Optical reader system comprising digital conversion circuit
First Claim
1. A method for decoding a linear bar code, the method comprising:
- capturing image data with a one dimensional image sensor, the image data comprising a plurality of pixel values along a scanning line oriented across a width of a linear bar code, the image data comprising an analog intensity value for each pixel;
converting the analog intensity value for each pixel of the plurality of pixels into a corresponding plurality of digital values each represented by an N-bit value, where N is an integer greater than 1;
identifying the plurality of N-bit values as a sequence; and
decoding the plurality of N-bit values to extract information encoded in the linear bar code.
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Abstract
The invention relates to methods and systems for analyzing and decoding image data captured with a one dimensional image sensor using N-bit mathematical methods. The analysis comprises converting a sequence of analog pixel data values to a corresponding sequence of data in an N-bit digital format and processing the data. The data can be analyzed using any or all of filtering, adaptive threshold determination, edge position interpolation, searching for distinctive barcode patterns, and detailed barcode decoding and checking. In alternative embodiments, the data is manipulated using a pre-scan of stored sequences of values. In another embodiment, the data is directly scanned and processed for qualifications, searching for, and decoding barcode patterns.
229 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for decoding a linear bar code, the method comprising:
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capturing image data with a one dimensional image sensor, the image data comprising a plurality of pixel values along a scanning line oriented across a width of a linear bar code, the image data comprising an analog intensity value for each pixel;
converting the analog intensity value for each pixel of the plurality of pixels into a corresponding plurality of digital values each represented by an N-bit value, where N is an integer greater than 1;
identifying the plurality of N-bit values as a sequence; and
decoding the plurality of N-bit values to extract information encoded in the linear bar code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for decoding a linear bar code, the apparatus comprising:
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a one dimensional image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels for capturing image data along a scanning line oriented across a width of a linear bar code, the captured image data comprising an analog intensity value for each pixel;
an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the one-dimensional image sensor, the analog-to digital converter configured to convert the analog intensity value for each pixel of the plurality of pixels into a corresponding plurality of digital values each represented by an N-bit value, where N is an integer greater than 1; and
a data processor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter, the data processor configured to identify the plurality of N-bit values as a sequence, and to decode the plurality of N-bit values to extract information encoded in the linear bar code. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification