Patent ID: 7215363

Claim:
A system for generating an image of an object being conveyed along a path, comprising: at least one camera configured to record an image of at least one of leading and trailing surfaces of objects, and positioned at an angle to said object surface to be recorded, said at least one camera comprising a sensor array, control mechanism, and zoom objective, whose focus is adjustably controllable by said control mechanism; at least one sensor positioned along said path for determining location and velocity of said object with respect to said path and said at least one camera; and a control unit in electrical communication with said control mechanism and sensor such that said control unit causes said zoom objective to focus and adjust to remain in focus with said surface to be recorded as said object moves through said at least one camera's field of view, wherein the sensor array is mounted so that a light receiving sensor side extends in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to said object surface to be recorded; and wherein a camera line of focus is not perpendicular to said object surface to be recorded.