Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with an image sensor that includes a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the method including the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining an image of the FOV, attempting to decode a code candidate in the image using a first decode algorithm, and where the attempt to decode the code candidate fails, maintaining the image in memory. The method including repeating the above steps until one of a threshold number of attempts to decode the code candidate have failed and the code candidate has been successfully decoded. Further, the method includes accessing the images maintained in memory and attempting to decode the code candidate in at least a subset of the images stored in memory using a second decode algorithm that is different than the first decode algorithm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for acquiring and decoding a plurality of images. First images are acquired and then processed to attempt to decode a symbol. Contributions of the first images to the decoding attempt are identified. An updated acquisition-settings order is determined based at least partly upon the contributions of the first images to the decoding attempt. Second images are acquired or processed based at least partly upon the updated acquisition-settings order.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for decoding barcodes. A scan signal is acquired along a scan through a barcode. A first character unit grid for a unit width pattern within the barcode along the scan is determined. At least one set of sampling coefficients relating the unit width pattern to a portion of the scan signal is determined based on the first character unit grid. The element width pattern for the unit width pattern is determined based on the at least one set of sampling coefficients and the portion of the scan signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use with a handheld mark reader that reduce the time between activation of the reader's trigger and the reader returning a successful decode response. Image processing may be performed prior to the user actuating the trigger and thus obtaining a decodable image with reduced delay. Separate pre-trigger and post-trigger parameters may be used for image decoding. A feedback loop may be incorporated for repeated parameter updates. An adjustable lens may be utilized either with illumination OFF or ON.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for locating barcodes applied to objects are provided. A method can receive a first image of a first barcode fragment applied to a first object captured at a first time and identify a first position of the first barcode fragment. The method can also receive a second image of a second barcode fragment captured at a second time and identify a second position of the second barcode fragment. The method can also predict a range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time based on a tracking model that tracks the first barcode fragment based on the first position, and determine that the first barcode fragment and the second barcode fragment correspond to the same barcode, if the second position is within the range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time.

Abstract: A handheld scanner incorporates vision software to allow the handheld scanner to be trained for OCR. The handheld scanner can include a user interface to allow a user to associate an image of a mark with electronic data for the mark. The user interface, along with a range finder, can also be used to influence variables that affect the quality of an image scan, thereby improving the quality of results for the image scan and/or decode process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use with a handheld mark reader that reduce the time between activation of the reader's trigger and the reader returning a successful decode response. Image processing may be performed prior to the user actuating the trigger and thus obtaining a decodable image with reduced delay. Separate pre-trigger and post-trigger parameters may be used for image decoding. A feedback loop may be incorporated for repeated parameter updates. An adjustable lens may be utilized either with illumination OFF or ON.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for auto-regulation of parameters a vision system camera and/or associated illumination of objects imaged by the camera using a plurality of differentiated gain (multi-gain) settings on the camera's image sensor to determine the gain value producing the most-readable image. The image (having the best characteristics) acquired using multiple gain settings can be read for information as a discrete gain image and/or the camera parameters (e.g. global gain and/or global exposure time) can be uniformly set across the pixel array to the best values for acquisition of a subsequent, higher sampled image. This image is then read (e.g. decoded) for information contained within any identified features of interest (e.g. found IDs).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for decoding barcodes. A scan signal is acquired along a scan through a barcode. A first character unit grid for a unit width pattern within the barcode along the scan is determined. At least one set of sampling coefficients relating the unit width pattern to a portion of the scan signal is determined based on the first character unit grid. The element width pattern for the unit width pattern is determined based on the at least one set of sampling coefficients and the portion of the scan signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for acquiring and decoding a plurality of images. First images are acquired and then processed to attempt to decode a symbol. Contributions of the first images to the decoding attempt are identified. An updated acquisition-settings order is determined based at least partly upon the contributions of the first images to the decoding attempt. Second images are acquired or processed based at least partly upon the updated acquisition-settings order.

