on the upper top surface  1558  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1559  mounted on the middle top surface  1560  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1561  contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1562  with a digital communication network  1563 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 42B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1552  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1564  contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1565 A and  1565 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1566  mounted on the optical bench  1564 , and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1567  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1568  and being contained within a light-box  1569  provided with image formation optics  1570 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along a field of view (FOV)  1571  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. single VLD PLIAs)  1572 A and  1572 B mounted on optical bench  1564  on opposite sides of the IFD module  1566 , for producing a PLIB  1573  within the FOV; and an optical assembly  1575  configured with each PLIM, including a beam folding mirror  1576  mounted before the PLIM, a micro-oscillating mirror  1577  mounted above the PLIM, and a stationary cylindrical lens array  1578  mounted before the micro-oscillating mirror  1577 , as shown, to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in  FIGS. 116A through 116B . As shown in  FIG. 41D , the field of view of the IFD module  1566  spatially-overlaps and is coextensive (i.e. coplanar) with the PLIBs that are generated by the PLIMs  1572 A and  1572 B employed therein. 
     In this illustrative embodiment, the height to width dimensions of beam folding mirror  1576  is about 10×10 millimeters. The width-to-height dimensions of micro-oscillating mirror  1577  is a about 11×11 and the height to weight dimension of the cylindrical lens array  1578  is about 12×12 millimeters. It is understood that in alternative embodiments, such parameters will naturally vary in order to achieve the level of despeckling performance required by the application at hand. 
     Fourth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in  FIGS. 117A through 117C   
     In  FIG. 43A , there is shown a fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1580  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1581 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1582  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1583  through its imaging window  1584  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1585  of the linear image detection array  1586  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1587  mounted on the upper top surface  1588  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1589  mounted on the middle top surface  1590  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1591 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1592  with a digital communication network  1593 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 43B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1582  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1594 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1595 A and  1595 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1596  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1586  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1597  and being contained within a light-box  1598  provided with image formation optics  1599 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along the field of view (FOV)  1585  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA)  1600 A and  1600 B mounted on optical bench  1594  on opposite sides of the IFD module  1596 , for producing the PLIB within the FOV; and an optical assembly  1601  configured with each PLIM, including a piezo-electric deformable mirror (DM)  1602  mounted before the PLIM, a beam folding mirror  1603  mounted above the PLIM, and a cylindrical lens array  1604  mounted before the beam folding mirror  1603 , to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 7 A through  1 I 7 C. As shown in  FIG. 43D , the field of view of the IFD module  1596  spatially-overlaps and is coextensive (i.e. coplanar) with the PLIBs that are generated by the PLIMs  1600 A and  1600 B employed therein. 
     In this illustrative embodiment, the height to width dimensions of the DM structure  1602  is about 7×7 millimeters. The width-to-height dimensions of stationary cylindrical lens array  1604  is about 10×10 millimeters. It is understood that in alternative embodiments, such parameters will naturally vary in order to achieve the level of despeckling performance required by the application at hand. 
     Fifth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 8 F through  118 G 
     In  FIG. 44A , there is shown a fifth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1610  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1611 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1612  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1613  through its imaging window  1614  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1615  of the linear image detection array  1616  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1617  mounted on the upper top surface  1618  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1619  mounted on the middle top surface  1620  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1621 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1622  with a digital communication network  1623 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 44B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1612  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1624 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1625 A and  1625 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1626  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1616  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1627  and being contained within a light-box  1628  provided with image formation optics  1628 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along field of view (FOV)  1613  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA)  1629 A and  1629 B mounted on optical bench  1624  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing PLIB  1613  within the FOV  1615 ; and an optical assembly  1630  configured with each PLIM, including a phase-only LCD-based phase modulation panel  1631  and a cylindrical lens array  1632  mounted before the PO-LCD phase modulation panel  1631  to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 8 A through  118 B. As shown in  FIG. 44D , the field of view of the IFD module  1626  spatially-overlaps and is coextensive (i.e. coplanar) with the PLIBs that are generated by the PLIMs  1629 A and  1629 B employed therein. 
     In this illustrative embodiment, the height to width dimensions of the PO-only LCD-based phase modulation panel  1631  is about 7×7 millimeters. The width-to-height dimensions of stationary cylindrical lens array  1632  is about 9×9 millimeters. It is understood that in alternative embodiments, such parameters will naturally vary in order to achieve the level of despeckling performance required by the application at hand. 
     Sixth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  11 I 2 A through  1 I 12 B 
     In  FIG. 45A , there is shown a sixth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1635  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1636 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1637  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1638  through its imaging window  1639  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1640  of the linear image detection array  1641  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1642  mounted on the upper top surface  1643  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1644  mounted on the middle top surface  1645  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1646 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1647  with a digital communication network  1648 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 45B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1642  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1649 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1650 A and  1650 B; an IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem)  1651  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1641  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1652  and being contained within a light-box  1653  provided with image formation optics  1654 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along field of view (FOV)  1640  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA)  1655 A and  1655 B mounted on optical bench  1649  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing a PLIB within the FOV; and an optical assembly  1656  configured with each PLIM, including a rotating multi-faceted cylindrical lens array structure  1657  mounted before a cylindrical lens array  1658 , to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 12 A through  1 I 12 B. As shown in  FIG. 45D , the field of view of the IFD module spatially-overlaps and is coextensive (i.e. coplanar) with the PLIBs that are generated by the PLIMs  1655 A and  1655 B employed therein. 
     Seventh Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Second Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 14 A through  1 I 14 B 
     In  FIG. 46A , there is shown a seventh illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1660  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1661 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1662  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1663  through its imaging window  1664  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1665  of the linear image detection array  1666  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1667  mounted on the upper top surface  1668  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1669  mounted on the middle top surface  1670  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1671 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1672  with a digital communication network  1673 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 46B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1662  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1674 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1675 A and  1675 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1676  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1666  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1677  and being contained within a light-box  1678  provided with image formation optics  1679 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along field of view (FOV)  1665  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA)  1680 A and  1680 B mounted on optical bench  1674  on opposite sides of the IFD module  1676 , for producing PLIB  1663  within the FOV  1665 ; and an optical assembly  1681  configured with each PLIM, including a high-speed temporal intensity modulation panel  1682  mounted before a cylindrical lens array  1683 , to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 14 A through  1 I 14 B. As shown in  FIG. 46D , the field of view of the IFD module  1678  spatially-overlaps and is coextensive (i.e. coplanar) with the PLIBs that are generated by the PLIMs  1680 A and  1680 B employed therein. 
     Notably, the PLIIM-based imager  1660  may be modified to include the use of visible mode locked laser diodes (MLLDs), in lieu of temporal intensity modulation  1682 , so to produce a PLIB comprising an optical pulse train with ultra-short optical pulses repeated at a high rate, having numerous high-frequency spectral components which reduce the RMS power of speckle-noise patterns observed at the image detection array of the PLIIM-based system, as described in detail hereinabove. 
     Eighth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Third Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 17 A and  1 I 17 B 
     In  FIG. 47A , there is shown a eighth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager  1690  of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1690  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1691 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1692  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1693  through its imaging window  1694  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1695  of the linear image detection array  1696  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1697  mounted on the upper top surface  1698  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUls) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1699  mounted on the middle top surface  1700  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1701 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1702  with a digital communication network  1703 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 47B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1692  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1704 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1705 A and  1705 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1706  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1696  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1707  and being contained within a light-box  1708  provided with image formation optics  1709 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along field of view (FOV)  1695  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA)  1710 A and  1710 B mounted on optical bench  1706  on opposite sides of the IFD module  1706 , for producing a PLIB  1693  within the FOV  1695 ; and an optical assembly  1711  configured with each PLIM, including an optically-reflective temporal phase modulating cavity (etalon)  1712  mounted to the outside of each VLD before a cylindrical lens array  1713 , to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the third generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in  FIGS. 1117A through 1117B . 
     Ninth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Fourth Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 19 A and  1 I 19 B 
     In  FIG. 48A , there is shown a ninth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager  1720  of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1720  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1721 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1722  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1723  through its imaging window  1724  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1725  of the linear image detection array  1726  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1727  mounted on the upper top surface  1728  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1729  mounted on the middle top surface  1730  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1731 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1732  with a digital communication network  1733 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 48B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1722  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1734 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1735 A and  1735 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1736  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1726  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1726 A and being contained within a light-box  1737 A provided with image formation optics  1737 B, through which light collected from the illuminated object along field of view (FOV)  1725  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA)  1738 A and  1738 B mounted on optical bench  1734  on opposite sides of the IFD module  1736 , for producing a PLIB  1723  within the FOV  1725 ; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including a frequency mode hopping inducing circuit  1739 A, and a cylindrical lens array  1739 B, to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the fourth generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 19 A through  1 I 19 B. 
     Tenth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Fifth Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 21 A and  1 I 21 D 
     In  FIG. 49A , there is shown a tenth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1740  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1741 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1742  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1743  through its imaging window  1744  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1745  of the linear image detection array  1746  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1747  mounted on the upper top surface  1748  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1749  mounted on the middle top surface of the housing  1750 , for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1751 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1752  with a digital communication network  1753 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 49B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1742  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1754 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1755 A and  1755 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1756  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1746  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1757  and being contained within a light-box  1758  provided with image formation optics  1759 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along field of view (FOV)  1745  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs  1760 A and  1760 B (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA) mounted on optical bench  1756  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing a PLIB  1743  within the FOV  1745 ; and an optical assembly  1761  configured with each PLIM, including a spatial intensity modulation panel  1762  mounted before a cylindrical lens array  1763 , to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the fifth generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 21 A through  1 I 21 B. 
     Notably, spatial intensity modulation panel  1762  employed in optical assembly  1761  can be realized in various ways including, for example: reciprocating spatial intensity modulation arrays, in which electrically-passive spatial intensity modulation arrays or screens are reciprocated relative to each other at a high frequency; an electro-optical spatial intensity modulation panel having electrically addressable, vertically-extending pixels which are switched between transparent and opaque states at rates which exceed the inverse of the photo-integration time period of the image detection array employed in the PLIIM-based system; etc. 
     Eleventh Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Sixth Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 23 A and  1 I 23 B 
     In  FIG. 50A , there is shown an eleventh illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1770  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1771 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1772  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1773  through its imaging window  1774  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1775  of the linear image detection array  1776  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1777  mounted on the upper top surface  1778  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1779  mounted on the middle top surface  1780  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1781 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1782  with a digital communication network  1783 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 50B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1772  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1784 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1785 A and  1785 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1786  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1776  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1787  and being contained within a light-box  1788  provided with image formation optics  1789 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along field of view (FOV)  1775  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs  1790 A and  1790 B (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA) mounted on optical bench  1784  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing a PLIB within the FOV; and an optical assembly  1791  configured with each PLIM, including a spatial intensity modulation aperture  1792  mounted before the entrance pupil  1793  of the IFD module  1786 , to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the sixth generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 23 A through  1 I 23 B. 
     Twelfth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Seventh Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIG.  1 I 25   
     In  FIG. 51A , there is shown an twelfth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  1800  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1801 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1802  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1803  through its imaging window  1804  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1805  of the linear image detection array  1806  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1807  mounted on the upper top surface  1808  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1809  mounted on the middle top surface  1810  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1811 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1812  with a digital communication network  1813 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 51B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1802  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1813 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1814 A and  1814 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1815  mounted on the optical bench, and including 1-D CCD image detection array  1806  having vertically-elongated image detection elements  1816  and being contained within a light-box  1817  provided with image formation optics  1818 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along field of view (FOV)  1805  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA)  1819 A and  1819 B mounted on optical bench  1813  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing a PLIB  1803  within the FOV  1805 ; and an optical assembly  1820  configured with each PLIM, including a temporal intensity modulation aperture  1821  mounted before the entrance pupil  1822  of the IFD module, to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the seventh generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIG.  1 I 25 . 
     Hand-supportable Planar Laser Illumination and Imaging (PLIIM) Devices Employing Area-type Image Detection Arrays and Optically-Combined Planar Laser Illumination Beams (PLIBs) Produced from a Multiplicity of Laser Diode Sources to Achieve a Reduction in Speckle-pattern Noise Power in Said Devices 
     In the hand-supportable area-type PLIIM-based imager  4800  as shown in of  FIG. 52 , speckle-pattern noise is reduced by employing optically-combined planar laser illumination beams (PLIB) components produced from a multiplicity of spatially-incoherent laser diode sources. The greater the number of spatially-incoherent laser diode sources that are optically combined and projected onto the objects being illuminated, then greater the reduction in RMS power of observed speckle-pattern noise within the PLIIM-based imager. 
     As shown in  FIG. 52 , PLIIM-based imager  4800  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4801 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4802  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4803  through its imaging window  4804  in coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4805  provided by the image forming optics associated with the area-type (i.e. 2-D) image detection array  4806  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4807  mounted on the upper surface  4808  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4809  mounted on the upper surface  4808  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4810  contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4811  with a digital communication network  4812 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 52 , PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4802  includes: (1) a 2-D (i.e. area) type image formation and detection (IFD) module  4813 ; (2) a pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs)  4814 A and  4814 B; (3) A PLIB folding/sweeping mechanism  4815 A and  4815 B; and (4) an optical element  4816 A and  4817 B (e.g. cylindrical lens arrays). As shown, the area-type IFD module  4813  is mounted within the hand-supportable housing and contains area-type image detection array  4806  and image formation optics  4817  with a 3-D field of view (FOV) projected through said transmission window  4804  into an illumination and imaging field external to the hand-supportable housing. The PLIAs  4814 A and  4814 B are mounted within the hand-supportable housing and arranged on opposite sides of the area-type image detection array  4806 . Each PLIA comprises a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs), each having its own visible laser diode (VLD), for producing a plurality of spatially-incoherent planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) components which are folded towards beam sweeping mechanisms  4815 A and  4815 B by beam folding mirrors  4818 A and  4818 B, respectively. The PLIB folding/sweeping mechanisms  4815 A and  4815 B automatically sweep the PLIBs through the 3-D FOV of the 2-D image detection array. Each spatially-incoherent PLIB component is arranged in a coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the 3-D FOV during PLIB sweeping operations. The optical elements  4816 A and  4816 B are mounted within the hand-supportable housing, optically combine and project via beam sweeping mechanisms, the plurality of spatially-incoherent PLIB components through the light transmission window  4804  in coplanar relationship with a portion of the 3-D FOV ( 4805 ), onto the same points on the surface of an object to be illuminated. By virtue of such operations, the area image detection array ( 4806 ) detects time-varying speckle-noise patterns produced by the spatially-incoherent PLIB components reflected/scattered off the illuminated object, and the time-varying speckle-noise patterns are time-averaged at the detector elements of the area image detection array during the photo-integration time period thereof, thereby reducing the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise observable at the area-type image detection array  4806 . 
     Below, a number of illustrative embodiments of hand-supportable PLIIM-based area-type imagers are described. In these illustrative embodiments, area-type image detection arrays with vertically-elongated image detection elements are not used to reduce speckle-pattern noise through spatial averaging as taught in the embodiment of  FIG. 42 , as this would result in a significant decrease in image resolution in the PLIIM-based system. However, these hand-supportable area-type imagers do embody despeckling mechanisms disclosed herein based on the principle of reducing either the temporal and/or spatial coherence of the PLIB either before or after object illumination operations, so as to provide robust solutions to speckle-pattern noise problems arising in hand-supportable area-type PLIIM-based imaging systems. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 1 A through  1 I 3 A 
     In  FIG. 52A , there is shown a first illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area-type imager of the present invention. As shown, the hand-supportable area imager  1830  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  1831 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1832  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  1833  through its imaging window  1834  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  1835  of the area image detection array  1836  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  1837  mounted on the upper top surface  1838  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  1839  mounted on the middle top surface  1840  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  1841 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  1842  with a digital communication network  1843 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 52B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  1832  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  1844 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  1845 A and  1845 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  1846  mounted on the optical bench, and including 2-D area-type CCD image detection array  1836  contained within a light-box  1847  provided with image formation optics  1848 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along 3-D field of view (FOV)  1835  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs  1849 A and  1849 B (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA) mounted on optical bench  1844  on opposite sides of the IFD module  1846 , for producing a PLIB within the 3-D FOV; a pair of cylindrical lens arrays  1850 A and  1850 B configured with PLIMs  1849 A and  1849 B, respectively; a pair of beam sweeping mirrors  1851 A and  1851 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beams  1833 , from cylindrical lens arrays  1850 A and  1850 B, respectively, across the 3-D FOV  1835 ; and an optical assembly  1852  including a temporal intensity modulation panel  1853  mounted before the entrance pupil  1854  of the IFD module, so as to produce a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the seventh generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 24  through  1 I 24 C. 
     System Control Architectures for PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imagers of the Present Invention Employing Area-type Image Formation and Detection (IFD) Modules 
     In general, there are a various types of system control architectures (i.e. schemes) that can be used in conjunction with any of the hand-supportable PLIIM-based area-type imagers shown in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  1164 B, and described throughout the present Specification. Also, there are three principally different types of image forming optics schemes that can be used to construct each such PLIIM-based area imager. Thus, it is possible to classify hand-supportable PLIIM-based area imagers into least fifteen different system design categories based on such criterion. Below, these system design categories will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.  53 A 1  through  53 C 5 . 
