Abstract: In an optical bar-code reader, an optical scanner optically scans a bar code to obtain optical power of light reflected from white bars and black bars of the bar code, a differentiation unit calculates a differential of the optical power to obtain a differential waveform, a dividing unit divides the differential waveform into a positive waveform and a negative waveform, a bar-code correcting unit calculates correct widths of black bars in the bar code from the positive waveform and the negative waveform to create corrected bar-code data, and a converter converts the corrected bar-code data into character data that is an array of numerals and alphabets.

Abstract: A signal obtained by optically scanning a bar code is subjected to differentiation to obtain differential data. Peak-to-peak distances are calculated from the differential data. When a peak-to-peak &Dgr;Tx distance is y times of a basic width, frequency f(x,y) will be, f(x,y)=y/&Dgr;Tx. A frequency map is prepared from the frequencies calculated. Transition routes in which one frequency each is selected from each of the peak-to-peak distances, are formed. A transition route for which an error in frequencies is the least is taken as the most suitable transition route. An average of the frequencies included in the transition route is taken as a frequency f0 of the basic width.

Abstract: In an optical scanner, an optical scanner optically scans a bar code to obtain signal strength of light reflected from black bars and white bars of the bar code, an extracting unit extracts edge data, which includes a plurality of edges and the signal strength of which changes corresponding to a change from a black bar to a white bar and vice versa, an edge-emphasizing unit that emphasizes edge data of an edge that satisfies a predetermined condition, a ternary judgment unit that makes a ternary judgment of each edge based on the edge emphasized to obtain a ternarizing result, and a decoder that decodes bar-code characters from the ternarizing result.

Abstract: There is provided a method of reading information which makes it possible to suppress the size of hardware and a price thereof and to improve an S/N ratio of a reading signal and reading resolution, wherein even if depth of field for reading is enlarged or a concave/convex portion or a blurred portion is left on the reading face, reading precision can be improved. The method includes steps of acquiring from a medium 1, a signal containing binary digit information having a predetermined information length and a one-dimensional arrangement, extracting information concerning an elemental unit length of the information length of the binary digit information from the acquired signal, and reading a ratio of the binary digit information to the information length based on the extracted elemental unit length information.

Abstract: A bar code reading system comprises a first bar code label and a second bar code label. The first bar code label is positioned on an object at a first location and in a first orientation. The second bar code label is positioned on the object at a second location and in a second orientation. The first and second bar code labels each have indicia thereon representative of a label data set. Bar code reading apparatus positionable next to the object has a limited field of view such that the bar code reading apparatus reads only first and second portions of the first and second bar code labels. The bar code reading apparatus produces first and second data sets representative of the first and second portions. A data processing system operatively associated with the bar code reading apparatus combines the first and second data sets to produce a combined data set representative of the label data set.

Abstract: A method of producing a digital image of a machine readable optical code symbol having areas of different spectral characteristics and which is printable on differing printers having differing dot pitches. A desired nominal unit dimension is selected for each area of the optical code symbol; a resulting nominal unit dimension for each area is defined as a function of the dot pitch of a target printer; and a vector representation of the optical code symbol is provided using the resulting nominal unit dimension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reading coded information, comprising illumination means, means for picking-up a luminous signal diffused by an illuminated support containing coded information, means for detecting the luminous signal intended to generate an electrical signal that is proportional to said luminous signal (for example, an electrical signal with an amplitude variable, along at least one reading direction, between at least one maximum value Vmax and at least one minimum value Vmin), and means for processing said electrical signal, intended to extract the information content from it. The device further comprises means for varying, preferably point by point, the amplitude pattern of said electrical signal along said at least one reading direction so as to generate an electrical signal having a predetermined amplitude pattern, for example, substantially constant.