Abstract: A handheld scanner incorporates vision software to allow the handheld scanner to be trained for OCR. The handheld scanner can include a user interface to allow a user to associate an image of a mark with electronic data for the mark. The user interface, along with a range finder, can also be used to influence variables that affect the quality of an image scan, thereby improving the quality of results for the image scan and/or decode process. The handheld scanner can also use a font description file during the decode process. The font description file can be generated using a synthetic image file of a character. The synthetic image file can be created by interpreting a marker font file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with an image sensor that includes a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining an image of the FOV and applying different decode algorithms to code candidates in the obtained image to attempt to decode the code candidates wherein the decode algorithm applied to each candidate is a function of the location of the code candidate in the FOV.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auto-tuning a handheld scanning device that can account for changes in the orientation between the handheld scanning device and a presented symbol can include capturing a first image containing a presented symbol, recording an orientation parameter and parameters associated with capturing the first image containing the presented symbol, capturing a subsequent image containing the presented symbol, recording an orientation parameter of the presented symbol contained in the subsequent image, comparing the orientation parameter of the symbol contained in the subsequent images to the orientation parameter of the presented symbol contained in the subsequent image, determining if the orientation parameter of the presented symbol contained in the subsequent images is substantially similar to the orientation parameter of the symbol contained in the first image, and recording parameters associated with capturing the subsequent images containing the presented symbol.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for auto-regulation of parameters a vision system camera and/or associated illumination of objects imaged by the camera using a plurality of differentiated gain (multi-gain) settings on the camera's image sensor to determine the gain value producing the most-readable image. The image (having the best characteristics) acquired using multiple gain settings can be read for information as a discrete gain image and/or the camera parameters (e.g. global gain and/or global exposure time) can be uniformly set across the pixel array to the best values for acquisition of a subsequent, higher sampled image. This image is then read (e.g. decoded) for information contained within any identified features of interest (e.g. found IDs).

Abstract: Systems and methods for use with a handheld mark reader that reduce the time between activation of the reader's trigger and the reader returning a successful decode response. Image processing may be performed prior to the user actuating the trigger and thus obtaining a decodable image with reduced delay. Separate pre-trigger and post-trigger parameters may be used for image decoding. A feedback loop may be incorporated for repeated parameter updates. An adjustable lens may be utilized either with illumination OFF or ON.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with an image sensor that includes a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining an image of the FOV and applying different decode algorithms to code candidates in the obtained image to attempt to decode the code candidates wherein the decode algorithm applied to each candidate is a function of the location of the code candidate in the FOV.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reading a two-dimensional matrix symbol or for determining if a two-dimensional matrix symbol is decodable are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a data reading algorithm that receives an image, locates at least a portion of the data modules within the image without using a fixed pattern, fits a model of the module positions from the image, extrapolates the model resulting in predicted module positions, determines module values from the image at the predicted module positions, and extracts a binary matrix from the module values.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auto-tuning a handheld scanning device that can account for changes in the orientation between the handheld scanning device and a presented symbol can include capturing a first image containing a presented symbol, recording an orientation parameter and parameters associated with capturing the first image containing the presented symbol, capturing a subsequent image containing the presented symbol, recording an orientation parameter of the presented symbol contained in the subsequent image, comparing the orientation parameter of the symbol contained in the subsequent images to the orientation parameter of the presented symbol contained in the subsequent image, determining if the orientation parameter of the presented symbol contained in the subsequent images is substantially similar to the orientation parameter of the symbol contained in the first image, and recording parameters associated with capturing the subsequent images containing the presented symbol.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for locating barcodes applied to objects are provided. A method can receive a first image of a first barcode fragment applied to a first object captured at a first time and identify a first position of the first barcode fragment. The method can also receive a second image of a second barcode fragment captured at a second time and identify a second position of the second barcode fragment. The method can also predict a range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time based on a tracking model that tracks the first barcode fragment based on the first position, and determine that the first barcode fragment and the second barcode fragment correspond to the same barcode, if the second position is within the range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time.