     System Control Architectures for PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imagers of the Present Invention Employing Area-type Image Formation and Detection (IFD) Modules Having a Fixed Focal Length/Fixed Focal Distance Image Formation Optics 
     In FIG.  53 A 1 , there is shown a manually-activated version of a PLIIM-based area-type imager  1860  as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 A 1 , the PLIIM-based area imager  1860  comprises: a planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  with a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1863  having an area-type image detection array  1864 , fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1865  for providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  1866 , and an image data buffer  1867 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  1868 A and  1868 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam  1869  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  1870 ; a camera control computer  1871 ; a LCD panel  1872  and a display panel driver  1873 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1874  and a keypad driver  1875 ; and a manually-actuated trigger switch  1876  for manually activating the planar laser illumination arrays, the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, and the image processing computer  1870 , via the camera control computer  1871 , upon manual activation of the trigger switch  1876 . Thereafter, the system control program carried out within the camera control computer  1871  enables: (1) the automatic capture of digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1865  provided within the area imager; (2) decode-processing of the bar code symbol represented therein; (3) generating symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol; (4) buffering of the symbol character data within the hand-supportable housing or transmitting the same to a host computer system; and thereafter (5) automatically deactivating the subsystem components described above. When using a manually-actuated trigger switch  1876  having a single-stage operation, manually depressing the switch  1876  with a single pull-action will thereafter initiate the above sequence of operations with no further input required by the user. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the system design shown in FIG.  53 A 1 , manually-actuated trigger switch  1876  would be replaced with a dual-position switch  1876 ′ having a dual-positions (or stages of operation) so as to further embody the functionalities of both switch  1876  shown in FIG.  53 A 1  and transmission activation switch  1899  shown in FIG.  53 A 2 . Also, the system would be further provided with a data transfer mechanism  1898  as shown in FIG.  53 A 2 , for example, so that it embodies the symbol character data transmission functions described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In such an alternative embodiment, when the user pulls the dual-position switch  1876 ′ to its first position, the camera control computer  1871  will automatically activate the following components: the planar laser illumination array  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1844 , and the image processing computer  1870  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically and repeatedly captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are repeatedly decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of each decoded bar code symbol is automatically generated in a cyclical manner (i.e. after each reading of each instance of the bar code symbol) and buffered in the data transmission mechanism  1260 . Then, when the user further depresses the dual-position switch to its second position (i.e. complete depression or activation), the camera control computer  1235  enables the data transmission mechanism  1898  to transmit character data from the imager processing computer  1870  to a host computer system in response to the manual activation of the dual-position switch  1876 ′ to its second position at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  1870  and buffered in data transmission switch  1898 . This dual-stage switching mechanism provides the user with an additional degree of control when trying to accurately read a bar code symbol from a bar code menu, on which two or more bar code symbols reside on a single line of a bar code menu, and width of the FOV of the hand-held imager spatially extends over these bar code symbols, making bar code selection challenging if not difficult. 
     In FIG.  53 A 2 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 A 2 , the PLIIM-based area imager  1880  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  1883  having an area-type image detection array  1884  and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  1885  for providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  1886 , and an image data buffer  1887 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  1888 A and  1888 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam  1889  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  1890 ; a camera control computer  1891 ; a LCD panel  1892  and a display panel driver  1893 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  1894  and a keypad driver  1895 ; an IR-based object detection subsystem  1896  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating in response to the detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field  1897 , the planar laser illumination array (driven by the VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  1898  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  1899  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  1998  in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  1899  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In FIG.  53 A 3 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 A 3 , the PLIIM-based area imager  2000  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  2001  having an area-type image detection array  2002  and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  2003  for providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  2004 , and an image data buffer  2005 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  2006 A and  2006 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  2007  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  2008 ; a camera control computer  2009 ; a LCD panel  2010  and a display panel driver  2011 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  2012  and a keypad driver  2013 ; a laser-based object detection subsystem  2014  embodied within the camera control computer for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays into a full-power mode of operation, the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field  2015 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  2016  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  2017  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  2016  in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  2017  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of FIG.  40 A 3 , the PLIIM-based system has an object detection mode, a bar code detection mode, and a bar code reading mode of operation, as taught in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, supra. During the object detection mode of operation of the system, the camera control computer  2009  transmits a control signal to the VLD drive circuitry  11 , (optionally via the PLIA microcontroller), causing each PLIM to generate a pulsed-type planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) consisting of planar laser light pulses having a very low duty cycle (e.g. as low as 0.1%) and high repetition frequency (e.g. greater than 1 kHz), so as to function as a non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam, as the case may be). Then, when the camera control computer receives an activation signal from the laser-based object detection subsystem  2014  (i.e. indicative that an object has been detected by the non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam), the system automatically advances to either: (i) its bar code detection state, where it increases the power level of the PLIB, collects image data and performs bar code detection operations, and therefrom, to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is further increased, image data is collected and decode processed; or (ii) directly to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is increased, image data is collected and decode processed. A primary advantage of using a pulsed high-frequency/low-duty-cycle PLIB as an object sensing beam is that it consumes minimal power yet enables image capture for automatic object and/or bar code detection purposes, without distracting the user by visibly blinking or flashing light beams which tend to detract from the user&#39;s experience. In yet alternative embodiments, however, it may be desirable to drive the VLD in each PLIM so that a visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) is generated during the object detection (and bar code detection) mode of system operation. The visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam will typically consist of planar laser light pulses having a moderate duty cycle (e.g. 25%) and low repetition frequency (e.g. less than 30 HZ). In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the low frequency blinking nature of the PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) would be rendered visually conspicuous, thereby facilitating alignment of the PLIB/FOV with the bar code symbol, or graphics being imaged in relatively bright imaging environments. 
     In FIG.  53 A 4 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 A 4 , the PLIIM-based area imager  2020  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  2021  having an area-type image detection array  2022  and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  2023  for providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  2024 , and an image data buffer  2025 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  2026 A and  2026 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  2027  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  2028 ; a camera control computer  2029 ; a LCD panel  2030  and a display panel driver  2031 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  2032  and a keypad driver  2033 ; an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem  2034  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field enabled by the area image sensor within the IFD module  2021 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  2035  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  2036  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  2035 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  2036  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Notably, in some applications, the passive-mode objection detection subsystem  2034  employed in this system might require (i) using a different system of optics for collecting ambient light from objects during the object detection mode of the system, or (ii) modifying the light collection characteristics of the light collection system to permit increased levels of ambient light to be focused onto the CCD image detection array  2022  in the IFD module (i.e. subsystem). In other applications, the provision of image intensification optics on the surface of the CCD image detection array should be sufficient to form images of sufficient brightness to perform object detection and/or bar code detection operations. 
     In FIG.  53 A 5 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 A 5 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  2040  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  2041  having an area-type image detection array  2042  and fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  2043  for providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  2044 , and an image data buffer  2045 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  2046 A and  2046 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  2047  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  2048 ; a camera control computer  2049 ; a LCD panel  2050  and a display panel driver  2051 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  2052  and a keypad driver  2053 ; an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem  2054  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing upon automatic detection of a bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field  2055  by the area image sensor within the IFD module  2041  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  2056  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  2057  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  2056 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  2057  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     System Control Architectures for PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imagers of the Present Invention Employing Area-type Image Formation and Detection (IFD) Modules Having Fixed Focal Length/Variable Focal Distance Image Formation Optics 
     In FIG.  53 B 1 , there is shown a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in FIGS.  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 B 1 , the PLIIM-based linear imager  2060  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  2061  having an area-type image detection array  2062  and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  2063  for providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  2064 , and an image data buffer  2065 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  2066 A and  2066 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  2067  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  2068 ; a camera control computer  2069 ; a LCD panel  2070  and a display panel driver  2071 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  2072  and a keypad driver  2073 ; and a manually-actuated trigger switch  2074  for manually activating the planar laser illumination arrays, the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, the image frame grabber, the image data buffer, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon manual activation of the trigger switch  2074 . Thereafter, the system control program carried out within the camera control computer  2069  enables: (1) the automatic capture of digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  2063  provided within the area imager; (2) decode-processing the bar code symbol represented therein; (3) generating symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol; (4) buffering the symbol character data within the hand-supportable housing or transmitting the same to a host computer system; and (5) thereafter automatically deactivating the subsystem components described above. When using a manually-actuated trigger switch  2074  having a single-stage operation, manually depressing the switch  2074  with a single pull-action will thereafter initiate the above sequence of operations with no further input required by the user. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the system design shown in  FIG. 53B   1 , manually-actuated trigger switch  2074  would be replaced with a dual-position switch  2074 ′ having a dual-positions (or stages of operation) so as to further embody the functionalities of both switch  2074  shown in FIG.  53 B 1  and transmission activation switch  2097  shown in FIG.  53 A 2 . Also, the system would be further provided with a data transfer mechanism  2096  as shown in FIG.  53 A 2 , for example, so that it embodies the symbol character data transmission functions described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In such an alternative embodiment, when the user pulls the dual-position switch  2074 ′ to its first position, the camera control computer  2069  will automatically activate the following components: the planar laser illumination array  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  2062 , and the image processing computer  2068  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically and repeatedly captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are repeatedly decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of each decoded bar code symbol is automatically generated in a cyclical manner (i.e. after each reading of each instance of the bar code symbol) and buffered in the data transmission mechanism  2096 . Then, when the user further depresses the dual-position switch to its second position (i.e. complete depression or activation), the camera control computer  2069  enables the data transmission mechanism  2096  to transmit character data from the imager processing computer  2068  to a host computer system in response to the manual activation of the dual-position switch  2074 ′ to its second position at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  2068  and buffered in data transmission switch  2074 ′. This dual-stage switching mechanism provides the user with an additional degree of control when trying to accurately read a bar code symbol from a bar code menu, on which two or more bar code symbols reside on a single line of a bar code menu, and width of the FOV of the hand-held imager spatially extends over these bar code symbols, making bar code selection challenging if not difficult. 
     In FIG.  53 B 2 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 B 2 , the PLIIM-based area imager  2080  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  2081  having an area-type image detection array  2082  and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  2083  for providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  2084  and an image data buffer  2085 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  2086 A and  2086 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  2087  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  2088 ; a camera control computer  2089 ; a LCD panel  2090  and a display panel driver  2091 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  2092  and a keypad driver  2093 ; an IR-based object detection subsystem  2094  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field  2095 , the planar laser illumination array (driven by VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  2096  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  2097  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  2096 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  2097  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In FIG.  53 B 3 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 B 3 , the PLIIM-based linear imager comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3001  having an area-type image detection array  3002  and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  3003  providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV, an image frame grabber  3004 , and an image data buffer  3005 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  3006 A and  3006 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  3007  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  3008 ; a camera control computer  3009 ; a LCD panel  3010  and a display panel driver  3011 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  3012  and a keypad driver  3013 ; a laser-based object detection subsystem  3013  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays into a full-power mode of operation, the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, upon automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field  3014 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  3015  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  3016  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  3015  in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  3016  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of FIG.  53 B 3 , the PLIIM-based system has an object detection mode, a bar code detection mode, and a bar code reading mode of operation, as taught in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, supra. During the object detection mode of operation of the system, the camera control computer  3009  transmits a control signal to the VLD drive circuitry  11 , (optionally via the PLIA microcontroller), causing each PLIM to generate a pulsed-type planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) consisting of planar laser light pulses having a very low duty cycle (e.g. as low as 0.1%) and high repetition frequency (e.g. greater than 1 kHz), so as to function as a non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam, as the case may be). Then, when the camera control computer receives an activation signal from the laser-based object detection subsystem  3013  (i.e. indicative that an object has been detected by the non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam), the system automatically advances to either: (i) its bar code detection state, where it increases the power level of the PLIB, collects image data and performs bar code detection operations, and therefrom, to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is further increased, image data is collected and decode processed; or (ii) directly to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is increased, image data is collected and decode processed. A primary advantage of using a pulsed high-frequency/low-duty-cycle PLIB as an object sensing beam is that it consumes minimal power yet enables image capture for automatic object and/or bar code detection purposes, without distracting the user by visibly blinking or flashing light beams which tend to detract from the user&#39;s experience. In yet alternative embodiments, however, it may be desirable to drive the VLD in each PLIM so that a visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) is generated during the object detection (and bar code detection) mode of system operation. The visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam will typically consist of planar laser light pulses having a moderate duty cycle (e.g. 25%) and low repetition frequency (e.g. less than 30 HZ). In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the low frequency blinking nature of the PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) would be rendered visually conspicuous, thereby facilitating alignment of the PLIB/FOV with the bar code symbol, or graphics being imaged in relatively bright imaging environments. 
     In FIG.  53 B 4 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 B 4 , the PLIIM-based area imager  3020  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3021  having an area-type image detection array  3022  and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  3023  for providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  3024 , and an image data buffer  3025 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  3026 A and  3026 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  3027  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  3028 ; a camera control computer  3029 ; a LCD panel  3030  and a display panel driver  3031 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  3032  and a keypad driver  3033 ; an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem  3034  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field  3035  enabled by the area image sensor  3022  within the IFD module, so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  3036  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  3037  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  3036 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  3037  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Notably, in some applications, the passive-mode objection detection subsystem  3034  employed in this system might require (i) using a different system of optics for collecting ambient light from objects during the object detection mode of the system, or (ii) modifying the light collection characteristics of the light collection system to permit increased levels of ambient light to be focused onto the CCD image detection array  3022  in the IFD module (i.e. subsystem). In other applications, the provision of image intensification optics on the surface of the CCD image detection array should be sufficient to form images of sufficient brightness to perform object detection and/or bar code detection operations. 
     In FIG.  53 B 5 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 B 5 , the PLIIM-based area imager  3040  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3041  having an area-type image detection array  3042  and fixed focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  3043  for providing a fixed 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  3044 , and an image data buffer  3045 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  3046 A and  3046 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  3047  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  3048 ; a camera control computer  3049 ; a LCD panel  3050  and a display panel driver  3051 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  3052  and a keypad driver  3053 ; an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem  3054  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing upon automatic detection of a bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field  3055  by the linear image sensor  3042  within the IFD module so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  3056  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  3057  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  3056 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  3057  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     System Control Architectures for PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Linear Imagers of the Present Invention Employing Area-type Image Formation and Detection (IFD) Modules Having Variable Focal Length/Variable Focal Distance Image Formation Optics 
     In FIG.  53 C 1 , there is shown a manually-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 C 1 , the PLIIM-based area imager  3060  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3061  having an area-type image detection array  3062  and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  3063  for providing a variable 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  3064 , and an image data buffer  3065 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  3066 A and  3066 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  3067  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  3068 ; a camera control computer  3069 ; a LCD panel  3070  and a display panel driver  3071 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  3072  and a keypad driver  3073 ; and a manually-actuated trigger switch  3074  for manually activating the planar laser illumination arrays, the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the manual activation of the trigger switch  3074 . Thereafter, the system control program carried out within the camera control computer  3069  enables: (1) the automatic capture of digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) through the fixed focal length/fixed focal distance image formation optics  3063  provided within the area imager; (2) decode-processing the bar code symbol represented therein; (3) generating symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol; (4) buffering the symbol character data within the hand-supportable housing or transmitting the same to a host computer system; and (5) thereafter automatically deactivating the subsystem components described above. When using a manually-actuated trigger switch  3074  having a single-stage operation, manually depressing the switch  3074  with a single pull-action will thereafter initiate the above sequence of operations with no further input required by the user. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the system design shown in FIG.  53 C 1 , manually-actuated trigger switch  3074  would be replaced with a dual-position switch  3074 ′ having a dual-positions (or stages of operation) so as to further embody the functionalities of both switch  3074 ′ shown in FIG.  53 C 1  and transmission activation switch  3097  shown in FIG.  53 C 2 . Also, the system would be further provided with a data transfer mechanism  3096  as shown in FIG.  53 C 2 , for example, so that it embodies the symbol character data transmission functions described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In such an alternative embodiment, when the user pulls the dual-position switch  3074 ′ to its first position, the camera control computer  3069  will automatically activate the following components: the planar laser illumination array  6  (driven by VLD driver circuits  18 ), the linear-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3062 , and the image processing computer  3068  so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically and repeatedly captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are repeatedly decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of each decoded bar code symbol is automatically generated in a cyclical manner (i.e. after each reading of each instance of the bar code symbol) and buffered in the data transmission mechanism  3096 . Then, when the user further depresses the dual-position switch to its second position (i.e. complete depression or activation), the camera control computer  3069  enables the data transmission mechanism  3096  to transmit character data from the imager processing computer  3068  to a host computer system in response to the manual activation of the dual-position switch  3074 ′ to its second position at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer  3068  and buffered in data transmission switch  3097 . This dual-stage switching mechanism provides the user with an additional degree of control when trying to accurately read a bar code symbol from a bar code menu, on which two or more bar code symbols reside on a single line of a bar code menu, and width of the FOV of the hand-held imager spatially extends over these bar code symbols, making bar code selection challenging if not difficult. 
     In FIG.  53 C 2 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 C 2 , the PLIIM-based area imager  3080  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  3081  having an area-type image detection array  3082  and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  3083  for providing a variable 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  3084 , and an image data buffer  3085 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  3086 A and  3086 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  3087  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  3088 ; a camera control computer  3089 ; a LCD panel  3090  and a display panel driver  3091 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  3092  and a keypad driver  3093 ; an IR-based object detection subsystem  3094  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating upon detection of an object in its IR-based object detection field  3095 , the planar laser illumination array (driven by VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, as well as and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  3096  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  3097  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  3096 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  3097  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In FIG.  53 C 3 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 C 3 , the PLIIM-based area imager  4000  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  4001  having an area-type image detection array  4002  and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  4003  for providing a variable 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  4004 , and an image data buffer  4005 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4006 A and  4006 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4007  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  4008 ; a camera control computer  4009 ; a LCD panel  4010  and a display panel driver  4011 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  4012  and a keypad driver  4013 ; a laser-based object detection subsystem  4014  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination arrays into a full-power mode of operation, the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object in its laser-based object detection field  4015 , so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  4016  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  4017  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  4016 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  4017  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of FIG.  53 C 3 , the PLIIM-based system has an object detection mode, a bar code detection mode, and a bar code reading mode of operation, as taught in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, supra. During the object detection mode of operation of the system, the camera control computer  4009  transmits a control signal to the VLD drive circuitry  11 , (optionally via the PLIA microcontroller), causing each PLIM to generate a pulsed-type planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) consisting of planar laser light pulses having a very low duty cycle (e.g. as low as 0.1%) and high repetition frequency (e.g. greater than 1 kHz), so as to function as a non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam, as the case may be). Then, when the camera control computer receives an activation signal from the laser-based object detection subsystem  4014  (i.e. indicative that an object has been detected by the non-visible PLIB-based object sensing beam), the system automatically advances to either: (i) its bar code detection state, where it increases the power level of the PLIB, collects image data and performs bar code detection operations, and therefrom, to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is further increased, image data is collected and decode processed; or (ii) directly to its bar code symbol reading state, in which the output power of the PLIB is increased, image data is collected and decode processed. A primary advantage of using a pulsed high-frequency/low-duty-cycle PLIB as an object sensing beam is that it consumes minimal power yet enables image capture for automatic object and/or bar code detection purposes, without distracting the user by visibly blinking or flashing light beams which tend to detract from the user&#39;s experience. In yet alternative embodiments, however, it may be desirable to drive the VLD in each PLIM so that a visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) is generated during the object detection (and bar code detection) mode of system operation. The visibly blinking PLIB-based object sensing beam will typically consist of planar laser light pulses having a moderate duty cycle (e.g. 25%) and low repetition frequency (e.g. less than 30 HZ). In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the low frequency blinking nature of the PLIB-based object sensing beam (and/or bar code detection beam) would be rendered visually conspicuous, thereby facilitating alignment of the PLIB/FOV with the bar code symbol, or graphics being imaged in relatively bright imaging environments. 
