Method of locating imaged bar codes for an imaging-based bar code reader
First Claim
1. A method of locating an imaged bar code in a captured image frame for an imaging-based bar code reader, the steps of the method comprising:
- determining a mode of operation of the reader;
if the reader is being operated in a hand-held mode of operation, utilizing a first method of locating the imaged bar code wherein the first method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of;
selecting a captured image frame;
searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame; and
if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found; and
if the reader is being operated in a fixed position mode, utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code wherein the second method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of;
analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames;
determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames;
searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame; and
if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of locating an imaged bar code in a captured image frame for an imaging-based bar code reader. The steps of the method include: a) determining a mode of operation of the reader; b) if the reader is being operated in a hand-held mode of operation, utilizing a first method of locating an imaged bar code; and c) if the reader is being operated in a fixed position mode, utilizing a second method of locating an imaged bar code. The first method of locating an imaged bar code includes searching for an imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame. The second method of locating an imaged bar code includes determining a location corresponding to movement in a selected image frame of the series of image frames and searching for an imaged bar code commencing at the movement location.
169 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of locating an imaged bar code in a captured image frame for an imaging-based bar code reader, the steps of the method comprising:
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determining a mode of operation of the reader; if the reader is being operated in a hand-held mode of operation, utilizing a first method of locating the imaged bar code wherein the first method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of; selecting a captured image frame; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found; and if the reader is being operated in a fixed position mode, utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code wherein the second method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of; analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames; determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An imaging-based bar code reader adapted to be used in a hand-held mode of operation and a fixed position mode of operation, the reader comprising:
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an imaging system including a sensor array for imaging a target bar code and generating captured image frames of a field of view of the imaging system; a decoding system for decoding an image of the target bar code located within a captured image frame; the decoding system utilizing a first method of locating an imaged bar code in the captured image frame if the reader is operated in the hand-held mode, the first method of locating an imaged bar code including the steps of; selecting a captured image frame; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found; and the decoding system utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code in a captured image frame if the reader is operated in the stationary mode, the second method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of; analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames; determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A decoding system for use with an imaging-based bar code reader adapted to be used in a hand-held mode of operation and a fixed position mode of operation, the decoding system comprising:
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circuitry for decoding an image of the target bar code located within a captured image frame; the decoding system utilizing a first method of locating the imaged bar code in the captured image frame if the reader is operated in the hand-held mode, the first method of locating an imaged bar code including the steps of; selecting a captured image frame; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found; and the decoding system utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code in a captured image frame if the reader is operated in the stationary mode, the second method of locating an imaged bar code includes the steps of; analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames; determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of locating an imaged bar code in a captured image frame for an imaging-based bar code reader, the steps of the method comprising:
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determining a mode of operation of the reader; if the reader is being operated in a hand-held mode of operation, utilizing a first method of locating the imaged bar code wherein the first method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of; selecting a captured image frame; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found; and if the reader is being operated in a fixed position mode, utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code wherein the second method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of; analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames; determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found.
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22. An imaging-based bar code reader adapted to be used in a hand-held mode of operation and a fixed position mode of operation, the reader comprising:
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means for imaging a target bar code and generating captured image frames of a field of view of the imaging system; means for decoding an image of the target bar code located within a captured image frame; the means for decoding utilizing a first method of locating the imaged bar code in a captured image frame if the reader is operated in the hand-held mode, the first method of locating the imaged bar code including the steps of; selecting a captured image frame; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found; and the means for decoding utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code in a captured image frame if the reader is operated in the stationary mode, the second method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of; analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames; determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames; searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame; and if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found.
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Specification