A digital image capturing and processing system comprising a plurality of
coplanar illumination and imaging stations for producing a plurality of
coplanar linear illumination and imaging planes which intersect within a
3D imaging volume defined relative to an imaging window. An object motion
detection subsystem for automatically detecting the motion of an object
passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generating motion data
representative of the detected object motion. Each station includes an
illumination subsystem having a linear illumination array including a
plurality of light emitting devices for producing a substantially planar
illumination beam (PLIB), and (ii) an image formation and detection
subsystem including a linear image sensing array having optics providing
a field of view (FOV) on the linear image detection array, and extending
substantially along the PLIB. Each station produces at least one coplanar
illumination and imaging plane (PLIB/FOV) which is projected through the
imaging window and into the 3D imaging volume, for capturing linear (1D)
digital images of objects moving through the 3D imaging volume. Each
station also includes an automatic illumination control subsystem for
controlling the production of illumination by the illumination subsystem
into the 3D imaging volume, as an object is detected moving within the 3D
imaging volume. Within each station, an image capturing and buffering
subsystem captures and buffers linear digital images produced from the
linear image detection array, and a local control subsystem controls
operations within the coplanar illumination and imaging station using
control data derived from motion data generated by the object motion
detection subsystem.