     In FIG.  53 C 4 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 C 4 , the PLIIM-based area imager  4020  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  4021  having an area-type image detection array  4022  and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  4023  providing a variable 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  4024 , and an image data buffer  4025 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4026 A and  4026 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4027  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  4028 ; a camera control computer  4029 ; a LCD panel  4030  and a display panel driver  4031 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  4032  and a keypad driver  4033 ; an ambient-light driven object detection subsystem  4034  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the planar laser illumination array (driven by VLD driver circuits), the area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module, and the image processing computer, via the camera control computer, in response to the automatic detection of an object via ambient-light detected by object detection field  4035  enabled by the area image sensor  4022  within the IFD module so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and data transmission mechanism  4036  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  4037  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  4036 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  4037  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Notably, in some applications, the passive-mode objection detection subsystem  4034  employed in this system might require (i) using a different system of optics for collecting ambient light from objects during the object detection mode of the system, or (ii) modifying the light collection characteristics of the light collection system to permit increased levels of ambient light to be focused onto the CCD image detection array  4022  in the IFD module (i.e. subsystem). In other applications, the provision of image intensification optics on the surface of the CCD image detection array should be sufficient to form images of sufficient brightness to perform object detection and/or bar code detection operations. 
     In FIG.  53 C 5 , there is shown an automatically-activated version of the PLIIM-based area imager as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 52A through 52B  and  54 A through  64 B. As shown in FIG.  53 C 5 , the PLIIM-based area imager  4040  comprises: planar laser illumination array (PLIA)  6 , including a set of VLD driver circuits  18 , PLIMs  11 , an integrated despeckling mechanism  1861  having a stationary cylindrical lens array  1862 ; an area-type image formation and detection (IFD) module  4041  having an area-type image detection array  4042  and variable focal length/variable focal distance image formation optics  4043  for providing a variable 3-D field of view (FOV), an image frame grabber  4044 , an image data buffer  4045 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4046 A and  4046 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4047  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; an image processing computer  4048 ; a camera control computer  4049 ; a LCD panel  4050  and a display panel driver  4051 ; a touch-type or manually-keyed data entry pad  4052  and a keypad driver  4053 ; an automatic bar code symbol detection subsystem  4054  within its hand-supportable housing for automatically activating the image processing computer for decode-processing in response to the automatic detection of a bar code symbol within its bar code symbol detection field  4055  by the area image sensor  4042  within the IFD module so that (1) digital images of objects (i.e. bearing bar code symbols and other graphical indicia) are automatically captured, (2) bar code symbols represented therein are decoded, and (3) symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol are automatically generated; and a data transmission mechanism  4056  and a manually-activatable data transmission switch  4057  for enabling the transmission of symbol character data from the imager processing computer to a host computer system, via the data transmission mechanism  4056 , in response to the manual activation of the data transmission switch  4057  at about the same time as when a bar code symbol is automatically decoded and symbol character data representative thereof is automatically generated by the image processing computer. This manually-activated symbol character data transmission scheme is described in greater detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/890,320, filed Jul. 9, 1997, and Ser. No. 09/513,601, filed Feb. 25, 2000, each said application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 12 G and  1 I 12 H 
     In  FIG. 54A , there is shown a second illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4060  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4061 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4062  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4063  through its imaging window  4064  in coplanar relationship with the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4065  of the area image detection array  4066  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4067  mounted on the upper top surface  4068  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4069  mounted on the middle top surface  4070  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4071 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4072  with a digital communication network  4073 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 54B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4062  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4075 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4076 A and  4076 B; an IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem)  4077  mounted on the optical bench, and including area CCD image detection array  4066  contained within a light-box  4078  provided with image formation optics  4079 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4065  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual-VLD PLIA)  4080 A and  4080 B mounted on optical bench  4075  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing PLIB  4063  within the 3-D FOV  4065 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4081 A and  4081 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4063  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including a micro-oscillating light reflective element  4082  and a cylindrical lens array  4083  which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 5 A through  1 I 5 D. 
     Third Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 12 G and  1 I 12 H 
     In  FIG. 55A , there is shown a third illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4090  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4091 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4092  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4093  through its imaging window  4094  in coplanar relationship with the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4095  of the area image detection array  4096  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4097  mounted on the upper top surface  4098  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4099  mounted on the middle top surface  4100  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4101 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4102  with a digital communication network  4103 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 55B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4092  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4104 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4105 A and  4105 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  4106  mounted on the optical bench, and including area CCD image detection array  4096  contained within a light-box  4107  provided with image formation optics  4108 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along 3-D field of view (FOV)  4095  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. single VLD PLIAs)  4109 A and  4109 B mounted on optical bench  4104  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing a PLIB within the 3-D FOV; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4110 A and  4110 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4093  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including an acousto-electric Bragg cell structure  4111  and a cylindrical lens array  41 I 2 , arranged above the PLIM in the named order, which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in  FIGS. 116A and 116B . 
     Fourth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 7 A through  1 I 17 C 
     In  FIG. 56A , there is shown a fourth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4120  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4121 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4122  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4123  through its imaging window  4124  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  4125  of the area image detection array  4126  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4127  mounted on the upper top surface  4128  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4129  mounted on the middle top surface of the housing  4130 , for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4131 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4132  with a digital communication network  4133 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 56B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4122  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4134 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4135 A and  4135 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  4136  mounted on the optical bench, and including an area CCD image detection array  4126  contained within a light-box  4137  provided with image formation optics  4138 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4125  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual VLD PLIA)  4139 A and  4139 B mounted on optical bench  4134  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing PLIB  4123  within the 3-D FOV  4125 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4140 A and  4140  for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4123  produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including a high spatial-resolution piezo-electric driven deformable mirror (DM) structure  4141  and a cylindrical lens array  4142  mounted upon each PLIM in the named order, providing a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in  FIGS. 117A through 117C . 
     Fifth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the First Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 8 F and  1 I 18 G 
     In  FIG. 57A , there is shown a fifth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4150  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4151 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4152  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4153  through its imaging window  4154  in coplanar relationship with the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4154  of the area image detection array  4156  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4157  mounted on the upper top surface  4158  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4159  mounted on the middle top surface  4160  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4161 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4162  with a digital communication network  4163 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 57B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  5152  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4164 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4165 A and  4165 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  4166  mounted on the optical bench, and including area CCD image detection array  4156  contained within a light-box  4167  provided with image formation optics  4168 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4155  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual VLD PLIA)  4169 A and  4169 B mounted on optical bench  4164  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing PLIB  4153  within the 3-D FOV  4155 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4170 A and  4170 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including a spatial-only liquid crystal display (PO-LCD) type spatial phase modulation panel  4071  and a cylindrical lens array  4172  mounted beyond each PLIM in the named order, providing a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the first generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 8 F and  1 I 8 G. 
     Sixth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Second Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 14 A through  1 I 14 D 
     In  FIG. 58A , there is shown a sixth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4180  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4181 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4182  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4183  through its imaging window  4184  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  4185  of the area image detection array  4186  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4187  mounted on the upper top surface  4188  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4189  mounted on the middle top surface  4190  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4191 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4192  with a digital communication network  4193 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 58B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4182  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4194 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4195 A and  4195 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  4196  mounted on the optical bench, and including an area CCD image detection array  4186  contained within a light-box  4197  provided with image formation optics  4198 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along 3-D field of view (FOV)  4185  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual VLD PLIA)  4199 A and  4199 B mounted on optical bench  4194  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing PLIB  4193  within the 3-D FOV  4195 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4200 A and  4200 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including a high-speed optical shutter panel  4201  and a cylindrical lens array  4202  mounted before each PLIM, to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 14 A and  1 I 14 B. 
     Seventh Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Second Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 15 A and  1 I 15 B 
     In  FIG. 59A , there is shown a seventh illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4210  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4211 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4212  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4213  through its imaging window  4214  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  4215  of the area image detection array  4216  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4217  mounted on the upper top surface  4218  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4219  mounted on the middle top surface  4220  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4221 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4222  with a digital communication network  4223 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 59B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4212  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4224 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4225 A and  4225 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  4226  mounted on the optical bench, and including an area CCD image detection array  4216  contained within a light-box  4227  provided with image formation optics  4228 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4215  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual VLD PLIA)  4229 A and  4229 B mounted on optical bench  4224  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing a PLIB within the 3-D FOV  4215 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4230 A and  4230 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including a visible mode locked laser diode (MLLD)  4231  within each PLIM and a cylindrical lens array  4232  after each PLIM, to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the second generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 14 A and  1 I 14 B. 
     Eighth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Third Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 17 A and  1 I 17 C 
     In  FIG. 60A , there is shown an eighth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4240  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4241 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4242  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4243  through its imaging window  4244  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  4245  of the area image detection array  4246  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4247  mounted on the upper top surface  4248  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4249  mounted on the middle top surface  4250  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4251 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4252  with a digital communication network  4253 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 60B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4242  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4253 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4255 A and  4255 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  4256  mounted on the optical bench, and including an area CCD image detection array  4246  contained within a light-box  4257  provided with image formation optics  4258 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4245  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual VLD PLIA)  4259 A and  4259 B mounted on optical bench  4254  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing the  4253  PLIB within the 3-D FOV  4245 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4260 A and  4260 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including an electrically-passive optically-resonant cavity (i.e. etalon)  4261  mounted external to each VLD and a cylindrical lens array  4262  mounted beyond the PLIM, to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the third generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 17 A and  1 I 17 B. 
     Ninth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Fourth Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 19 A and  1 I 19 B 
     In  FIG. 61A , there is shown a ninth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4290  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4291 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4292  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4293  through its imaging window  4294  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  4295  of the area image detection array  4296  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4297  mounted on the upper top surface  4298  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4299  mounted on the middle top surface  4300  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4301 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4302  with a digital communication network  4303 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 61B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4292  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4304 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4305 A and  4305 B; an IFD module (i.e. camera subsystem)  4306  mounted on the optical bench, and including an area CCD image detection array  4296  contained within a light-box  4307  provided with image formation optics  4308 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along a 3-D field of view (FOV) is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual VLD PLIA)  4309 A and  4309 B mounted on optical bench  4304  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing a PLIB within the 3-D FOV; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4310 A and  4310 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including mode-hopping VLD drive circuitry  4311  associated with the driver circuit of each VLD, and a cylindrical lens array  4312  mounted before each PLIM, to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the fourth generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 19 A and  1 I 19 B. 
     Tenth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Fifth Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 21 A through  1 I 21 D 
     In  FIG. 62A , there is shown a tenth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4320  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4320 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4322  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4323  through its imaging window  4324  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  4325  of the area image detection array  4326  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4327  mounted on the upper top surface  4328  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4329  mounted on the middle top surface  4330  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4331 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4332  with a digital communication network  4333 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 62B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4322  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4334 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4335 A and  4335 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  4336  mounted on the optical bench, and including area CCD image detection array  4326  contained within a light-box  4337  provided with image formation optics  4338 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4325  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual VLD PLIA)  4339 A and  4339 B mounted on optical bench  4334  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing the PLIB  4323  within the 3-D FOV  4325 ; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4340 A and  4340 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each PLIM, including a micro-oscillating spatial intensity modulation panel  4341  and a cylindrical lens array  4341  mounted beyond the PLIM in the named order, to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the fifth generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 21 A through  1 I 21 D. 
     In an alternative embodiment, micro-oscillating spatial intensity modulation panel  4541  can be replaced by a high-speed electro-optically controlled spatial intensity modulation panel designed to modulate the spatial intensity of the transmitted PLIB and generate a spatial coherence-reduced PLIB for illuminating target objects in accordance with the present invention. 
     Eleventh Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Sixth Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 22  through  1 I 23 B 
     In  FIG. 63A , there is shown an eleventh illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4350  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4351 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4352  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4353  through its imaging window  4354  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  4355  of the area image detection array  4356  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4357  mounted on the upper top surface  4358  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4359  mounted on the middle top surface  4360  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4361 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4362  with a digital communication network  4363 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 63B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4352  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4364 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4365 A and  4365 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  4366  mounted on the optical bench, and including area CCD image detection array  4356  contained within a light-box  4367  provided with image formation optics  4368 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4355  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual VLD PLIA)  4369 A and  4369 B mounted on optical bench  4364  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing the PLIB  4353  within the 3-D FOV  4355 ; a cylindrical lens array  4370  mounted before each PLIM; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4371 A and  4371 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with the IFD module  4366 , including an electro-optical or mechanically rotating aperture (i.e. iris)  4372  disposed before the entrance pupil of the IFD module, to provide a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the sixth generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 22  through  1 I 23 B. 
     Twelfth Illustrative Embodiment of the PLIIM-Based Hand-supportable Area Imager of the Present Invention Comprising Integrated Speckle-pattern Noise Subsystem Operated in Accordance with the Seventh Generalized Method of Speckle-pattern Noise Reduction Illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 24  Through  1 I 24 C 
     In  FIG. 64A , there is shown a twelfth illustrative embodiment of the PLIIM-based hand-supportable area imager of the present invention. As shown, the PLIIM-based imager  4380  comprises: a hand-supportable housing  4381 ; a PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4382  contained therein, for projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  4383  through its imaging window  4384  in coplanar relationship with the field of view (FOV)  4385  of the area image detection array  4386  employed in the engine; a LCD display panel  4387  mounted on the upper top surface  4388  of the housing in an integrated manner, for displaying, in a real-time manner, captured images, data being entered into the system, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) required in the support of various types of information-based transactions; a data entry keypad  4389  mounted on the middle top surface  4390  of the housing, for enabling the user to manually enter data into the imager required during the course of such information-based transactions; and an embedded-type computer and interface board  4391 , contained within the housing, for carrying out image processing operations such as, for example, bar code symbol decoding operations, signature image processing operations, optical character recognition (OCR) operations, and the like, in a high-speed manner, as well as enabling a high-speed data communication interface  4392  with a digital communication network  4393 , such as a LAN or WAN supporting a networking protocol such as TCP/IP, AppleTalk or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 64B , the PLIIM-based image capture and processing engine  4382  comprises: an optical-bench/multi-layer PC board  4394 , contained between the upper and lower portions of the engine housing  4395 A and  4395 B; an IFD (i.e. camera) subsystem  4396  mounted on the optical bench, and including area CCD image detection array  4386  contained within a light-box  4397  provided with image formation optics  4398 , through which light collected from the illuminated object along the 3-D field of view (FOV)  4385  is permitted to pass; a pair of PLIMs (i.e. comprising a dual VLD PLIA)  4399 A and  4399 B mounted on optical bench  4396  on opposite sides of the IFD module, for producing the PLIB  4383  within the 3-D FOV  4385 ; a cylindrical lens array  4400  mounted before each PLIM; a pair of beam sweeping mechanisms  4401 A and  4401 B for sweeping the planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) produced from the PLIA across the 3-D FOV; and an optical assembly configured with each IFD module, including a high-speed electro-optical shutter  4402  disposed before the entrance pupil thereof, which provides a despeckling mechanism that operates in accordance with the seventh generalized method of speckle-pattern noise reduction illustrated in FIGS.  1 I 24  through  1 I 24 C. 
     LED-Based PLIMS of the Present Invention for Producing Spatially-incoherent Planar Light Illumination Beams (PLIBs for Use in PLIIM-Based Systems 
     In the numerous illustrative embodiments described above, the planar light illumination beam (PLIB) is generated by laser based devices including, but not limited to VLDs. In long-range type PLIIM systems, laser diodes are preferred over light emitting diodes (LEDs) for producing planar light illumination beams (PLIBs), as such devices can be most easily focused over long focal distances (e.g. from 12 inches or so to 6 feet and beyond). When using laser illumination devices in imaging systems, there will typically be a need to reduce the coherence of the laser illumination beam in order that the RMS power of speckle-pattern noise patterns can be effectively reduced at the image detection array of the PLIIM system. In short-range type imaging applications having relatively short focal distances (e.g. less than 12 inches or so), it may be feasible to use LED-based illumination devices to produce PLIBs for use in diverse imaging applications. In such short-range imaging applications, LED-based planar light illumination devices should offer several advantages, namely: (1) no need for despeckling mechanisms as often required when using laser-based planar light illumination devices; and (2) the ability to produce color images when using white (i.e. broad-band) LEDs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 65A through 67C , three exemplary designs for LED-based PLIMs will be described in detail below. Each of these PLIM designs can be used in lieu of the VLD-based PLIMs disclosed hereinabove and incorporated into the various types of PLIIM-based systems of the present invention to produce numerous planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) systems which fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention disclosed herein. It is understood, however, that to due focusing limitations associated with LED-based PLIMs of the present invention, LED-based PLIMs are expected to more practical uses in short-range type imaging applications, than in long-range type imaging applications. 