Abstract: A unique bar code for indicating a link between a product and a remote location on a web network. The present invention dicsclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises system for connecting between a first location at a user's site on a network and a second and remote location on a network. A unique ornamental symbol encoded with a plurality of dark and light areas is provided representing encoded information disposed proximate one end of the scan line, which encoded information is associated with the second location on the network, wherein the plurality of dark and light areas alternate therebetween along a defined scan line. The ornamental nature of the symbol indicates a network routing function. An input device is provided for scanning the encoded information into a user computer at the first location and operable to extract the encoded information therefrom for decoding thereof as decoded information.

Abstract: A barcode comprises a combination of multiple line elements of different line widths, wherein a specific barcode comprises a combination of different heights in the line elements, together with the combination of different line widths. Such bar code is difficult to make a copy of. The related reading device is also described.

Abstract: A bar code for encoding information in machine-readable form is provided. The bar code comprises a character string including a plurality of characters disposed side-by-side along a longitudinal code axis. Each character is formed by a sequence of code bars and intervening code spaces, the code bars being parallel to one another and to a line defining a bar axis which intersects the code axis. Each character has a definition in accordance with a predefined standard. The definition for each character includes a bar/space pattern associated with the character setting forth the respective widths of the code bars and code spaces making up the character in terms of integer multiples of a minimum unit width. The definition for each character also includes at least one encoded alphanumeric value associated with the character. The definition for each character further included an integer checksum value associated with the character.

Abstract: The method for reconstructing a bar code through consecutive scans comprises the following steps: a) carrying out at least one scan of the bar code; b) determining a reconstructed wave form representative of the at least one scan; c) carrying out an actual scan of the bar code; d) determining an actual wave form representative of the actual scan; e) aligning the reconstructed and actual wave forms; and f) combining the aligned wave forms by updating the reconstructed wave form with the actual wave form. The method can directly operate on the photo-sensor signal before carrying out any digitization of it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held magnetic ink character recognition system 10 having an integrated position/speed feedback device 20, such as an optical encoder. The position/speed feedback device 20 is provided to compensate for variable speeds generated by manual operation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of decoding a code 39 barcode when distortion and noise are high, such as when a low-resolution line-scan camera is utilized. A window looks at five bars at a time to determine if they fit the requirements of a code 39 character, i.e., 3 narrow bars and 2 wide bars. The breakpoint between a narrow and wide bar is set at 75% of the width of the widest bar in the window. If the window does not match the requirements, the first bar is discarded and the window is moved down one bar. When a valid character is detected, it is stored and the window is incremented 5 bars.

Abstract: A method of the invention reads a bar code based on bar-code data obtained by scanning the bar code with light. The method includes the steps of a) obtaining bar-code data, b) obtaining a sum of bar-data widths with respect to a predetermined number of bar data provided in at least one of a preceding portion and a following portion of the bar-code data, c) repeating the steps a) and b) once to obtain another sum, and d) making a comparison of the sum with another sum. The methods further includes a step of accepting the bar-code data as valid data when a result of the comparison satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: In the present invention, the control unit of an optical reader analyzes image data being generated by the imaging element of the reader and changes the mode of operation of the reader if the image data indicates that machine readable indicia, such as a bar code symbol or a text character, is likely in the field of view of the reader. Normally, analysis of image data includes the step of detecting for edge transitions in the image information. If the control unit determines that the image data includes more than a predetermined number of edge transitions, then the control unit imparts appropriate control over various reader elements to change the mode of operation of the reader. Normally, the control unit changes the mode of operation of the reader from a first mode, wherein the reader does not operate to decode or recognize image data to a second mode, wherein the reader operates to decode and/or recognize image data.

Abstract: A multi-focal zone laser scanning system for scanning bar code symbols having a minimum bar element width (MBW). The multi-focal zone laser scanning system comprises a laser beam producing device for producing a laser beam, and a laser beam scanning mechanism for scanning the laser beam so as to generate a laser scanning pattern having a plurality of different focal zones. In the system, the scanned laser beam has a minimum beam dimension (MBD) with each focal zone, and the ratio of the minimum beam dimension (MDB) within each focal zone to the minimum bar element width (MBW) of a scanned bar code symbol therewithin (i.e. MDB/MBW) is greater than or equal to 2.0. Consequently, less modulation of the laser scanning beam is required during scanning operations, and therefore, bar code symbols having narrower minimum bar element widths can be resolved.

