System and method for decoding and analyzing barcodes using a mobile device

• US 7,287,696 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scanbuy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Scanbuy Incorporated
• Inventors: Zastepine, Roman, Shrivastava, Prateek, Attia, Olivier, Outmezguine, Avi Chai
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIK, STEVEN SANGYUL
• Application Number:
  US11/602,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20070063050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/462.24, 235/462.46, 235/472.01, 455/556.1, 455/556.2
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious 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 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2755 by optical scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00334 with an apparatus processing barcodes or the like arrangements for sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for decoding barcodes using mobile device. Generally, the barcode image is acquired via a digital camera attached to the mobile device. After the barcode image has been acquired, software located on the mobile device enhances the barcode image and subsequently decodes the barcode information. The barcode information is then transmitted to a server via a wireless network. The server processes the barcode information and transmits media content related to the barcode back to the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method for decoding a barcode comprising:

(a) imaging the barcode with a mobile device equipped with a digital camera;

(b) converting the barcode image to an array of pixels;

(c) dividing the array of pixels into sections;

(d) selecting a section;

(e) determining a minimal pixel intensity for the selected section;

(f) assigning a high pixel intensity to pixels with intensities above a threshold white level intensity;

(g) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities below a threshold black level intensity;

(h) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(i) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels that are adjacent to a pixel that has an intensity within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(j) repeating (d)-(i) for each of the sections;

(k) rendering the sections to form an enhanced barcode image;

(l) decoding the enhanced barcode image to obtain barcode information;

(m) transmitting the barcode information from the mobile device to a server, the mobile device in communication with the server through a wireless network; and

(n) receiving a message associated with the barcode information from the server through the wireless network.

2. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein

the high pixel intensity is 255;

and

the threshold black level intensity being user defined for each section.

3. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, further comprising:

calculating the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image; and

if the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image meets a threshold required for a first symbology library, decoding the enhanced barcode image using the first symbology library.

4. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 3, further comprising:

if the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image meets a threshold required for a second symbology library, decoding the enhanced barcode image using the second symbology library.

5. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device is at least one of a camera phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a pager, a pocket PC, and a laptop computer.

6. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the barcode is constructed from at least one of the standardized barcode symbology libraries comprising UPC-A, UC-E, ISBN, RSS-14, RSS-14E, RSS-14L, Interleaved 2 of 5, EAN/JAN-8, EAN/JAN-13, Code 3, Code 39 Full ASCII, Code 128, PDF417, QR Code, or Data Matrix.

7. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the message is a search result of a database and wherein the search is constructed from the barcode information.

8. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the message is product information.

9. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the message is media content.

10. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, further comprising performing a function based at least in part on the message.

11. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, further comprising launching a WAP browser based at least in part on the message.

12. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the sections are vertical sections.

13. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the sections are horizontal sections.

14. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the wireless network is a WAP network.

15. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the barcode information is transmitted to the server via an SMS message.

16. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1, wherein the barcode information is transmitted to the server via an MMS message.

17. A mobile device that decodes barcodes, comprising:

an interface in communication with a wireless network;

a memory;

a digital camera; and

a processor in communication with the memory, the interface, and the digital camera;

wherein in the processor;

(a) images the barcode with a mobile device equipped with a digital camera;

(b) converts the barcode image to an array of pixels;

(c) divides the array of pixels into sections;

(d) selects a section;

(e) determines a minimal pixel intensity for the selected section;

(f) assigns a high pixel intensity to pixels with intensities above a threshold white level intensity;

(g) assigns a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities below a threshold black level intensity;

(h) assigns a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(i) assigns a zero pixel intensity to pixels that are adjacent to a pixel that has an intensity within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(j) repeats (d)-(i) for each of the sections;

(k) renders the sections to form an enhanced barcode image;

(l) decodes the enhanced barcode image to obtain barcode information;

(m) transmits the barcode information from the mobile device to a server, the mobile device in communication with the server through a wireless network; and

(n) receives a message associated with the barcode information from the server through the wireless network.

18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein

the high pixel intensity is 255;

and

the threshold black level intensity being user defined for each section.

19. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the processor further

calculates the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image;

if the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image meets a threshold required for a first symbology library, decodes the enhanced barcode image using the first symbology library.

20. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the processor further,

if the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image meets a threshold required for a second symbology library, decodes the enhanced barcode image using a second symbology library.

21. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the mobile device is at least one of a camera phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a pager, a pocket PC, and a laptop computer.

22. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the barcode is constructed from at least one of the standardized barcode symbology libraries comprising UPC-A, UC-E, ISBN, RSS-14, RSS-14E, RSS-14L, Interleaved 2 of 5, EAN/JAN-8, EAN/JAN-13, Code 3, Code 39 Full ASCII, Code 128, PDF417, QR Code, or Data Matrix.

23. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the message is a search result of a database and wherein the search is constructed from the barcode information.

24. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the message is product information.

25. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the message is media content.

26. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the processor further performs a function based at least in part on the message.

27. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the processor further launches a WAP browser based at least in part on the message.

28. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the sections are vertical sections.

29. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the sections are horizontal sections.

30. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the wireless network is a WAP network.

31. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the barcode information is transmitted to the server via an SMS message.

32. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the barcode information is transmitted to the server via an MMS message.

33. A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for decoding a barcode, comprising:

(a) imaging the barcode with a mobile device equipped with a digital camera;

(b) converting the barcode image to an array of pixels;

(c) dividing the array of pixels into sections;

(d) selecting a section;

(e) determining a minimal pixel intensity for the selected section;

(f) assigning a high pixel intensity to pixels with intensities above a threshold white level intensity;

(g) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities below a threshold black level intensity;

(h) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(i) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels that are adjacent to a pixel that has an intensity within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(j) repeating (d)-(i) for each of the sections;

(k) rendering the sections to form an enhanced barcode image;

(l) decoding the enhanced barcode image to obtain barcode information;

(m) transmitting the barcode information from the mobile device to a server, the mobile device in communication with the server through a wireless network; and

(n) receiving a message associated with the barcode information from the server through the wireless network.