     In  FIG. 65A , there is shown a first illustrative embodiment of an LED-based PLIM  4500  for use in PLUM-based systems having short working distances. As shown, the LED-based PLIM  4500  comprises: a light emitting diode (LED)  4501 , realized on a semiconductor substrate  4502 , and having a small and narrow (as possible) light emitting surface region  4503  (i.e. light emitting source); a focusing lens  4504  for focusing a reduced size image of the light emitting source  4503  to its focal point, which typically will be set by the maximum working distance of the system in which the PLIM is to be used; and a cylindrical lens element  4505  beyond the focusing lens  4504 , for diverging or spreading out the light rays of the focused light beam along a planar extent to produce a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB)  4506 , while the height of the PLIB is determined by the focusing operations achieved by the focusing lens  4505 ; and a compact barrel or like structure  4507 , for containing and maintaining the above described optical components in optical alignment, as an integrated optical assembly. 
     Preferably, the focusing lens  4504  used in LED-based PLIM  4500  is characterized by a large numerical aperture (i.e. a large lens having a small F#), and the distance between the light emitting source and the focusing lens is made as large as possible to maximize the collection of the largest percentage of light rays emitted therefrom, within the spatial constraints allowed by the particular design. Also, the distance between the cylindrical lens  4505  and the focusing lens  4504  should be selected so that beam spot at the point of entry into the cylindrical lens  4505  is sufficiently narrow in comparison to the width dimension of the cylindrical lens. Preferably, flat-top LEDs are used to construct the LED-based PLIM of the present invention, as this sort of optical device will produce a collimated light beam, enabling a smaller focusing lens to be used without loss of optical power. The spectral composition of the LED  4501  can be associated with any or all of the colors in the visible spectrum, including “white” type light which is useful in producing color images in diverse applications in both the technical and fine arts. 
     The optical process carried out within the LED-based PLIM of  FIG. 65A  is illustrated in greater detail in FIG.  65 B. As shown, the focusing lens  4504  focuses a reduced size image of the light emitting source of the LED  4501  towards the farthest working distance in the PLIIM-based system. The light rays associated with the reduced-sized image are transmitted through the cylindrical lens element  4505  to produce the spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB)  4506 , as shown. 
     In  FIG. 66A , there is shown a second illustrative embodiment of an LED-based PLIM  4510  for use in PLIIM-based systems having short working distances. As shown, the LED-based PLIM  4510  comprises: a light emitting diode (LED)  4511  having a small and narrow (as possible) light emitting surface region  4512  (i.e. light emitting source) realized on a semiconductor substrate  4513 ; a focusing lens  4514  (having a relatively short focal distance) for focusing a reduced size image of the light emitting source  4512  to its focal point; a collimating lens  4515  located at about the focal point of the focusing lens  4514 , for collimating the light rays associated with the reduced size image of the light emitting source  4512 ; and a cylindrical lens element  4516  located closely beyond the collimating lens  4515 , for diverging the collimated light beam substantially within a planar extent to produce a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB)  4518 ; and a compact barrel or like structure  4517 , for containing and maintaining the above described optical components in optical alignment, as an integrated optical assembly. 
     Preferably, the focusing lens  4514  in LED-based PLIM  4510  should be characterized by a large numerical aperture (i.e. a large lens having a small F#), and the distance between the light emitting source and the focusing lens be as large as possible to maximize the collection of the largest percentage of light rays emitted therefrom, within the spatial constraints allowed by the particular design. Preferably, flat-top LEDs are used to construct the PLIM of the present invention, as this sort of optical device will produce a collimated light beam, enabling a smaller focusing lens to be used without loss of optical power. The distance between the collimating lens  4515  and the focusing lens  4513  will be as close as possible to enable collimation of the light rays associated with the reduced size image of the light emitting source  4512 . The spectral composition of the LED can be associated with any or all of the colors in the visible spectrum, including “white” type light which is useful in producing color images in diverse applications. 
     The optical process carried out within the LED-based PLIM of  FIG. 66A  is illustrated in greater detail in FIG.  66 B. As shown, the focusing lens  4514  focuses a reduced size image of the light emitting source of the LED  4512  towards a focal point at about which the collimating lens is located. The light rays associated with the reduced-sized image are collimated by the collimating lens  4515  and then transmitted through the cylindrical lens element  4516  to produce a spatially-coherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB), as shown. 
     Planar Light Illumination Array (PLIA) of the Present Invention Employing Micro-optical Lenslet Array Stack Integrated to an LED Array Substrate Contained within a Semiconductor Package Having a Light Transmission Window Through which a Spatially-incoherent Planar Light Illumination Beam (PLIB) is Transmitted 
     In  FIGS. 67A through 67C , there is shown a third illustrative embodiment of an LED-based PLIM  4600  for use in PLIIM-based systems of the present invention. As shown, the LED-based PLIM  4600  is realized as an array of components employed in the design of  FIGS. 66A and 66B , contained within a miniature IC package, namely: a linear-type light emitting diode (LED) array  4601 , on a semiconductor substrate  4602 , providing a linear array of light emitting sources  4603  (having the narrowest size and dimension possible); a focusing-type microlens array  4604 , mounted above and in spatial registration with the LED array  4601 , providing a focusing-type lenslet  4604 A above and in registration with each light emitting source, and projecting a reduced image of the light emitting source  4605  at its focal point above the LED array; a collimating-type microlens array  4607 , mounted above and in spatial registration with the focusing-type microlens array  4604 , providing each focusing lenslet with a collimating-type lenslet  4607 A for collimating the light rays associated with the reduced image of each light emitting device; and a cylindrical-type microlens array  4608 , mounted above and in spatial registration with the collimating-type micro-lens array  4607 , providing each collimating lenslet with a linear-diverging type lenslet  4608 A for producing a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) component  4611  from each light emitting source; and an IC package  4609  containing the above-described components in the stacked order described above, and having a light transmission window  4610  through which the spatially-incoherent PLIB  4611  is transmitted towards the target object being illuminated. The above-described IC chip can be readily manufactured using manufacturing techniques known in the micro-optical and semiconductor arts. 
     Notably, the LED-based PLIM  4500  illustrated in  FIGS. 65A and 65B  can also be realized within an IC package design employing a stacked microlens array structure as described above, to provide yet another illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the following components will be realized within a miniature IC package, namely: a light emitting diode (LED) providing a light emitting source (having the narrowest size and dimension possible) on a semiconductor substrate; focusing lenslet, mounted above and in spatial registration with the light emitting source, for projecting a reduced image of the light emitting source at its focal point, which is preferably set by the further working distance required by the application at hand; a cylindrical-type microlens, mounted above and in spatial registration with the collimating-type microlens, for producing a spatially-incoherent planar light illumination beam (PLIB) from the light emitting source; and an IC package containing the above-described components in the stacked order described above, and having a light transmission window through which the composite spatially-incoherent PLIB is transmitted towards the target object being illuminated. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of The Airport Security System of the Present Invention Including (i) Passenger Check-in Stations Employing Biometric-based Passenger Identification Subsystems, (ii) Baggage Check-in Stations Employing X-Ray Baggage Scanning Subsystems Cooperating with Baggage Identification and Attribute Acquisition Subsystems, and (iii) an Internetworked Passenger and Baggage RDBMS 
     Sophisticated types of screening and detection technology, based on advanced principles of applied science, have been developed to help secure airports, train stations and terminals, bus terminals, seaports and other passenger and cargo transportation terminals. Examples of such detection and inspection equipment include, for example, metal detectors, x-ray scanners, neutron beam detectors (e.g. thermal neutron analysis TNA, pulsed fast neutron analysis PFNA), as well as electromagnetic sensing techniques based on magnetic resonance analysis (MRA) or Quadrupole Resonance Analysis (QRA). 
     Prior art passenger, baggage, parcel and cargo screening (e.g. detection and inspection) systems have a great deal in common. Typically, each prior art security screening system collects raw data about the contents of the object in question, analyzes the raw data collected by the system, and then presents some form of information upon which a human operator or machine is enabled to make a decision (e.g. permit a particular passenger to board a particular aircraft, permit a particular item of baggage to be loaded onto a particular aircraft, or permit a particular item of cargo to be loaded on board a particular railcar, ship, or aircraft for transport to a particular destination). In each such security screening system or installation, the “decision” to grant or deny a particular passenger or object authorization to move along a particular course or trajectory along the space-time continuum resides with either a particular person or programmed computing machine, and must be made at a particular point along the space-time continuum, and once permission has been granted for a particular person and/or his or her objects to move along the scheduled course of travel, there typically is little or no opportunity to retract the authorization until a crisis condition has been either created or determined. 
     In response to the shortcomings and drawbacks associated with prior art security screening systems and methods, and proposals to integrate existing airport security equipment to improve system reliability and performance as disclosed in the October 2000 KPMG Consulting Report entitled “Potential System Integration of Existing Airport Security Equipment” by Paul Levelton and Adil Chagani, of KPMG Consulting LP, it is a further object of the present invention to provide improved methods of and systems for security screening at airline terminals, bus terminals, railway terminals, shipping terminals, marine terminals, and the like. For purpose of illustration only, such methods and systems of the present invention, depicted in FIGS.  68 A through  69 B 2 , will be illustrated in the context of an airline terminal (i.e. airport) environment, in order to improve security screening performance therein. 
     In  FIGS. 68A through 68B , there is shown a first illustrative embodiment of the airport security system of the present invention, indicated by reference numeral  2600 . While this system is shown installed in an airport, it is understood that it can be installed in any passenger transportation terminal (e.g. railway terminal, bus terminal, marine terminal and the like). 
     As shown in  FIG. 68A , the first illustrative embodiment of the airport security system  2630  comprises a number of primary system components, namely: (i) a Passenger Screening Station or Subsystem  2631 ; (ii) a Baggage Screening Station or Subsystem  2632 ; (iii) a Passenger And Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 ; and (iv) one or more Automated Data Processing Subsystems  2634  for operating on co-indexed passenger and baggage data captured by subsystems  2631  and  2632  and stored in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 , in order to detect possible breaches of security during and after the screening of passengers and baggage within an airport or like terminal system. 
     As shown in  FIG. 68A , the passenger screening subsystem  2631  comprises: (1) a PID/BID bar code symbol dispensing subsystem  2635  for dispensing a passenger identification (PID) bar code symbols and baggage identification (BID) bar code symbols to passengers; (2) a smart-type passenger identification card reader  2675  for reading a smart ID card  2676  having an IC chip supported thereon, as well as a magstripe, and a 2-D bar code symbol (e.g. commercially available from ActivCard, Inc., http://www.activcard.com); (3) a passenger face and body profiling and identification subsystem (i.e. 3-D digitizer)  2645 ; (4) one or more hand-held PLIIM-based imagers  2636 ; (5) a retinal (and/or iris) scanner  2637  and/or other biometric scanner  2638 ; and (6) a data element linking and tracking computer  2639 . The information produced by subsystems,  122 , 120 ,  2637 , and  2638  is considered to be “passenger attribute” type data elements. Passenger screening station  2631  may also include a Trace element Detection System (TEDS) integrated into the system, for automatic detection of trace elements on the bodies of passengers during screen operations. 
     As shown in  FIG. 68A , the PID/BID bar code symbol dispensing subsystem  2635  is installed at the passenger check-in or screening station  2631 , for the purpose of dispensing (i) a unique PID bar code symbol  2640  and bracelet  2641  to be worn by each passenger checking into the airport system, and (ii) a unique BID bar code label  2642  for attachment to each article of baggage  2643  to be carried aboard the aircraft on which the checked-in passenger will fly (or on another aircraft). Each BID bar code symbol  2642  assigned to a baggage article is co-indexed (in RDBMS  2633 ) with the PID bar code symbol  2640  assigned to the passenger checking the article of baggage. 
     As shown in FIG.  68 A 1 , the passenger face and body profiling and identification subsystem  2645 , can be realized by a PLIIM subsystem  25 , for capturing a digital image of the face, head and upper body of each passenger to board an aircraft at the airport, or by a LDIP subsystem  122  as a 3-D laser scanning digitizer for capturing a digital 3-D profile of the passenger&#39;s face and head (and possibly body). As shown, subsystem  2645  is mounted on an adjustable support pole  2646 , located adjacent a conventional walk-through metal-detector  2647 . 
     As illustrated in FIG.  68 C 1 , the object identification and attribute information tracking and linking computer  2639  automatically links (i.e. co-indexes) passenger attribute information (i.e. data elements) with the corresponding passenger identification (PID) number which is encoded within the PID bar code symbol  2640  printed on the passenger&#39;s identification (PID) bracelet (or badge)  2641 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 68A , function of the hand-held PLIIM-based imager  2636  is to capture a digital image of the passenger&#39;s identification card(s)  2648 . The function of the retinal (and/or iris) scanner  2637  and/or other biometric scanner  2638  is to collect biometric information (e.g. retinal pattern information, fingerprint pattern information, voice pattern information, facial pattern information, and/or DNA pattern information) about the passenger in order to confirm his or her identity. Such object (i.e. passenger) attribute data is linked to corresponding passenger identification data within the object identification and attribute information tracking and linking computer  2639  prior to storage of the collected data in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 68A , the baggage screening station  2632  comprises: an X-radiation baggage scanning subsystem  2650 ; a conveyor belt structure  2651 ; and a baggage identification and attribute acquisition system  120 B, mounted above the conveyor belt structure  2651 , before the entry port of the X-radiation baggage scanning subsystem  2650  (or physically and electrically integrated therein), for automatically performing the following set of functions: (i) identifying each article of baggage  2643  by reading the baggage identification (BID) bar code symbol  2642  applied thereto at a baggage screening station  2632 ; (ii) dimensioning (i.e. profiling) the article of baggage and generating baggage profile information within subsystem  120 B; (iii) capturing a digital image of each article of baggage; (iv) indexing such baggage image (i.e. attribute) data with the corresponding BID number encoded into the scanned BID bar code symbol; and (v) sending such BID-indexed baggage attribute data elements to the passenger and baggage attribute RDBMS  2633  for storage as a baggage attribute record, as illustrated in FIG.  68 B. Notably, subsystem  120 B performs a “baggage identify tagging” function, wherein each baggage attribute data element is automatically tagged with the baggage identification so that the package attribute data can be stored in the RDBMS  2633  in a way that is related in the RDBMS to other baggage articles and the corresponding passenger carrying the same on board a particular scheduled flight. 
     As shown in  FIG. 68A , the baggage screening station  2632  further comprises a PFNA, MRI and QRA scanning subsystem  2660  installed slightly downstream from the x-ray scanning subsystem  2650 , with an object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 B integrated therein, for automatically scanning each BID bar coded article of baggage prior to screening, and producing visible digital images corresponding to the interior and contents of each baggage article using either PFNA, MRI and/or QRA techniques well known in the bagging screening arts. Such scanning subsystems  2660  can be used to detect the presence of explosive materials, biological weapons (e.g. Anthrax spores), chemical agents, and the like within articles of baggage screened by the subsystem. Baggage screen station  2632  may also include a Trace Element Detection System (TEDS), integrated into the system, for automatic detection of trace elements in or on baggage during screening. 
     As shown in  FIG. 68A , the Passenger And Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633  is operably connected to the PLIIM-based passenger identification and profiling camera subsystem  120 A, the baggage identification (BID) bar code symbol dispensing subsystem  2635 , the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  integrated with the x-ray scanning subsystem  2650 , the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 B integrated with the EDS  2660  downstream from the x-ray screening subsystem  2650 , the data element queuing, handling and processing (i.e. linking) computer  2639 , and the baggage screening subsystem  2632 . As illustrated in  FIG. 68B , the primary function of RDBMS  2633  is to maintain co-indexed (i.e. correlated) records on (i) passenger identity and attribute information, (ii) baggage identity and attribute information, and (iii) between passenger identity and baggage identity information acquired and managed by the system. 
     The primary function of each Automated Data Processing Subsystems  2634  is to process passenger and baggage attribute records (e.g. text files, image files, voice files, etc.) maintained in the Passenger and Baggage RDBMS  2633 . In the illustrative embodiment, each Data Processing System  2634  is programmed to automatically mine and detect suspect conditions in the information records in the RDBMS  2633 , and in one or more remote RDBMSs  2670  in communication with the Data Processing Subsystem  2634  via the Internet  2671 . Upon the detection for alarm or security breach (e.g. explosive devices, identify suspect passengers linked to criminal activity, etc.), the Data Processing Subsystem  2634  automatically generates a signal which is transmitted to one or more security breach alarm subsystems  2672  which, respond to the generated signals, and issue alarms to security personnel  2673  and/or other subsystems  2674  designed to respond to possible security breach conditions during and after passengers and baggage are checked into the airport terminal system. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the PID number encoded into each PID bar code symbol assigned to each passenger encodes a unique passenger identification number. Preferably, this number is also encoded within each BID bar code symbol  2607  affixed to the baggage articles carried by the passenger. The PID and BID bar code symbols may be constructed from 1-D or 2-D bar code symbologies. It is also understood that diverse kinds of numbering systems may be used in the system with acceptable results. 
     In FIG.  68 A 1 , the passenger face and body profiling and identification subsystem  2645  and retinal (and/or iris) scanner  2637  and/or other biometric scanner  2638  are illustrated in greater detail. As shown, PLIIM-based subsystem  25 ′ can be used to acquire high-resolution face and 3-D body profiles, alongside of a conventional a metal-detection subsystem  2647  employed at the passenger screening station  2631  shown in FIG.  68 A. Alternatively, just the LDIP subsystem  122  can be used as a 3-D digitizer to acquire 3-D profiles of each passenger&#39;s face, head and upper body during the passenger screening process. 3-D images captured by such subsystems are automatically tagged (co-indexed) with the PID number of the passenger whose face has been scanned, by virtue of the operation of the data element queuing, handling and processing (i.e. linking) computer  2639  into which the output of such subsystems feed, as shown in FIG.  68 A. When using PLIIM-based subsystem  120  to perform facial scanning, data elements associated with the PID number obtained by first reading the passenger&#39;s identification card (e.g. drivers license, etc.) can be automatically linked to the data elements associated with passenger&#39;s facial image prior to transmission of such data to the RDBMS  2633 . When using the LDIP subsystem  122  by itself for facial profiling, the data element queuing, handling and processing (i.e. linking) computer  2639  will perform the data tracking and linking function which the data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131  in the PLIIM-based subsystem  120  otherwise performs. 
