System and method of optical code reading
First Claim
1. A method for reading a selected one out of a plurality of optical codes present in a scan region, using a data reader, comprising the steps of:
- by operation of the data reader, projecting a visible aiming pattern into the scan region;
by operation of a user, aligning the aiming pattern onto a selected first optical code;
by operation of the data reader;
acquiring a two-dimensional image of the entire scan region into a sensor array, the image including the entire first optical code and an entire second optical code;
processing the image of the scan region to locate both the first and second optical codes at any position(s) within the scan region;
determining if the aiming pattern intersects either one of the first and second optical codes;
if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to intersect the first optical code and to not intersect the second optical code, acknowledging and transmitting data acquired from the first optical code and not acknowledging and not transmitting data acquired from the second optical code;
decoding the data acquired, wherein the step of decoding occurs to determining if the aiming pattern intersects the first optical code.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical reading system and methods having multiple modes of operation, for example: omnidirectional and single-code picking; fixed and handheld reading; 1D and 2D code reading. In one configuration, an image-based system obtains input data via an area sensor (e.g., a 2D CCD array) with only data corresponding to a pattern of virtual scan lines being stored and processed. A user may implement different operating modes such as a first mode reading codes in any location or orientation and a second mode reading only a code oriented along a particular virtual scan line or group thereof. Alternately, the data reader is operable to switch between handheld mode selecting a first pattern of virtual scan lines to process and/or decode and a fixed mode selecting a second pattern of virtual scan lines to process and/or decode. Virtual scan patterns in either mode can change within or between frames.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for reading a selected one out of a plurality of optical codes present in a scan region, using a data reader, comprising the steps of:
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by operation of the data reader, projecting a visible aiming pattern into the scan region; by operation of a user, aligning the aiming pattern onto a selected first optical code; by operation of the data reader; acquiring a two-dimensional image of the entire scan region into a sensor array, the image including the entire first optical code and an entire second optical code; processing the image of the scan region to locate both the first and second optical codes at any position(s) within the scan region; determining if the aiming pattern intersects either one of the first and second optical codes; if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to intersect the first optical code and to not intersect the second optical code, acknowledging and transmitting data acquired from the first optical code and not acknowledging and not transmitting data acquired from the second optical code; decoding the data acquired, wherein the step of decoding occurs to determining if the aiming pattern intersects the first optical code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for reading a selected one out of a plurality of optical codes present in a scan region, using a data reader, comprising the steps of:
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by operation of the data reader, projecting a visible aiming pattern into the scan region; by operation of a user, aligning the aiming pattern onto a selected first optical code; by operation of the data reader; acquiring an image of the entire scan region into a sensor array, the image including at least the first optical code and a second optical code; processing the image of the scan region to locate both the first and second optical codes at any position(s) within the scan region; determining if the aiming pattern intersects either one of the first and second optical codes; if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to intersect the first optical code and to not intersect the second optical code, acknowledging and transmitting data acquired from the first optical code and not acknowledging and not transmitting data acquired from the second optical code; decoding the data acquired, wherein the step of decoding occurs prior to determining if the aiming pattern intersects the first optical code.
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15. A method for reading a selected one out of a plurality of optical codes present in a scan region, using a data reader, comprising the steps of:
- comprising the steps of;
(a) switching between operating in a handheld mode of operation and a fixed mode of operation; (b) operating in the handheld mode operation by the steps of projecting a visible aiming pattern into a scan region, by operation of a user, manipulating the data reader to position the aiming pattern onto a selected first optical code within the scan region, by operation of the data reader, (1) acquiring a first image of an entire two-dimensional scan region into a sensor array, the first image including an entire first optical code and an entire second optical code, (2) determining if the aiming pattern intersects either one of the first optical code or a second optical code, (3) if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to intersect the first optical code and to not intersect the second optical code, acknowledge in and transmitting data acquired in the first image of the first optical code and not acknowledging and not transmitting data acquired in the first image of the second optical code; (c) operating in the fixed mode of operation by steps of projecting a visible aiming pattern into a scan region, by operation of a user, manipulating an item bearing an optical code into the imaging region, by operation of the data reader, (1) acquiring an image of an imaging region into a sensor array, (2) processing the image to locate an optical code, (3) acknowledging and transmitting data of the optical code acquired in the image transmitted regardless of whether the aiming pattern intersects the optical code wherein the step of operating in the handheld mode of operation further comprises decoding the data acquired, wherein the step of decoding occurs prior to determining if the aiming pattern intersects the first optical code. - View Dependent Claims (16)
- comprising the steps of;
Specification