Abstract: An automatic compliance testing system for desktop designed consumer packaging. The automatic compliance testing system comprises an Encapsulated PostScript™ barcode file which includes an executable self-checking module which tests the barcode file for specification violations to the UPC barcode definition. The results of the self-checking operation are communicated to a checklist module. The checklist module is an executable module which generates a checklist that displays the test results. The checklist may be placed at any location, scaled, mirrored or rotated within the design document but in most cases adjacent to or outside the boundaries of the consumer packaging being designed.

Abstract: In a bar code scanning system, character reconstruction and element level processing techniques enable label information to be recreated from defective or corrupted information that would otherwise be undecodable by standard decoding algorithms. Reconstruction methods allow for undecodable characters or elements to be reconstructed from partial information based upon known or expected structural characteristics for the particular label symbologies being decoded. Element edge histograms, edge strength indicators and quality measures are used to enhance label readability and bar code scanner decoding capabilities.

Abstract: In a bar code scanning system, information at the leading and trailing ends of a label is corrected to adjust for distortion due to mechanical aspects of the scan line mechanism that might otherwise render information unreadable. The speed of the scanning spot can be characterized over the course of the scan line. With knowledge of the rate of change of the scan mechanism speed at the ends of the scan line, as well as position information in relation to change in speed over the scan line, a measure of the associated time distortion with respect to elements encoded in the scan line information may be established. In turn, a compensation curve may be determined to identify the offset that may be applied to the collected data to compensate for the variation in speed.

Abstract: A color symbology, such as a bar code symbology, employs three or more colors to encode elements of one or more integer-widths. A light source or an appropriate filter of a color matched to one color of the symbology produces peaks in a reflectance signal produced from a light sensor, which receives light reflected from the symbol. Another, unmatched, color in the symbology produces valleys in the reflectance profile. A third or intermediate color produces a reflectance signal in a middle portion of the reflectance profile. By identifying the peaks and valleys in the profile, the portions corresponding to the intermediate color, may be found by measuring distances between centers of the peaks and valleys in the reflectance profile. As a result, all elements, of all colors in the symbol, may be decoded using a simple data collection reader, such as a laser scanner, employing only a single color laser.

Abstract: Systems (apparatus and methods) for reading bar code data detect light reflected and/or refracted from a target. The detected light is converted into an electrical signal containing width values that are indicative of widths of light areas and dark areas of the target. Systems for pre-screening data read by a bar code reader determine whether sequences of width values are consistent with potential bar code data by comparing the relative widths of subsequences of light areas and dark areas. If the relative widths are consistent with bar code data, the width values of the sequence being pre-screened are output to a decoder, which attempts to read the sequence of width values. If the relative width values are inconsistent with bar code data, the sequence of width values is not output to the decoder, thereby decreasing the amount of processing the decoder would otherwise be required to perform.

Abstract: An optical reader, for example a field of view reader or a flying spot scanner for reading a printed indicia such as a bar code symbol includes a light source and a light detector, and at least two channels associated with the detector for carrying signals corresponding to light detected by the detector at different resolution levels, thus simplifying the decoupling of signals allowing a single reader to be used regardless of the resolution level of the indicia to be read.

Abstract: A method for locating a substantially rectangular pattern, in any orientation, in a digitized image used in a document processing system operates by identifying all connected components within the image, discarding those that do not meet certain size criteria, and on the remaining connected components identifying eight compass-position extreme points, four of which may represent the corners of the rectangular pattern. The relationships among the extreme points are then analyzed to determine whether an expected diagonal length, expected height, and expected width of the pattern are all present within a selected tolerance.