     In  FIG. 68B , there is shown an exemplary passenger and baggage database record  2680  which is created and maintained by the airport security system  2630  of FIG.  68 A. Notably, for each passenger boarding a scheduled flight, PID-indexed information attributes  2681  are stored in Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633  with BID-indexed information attributes  2682  linked to the PID-indexed information attributes  2681  associated with the passenger carrying on the baggage articles. 
     FIG.  68 CA 1  illustrates the structure and function of the object identification and attribute information tracking and linking computer  2639  employed at the passenger screening subsystem  2631  of the illustrative embodiment, shown in FIG.  68 A. As shown, a Passenger-ID (PID) index is automatically attached to each passenger attribute data element generated at the passenger screening subsystem of FIG.  68 A. 
     FIG.  68 C 2  illustrates the structure and function of the data element queuing, handling and processing subsystem  131  in each object identification and attribute acquisition system  120  employed at the baggage screening station  2632  shown in FIG.  68 A. As shown, a Baggage-ID (BID) index is automatically attached to each baggage attribute data element generated at the baggage screening subsystem of FIG.  68 A. 
     Operation of the airport security system  2630  will be described in detail below with reference to the flow chart set forth in FIGS.  68 C 1  through  68 C 3 . 
     As indicated at Block A in FIG.  68 D 1 , each passenger who is about to board an aircraft at an airport, would first go to the passenger check-in screening station  2631  with personal identification (e.g. passport, driver&#39;s license, etc.) in hand as well as articles of baggage to be carried on the aircraft by the passenger. 
     As indicated at Block B in FIG.  68 D 1 , upon checking in with this station  2631 , the PID/BID bar code symbol dispensing subsystem  2635  issues: (1) a passenger identification device (e.g. bracelet, badge, pin, card, tag or other identification device)  2641  bearing (or encoded with) a PID number, a PID-encoded bar code symbol  2640 , and/or a photographic image of the passenger, a smart identification card  2676 , and possibly some other form of secure identity authentication (e.g. PDF 417  bar code symbol encoded using Authx™ identity software by Authx, Inc., http://www.authx.com): and (2) a corresponding BID number or BID-encoded bar code symbol  2642  for attachment to each item of baggage to be carried on the aircraft by the passenger. Notable, the passenger identification device  2641  may serve as a boarding pass. At the same time, subsystem  2635  creates a passenger/baggage information record in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633  for each passenger and set of baggage being checked into the airport security system. 
     As indicated at Block C in FIG.  68 D 1 , the passenger identification (PID) bracelet or badge  2641  is affixed to the passenger&#39;s person (e.g. wrist) at the passenger check-in station  2631  which is to be worn during the entire duration of the passenger&#39;s scheduled flight. 
     As indicated at Block D in FIG.  68 D 1 , the PLIIM-based passenger identification and profiling camera subsystem  120  described in detail hereinabove automatically captures: (i) a digital image of the passenger&#39;s face, head and upper body; (ii) a digital profile of his or her face and head (and possibly body) using the LDIP subsystem  122  employed therein; and (iii) a digital image of the passenger&#39;s identification card(s)  2648 ,  2676 . Optionally at Block D, additional biometric information about each passenger (e.g. retinal pattern, fingerprint pattern, voice pattern, facial pattern, DNA pattern) may be acquired at the passenger check-in station using dedicated biometric information acquisition devices  2637 ,  2638 , representing additional passenger attribute information which can assist in the automated identification of the passenger checking-into the airport security system. 
     As indicated at Block E in FIG.  68 D 1 , each such item of passenger attribute information collected at the passenger screening station  2631  is (i) co-indexed with the corresponding passenger identification (PID) number encoded within the passenger&#39;s PID No. (by data element queuing, handling and processing/linking computer  2639 ) and (ii) stored in the Passenger and Baggage RDBMS  2633  via the package-switched digital data communications network supporting the security system of the present invention. 
     As indicated at Block F in FIG.  68 D 2 , each BID-encoded article of baggage is transported along the conveyor belt structure under the package identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 A installed before or at the entry port of the X-radiation baggage scanning subsystem  2650  (or integrated therewith), and then through the X-radiation baggage scanning subsystem  2650 . As this scanning process occurs, each BID-encoded article of baggage is automatically identified, imaged, and dimensioned/profiled by subsystem  120 A and then imaged by x-radiation scanning subsystem  2650 . 
     As indicated at Block G in FIG.  68 D 2 , the passenger and baggage attribute information items (i.e. image data) generated by each of these subsystems are automatically co-indexed with the PID and BID numbers of the passengers and baggage, respectively, and stored in the Package and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 , for subsequent information processing. 
     As indicated at Block H in FIG.  68 D 2 , each BID bar coded article of baggage is then transported along the conveyor belt structure under another object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 B, installed downstream, before or at the entry port of an automated explosive detection subsystem EDS  2660  (or integrated therewithin), and is subsequently conveyed through the EDS  2660  and subjected to an automated explosive detection process. 
     As indicated at Block I in FIG.  68 D 2 , as this scanning process occurs, each bar coded article of baggage is automatically identified, imaged, and dimensioned/profiled by object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 B, and thereafter analyzed by EDS  2660  in a manner known in the baggage explosive detection art. While not shown in  FIG. 68A , it is understood that that output port of the EDS  2660  will be connected to a baggage re-routing conveyor structure, along which suspect (e.g. explosive-containing) baggage is diverted either (i) through a second EDS, downstream from the first EDS, for a second level of explosive detection analysis, or (ii) into a protective/armored bomb container which can be carted away for denotation, defusing or other treatment specified by airport security procedures in place at the particular airport installation at hand. 
     As indicated at Block J in FIG.  68 D 2 , each item of baggage attribute information acquired at each EDS station  2660  is co-indexed with the corresponding baggage identification (BID) number, and stored in the information records maintained in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 , for subsequent information processing. 
     As indicated at Block K in FIG.  68 D 3 , conventional methods of detecting suspicious conditions revealed by x-ray images of baggage are used (e.g. using an x-ray monitor  2684  adjacent the x-ray scanning subsystem  2650 ), and passengers are authorized to either board the aircraft unless such a condition is detected. 
     As indicated in  FIG. 1  in FIG.  68 D 3 , in addition, intelligent information processing algorithms running on Data Processing Subsystem  2634  automatically operate on each passenger and baggage attribute record stored in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 . 
     As indicated at Block M in FIG.  68 D 3 , intelligent information processing algorithms running on Data Processing Subsystem  2634  can also access passenger attribute records stored in remote intelligence RDBMS  2670  and be used with passenger and baggage attribute information in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RBDMS  2633  in order to detect any suspicious conditions which may give concern or alarm about either a particular passenger or article of baggage presenting concern or a breach of security. 
     As indicated at Block N in FIG.  68 D 3 , such post-check-in information processing operations can also be carried out with human assistance at a remote workstation  2685 , if necessary, to determine or re-determine if a breach of security appears to have occurred. 
     As indicated at Block O in FIG.  68 D 3 , if a security breach is determined prior to flight-time, then the flight related to the suspect passenger and/or baggage might be aborted with the use of security personnel signaled by subsystem. If a security breach is detected after an aircraft has lifted off, then the flight crew and pilot can be informed by radio communication of the detected security concern. 
     The primary advantages of the airport security system and method of present invention is that it enables passenger and baggage attribute information collected by the system to be further processed after a particular passenger and baggage article has been checked in, using automated information analyzing agents and remote intelligence RDBMS  2670 . The digital images and facial profiles collected from each checked-in passenger can be compared against passenger attribute information records previously stored in the RDBMS  2633 . Such information processing can be useful in identifying first-time passengers, as well as passengers who are trying to falsify their identity to gain passage aboard a particular flight. Also, in the event that subsequent analysis of baggage attributes reveal a security breach, the digital image and profile information of the particular article of baggage, in addition to its BID number, will be useful in finding and locating the baggage article aboard the aircraft in the event that this is necessary. The intelligent image and information processing algorithms carried out by Data Processing Subsystem  2634  are within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Airport Security System of the Present Invention Including (i) Passenger Check-in Stations Employing Biometric-based Passenger Identification Subsystems, (ii) Baggage Check-in Stations Employing Baggage Identification and Attribute Acquisition Subsystems Cooperating with X-Ray Baggage Scanning Subsystems and RFID Tag Readers, and (iii) an Internetworked Passenger and Baggage RDBMS 
     In  FIGS. 69A and 69B , there is shown a second illustrative embodiment of the novel airport security system of the present invention, indicated by reference numeral  2690 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 69A , the second illustrative embodiment of the airport security system  2690  comprises a number of primary system components, namely: (i) a Passenger Screening Station or Subsystem  2631 ; (ii) a Baggage Screening Station or Subsystem  2691 ; (iii) a Passenger And Baggage Attribute Relational Database Management Subsystems (RDBMS)  2633 ; and (iv) one or more Automated Data Processing Subsystems  2633  for operating on co-indexed passenger and baggage data captured by subsystems  2631  and  2691  and stored in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 , in order to detect possible breaches of security during and after the screening of passengers and baggage within an airport or like terminal system. 
     As shown in  FIG. 69A , the passenger screening subsystem  2631  comprises: (1) a PID/BID bar code symbol dispensing subsystem  2635  for dispensing a passenger identification (PID) bar code symbols and baggage identification (BID) bar code symbols to passengers; (2) a smart-type passenger identification card reader  2675  for reading a smart ID card  2676  having an IC chip supported thereon, as well as a magstripe, and a 2-D bar code symbol (e.g. commercially available from ActivCard, Inc., http://www.activcard.com); (3) a passenger face and body profiling and identification subsystem (i.e. 3-D digitizer)  2645 ; (4) one or more hand-held PLIIM-based imagers  2636 ; (5) a retinal (and/or iris) scanner  2637  and/or other biometric scanner  2638 ; and (6) a data element linking and tracking computer  2639 . The information produced by subsystems,  122 , 120 ,  2637 , and  2638  is considered to be “passenger attribute” type data elements. Passenger screening station  2631  may also include a TDS integrated into the system. 
     As shown in  FIG. 69A , the PID/BID bar code symbol dispensing subsystem  2635  is installed at a passenger check-in or screening station, for the purpose of dispensing (i) a unique PID bar code symbol  2640  and bracelet  2641  to be worn by each passenger checking into the airport system, and (ii) a unique BID bar code label  2642  for attachment to each article of baggage to be carried aboard the aircraft on which the checked-in passenger will fly (or on another aircraft). Each BID bar code symbol  2642  assigned to a baggage article is co-indexed with the PID bar code symbol  2640  assigned to the passenger checking the article of baggage. 
     As shown in FIG.  69 A 1 , the passenger face and body profiling and identification subsystem  2645 , can be realized by a PLIIM subsystem  25 , for capturing a digital image of the face, head and upper body of each passenger to board an aircraft at the airport, or by a LDIP subsystem  122  as a 3-D laser scanning digitizer for capturing a digital 3-D profile of the passenger&#39;s face and head (and possibly entire body). 
     As shown in  FIG. 69A , the baggage screening station  2691  comprises: an X-radiation baggage scanning subsystem  2650 ; a conveyor belt structure  2651 ; and a package identification and attribute acquisition system  120 A and an RDIF-tag based object identification device  2693  mounted above the conveyor belt structure  2651 , before the entry port of the X-radiation baggage scanning subsystem  2650  (or physically and electrically integrated therein), for automatically performing the following set of functions: (i) identifying each article of baggage  2643  by reading the baggage identification (BID) bar code symbol  2642  applied thereto at the baggage screening station  2691 ; (ii) dimensioning (i.e. profiling) the article of baggage and generating baggage profile information; (iii) capturing a digital image of the article of baggage; (iv) indexing such baggage attribute data with the corresponding BID number encoded either into the scanned BID-encoded bar code symbol or the scanned BID-encoded RFID-tag applied to each article of baggage; and (v) sending such BID-indexed baggage attribute data elements to the passenger and baggage attribute RDBMS  2633  for storage as a baggage attribute record, as illustrated in FIG.  68 B. Notably, subsystem  120 A (which receives RFID-tag reader input) performs a “baggage identify tagging” function, wherein each baggage attribute data element is automatically tagged with the baggage identification so that the package attribute data can be stored in the RDBMS  2633  in a way that is related in the RDBMS to other baggage articles and the corresponding passenger carrying the same on board a particular scheduled flight. As shown, the baggage screening subsystem  2691  further comprises a PFNA, MRI and QRA scanning subsystem  2660  installed slightly downstream from the x-ray scanner  2650 , with an object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 B integrated therein, for automatically scanning each BID bar coded article of baggage prior to screening, and producing visible digital images corresponding to the interior and contents of each baggage article using either PFNA, MRI and/or QRA well known in the bagging screening arts. Such scanning subsystems  2660  can be used to detect the presence of explosive materials, biological weapons (e.g. Anthrax spores), chemical agents, and the like within articles of baggage screened by the subsystem. Baggage screening station  2691  may also include a TEDS integrated into the system. 
     As shown in  FIG. 69A , the system further comprises a hand-held RFID-tag reader  2695  with a LCD panel  2695 A, keypad  2695 B, and a RF interface  2695 C providing a wireless communication link to a mobile base station  2696 , comprising an RF transmitter  2696 A and server  2696 B which is operably connected to the LAN in which the RDBMS  2633  is connected. The function of the hand-held RFID-tag reader  2695  is to receive instructions from the Data Processing Subsystem  2634  about the identity and attributes of a suspect passenger and/or articles of baggage, and to use the RFID-tag reader  2695  to determine exactly where the baggage resides in the event of there being a need to access the baggage article and remove it from the baggage handling system or aircraft. During operation, the hand-held RFID-tag reader  2695  generates a RF-based interrogation field which interrogates the whereabouts of a particular BID-encoded RFID-tag  2697  (on an article of baggage). This interrogation process is achieved by generating and locally broadcasting a set of RF-harmonic frequencies (from the RFID-tag reader  2697 ) which correspond to the natural resonant frequencies of the RF-tuned circuits used to create the BID-encoded structure underlying the RFID-tag. When the suspect baggage resides within the interrogation field of the hand-held RFID-tag reader  2695 , an audible and/or visual alarm is signaled from the reader, causing the operator to take immediate action and retrieve the RFID-tag article of baggage from either the baggage handling system or a particular aircraft or other vehicle. Also, the LCD panel of the RFID-tag reader  2696  can access and display other types of attribute information maintained in the RDBMS  2633  about the suspect article of baggage. 
     Operation of the airport security system  2696  will be described in detail below with reference to the flow chart set forth in FIGS.  69 B 1  through  69 B 3 . 
     As indicated at Block A in FIG.  69 B 1 , each passenger who is about to board an aircraft at an airport, would first go to passenger check-in screening station  2631  with personal identification (e.g. passport, driver&#39;s license, smart ID card  2676 , etc.) in hand, as well as articles of baggage to be carried on the aircraft by the passenger. 
     As indicated at Block B in FIG.  68 B 1 , upon checking in with this station, the PID/BID bar code symbol dispensing subsystem  2635  issues two types of identification structures, namely: (1) a passenger identification device (e.g. bracelet, badge, pin, card, tag or other identification device)  2641  bearing (or encoded with) a PID number or PID-encoded bar code symbol  2640 , photographic image of the passenger, and possibly other form of secure identity authenticator (e.g. PDF 417  bar code symbol encoded using Authx™ identity software by Authx, Inc., http://www.authx.com); and (2) a corresponding BID number or BID-encoded bar code symbol  2642  for attachment to each item of baggage  2643  to be carried on the aircraft by the passenger. At the same time, subsystem  2635  creates a passenger/baggage information record in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633  for each passenger and set of baggage checked into the system. 
     As indicated at Block C in FIG.  69 B 1 , the PID-encoded bracelet or badge  2640  is affixed to the passenger&#39;s person (e.g. wrist) at the passenger check-in screening station  2631  which is to be worn during the entire duration of the passenger&#39;s scheduled flight. 
     As indicated at Block D in FIG.  69 B 1 , the PLIIM-based passenger identification and profiling camera subsystem  120  (or  122 ) described in detail hereinabove automatically captures: (i) a digital image of the passenger&#39;s face, head and upper body; (ii) a digital profile of his or her face and head (and possibly body) using the LDIP subsystem  122  employed therein; and (iii) a digital image of the passenger&#39;s identification card(s). Optionally at Block D, additional biometric information about each passenger (e.g. retinal pattern, fingerprint pattern, voice pattern, facial pattern, DNA pattern) may be acquired at the passenger check-in station using dedicated biometric information acquisition devices  2637  and  2638 , representing additional passenger attribute information which can assist in the automated identification of passengers checking-into the airport security system. 
     As indicated at Block E in FIG.  69 B 1 , each such item of passenger attribute information collected at the passenger check-in screening station  2631  is (i) co-indexed with (i.e. linked to) the corresponding PID number encoded within the passenger&#39;s PID No. by data element queuing, handling, and processing (i.e. linking) computer  2639 , and (ii) stored in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633  via the package-switched digital data communications network supporting the security system of the present invention. 
     As indicated at Block F in FIG.  69 B 2 , each BID bar coded article of baggage is transported along the conveyor belt structure under the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 A installed before or at the entry port of the X-radiation baggage scanning subsystem  2650  (or integrated therewithin), and then through the X-radiation baggage scanning subsystem  2650 . As this scanning process occurs, each bar coded article of baggage is automatically identified, imaged, and dimensioned/profiled by subsystem  120 A and thereafter imaged by the x-radiation scanning subsystem  2650  into which subsystem  120  is integrated. 
