Patents by Inventor Denis Michael Blanford

Denis Michael Blanford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7549585
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for prevention of double scans of bar codes by identifying the possibility of ambiguities in position information estimated upon detection of a bar code. A bar code scanner estimates position information for a bar code upon detection of the bar code. Timing information for each detection and the accompanying position estimate is maintained, and lapses of time between detections and accompanying position estimates are noted. When successive scans of identical bar code information occur, the lapses of time are evaluated in light of predetermined criteria to determine whether or not an ambiguity exists that prevents reliable identification the scans as a double scan of the same bar code or successive scans of separate but identical bar codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Denis Michael Blanford
  • Patent number: 7546949
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for detecting and decoding bar code data and transferring the data to a host system. A bar code scanner detects and decodes a bar code and passes the bar code information, including bar code format information, to host system. The bar code scanner detects indicia that may appear in a bar code and responds as indicated by the indicia. One of the available responses is to transfer bar code data to a host system in a form consistent with a format indicated by indicia appearing in the bar code, but different from the format in which the bar code actually appears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Denis Michael Blanford
  • Publication number: 20080029604
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for prevention of double scans of bar codes by identifying the possibility of ambiguities in position information estimated upon detection of a bar code. A bar code scanner estimates position information for a bar code upon detection of the bar code. Timing information for each detection and the accompanying position estimate is maintained, and lapses of time between detections and accompanying position estimates are noted. When successive scans of identical bar code information occur, the lapses of time are evaluated in light of predetermined criteria to determine whether or not an ambiguity exists that prevents reliable identification the scans as a double scan of the same bar code or successive scans of separate but identical bar codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Denis Michael Blanford
  • Patent number: 7314175
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for stitching together partial bar code segments to construct and decode information for a complete bar code. As a scanner operates to generate a scan pattern, information is maintained that can be used to identify a scan line being generated when an event of interest occurs. When a scan signal indicates that a terminal delimiter of a bar code is included in a bar code segment that has been transected by a scan line, information is noted that can identify the scan line. Subsequent transections of the bar code by the same scan line are noted, and information for overlapping bar code segments is stored. When a segment is detected that includes a delimiter opposite the delimiter appearing in the original segment, the stored information is retrieved and used to assemble the complete bar code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Denis Michael Blanford
  • Patent number: 6722568
    Abstract: A system for improved detection and decoding of a supplemental bar code label accompanying a primary bar code label is described. A supplemental label is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary label. A scanner in a bar code reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary label. Upon detection of a primary label, the system looks for the bar code encoded on the label in a database containing a set of bar codes with a value associated with each bar code. The value determines how long a search is to be conducted for a supplemental label accompanying the primary label which was scanned. The duration may suitably be based on the probability that a supplemental label will be present. It may also be influenced by the difficulty of detecting a supplemental label which may be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Denis Michael Blanford, Frederick Peter Tyrrell
  • Publication number: 20030094494
    Abstract: A system for improved detection and decoding of a supplemental bar code label accompanying a primary bar code label is described. A supplemental label is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary label. A scanner in a bar code reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary label. Upon detection of a primary label, the system looks for the bar code encoded on the label in a database containing a set of bar codes with a value associated with each bar code. The value determines how long a search is to be conducted for a supplemental label accompanying the primary label which was scanned. The duration may suitably be based on the probability that a supplemental label will be present. It may also be influenced by the difficulty of detecting a supplemental label which may be present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Denis Michael Blanford, Frederick Peter Tyrrell
  • Patent number: 6561426
    Abstract: A system for detecting and decoding a supplemental barcode accompanying a primary barcode. A supplemental barcode is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary barcode. A scanner in a barcode reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary barcode. Upon detection of a primary barcode, the system inserts a delay while attempting to detect a supplemental barcode. Upon detection of a secondary barcode, the primary and supplemental barcode information is processed, for example by sending the information to a terminal connected to the scanner. Upon expiration of the delay without detection of a supplemental barcode, the primary barcode information is processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Denis Michael Blanford, Daniel Byron Seevers, Robert Joseph Tom
  • Publication number: 20020117548
    Abstract: A timing and mirror position detector for use in a bar code scanner having a rotating optical assembly. The optical assembly is rotated by a motor which produces a fixed number of pulses per rotation, at least one of the pulses occurring each time the motor passes through a reference position as it rotates. The pulses are continuously monitored and counted. Elapsed time from the time a reference pulse occurs is accurately measured and correlated by a processor with events of interest. When an event of interest, such as a bar code scan, occurs, the timing and pulse count are evaluated and processed to determine the angle of rotation of the motor at the time the scan occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Keys, Denis Michael Blanford, Kenneth Joseph Fabian, Barry M. Mergenthaler
  • Patent number: 6158660
    Abstract: A system for detecting and decoding a supplemental barcode accompanying a primary barcode. A supplemental barcode is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary barcode. A scanner in a barcode reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary barcode. Upon detection of a primary barcode, the system inserts a delay while attempting to detect a supplemental barcode. Upon detection of a secondary barcode, the primary and supplemental barcode information is processed, for example by sending the information to a terminal connected to the scanner. Upon expiration of the delay without detection of a supplemental barcode, the primary barcode information is processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Denis Michael Blanford, Daniel Byron Seevers, Robert Joseph Tom