Abstract: In a bar code scanning system, correlation and stitching techniques, both at the character and element level are utilized to assemble complete label information from partially scanned label segments. Correlation may require the same characters to be identified a fixed number of times in the same position before acceptance. Alternatively, quality and confidence measures may be implemented to determine the number of times a particular character must be decoded before being accepted. In a preferred implementation, a decoded character that is determined to be of poor quality may be required to be decoded as that same character a greater number of times than if it were of good quality. Identified correlation techniques may be combined with identified stitching techniques to enhance decodability and efficiency of assembling complete label information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding two-dimensional barcode symbols from a data stream generated by scanning a two-dimensional barcode with a one-dimensional scanner. A decoding process according to one embodiment of the invention involves coupling the one-dimensional scanner to a serial or other port of a host computer in order to provide a data stream to a software decoder resident in the host computer. The software decoder performs a series of iterative steps in which the data stream is sampled at regular intervals to convert the data stream to a series of elements (e.g., bars and spaces). Barcode symbol data characters are then derived from the elements. A symbol matrix is next constructed, the matrix being representative of the two-dimensional barcode symbol.

Abstract: This invention is related to a system and a method for reading high precision printed barcodes and their specification verification. The presented invention has a technique of reading both logistic sorting barcode (one or two dimension) and multi-layered structure barcode such as four-state barcode for automatic postal matter sorting. The invention also investigates height of high densely reduced barcodes in more than 3 steps, and precisely measures and reads the values of black bars thickness and white spaces. Previous techniques used laser beam for reading barcodes, but could not read barcodes, which have print density of less than 1/100 mm˜1/1,000 mm unit, and, it was also impossible to read precise specification values in case that barcode specification was composed of length unit indexes. The presented invention overcomes the previous said problems by using a laser diode array.

Abstract: A bar-code reader comprises, a scanner controller (25) that obtains a ratio of a number of modules to a reference module width of a character included as information in a bar code (10), rounds up or off (corrects) the number of modules that includes an error component, when the error amount in the ratio exceeds a permissible value, and demodulates the character, based on a result of the rounding up or off, and a POS controller (31) that makes an operator display (34) display a marked questionable character corresponding to the corrected number of modules, in a result of demodulation by the scanner controller (25), and a keyboard (36) that inputs a correct character based on the display of the operator display (34). With this arrangement, it is possible to read the bar code without applying load to the operator, even if the print precision of the bar code does not satisfy a permissible value.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing successive scans of bar codes having a plurality of dark elements separated from light elements, comprising the steps of: performing a first scan of the bar code thereby determining the position and the width of the elements in the first scan with respect to an absolute reference position; calculating the position which the elements in the first scan will take with respect to the absolute reference position in a subsequent scan; making a second scan of the bar code thereby determining the position and the width of the elements in the second scan with respect to the absolute reference position; carrying out a correspondence search step for finding at least one reference element for the first scan and one reference element for the second scan, which have substantially the same position with respect to the absolute reference position and substantially the same width; and combining the elements in the first scan with the elements in the second scan, generating a reconstructed scan.

Abstract: An area of interest is scanned to produce pixels of the scanned area. The pixels are divided into a plurality of blocks. For each block, an orientation of a spanning line or a lack of orientation is determined. Contiguous ones of the blocks are clustered, when their orientation is within a certain tolerance level. Each cluster has a length and a width. The length is longer than the width. If the orientation of a cluster's block is perpendicular to the length of that cluster, that cluster is selected as a bar code candidate.

Abstract: A bar code reading apparatus including a reader for reading a bar code expressing a plurality of characters, and a CPU for decoding the characters according to a result of reading by the reader. A ratio between a character length Cy of an already decoded character E2 and a length Cz of a character E7 to be decoded is calculated. When this ratio is greater than a threshold value, the black bar width B1 and black bar width B2 are corrected according to a reference black bar width X. The CPU decodes the character E7 to be decoded according to the corrected black bar width B1 and black bar width B3.