     As indicated at Block G in FIG.  69 B 2 , the passenger and baggage attribute information items (i.e. image data) generated by each of these subsystems are automatically linked to (i.e. coindexed with) the PID and BID numbers of the passengers and baggage, respectively, and stored in the Package and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 , for subsequent information processing. 
     As indicated at Block H in FIG.  69 B 2 , each BID-encoded article of baggage is transported along the conveyor belt structure through another object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 B installed downstream before the entry port of an automated explosive detection subsystem EDS (or PFNA, MRI or QRA scanning subsystem)  2660  (or integrated therewithin), and is subsequently conveyed through the subsystem  2660  and subjected to an automated material composition analysis for detection of dangerous articles or materials. 
     As indicated at Block I in FIG.  69 B 2 , as this scanning process occurs, each bar coded article of baggage is automatically identified, imaged, and dimensioned/profiled by object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 B, and thereafter analyzed by EDS  2660  in a manner known in the baggage explosive detection art. 
     As indicated at Block J in FIG.  69 B 2 , each item of baggage attribute information acquired at each EDS station  2660  is co-indexed with (i.e. linked to) the corresponding baggage identification (BID) number acquired by subsystem  120 B, and stored in the information records maintained in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 , for storage and subsequent information processing. 
     As indicated at Block K in FIG.  69 B 3 , conventional methods of detecting suspicious conditions revealed by x-ray images of baggage are used (e.g. using an x-ray monitor  2684  adjacent the x-ray scanning subsystem  2660 ), and passengers are authorized to either board the aircraft unless such a condition is detected. 
     As indicated in  FIG. 1  in FIG.  69 B 3 , in addition, intelligent information processing algorithms running on Data Processing Subsystem  2634  automatically operate on each passenger and baggage attribute record stored in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RDBMS  2633 . 
     As indicated at Block M in FIG.  69 B 3 , intelligent information processing algorithms running on Data Processing Subsystem  2634  can also access passenger attribute records stored in remote intelligence RDBMS  2633  and be used with passenger and baggage attribute information in the Passenger and Baggage Attribute RBDMS  2633  in order to detect any suspicious conditions which may give concern or alarm about either a particular passenger or article of baggage presenting concern or a breach of security. 
     As indicated at Block N in FIG.  69 B 3 , such post-check-in information processing operations can also be carried out with human assistance at a remote workstation  2685 , if necessary, to determine or re-determine if a breach of security appears to have occurred. 
     As indicated at Block O in FIG.  69 C 3 , if a security breach is determined prior to flight-time, then the flight related to the suspect passenger and/or baggage might be aborted with the use of security personnel  2673  signaled by subsystem  2672 . If a security breach is detected after an aircraft has lifted off, then the flight crew and pilot can be informed by radio communication of the detected security concern. 
     The primary advantages of the airport security system and method of present invention is that it enables passenger and baggage attribute information collected by the system to be further processed after a particular passenger and baggage article has been checked in, using automated information analyzing agents and remote intelligence RDBMS  2670 . The digital images and facial profiles collected from each checked-in passenger can be compared against passenger attribute information records previously stored in the RDBMS  2633 . Such information processing can be useful in identifying first-time passengers, as well as passengers who are trying to falsify their identity to gain passage aboard a particular flight. Also, in the event that subsequent analysis of baggage attributes reveal a security breach, the digital image and profile information of the particular article of baggage, in addition to its BID number, will be useful in finding and locating the baggage article aboard the aircraft using the mobile RFID-tag reader  2695 , in the event that this is necessary. The intelligent image and information processing algorithms carried out by Data Processing Subsystem  2634  are within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. 
     Conventional methods of detecting suspicious conditions revealed by x-ray images of baggage are used (e.g. using an x-ray monitor  2684  adjacent the x-ray scanning subsystem  2660 ), and passengers are authorized to either board the aircraft unless such a condition is detected. In addition, intelligent information processing algorithms running on Data Processing Subsystem  2634  automatically operate on each passenger and baggage attribute record stored in RDBMS  2633  as well as remote RDBMS  2670  in order to detect any suspicious conditions which may given concern or alarm about either a particular passenger or article of baggage presenting concern or a breach of security. Such post-check-in information processing operations can also be carried out with human assistance, if necessary, to determine if a breach of security appears to have occurred. If a breach is determined prior to flight-time, then the flight related to the suspect passenger and/or baggage might be aborted with the use of security personnel  2673  signaled by subsystem  2672 . If a breach is detected after an aircraft has lifted off, then the flight crew and pilot can be informed by radio communication of the detected security concern. 
     X-Ray Scanning-tunnel System of the Present Invention Having Integrated Subsystems for Automatically Identifying Objects Transported Therethrough and Automatically Linking Object Identification Information with Object Attribute Information Acquired by the System 
     In  FIGS. 70A and 70B , a x-ray scanning-tunnel system  2700  of the present invention is shown comprising: a x-ray scanning machine  2701  having a conveyor belt structure  2701  for transporting objects (e.g. parcels, packages, baggage, etc.) through a tunnel-like housing  2703  provided with an entry port  2704  and an exit port  2705 ; and a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  installed above the conveyor belt structure at the extra port  2704  of the tunnel-like housing, and receiving as object attribute data input, x-ray image data files produced by the x-ray scanning machine  2701  for display, processing and analysis. In accordance with convention, X-ray scanning machine automatically inspects the interior space of objects such as packages, parcels, baggage or the like, by the transmitting one or more bands of x-type electromagnetic radiation through the objects to produce x-ray images of the structure and composition of the scanned objects. These x-ray images are detected using solid-state image detectors and are converted to color-coded digital images for display, analysis and review. Rapiscan Security Products, Inc., http://www.rapiscan.com, makes and sells X-ray scanning equipment which can be used to realize a X-ray based scanning tunnel system of the present invention described above. 
     Optionally, a RFID-tag reader  2706  is installed at the entry port of the tunnel-like housing in order to automatically read RFID-tags applied to objects being x-ray scanned through the system. The output data port of the RFID-tag reader  2706  is operably connected to the object identity data input port provided on the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 . As such, the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  is adapted to receive two different sources of object identification information from objects being transported through the x-ray scanning machine  2701 , namely bar code symbol based object identity information, and RFID-tag based object identify information. As shown, the Ethernet data communications port of the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  is connected to the local network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)  2708  via suitable communications cable, medium or link. In turn, the LAN or WAN  2708  is connected to the infrastructure of the Internet  2709  to which one or more remote intelligence RDBMSs  2710  are operably connected using the TCP/IP protocol. 
     The arrangement shown in  FIGS. 70A and 70B  enables the object identification and attribute subsystem  120  to transport linked object identification and attribute data elements to any RDBMS  2710  to which it is networked, for storage and subsequent processing in diverse applications. Object identification and attribute data elements linked by and transported from the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  can be used in diverse types of intelligence and security related applications. 
     Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA) Scanning-tunnel System of the Present Invention Having Integrated Subsystems for Automatically Identifying Objects Transported therethrough and Automatically Linking Object Identification Information with Object Attribute Information Acquired by the System 
     In  FIGS. 71A and 71B , a Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA) scanning-tunnel system  2720  of the present invention is shown comprising: a PFNA scanning machine  2721  having a conveyor belt structure  2722  for transporting objects (e.g. parcels, packages, baggage, etc.) through a tunnel-like housing  2723  provided with an entry port  2724  and an exit port  2725 : and a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  installed above the conveyor belt structure at the entry port  2724  of the tunnel-like housing, and receiving as object attribute data input, PFNA image data files produced by the PFNA scanning machine  2721  for display, processing and analysis. In accordance with convention, the PFNA scanning machine automatically inspects the interior space of objects such as packages, parcels, baggage or the like, by exposing the same to short pulses of fast neutrons. When the neutrons hit the matter constituting the object, gamma-type electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the object, and gamma detectors located around the inspected object collect elemental electromagnetic signals emitted from the object&#39;s contents. An electronic data acquisition system processes the signals and routes the elemental and spatial data to a computer system that generates elemental images of what material is present in the object. Ancore, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif., http://www.ancore.com, makes and sells PFNA scanning equipment which can be used to realize a PFNA-based scanning tunnel system of the present invention described above. 
     Optionally, a RFID-tag reader  2726  is installed at the entry port of the tunnel-like housing in order to automatically read RFID-tags applied to objects being x-ray scanned through the system. The output data port of the RFID-tag reader  2726  is operably connected to the object identity data input port provided on the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 . As such, the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  is adapted to receive two different sources of object identification information from objects being transported through the x-ray scanning machine  2721 , namely bar code symbol based object identity information, and RFID-tag based object identify information. As shown, the Ethernet data communications port of the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  is connected to the local network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) via suitable communications cable, medium or link. In turn, the LAN or WAN  2729  is connected to the infrastructure of the Internet  2730  to which one or more remote intelligence RDBMSs  2731  are operably connected using the TCP/IP protocol. This arrangement enables the object identification and attribute subsystem  120  to transport linked object identification and attribute data elements to any RDBMS  2731  to which it is networked, for storage and subsequent processing in diverse applications. Object identification and attribute data elements linked by and transported from the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  can be used in diverse types of intelligence and security related applications. 
     Quadrupole Resonance (QR) Scanning-tunnel System of the Present Invention Having Integrated Subsystems for Automatically Identifying Objects Transported Therethrough and Automatically Linking Object Identification Information with Object Attribute Information Acquired by the System 
     In  FIGS. 72A and 72B , a Quadrupole Resonance Analysis (QRA) scanning-tunnel system of the present invention  2740  is shown comprising: a QRA scanning machine  2741  having a conveyor belt structure  2742  for transporting objects (e.g. parcels, packages, baggage, etc.) through a tunnel-like housing  2743  provided with an entry port  2744  and an exit port  2745 : and a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  installed above the conveyor belt structure at the entry port  2744  of the tunnel-like housing, and receiving as object attribute data input, QRA image data files produced by the QRA scanning machine  2741  for display, processing and analysis. In accordance with convention, QRA scanning machine automatically inspects the interior space of objects such as packages, parcels, baggage or the like, by the transmitting low-intensity electromagnetic radio waves through the objects to produce digital images of the structure and composition of the scanned objects, with the requirement of externally generated magnetic fields, required by MRI techniques. Quantum Magnetics, Inc. of San Diego, Calif., http://www.qm.com, makes and sells QRA scanning equipment which can be used to realize a QRA-based scanning tunnel system of the present invention described above. 
     Optionally, a RFID-tag reader  2746  is installed at the entry port of the tunnel-like housing in order to automatically read RFID-tags applied to objects being QRA scanned through the system. The output data port of the RFID-tag reader  2746  is operably connected to the object identity data input port provided on the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 . As such, the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  is adapted to receive two different sources of object identification information from objects being transported through the QRA scanning machine  2741 , namely bar code symbol based object identity information, and RFID-tag based object identify information. As shown, the Ethernet data communications port of the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  is connected to the local network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)  2748  via suitable communications cable, medium or link. In turn, the LAN or WAN  2748  is connected to the infrastructure of the Internet  2749  to which one or more remote intelligence RDBMSs  2750  are operably connected using the TCP/IP protocol. This arrangement enables the object identification and attribute subsystem  120  to transport linked object identification and attribute data elements to any RDBMS  2750  to which it is networked, for storage and subsequent processing in diverse applications. Object identification and attribute data elements linked by and transported from the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120  can be feature in diverse types of intelligence and security related applications. 
     PFNA, QRA or X-Ray Cargo-type Scanning-tunnel System of the Present Invention Having Integrated Subsystems for Automatically Identifying Objects Transported Therethrough and Automatically Linking Object Identification Information with Object Attribute Information Acquired by the System 
       FIG. 73  is a perspective view of a PFNA, QRA or X-ray cargo scanning-tunnel system  2760  of the present invention is shown comprising: a QRA, PFNA or X-ray scanning machine  2761  having scanning arm  2761 A supported over a road surface or the like, and under which objects (e.g. parcels, packages, baggage, etc.) can be transported during scanning operations; and a pair of PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition subsystems  120 A and  120 B installed on the top and side of the scanning arm, to image and profile transported objects along their top and side surfaces, and receiving as object attribute data input, QRA, PFNA or X-ray image data files produced by the scanning machine  2761  for display, processing and analysis. 
     Optionally, a RFID-tag reader  2764  is installed on the scanning arm in order to automatically read RFID-tags applied to objects being QRA scanned through the system. The output data port of the RFID-tag reader  2764  is operably connected to the object identity data input port provided on the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 A. As such, the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 A is adapted to receive two different sources of object identification information from objects being transported through the QRA scanning machine  2761 , namely bar code symbol based object identity information, and RFID-tag based object identify information from the RFID-tag reader  2764 . As shown, the Ethernet data communications port of the object identification and attribute acquisition subsystem  120 B is connected to the local network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)  2768  via suitable communications cable, medium or link. In turn, the LAN or WAN  2768  is connected to the infrastructure of the Internet  2769  to which one or more remote intelligence RDBMSs  2770  are operably connected using the TCP/IP protocol. This arrangement enables the object identification and attribute subsystem  120 B to transport linked object identification and attribute data elements to any RDBMS  2770  to which it is networked, for storage and subsequent processing in diverse applications. Object identification and attribute data elements linked by and transported from object identification and attribute acquisition subsystems  120 A,  120 B can be used in diverse types of intelligence and security related applications. 
     A First Embodiment of a “Horizontal-type” 3-D PLIIM-Based CAT Scanning System of the Present Invention 
     In  FIG. 74 , a first illustrative embodiment of a “horizontal-type” 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system of the present invention  2780  is shown comprising: a support table  2781  for supporting a human or animal subject during imaging operations; a pair of support bars  2782 A and  2782 B for supporting a horizontally-extending rail structure  2783  extending above and along the central axis of the support table  2781 ; a motorized carriage  2784  supported on and adapted to travel along the length of the rail structure at a programmably controlled velocity; a PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  mounted to the motorized carriage, for producing a pair of amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beams  2785  and a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  2786 ; and a computer workstation  2787  with LCD monitor  2787 , operably connected to the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  for collecting and storing both linear image slices and 3-D range data profiles of the subject under analysis, so that the workstation can reconstruct to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques applied to the collected data. 
     During operation of the system, the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  is controllably transported by the motorized carriage horizontally through a 3-D scanning volume  2788  disposed above the support table, at a controlled velocity, so as to optically scan the subject under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a global coordinate reference system (symbolically embedded within the system). The LDIP Subsystem  122  in each PLIIM-based subsystem  120  determines the range of the target surface at each instant in time, and provides such parameters to the camera control computer  22  within the corresponding PLIIM-based subsystem so that it can automatically control the focus and zoom characteristics of its camera module employed therein, thereby ensuring that each captured linear image has substantially constant dpi resolution. The image and range data collected during the scanning operation, which takes only a few seconds, is then processed using CAT techniques carried out within the computer workstation  2786  to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the subject, for display and viewing on the monitor of the computer graphics workstation. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the horizontal-type 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system described above, the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  can be replaced by just the LDIP subsystem  122 , to simplify and reduce the cost of construction of the system. In this modified CAT scanning system, each LDIP subsystem  122  performs an image capture function, in addition to its object profiling/ranging function. In particular, the intensity data collected by the return AM laser beams of LDIP subsystem  122 , after each sweep across its scanning field, produces a linear image of the laser-scanned section of the target object. These linear images are then processed using CAT techniques carried out within computer workstation  2786  to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the subject, for display and viewing on the monitor  2787  of the computer graphics workstation. In this alternative embodiment, it typically will be necessary for the LDIP imaging and profiling subsystem  122  to sample, during each sweep of the AM laser beams, many additional data points along the laser scanned object in order to generate relatively high-resolution linear images for use in the image reconstruction process. 
     A Second Embodiment of a “Horizontal-type” 3-D PLIIM-Based CAT Scanning System of the Present Invention 
     In  FIG. 75 , a second illustrative embodiment of a “horizontal-type” 2-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system of the present invention  2790  is shown comprising: a support table  2791  for supporting a human or animal subject during imaging operations; a pair of support bars  2792 A and  2792 B for supporting three, angularly spaced horizontally-extending rail structures  2793 A,  2793 B and  2793 C extending above and parallel to the central axis of the support table  2791 ; a motorized carriage  2792  supported on and adapted to travel along the length of each rail structure  2793 A,  2793 B and  2793 C at a programmably controlled velocity; a PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  mounted to each motorized carriage, for producing a pair of amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beams  2795  and a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  2796 ; and a computer workstation  2797  with LCD monitor  2798 , operably connected to each PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 , for collecting and storing both linear image slices and 3-D range data profiles of the subject generated during scanning operations, so that the workstation can reconstruct to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques applied to the collected data. 
     During operation of the system, each PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  is controllably transported by its motorized carriage horizontally through a 3-D scanning volume  2799  disposed above the support table, at a controlled velocity, so as to optically scan the subject under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a global coordinate reference system (symbolically embedded within the system). The LDIP Subsystem  122  in each PLIIM-based subsystem  120  determines the range of the target surface at each instant in time, and provides such parameters to the camera control computer  22  within the corresponding PLIIM-based subsystem so that it can automatically control the focus and zoom characteristics of its camera module employed therein, thereby ensuring that each captured linear image has substantially constant dpi resolution. The image and range data collected during the scanning operation, which takes only a few seconds, is then processed using CAT techniques carried out within the computer workstation  2797  to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the subject, for display and viewing on the monitor of the computer graphics workstation. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the horizontal-type 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system  2790  described above, the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  can be replaced by just the LDIP subsystem  122 , to simplify and reduce the cost of construction of the system. In this modified CAT scanning system, each LDIP subsystem  122  performs an image capture function, in addition to its object profiling/ranging function. In particular, the intensity data collected by the return AM laser beams of LDIP subsystem  122 , after each sweep across its scanning field, produces a linear image of the laser-scanned section of the target object. These linear images are then processed using CAT techniques carried out within computer workstation  2797  to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the subject, for display and viewing on the monitor of the computer graphics workstation. In this alternative embodiment, it typically will be necessary for the LDIP imaging and profiling subsystem  122  to sample, during each sweep of the AM laser beams, many additional data points along the laser scanned object in order to generate relatively high-resolution linear images for use in the image reconstruction process. 
