Apparatus for optimizing throughput in decoded-output scanners and method of using same

• US 5,463,214 A
• Filed: 03/04/1994
• Issued: 10/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Longacre, Andrew Jr., Hussey, Robert M., Pidhirny, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PITTS, HAROLD I
• Application Number:
  US08/205,539
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472, 235/462
• US Class Current: 235/462.11
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence

Abstract

A method of improving throughput in a scanner whose scanning action is capable of being stopped and started instantly, comprising the steps of A) storing results of a first scan of a target containing indicia in a first region of a memory and B) upon determining that the first scan is complete 1) decoding results of the first scan 2) initiating a second scan, 3) storing results of the second scan of the target containing indicia in a second region of a memory, and 4) awaiting completion of the decoding before initiating an additional scan.

Claims

1. In a scanner whose scanning action is capable of being stopped and started instantly, and having associated therewith a microprocessor for controlling the scanner in its performance of a scanning process, the improvement comprising:

scanning means for scanning a target containing indicia to obtain information therefrom;

initiating means for triggering said scanning means, said scanning means being responsive to a signal from said initiating means;

first memory means for retaining information transferred therein from said scanning means during a first scan;

completion indicating means responsive to a signal from said scanning means, for determining that the first scan is completed;

decoding means, responsive to said completion indicating means, for decoding information from the completed first scan;

halting means, responsive to said completion indicating means, for preventing initiation of a subsequent scan by said scanning means; and

second memory means for retaining information transferred therein from said scanning means during a second scan wherein said scanning means and said decoding means are simultaneously operable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

timing means responsive to a signals from said scanning means for timing a duration of the first scan;

marking means responsive to a signal from said timing means that the first scan has been completed, for demarcating said first memory means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second memory means is located logically successive to said first memory means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second memory means is immediately adjacent said first memory means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scanner is a CCD scanner.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

detection means, responsive to a signal from said decoding means, for detecting that the target has been fully scanned and decoded; and

termination means, responsive to a signal from said detection means, for terminating a scanning process.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising further direct memory access means for transferring information directly from the scanner to said first and second memory means.

8. In a bar-code scanner which reads two-dimensional bar code and whose scanning action is capable of being stopped and started instantly, said scanner having associated therewith a microprocessor for controlling the scanner in its performance of a scanning process, the improvement comprising:

scanning means for scanning in two dimensions a target containing indicia to obtain information therefrom;

initiating means for triggering said scanning means, said scanning means being responsive to a signal from said initiating means;

first memory means for retaining information transferred therein from said scanning means during a first scan;

completion indicating means responsive to a signal from said scanning means, for determining that the first scan is completed;

decoding means, responsive to said completion indicating means, for decoding information from the completed first scan;

halting means, responsive to said completion indicating means, for preventing initiation of a subsequent scan by said scanning means; and

second memory means for retaining information transferred therein from said scanning means during a second scan wherein said scanning means and said decoding means are simultaneously operable.