In the researchers' new imaging system, a beam of infrared laser light is widely dispersed throughout a room.

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This generates the coherent light of a laser beam in the core of a long, thin optical fibre.

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Mobeam converts barcodes, coupons, loyalty cards and gift cards into a beam of light that can be read by every one of the estimated 165 million laser scanners in use today by retailers around the world.

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More modern versions of the tool add in a laser beam projector, which allows builders to level out the device and "draw" a long line of light across a wall, indicating an exactly level surface.

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