     A “Vertical-type” 3-D PLIIM-Based CAT Scanning System of the Present Invention 
     In  FIG. 76 , a “vertical-type” 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system of the present invention  2800  is shown comprising: a support base  2801  for supporting a human or animal subject during imaging operations; a pair of vertically extending rail structures  2802 A and  2802 B supported from the support base  2801 ; a motorized carriage  2803  supported on and adapted to travel along the length of each rail structure  2802 A and  2802 B at a programmably controlled velocity; a PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  mounted to each motorized  2803  for producing a pair of amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beams  2804  and a single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  2805 , wherein the sets of PLIBs are orthogonal to each other; and a computer workstation  2806  with LCD monitor  2807 , operably connected to each PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 , for collecting and storing both linear image slices and 3-D range data profiles of the subject generated during scanning operations, so that the workstation can reconstruct to generate a 3-D geometrical model of the object using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques applied to the collected data. 
     During operation of the system, each PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  is controllably transported by its motorized carriage vertically through a 3-D scanning volume  2809  disposed above the support base, at a controlled velocity, so as to optically scan the subject under analysis and capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a global coordinate reference system (symbolically embedded within the system). The LDIP Subsystem  122  in each PLIIM-based subsystem  120  determines the range of the target surface at each instant in time, and provides such parameters to the camera control computer  22  within the corresponding PLIIM-based subsystem so that it can automatically control the focus and zoom characteristics of its camera module employed therein, thereby ensuring that each captured linear image has substantially constant dpi resolution. The image and range data collected during the scanning operation, which takes only a few seconds, is then processed using CAT techniques carried out within the computer workstation  2806  to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the subject, for display and viewing on the monitor  2807  of the computer graphics workstation. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the vertical-type 3-D PLIIM-based CAT scanning system  2800  described above, the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  can be replaced by just the LDIP subsystem  122 , to simplify and reduce the cost of construction of the system. In this modified CAT scanning system, each LDIP subsystem  122  performs an image capture function, in addition to its object profiling/ranging function. In particular, the intensity data collected by the return AM laser beams of LDIP subsystem  122 , after each sweep across its scanning field, produces a linear image of the laser-scanned section of the target object. These linear images are then processed using CAT techniques carried out within onboard image processing computer (or on an external image processing computer workstation) to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the subject, for display and viewing on the monitor of the computer graphics workstation. In this alternative embodiment, it typically will be necessary for the LDIP imaging and profiling subsystem  122  to sample, during each sweep of the AM laser beams, many additional data points along the laser scanned object in order to generate relatively high-resolution linear images for use in the image reconstruction process. 
     A Hand-supportable Mobile-type PLIIM-Based 3-D Digitization Device of the Present Invention 
     In  FIG. 77A , a hand-supportable mobile-type PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device  2810  of the present invention is shown comprising: a hand-supportable housing  2811  having a handle structure  2812 ; a PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ′ (or  25 ) mounted in the hand-supportable housing; a miniature-version of LDIP subsystem  122  mounted in the hand-supportable housing  2811 ; a set of optically isolated light transmission apertures  2813  and  2813 B for transmission of the PLIBs from the PLIIM-based camera subsystem mounted therein, and a light transmission aperture  2814  for transmission of the FOV of the PLIIM-based camera subsystem, during object imaging operations; a light transmission aperture  2815 , optically isolated from light transmission apertures  2813 A,  2813 B and  2814 , for transmission of the AM laser beam transmitted from the LDIP subsystem  122  during object profiling operations; a LCD view finder  2816  integrated with the housing, for displaying 3-D digital data models and 3-D geometrical models of laser scanned objects. The mobile laser scanning 3-D digitization device  2810  of  FIG. 77A  also has an Ethernet data communications port  2817  for communicating information files with other computing machines on a LAN to which the mobile device is connected. 
     During operation, the user manually sweeps the single amplitude modulated (AM) laser scanning beams  2819  and the single planar laser illumination beam (PLIB)  2820  produced from the device across a 3-D scanning volume  2821 , within which a 3-D object  2822  to be imaged and digitized exists, thereby optically scanning the object and capturing linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a coordinate reference system symbolically embodied within the scanning device. The LDIP Subsystem  122  within the hand-supportable digitizer determines the range (as well as the relative velocity) of the target surface at each instant in time with respect to coordinate reference system symbolically embodied in the digitizer. In turn, such parameters are provided to the camera control computer  22  within the 3-D digitizer so that it can automatically control the focus and zoom characteristics of its camera module (as well as the photo-integration time) employed therein, thereby ensuring that each captured linear image has substantially constant dpi resolution (and substantially square pixels). The collected image and range-data is stored in buffer memory, and processed so as to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the object using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques. The reconstructed 3-D geometrical model can be displayed and viewed on the LCD viewfinder, or on an external display panel connected to a computer in communication the device through its Ethernet or USB communications ports. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the hand-supportable mobile-type PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device  2810  described above, the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  can be replaced by just the LDIP subsystem  122 , to simplify and reduce the cost of construction of the system. In this modified CAT scanning system, each LDIP subsystem  122  performs an image capture function, in addition to its object profiling/ranging function. In particular, the intensity data collected by the return AM laser beams of LDIP subsystem  122 , after each sweep across its scanning field, produces a linear image of the laser-scanned section of the target object. These linear images are then processed using CAT techniques carried out within onboard image processing computer (or on an external image processing computer workstation) to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the subject, for display and viewing on the monitor of the computer graphics workstation. In this alternative embodiment, it typically will be necessary for the LDIP imaging and profiling subsystem  122  to sample, during each sweep of the AM laser beams, many additional data points along the laser scanned object in order to generate relatively high-resolution linear images for use in the image reconstruction process. 
     A First Illustrative Embodiment of the Transportable PLIIM-Based 3-D Digitization Device (“3-D Digitizer”) of the Present Invention 
     In  FIGS. 78A through 78C , a first illustrative embodiment of the transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device (“3-D digitizer”)  2830  of the present invention is shown comprising: a transportable housing  2831  of lightweight construction, having a handle  2832  on its top portion for transporting system device about from one location to another, and four rubber feet  2834  on its base portion for supporting the device on any stable surface, indoors and outdoors alike; a PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  as described above, contained within the transportable housing  2831 , and including a PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ′ and a LDIP subsystem  122 , both described in detail hereinabove; a set of optically isolated light transmission apertures  2835 A and  2835 B for transmission of the PLIBs  2836  and light transmission aperture  2837  for transmission of the coplanar FOV  2836  of the PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ′ mounted therein, during object imaging operations; a light transmission aperture  2838 , optically isolated from light transmission apertures  2835 A,  2835 B and  2836 , for transmission of the pair of planar AM laser beams  2839  transmitted from the LDIP subsystem  122  during object profiling operations; a LCD view finder  2840  integrated with the panel of the housing, for displaying 3-D digital data models produced by LDIP subsystem  122  and high-resolution 3-D geometrical models of the laser scanned object produced by PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ′; a touch-type control pad  2841  on the rear for controlling the operation of the device, and a removable media port(s)  2842  on the rear panel of the transportable housing for interfacing a removable media device capable of recording captured image and range-data maps; an Ethernet (USB, and/or Firewire) data communications port  2843  on the rear panel for connecting the device to a local or wide area network and communicating information files with other computing machines on the network; and an onboard computer  2844  equipped with computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) programs for processing linear images and range-data maps captured by the device, and generating therefrom a 3-D digitized data model of each laser scanned object, for display, viewing and use in diverse applications; and a computer-controlled object support platform  2845 , interfaced with the onboard computer  2844  via a USB port  2846 , for controllably rotating the object as it laser-scanned by the coplanar PLIB/FOV and AM laser scanning beams. 
     During operation, the object under analysis is controllably rotated through the coplanar PLIB/FOV and planar AM laser scanning beams generated by the 3-D digitization device  2830  so as to optically scan the object and automatically capture linear images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a coordinate reference system symbolically embodied within the 3-D digitization device. The LDIP Subsystem  122  in the PLIIM-based subsystem  120  determines the range of the target surface at each instant in time, and provides such parameters to the camera control computer  22  within the PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ′ so that it can automatically control the focus and zoom characteristics of its variable-focus/variable-zoom camera module employed therein, thereby ensuring that each captured linear image has substantially constant dpi resolution. The collected image and range-data is stored in buffer memory, and processed by the onboard computer  2844  or an external workstation with CAT software so as to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the object using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques. The reconstructed 3-D geometrical model can be displayed and viewed on the LCD viewfinder  2840 , or on an external display panel connected to a computer in communication the device through its Ethernet (USB and/or Firewire) communications ports  2843 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of the transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitizer  2830  described above, the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  can be replaced by just the LDIP subsystem  122 , to simplify and reduce the cost of construction of the system. In this modified CAT scanning system, each LDIP subsystem  122  performs an image capture function, in addition to its object profiling/ranging function. In particular, the intensity data collected by the return AM laser beams of LDIP subsystem  122 , after each sweep across its scanning field, produces a linear image of the laser-scanned section of the target object. These linear images are then processed using CAT techniques carried out within onboard computer  2844  to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the subject, for display and viewing on the LCD viewfinder  2840  or on an LCD monitor of an auxiliary computer graphics workstation. In this alternative embodiment, it typically will be necessary for the LDIP imaging and profiling subsystem  122  to sample, during each sweep of the AM laser beams, many additional data points along the laser scanned object in order to generate relatively high-resolution linear images for use in the image reconstruction process. 
     A Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Transportable PLIIM-Based 3-D Digitization Device (“3-D Digitizer”) of the Present Invention 
     In  FIGS. 79A through 79C , a second illustrative embodiment of the transportable PLIIM-based 3-D digitization device (“3-D digitizer”) of the present invention  2850  is shown comprising: a transportable housing  2851  of lightweight construction, having a handle  2852  on its top portion for transporting system device about from one location to another, and four rubber feet  2853  on its base portion for supporting the device on any stable surface, indoors and outdoors alike; a PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  2855 , contained within the transportable housing, and including a PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ″ with a 2-D area CCD image detection array as shown in FIGS.  6 D 1  through  6 D 5  and described above, and a LDIP subsystem  122  as described above; a set of optically isolated light transmission apertures  2856 A and  2856 B for transmission of the PLIBs  2857  and a light transmission aperture  2858  for transmission of the coplanar FOV of the PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ″ mounted therein, during object imaging operations; a light transmission aperture  2859 , optically isolated from light transmission apertures  2856 A,  2856 B and  2858 , for transmission of the AM laser beam transmitted from the LDIP subsystem  122  during object profiling operations; a LCD view finder  2860  integrated with the panel of the housing, for displaying 3-D digital data models captured by LDIP subsystem  122  and 3-D geometrical models of the laser scanned object by PLIIM-based camera subsystem  25 ″; a touch-type control pad  2861  on the rear for controlling the operation of the device, and a removable media port  2862  on the rear panel of the transportable housing for interfacing a removable media device capable of recording captured image and range-data maps; an Ethernet (USB, and/or Firewire) data communications port  2863  on the rear panel for connecting the device to a local or wide area network and communicating information files with other computing machines on the network; and an onboard computer  2864  equipped with computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) programs for processing linear images and range-data maps captured by the device, and generating therefrom a 3-D digitized data model of each laser scanned object, for display, viewing and use in diverse applications; and a computer-controlled object support platform  2865 , interfaced with the onboard computer  2864  via a USB port  2866 , for controllably rotating the object as it laser-scanned by the PLIB and AM laser scanning beams. 
     During operation, the object under analysis is controllably rotated through the PLIB/FOV and AM laser scanning beam generated by the 3-D digitization device so as to optically scan the object and automatically capture 2-D images and range-profile maps thereof relative to a coordinate reference system symbolically embodied within the 3-D digitization device. The collected 2-D image and 3-D range data elements are stored in buffer memory and processed by an onboard image processing computer  2864  or an external workstation provided with CAT software so as to reconstruct a 3-D geometrical model of the object using computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) techniques. The reconstructed 3-D geometrical model can be displayed and viewed on the LCD viewfinder  2860 , or on an external display panel connected to a computer in communication the device through its Ethernet (USB and/or Firewire) communications ports  2863 . 
     First Illustrative Embodiment of Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) System of the Present Invention Configured by a Pair of PLIIM-Based Imaging and Profiling Subsystems 
     In  FIG. 80 , there is shown a first illustrative embodiment of the automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system of the present invention  2870  configured by a pair of PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems  120 , described in detail above. 
     The automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system of the first illustrative embodiment employs a pair of PLIIM-based imaging and profiling systems  120  to enable the automatic identification of automotive vehicles for the purpose of identifying fare violators, as well as identifying and acquiring intelligence on automotive vehicles before permitting passage over a bridge, through a tunnel, into a parking-garage, building or any highly-populated area (e.g. city), as well as onto any major road or highway. The AVI system provides an effective solution to such transportation problems by enabling high-resolution license plate image capture and recognition functions, including OCR of finely printed “owner/operator identification markings” on license plates, windshields, as well as on the side of passing vehicles, systems employing laterally mounted PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems.  120 . As described hereinabove, each PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  of the present invention is able to dynamically focus in on a planar portion of the target vehicle, in response to vehicle profile information acquired by its LDIP subsystem  122 , ensuring that each captured linear image has a substantially constant dpi resolution independent of the depth of focus of the subsystem at any instant in time. 
     As shown in  FIG. 80 , the AVI system of the first illustrative embodiment comprises: a pair of PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems  120 A and  120 B, mounted above a roadway surface  2871  by a support framework  2872  which extends thereover; a local area network (LAN)  2873  to which subsystems  120 A and  120 B are connected via their Ethernet network communication ports; a RDBMS  2874  containing one or more databases of license plate registration numbers, automotive vehicle registration information and associated owners and drivers; and an associated image processing computer workstation  2875  for reconstructing 2-D images from consecutively captured linear images, and automatically carrying out (i) OCR algorithms on captured license plate number images, and (ii) associated vehicle identification algorithms in response to OCR output data and possibly using data input supplied from remote intelligence databases  2876  operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet (WAN)  2877 , bridged with the LAN  2873  in a conventional manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 80 , the first PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 A is oriented in space so that (i) the first pair of AM laser beams  2878  and first coplanar PLIB/FOV  2879  are both arranged at about 45 degree angles with respect to the road surface, pointing in the direction against an oncoming automotive vehicle  2880  (whose identification and velocity are to be determined by the system). In this arrangement, the AM laser beams  2878  physically lead the coplanar PLIB/FOV  2879  slightly as shown in order to automatically detect the presence and absence of an oncoming automotive vehicle (e.g. car, truck, motorcycle) and capture linear images of the front of the detected oncoming vehicle (including its front license plate). When the automotive vehicle is detected by the LDIP Subsystem  122  in PLIIM-based Subsystem  120 A, the linear camera module within PLIIM-based subsystem  120 A automatically captures linear images of the oncoming automotive vehicle and its front mounted license plate. These linear images are then transmitted through LAN  2873  to the image processing computer workstation  2875  where they are buffered and reconstructed to form 2-D images and OCR algorithms are applied to recognize character strings in the reconstructed images, thereby identifying the vehicle by its front license plate number. 
     As shown in  FIG. 80 , the second PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 B is oriented in space so that (i) the second pair of AM laser beams  2882  and the second coplanar PLIB/FOV  2883  are both arranged at about 45 degree angles with respect to the road surface, but pointing in the direction of oncoming automotive vehicles (whose identification and velocity are to be determined by the system). In this arrangement, the second set of AM laser beams  2882  physically lead the second coplanar PLIB/FOV  2883  as shown to automatically detect the presence and absence of an automotive vehicle (e.g. car, truck, motorcycle), and capture linear images of the rear license plate mounted on a detected passing vehicle. When the automotive vehicle is detected by the LDIP Subsystem  122  in PLIIM-based Subsystem  120 B, the linear camera module within subsystem  120 B automatically captures linear images of the receding automotive vehicle and its rear mounted license plate. These linear images are then transmitted through LAN  2873 , to the computer workstation  2845 , where they are reconstructed to form 2-D images and OCR algorithms are applied to recognize character strings in the reconstructed images, thereby identifying the vehicle by its rear license plate number. 
     Recognized front and rear license plates numbers are automatically compared within the computer workstation  2874  to determine that they match each other. Recognized license plate numbers are automatically analyzed against remote intelligence databases  2876  accessible over the Internet (WAN)  2877  to determine whether any alarms should be generated in response to detected conditions which warrant suspicion, danger or suspicion. Typically, the AVI system of the present invention described above will function as a subsystem within a state or national intelligence and/or security system realized using the global infrastructure of the Internet. 
     The arrangement taught in  FIG. 80  enables the LDIP Subsystem  122  in each PLIIM-based subsystem  120  to compute the velocity of the incoming vehicle (which will vary slightly over time), and using this parameter, enable the camera control computer  22  within the corresponding PLIIM-based subsystem to automatically control the focus and zoom characteristics of its camera module employed therein, thereby ensuring that each captured linear image has substantially constant dpi resolution. Also, the intensity data collected by the return AM laser beams of each LDIP subsystem  122  will be sufficient to produce low-resolution 2-D images which can be analyzed in the LDIP subsystem  122  to detect diverse types of geometrically-definable patterns (e.g. having rectangular borders) which might indicate the presence of graphical intelligence contained within the interior boundaries thereof. As taught hereinabove, the LDIP subsystem  122  can also determine the locally-referenced coordinates of such detected patterns, and these coordinates can be transmitted to the camera control computer  22  and interpreted as Region of Interest (ROI) coordinates. In turn, these ROI coordinates can be converted into the camera&#39;s coordinate reference system and then used to crop only those pixels residing within the ROI of captured linear images, to substantially reduced the computational burden associated with OCR-based image processing operations carried out in the image processing computer workstation  2874 . 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment of Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) System of the Present Invention Configured by a Pair of PLIIM-Based Imaging and Profiling Subsystems 
     In  FIGS. 81A through 81D , there is shown a second illustrative embodiment of the automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system of the present invention  2890  constructed from a single PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  shown in  FIGS. 9 through 11 , and an automatic PLIB/FOV direction-switching unit  2891 , integrated with the subsystem  120  to perform its prespecified functions. While the AVI system of  FIG. 81A  has substantially the same system performance characteristics, it has the advantage of requiring the use of only a single PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 , whereas the AVI system of  FIG. 80  requires two such subsystems. 
