Patent · US Expired

Symbology determination to aid decoding in a bar code scanning system

US6585157B2 · kind B2 · utility

47Cited by
60References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 1999
Grant dateJul 1, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 13, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06K7/14
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

In a bar code scanning system, decoding of character information is enhanced through methods for up-front determination of symbology being decoded. In one aspect, symbology type (binary or multi-width) is determined from gathered element width information and utilized in determining appropriate decoding methods to be implemented. In another aspect, various indicators may be systematically utilized in order to rank the probability of label information comprising certain symbologies. Ratings from each indicator are weighted and utilized to assess the symbologies with the highest chance of successful decoding and to rank symbologies in order based on likelihood of successful decoding. Decoding methods for the symbologies with the highest chance of success are implemented first with those of lower chance of success being implemented last, or not at all. In yet another aspect, user entry of information regarding potential symbology(ies) to be read may be utilized in determining appropriate decoding methods to be implemented.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.