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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AbkMhqLhs9AORSC+0UCJwQp8nfsxL9rsMbdKf07zxq6Sa+QfxU2VA+5v9guQjI2U
 46DSZqOZQsCV/3YLES5Mvg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001013816-04-000029.txt : 20040115
<SEC-HEADER>0001013816-04-000029.hdr.sgml : 20040115
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040115155032
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001013816-04-000029
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040113
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040115

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KOHN TOMAS A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001229627

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-08623
		FILM NUMBER:		04527360

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ROBOTIC VISION SYSTEMS INC
		STREET 2:		486 AMHERST STREET
		CITY:			NASHUA
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03063

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROBOTIC VISION SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000225868
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASUREMENT, DISPLAY, AND CONTROL [3823]
		IRS NUMBER:				112400145
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		486 AMHERST STREET
		CITY:			NASHUA
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03063
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(603) 598-8400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		486 AMHERST STREET
		CITY:			NASHUA
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03063

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SOLID PHOTOGRAPHY INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19810819
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4_kohn-11404ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2004-01-13</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000225868</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ROBOTIC VISION SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RVSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001229627</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KOHN TOMAS A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ROBOTIC VISION SYSTEMS INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>486 AMHERST STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NASHUA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>03063</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2004-01-13</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>390</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>27351</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>337</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>I</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
         <natureOfOwnership>
            <value>By spouse</value>
         </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> This Reporting Person was issued shares in lieu of cash for a Board of Directors meeting.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ Tomas A. Kohn</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2004-01-14</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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