Abstract: A bar-code reader having a photoelectric conversion unit for converting reflected light from a bar code into an electric signal and a changing point detecting unit for detecting, from the electric signal generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, a changing point at which a white stripe is changed to a black stripe in the bar code wherein the bar code is read based on a plurality of changing points detected by the changing point detecting unit. The bar-code reader includes a determination unit for determining, based on measurement of a distance between changing points, whether a changing point is detected as a true changing point at which a white stripe or a black stripe is changed to a black stripe or a white stripe in a bar code or as a false changing point; and a correcting unit for correcting the changing point detected as the false changing point to the true detecting point based on the changing point determined as the true changing point.

Abstract: A method of reading a bar code having guard bars at both sides thereof without fail even if the bar code image is highly distorted. An image region taken in by a CCD camera is scanned in horizontal and/or vertical directions to find out a first guard bar in the bar code. Then, a first scanning line for reading the bar code is set in a direction perpendicular to the first guard bar. The bar code is scanned along the first scanning line. If the first scanning line goes out of the bar code region, the first scanning line is traced back to a bar which is last read. Another scanning line starting from the last read bar and extending perpendicularly thereto is set to read the rest of the bar code. This process is repeated until the second guard bar is detected and a whole bar code is completely read. The first scanning line may be set, so that it only reads a predetermined number of bars and the rest of the bar code is read by new scanning lines starting from the last read bar.

Abstract: Processing an analog electrical signal containing information representative of reflected light from indicia including regions of different light reflectivity, wherein the analog electrical signal contains edge transitions corresponding to boundaries between adjoining regions of different light reflectivity of the indicia. The edge transitions of at least a part of the analog electrical signal are analyzed to determine a level of blur in that part of the electrical signal. Based on the determined level of blur, one of a plurality of different techniques is selected for processing that part of the electrical signal to produce a digitized electrical signal in which transitions in the digital level of the signal correspond to boundaries between adjoining regions of different light reflectivity of the indicia.

Abstract: A system for reading data stored on a target in two different viewing planes includes a laser light source for generating a laser light beam and mirrors for focusing the laser beam on the two spaced apart viewing planes. Sensors detect the light reflected from each of the two viewing planes and generates an electrical signal indicative of the detected light. A signal processor, processes and decodes the data associated with the viewing plane on which the beam is in focus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the orientation of documents based upon the acquisition of images of the documents and the detection of barcode images from the documents. A document transport conveys documents along a selected path of movement. A document imaging system is provided along the path of movement for imaging a document conveyed along the path of movement to generate image data representative of the document. A system controller processes the image data to detect the presence of a barcode image. The location and/or orientation of the barcode image is then used to determine the orientation of the document along the path of movement. A document orientor may be provided along the path of movement to orient documents into desired orientations along the path of movement based upon the location and/or orientation of the detected barcode images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for scanning a bar code which includes acquiring a first bar code scanning along a scanning line, identifying the family of the bar code, determining the width of at least one of the synchronism characters, calculating the estimated width of each character of the code being examined, based an the width of the synchronism character considered, determining a character following one of the synchronism characters by counting a number of m elements equal to the number of elements that make up each character in the family identified, determining the width of the following characters, checking whether the width of such following character differs from the estimated width of a lower quantity with respect to a prefixed tolerance. If the check gives a positive result, identifying the character and reiterating the steps until the other synchronism character has been reached. If the check gives a negative result, label the following character as an “undecodable character”.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting a bar width comprises a detecting section calculating a reference bar width serving as a reference of bar widths, a first calculation section calculating an average value of a plurality of reference bar widths, a second calculation section calculating an error value between a bar width of a bar to be corrected and the reference bar width calculated by the detecting section, and a correcting section correcting the bar width of the bar to be corrected by using the calculated average value when the calculated error value is not less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Demodulated data B containing the whole of a right block and a part of a left block is obtained after demodulated data A containing a start guard bar and based on a division reading process has been at first obtained. When demodulated data C containing an end guard bar and numerical data of three characters is thereafter obtained, a CPU aligns the demodulated data C with modulus 10-OK data obtained by synthesizing the demodulated data A with the demodulated data B on the basis of the end guard bar, and compares tenth through twelfth characters (of the numerical data) of both of data with each other. As a result of this comparison, if the tenth through twelfth characters (of the numerical data) of both of data are coincident with each other, the CPU increments an identical character counter.

