Graphical User Interface for Use in Programming a Barcode Reader

• US 20090078774A1
• Filed: 09/21/2007
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: He, Duanfeng
• Application Number:
  US11/859,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20090078774A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.410
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10841 Particularities of the light-sensitive elements semiconductor devices H01L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1093 sensing, after transfer of the image of the data-field to an intermediate store, e.g. storage with cathode ray tube

Abstract

An imaging-based bar code reader that includes an imaging and decoding system. Focusing optics and a sensor array define a field of view. A data processor has a memory for storing a pattern definition of previously imaged OCR characters and comparing a format of said previously stored characters to a present image to determine a character content of the present image.

Claims

1. Apparatus for evaluating bar codes contained in a target image comprising:

a) an imaging system for creating a target image from a target including focusing optics and a sensor array, the focusing optics defining a field of view for focusing reflected illumination from a target onto the sensor array; and

b) a processor including a memory for storing an image gathered from the sensor array having multiple bar codes spaced with respect to each other on the target in a predetermined format;

c) a display for presenting data concerning the multiple bar codes on a viewing screen for use in creating a programming logic for an imaging-based reader for subsequent decoding of bar codes conforming to the predetermined format.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the imaging system and processor are part of a hand held bar code scanner or reader and further comprising a communications interface for conveying image data to a remote computer that presents the data concerning the bar codes on a viewing screen.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display depicts an image of the target and includes a user interface that allows a user to select a chosen one of the multiple bar codes.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the user interface allows an operator to maneuver a cursor relative the target image to displays information relative to a bar code selected with said cursor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the display opens a window having data contained within the window indicating a position relative to a reference of an associated bar code contained within said image when the cursor is moved to a position overlying said associated bar code.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the display highlights a chosen bar code when the when the cursor is moved to a position overlying said chosen bar code.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the chosen bar code has a bounding box placed around it to highlight the chosen bar code.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the bar code is decoded and textual data representing the bar code is displayed.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor formats a programming bar code and the imaging system comprises a bar code reader for reading the programming bar code and programming a format of the target image from which the programming bar code derives.

10. A method of reading a target with an imaging based reader comprising:

a) providing an imaging and decoding system for imaging a single target having focusing optics and a sensor array, the focusing optics defining a field of view for focusing reflected illumination from the target onto the sensor array;

b) creating an image of a target having multiple spaced bar codes arranged on the target in a predetermined format; and

c) displaying data from the spaced bar codes on a display for programming the imaging based reader to enable reading and decoding multiple bar codes arranged with respect to each other in the predetermined format.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the display depicts a target image of the target and further includes providing a user interface and allowing a user to select a chosen one of the multiple bar codes for displaying the data for use in programming the imaging based reader.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the user interface allows an operator to maneuver a cursor relative the target image to displays information relating to a bar code selected by the user.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the display opens a window having data contained within the window indicating a position relative to a reference of an associated bar code contained within said image by moving the cursor to a position overlying said associated bar code.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the display highlights a chosen bar code when the when the cursor is moved to a position overlying said chosen bar code.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein a bounding box is displayed around the chosen bar code to highlight the chosen bar code.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein a selected bar code is decoded and textual data representing the selected bar code is displayed.

17. The method of claim 10 additionally comprising formatting a programming bar code having data for use in programming a bar code reader.

18. Apparatus for reading a target comprising:

a) imaging means for imaging a target having multiple target bar codes, said imaging means including focusing optics and a sensor array and processing electronics for processing signals from the sensor array, the focusing optics defining a field of view and focusing reflected illumination from the target onto the sensor array;

b) processor means including a memory for storing an image gathered from the sensor array having multiple bar codes spaced with respect to each other on the target; and

c) display means for presenting data concerning the multiple bar codes on a viewing screen for use in programming the imaging-based reader.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the display means includes a video output means for presenting a cursor on a video display and control means for moving the cursor in relation to the multiple target bar codes for selecting one of said bar codes.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 display means highlights a selected bar code.