     As shown in  FIG. 81A , the AVI system of the second illustrative embodiment comprises: a single PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 , mounted above a roadway surface  2892  by a support framework  2893  which extends thereover; an automatic PLIB/FOV direction-switching unit  2891 , integrated with the subsystem  120  as shown in  FIGS. 81B and 81C , to perform several direction switching functions on the coplanar PLIB/FOV  2894 , to be described in greater detail below; a local area network (LAN)  2895  to which subsystem  120  is connected via its Ethernet network communication port; a RDBMS  2896  containing one or more databases of license plate registration numbers, automotive vehicle registration information and associated owners and drivers; and an associated computer workstation  2897  for reconstructing 2-D images from consecutively captured linear images, and automatically carrying out (i) OCR algorithms on captured license plate number images, and (ii) associated vehicle identification algorithms in response to OCR output data and possibly using data input supplied from remote intelligence databases  2898  operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet (WAN)  2899 , which is bridged with the LAN  2895  in a conventional manner. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 81B and 81C , the automatic PLIB/FOV direction-switching unit  2891  comprises: an optical bench  2900  mounted to the housing of subsystem  120 , and having a light transmission aperture  2901  which is in spatial registration with light transmission apertures  541 A,  542  and  541 B formed in the housing of subsystem  120 ; a stationary PLIB/FOV folding mirror  2903 , fixedly mounted beneath the light transmission aperture  2901  in optical bench  2900 , and arranged at about a 45 degree angle so that the outgoing PLIB/FOV  2894  from subsystem  120  is directed to travel substantially parallel to and beneath optical bench  2900 ; a pivotal PLIB/FOV folding mirror  2904 , of about the same size as the stationary PLIB/FOV folding mirror  2903 , connected to an electronically-controlled actuator  2906 , and capable of angularly rotating the pivotal PLIB/FOV folding mirror  2904  into one of two extreme angular positions (i.e. Position 1 or Position 2) in automatic response to generation of control signals by the camera control computer  22  in the PLIIM-based system, so that the coplanar PLIB/FOV  2894  (from stationary PLIB/FOV mirror  2903 ) is automatically directed along (i) a First Optical Path (i.e. Optical Path No. 1) when the pivotal PLIB/FOV folding mirror  2904  is rotated to Position 1, and (ii) a Second Optical Path (i.e. Optical Path No. 2) when the pivotal PLIB/FOV folding mirror  2904  is rotated to Position 2, as shown in  FIG. 81D ; and a housing  2907  for containing the mirrors  2903  and  2904 , actuator  2906  and optical bench  2900 , and having a light transmission aperture  2908  disposed beneath pivotal PLIB/FOV folding mirror  2904  so as to permit the redirected optical path of the coplanar PLIB/FOV  2894  to exit and enter the PLIB/FOV direction-switching unit  2891  in accordance with its intended operation, described in detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 81D , the PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  is oriented above the roadway  2892  so that when its pair of AM laser beams  2910  are directed substantially normal to the road surface. When these AM laser beams detect the presence of an automotive vehicle moving under subsystem  120 , the camera control system  22  therewithin automatically generates a control signal which is supplied to the actuator  2906  causing the PLIB/FOV folding mirror to be switched to its Position 1, thereby directing the optical path of the outgoing coplanar PLIB/FOV  2894  along Optical Path No. 1, against the direction of oncoming the automotive vehicle. In this configuration, the linear camera module within PLIIM-based subsystem  120  captures linear images of the oncoming automotive vehicle and its front mounted license plate. These images are then transmitted through LAN  2895 , to the computer workstation  2897 , where they are buffered in image memory to reconstruct 2-D images and OCR algorithms are the applied thereto in effort to recognize character strings in the reconstructed images, thereby identifying the vehicle by its recognized license plate number. 
     As the automotive vehicle passes through the AM laser beams  2910  while the coplanar PLIB/FOV  2894  is directed along Optical Path 1, the LDIP subsystem  122  within the PLIIM-based system  120  automatically computes (i) the average velocity and (ii) the length of the oncoming vehicle. Based on these computed measures, the camera control computer  22  in the PLIIM-based subsystem  120  automatically computes when the vehicle will arrive at a position down the roadway where the coplanar PLIB/FOV  2894  should be redirected along Optical Path 2 to enable the imaging of the rear portion of the automotive vehicle. When camera control system  22  determines this instant in time (t 2 ), it automatically generates a control signal which is supplied to the actuator  2906  within the PLIB/FOV direction switching unit  2891 . This causes the pivotal PLIB/FOV folding mirror  2904  to be switched to Position 2, thereby directing the optical path of the outgoing coplanar PLIB/FOV along Optical Path No. 2, along the direction of oncoming the automotive vehicle. In this configuration, the linear camera (IFD) module within PLIIM-based subsystem  120  automatically captures linear images of the receding vehicle including its rear-mounted license plate. These images are then transmitted through LAN  2895 , to the computer workstation  2897 , where they are reconstructed in a 2-D image buffer and OCR algorithms are applied in effort to recognize any character strings in the reconstructed images, and thereby identify the vehicle by its recognized license plate number which is confirmed against remote intelligence databases, if required by the application at hand. When linear images of the vehicle are no longer being captured, the AVI system is automatically reset, whereby the LDIP subsystem  122  waits to detect another vehicle moving beneath the PLIIM-based system  120 , enabling the vehicle profiling and imaging process to repeat over and over again in a cyclical manner for streams of vehicles traveling along the roadway. 
     Recognized front and rear license plates numbers are automatically compared within the computer workstation  2897  to determine that they match. Recognized license plate numbers are automatically analyzed against remote intelligence databases  2898  accessible over the Internet (WAN)  2899  to determine whether any alarms should be generated in response to detected conditions which warrant suspicion, danger or suspicion. Typically, the AVI system of the present invention described above will function as a subsystem within a state or national intelligence and/or security system realized using the global infrastructure of the Internet. 
     The arrangement taught in  FIG. 81A  enables the LDIP Subsystem  122  in the PLIIM-based subsystem  120  to compute the velocity of the incoming vehicle (which will vary slightly over time), and using this parameter, enable the camera control computer  22  within the corresponding PLIIM-based subsystem to automatically control the focus and zoom characteristics of its camera module employed therein. This ensures that each captured linear image has substantially constant dpi resolution. Also, the intensity data collected by the return AM laser beams of the LDIP subsystem  122  in PLIIM-based subsystem  120  will be sufficient to produce low-resolution 2-D images which can be analyzed in the LDIP subsystem  122  to detect diverse types of geometrically-definable patterns (e.g. having rectangular borders) which might indicate the presence of graphical intelligence contained within the interior boundaries thereof. As taught hereinabove, the LDIP subsystem  122  can also determine the locally-referenced coordinates of such detected patterns, and these coordinates can be transmitted to the camera control computer  22  and interpreted as Region of Interest (ROI) coordinates. In turn, these ROI coordinates can be converted into the camera&#39;s coordinate reference system and then used to crop only those pixels residing within the ROI of captured linear images, to substantially reduced the computational burden associated with OCR-based image processing operations carried out in the image processing computer workstation  2897 . 
     Automatic Vehicle Classification (AVC) System of the Present Invention Employing PLIIM-Based Imaging and Profiling Subsystems 
     In  FIG. 82 , there is shown an automatic vehicle classification (AVC) system of the present invention  2920  constructed using a tunnel-type arrangement of PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystems  120  taught hereinabove, mounted overhead and laterally along the roadway passing through the tunnel-structure of the AVC system. The tunnel-type arrangement of PLIIM-based imaging and profiling systems  120  cooperate to enable the automatic profiling and imaging of automotive vehicles passing through its tunnel structure, primarily for vehicular classification purposes. The AVC system of the present invention can be used to automatically count the number of axles on vehicles (e.g. tractor-trailer trucks) based on streams of captured vehicle profile and dimension data. Such vehicles classifications can be used to automatically charge fares to the registered owners or users of such vehicles, for using a particular highway. In many instances, the AVC system shown in  FIG. 82  will cooperate with an AVI system, as shown in FIG.  83 . Typically, the AVC system of the present invention will function as part of a highway revenue generating/accounting system. In addition, the PLIIM-based AVC system of the present invention can also enable the automated optical character recognition (OCR) of “owner/operator” type identification markings and other graphical intelligence printed on the sides of passing vehicles. 
     As shown in  FIG. 82 , the AVC system of the illustrative embodiment comprises: one PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 A mounted above a roadway surface  2921  by a support framework  2922  which extends thereover; a first pair of PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 B and  120 C mounted on the first side of the support framework  2921 ; a second pair of PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 D and  120 E mounted on the second side of the support framework  2921 ; a local area network (LAN)  2923  to which subsystems  120 A through  120 E are connected via their Ethernet network communication ports; a RDBMS  2924  containing one or more databases of license plate registration numbers, automotive vehicle registration information and associated owners and drivers; and an associated computer workstation  2925  for automatically carrying out: (1) vehicle profile based classification algorithms designed to operate on vehicle profile data captured by the LDIP Subsystem  122  in each PLIIM-based subsystem  120 A- 120 E; and (2) OCR algorithms designed to operate on 2-D images reconstructed from captured linear images. Forms of intelligence recognized by the ACI system hereof can then be compared against data input supplied from remote intelligence databases  2926  operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet (WAN)  2927  bridged to the LAN  2923  in a conventional manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 82 , the AM laser beams  2929  projected from each PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120 A- 120 E are arranged on the incoming traffic side of the tunnel system. This arrangement enables each LDIP Subsystem  122  to compute the velocity of the incoming vehicle (which vary slightly), and using this parameter, enable the camera control computer  22  within the corresponding PLIIM-based subsystem to automatically control the focus and zoom characteristics of its camera module employed therein, thereby ensuring that each captured linear image has substantially constant dpi resolution. At the same time, the coplanar PLIB/FOV  2930  of each PLIIM-based subsystem  120 A- 120 E will be directed substantially normal to the central axis of the rectilinear roadway along which vehicles are directed, ensuring strong return signals to the linear image detector of each PLIIM-based subsystem. The intensity data collected by the return AM laser beams of each LDIP subsystem  122  will be sufficient to produce low-resolution 2-D images which can be analyzed for geometrically-definable patterns (e.g. rectangular borders) which might indicate the presence of graphical intelligence contained within the interior boundaries thereof. As taught hereinabove, the LDIP subsystem can determine the locally-referenced coordinates of such detected patterns, and these coordinates can be transmitted to the camera control computer  22  and interpreted as Region of Interest (ROI) coordinates. In turn, these ROI coordinates can be converted into the camera&#39;s coordinate reference system and used to crop only those pixels residing within the ROI of captured linear images, to substantially reduced the computational burden associated with OCR-based image processing operations carried out in the image processing computer workstation  2925 . 
     It is understood that in certain cases, some or every vehicle passing through the system of  FIG. 82  may carry an RFID-tag  2931 , and thus an RFID-tag reader  2932  can be mounted on the support structure  2922  of the AVC system, with its output port being connected to an object identification data input port provided on one of the PLIIM-based subsystems  120  employed in the system. This will enable the system to identify vehicles based on the code embodied within their RFID-tags. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the AVC system of the present invention  2920 , each PLIIM-based imaging and profiling subsystem  120  can be replaced by just an LDIP subsystem  122 , to simply and reduce the cost of construction of the system. In this modified AVC system, each LDIP subsystem  122  performs an image capture function, in addition to its object profiling/ranging function. In particular, the intensity data collected by the return AM laser beams of LDIP subsystem  122 , after each sweep across its scanning field, produces a linear image of the laser-scanned section of the target object. These linear images are transported over the LAN computer workstation  2925  where they are buffered in an image buffer to produce 2-D images of the vehicle, and thereafter OCR processed in effort to recognized intelligence contained in each analyzed image. In this alternative embodiment, it typically will be necessary for the LDIP imaging and profiling subsystem  122  to sample, during each sweep of the AM laser beams, many additional data points along the laser scanned object in order to generate relatively high-resolution linear images for use in the image reconstruction process. 
     Typically, the AVC system of the present invention described above will function as a subsystem within a state or national fare collection system, or within an intelligence and/or security system realized using the global infrastructure of the Internet. 
     Automatic Vehicle Identification and Classification (AVIC) System of the Present Invention Employing PLIIM-Based Imaging and Profiling Subsystems 
     In  FIG. 83 , there is shown is a schematic representation of the automatic vehicle identification and classification (AVIC) system of the present invention  2940  constructed by combining the AVI system shown in  FIG. 81A  with the AVC system shown in  FIG. 82 , wherein a common LAN  2941  is employed to internetwork the two systems. The added value provided by such a resultant system is that vehicles can be automatically identified and classified, thereby enabling accurate automated charging of fares (i.e. tolls) to the owners/operators of trucks and like vehicles based on (i) the automated counting of wheel axles and/or other vehicular criteria, and (ii) the automated identification of the vehicle by reading its license plate number and/or owner or operator information printed on the side of the vehicle. 
     It is understood that in certain cases, some or every vehicle passing through the system of  FIG. 83  may carry an RFID-tag, and thus an RFID-tag reader can be mounted on the support structure  2932  of the system, with its output port being connected to an object identification data input port provided on one of the PLIIM-based subsystems  120  employed in the system. This will enable the system to identify vehicles based on the code embodied within their RFID-tags. 
     PLIIM-Based Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System of the Present Invention, into which a High-intensity Ultra-violet Germicide Irradiator (UVGI) Unit is Integrated 
     In  FIG. 84A , there is shown the PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system of the present invention  120 , into which a high-intensity ultra-violet germicide irradiator (UVGI) unit  2950  is integrated. Typically, this system will be configured above a conveyor belt structure or function as part of a tunnel-based system. In the illustrative embodiment, the primary wavelength produced from the UV light source  2951  contained within the unit  2950  is about 253.7 nanometers, although the spectrum of this source may be broadened about this wavelength in the UV band to provide more effect germicidal performance. Notably, such spectrum broadening will depend upon the class of pathogens being targeted. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, light focusing optics (e.g. parabolic/cylindrical reflector  2952  and light focusing optics  2953 ) are provided between a UV-type tube illuminator  2951 , to generate an intensely-focused strip of UV radiation which is transmitted through a light transmission aperture  2954  and into the working range of PLIIM-based system. 
     In alternative embodiments, the UVGI source employed in the UVGI unit  2950  may be realized using one or more solid state UV illumination devices, such as laser diodes, or other semiconductor devices, which can be arranged in a linear or area array, and focused much in the same way as taught herein. This will enable the generation of high-power UV planar laser illumination beams capable of focusing high-power UVGI-based PLIBS onto surfaces where germicidal irradiation is required or desired by the application at hand. Electrical power for the UVGI unit  2950 , however realized, can be supplied through PLIIM-based system  120 , or via a separate electrical power line well known in the art. 
     However realized, the purpose of the UVGI unit  2950  is to irradiate germs and other microbial agents, including viruses, bacterial spores and the like which may be carried by mail, parcels, packages and/or other objects as they are being automatically identified by bar code reading and/or image-lift/OCR operations carried out by the PLIIM-based system. Also, it is understood that the UVGI unit and germicide irradiation technique of the present invention may be integrated with other types of optical scanners. 
     Modifications of the Illustrative Embodiments 
     While each embodiment of the PLIIM system of the present invention disclosed herein has employed a pair of planar laser illumination arrays, it is understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, only a single PLIA may be used, whereas in other embodiments three or more PLIAs may be used depending on the application at hand. 
     While the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein have employed electronic-type imaging detectors (e.g. 1-D and 2-D CCD-type image sensing/detecting arrays) for the clear advantages that such devices provide in bar code and other photo-electronic scanning applications, it is understood, however, that photo-optical and/or photo-chemical image detectors/sensors (e.g. optical film) can be used to practice the principles of the present invention disclosed herein. 
     While the package conveyor subsystems employed in the illustrative embodiments have utilized belt or roller structures to transport packages, it is understood that this subsystem can be realized in many ways, for example: using trains running on tracks passing through the laser scanning tunnel; mobile transport units running through the scanning tunnel installed in a factory environment; robotically-controlled platforms or carriages supporting packages, parcels or other bar coded objects, moving through a laser scanning tunnel subsystem. 
     Expectedly, the PLIIM-based systems disclosed herein will find many useful applications in diverse technical fields. Examples of such applications include, but are not limited to: automated plastic classification systems; automated road surface analysis systems; rut measurement systems; wood inspection systems; high speed 3D laser proofing sensors; stereoscopic vision systems; stroboscopic vision systems; food handling equipment; food harvesting equipment (harvesters); optical food sortation equipment; etc. 
     The various embodiments of the package identification and measuring system hereof have been described in connection with scanning linear (1-D) and 2-D code symbols, graphical images as practiced in the graphical scanning arts, as well as alphanumeric characters (e.g. textual information) in optical character recognition (OCR) applications. Examples of OCR applications are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,081 to Burges, et al, incorporated herein by reference. 
     It is understood that the systems, modules, devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments may be modified in a variety of ways which will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and having the benefit of the novel teachings disclosed herein. All such modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiments thereof shall be deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the claims to Invention appended hereto.