Abstract: The detecting method described is conceived for use in a bar code decoding system based on digital processing of signals. it functions to process in real time a signal from an A/D converter and determined the portions of this signal which contain a likely bar code and rejecting the portions that surely do not contain a code. Only the former are signaled to a subsequent decoding process. The method steps are essentially the following: determining local maxima and minima of the digitalized analog signal; determining valid transitions; calculating the side of constant brightness zones located between two successive valid transitions; determining likely codes; if appropriate, repositioning the code starting zone; and if appropriate, analyzing detected potential codes for congruence, and signaling the likely codes.

Abstract: An area of interest is scanned to produce pixels of the scanned area. The pixels are divided into a plurality of blocks. For each block, an orientation of a spanning line or a lack of orientation is determined. Contiguous ones of the blocks are clustered, when their orientation is within a certain tolerance level. Each cluster has a length and a width. The length is longer than the width. If the orientation of a cluster's block is perpendicular to the length of that cluster, that cluster is selected as a bar code candidate.

Abstract: A bar code reader for reading a bar code 30 composed of a plurality of white bars and a plurality of black bars, includes a generating unit 8 for generating bar width values respectively showing a width of the read bars, a judging unit 12 for judging based on the bar width values whether or not the read bar code satisfies a predetermined standard condition, and a converting unit 12 for converting the read bars into a plurality of bars in which a black-and-white-inverted bar is interposed between the conversion-target color bars. If the judging unit judges that the bar code does not satisfy the predetermined standard condition, the converting unit converts any one of the white and black bars constituting the bar code, and thereafter the judging unit makes a re-judgement. The bar code reader is capable of demodulating the bar code which has been abnormally read by presuming and compensating the bars read apparently as a single bar to a plurality of bars.

Abstract: A bar code reader particularly useful in a photographic film scanner of the type employing a light source and CCD array for sensing the bar code elements. Lateral location of the bar code pattern is established by analyzing the output of the CCD array within a bar code detection window to determine the location of a longitudinal edge transition of the line of clock elements in the bar code pattern and then to use clock and data element detection windows at spaced locations from the line of clock edge transition to read the encoded values of the bar code. In one embodiment, the line of transition between the clock and data elements is used as the line of longitudinal edge transition of the line of clock elements. In another embodiment, the longitudinal clock edge transition remote from the data elements and adjacent the central image frame region is used.

Abstract: Optical device for reading and decoding bars of different reflectivity arranged in accordance with a barcode and adjoining one another, comprising an optical scanning device for scanning the bars by means of a light beam, a sensor for receiving the reflected light beam and the conversion thereof into an electrical sensor output signal, a transition detector for detecting the level transitions in the sensor output signal and a decoding device which decodes the scanned barcode on the basis of the output signals from the transition detector. The transition detector is provided with a comparator and a flipflop connected to the output thereof. The sensor output signal is fed to one of the inputs of the comparator. The output of the flipflop is coupled via at least a number of first integrators to the other input of the comparator.

Abstract: A system for high speed acquisition and decoding of a barcode symbol locates potential barcode candidates within a scanned image and filters the candidates to eliminate invalid data. The system permits computational resources to be focused on decoding information most likely to be an actual barcode symbol. Once a potential barcode candidate has been located, the barcode symbol is processed to determine the barcode orientation and symbology. Each element of the barcode symbol is then located, even if all elements are not visible in the original image, and the barcode symbol is decoded in accordance with the specific symbology.