Abstract: A bar code scanning system and method for reading and processing bar code symbology uses a scanning station installed above the check-out stand and a receiving station at some distance away from the scanning station. The scanning station projects light onto a surface of the check-out stand. The projected light can have a well defined border indicating where a user should place items to be scanned. Alternatively, a pattern coincident with the projected light can be projected onto the surface and which includes a target indicating where items should be placed for scanning. Light reflected by items in the target region is processed to decode optical symbology on the item and produce a signal that is representative of said sensed symbology. Information about the scanned item can be processed and displayed by the receiving station for use in, e.g., a point-of-sale transaction.

Abstract: Optical image readers have a two-dimensional image sensor and an auto-discrimination function. The auto-discrimination function identifies optical codes by type for pixel clusters and, in some cases, tilt angle and start/stop coordinates. The clustered pixel data is passed to an appropriate decoder identified by the auto-discrimination function based upon a likelihood that the cluster contains an optical code of a particular type. Line drawing technique provide for adequate sampling of the clustered pixel data code based on the tilt angle of the code relative to an image sensor array.

Abstract: A bar code scanning system and method for reading and processing bar code symbology uses a scanning station installed above the check-out stand and a receiving station at some distance away from the scanning station. The scanning station projects light onto a surface of the check-out stand. The projected light can have a well defined border indicating where a user should place items to be scanned. Alternatively, a pattern coincident with the projected light can be projected onto the surface and which includes a target indicating where items should be placed for scanning. Light reflected by items in the target region is processed to decode optical symbology on the item and produce a signal that is representative of said sensed symbology. Information about the scanned item can be processed and displayed by the receiving station for use in, e.g., a point-of-sale transaction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to optical image readers having a two-dimensional image sensor and an auto-discrimination function. The auto-discrimination function identifies optical codes by type for pixel clusters and, in some cases, tilt angle and start/stop coordinates. The clustered pixel data is passed to an appropriate decoder identified by the auto-discrimination function based upon a likelihood that the cluster contains an optical code of a particular type. Line drawing techniques provide for adequate sampling of the clustered pixel data code based on the tilt angle of the code relative to a image sensor array.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to optical image readers having a two-dimensional image sensor and an auto-discrimination function. The auto-discrimination function identifies optical codes by type for pixel clusters and, in some cases, tilt angle and start/stop coordinates. The clustered pixel data is passed to an appropriate decoder identified by the auto-discrimination function based upon a likelihood that the cluster contains an optical code of a particular type. Line drawing techniques provide for adequate sampling of the clustered pixel data code based on the tilt angle of the code relative to a image sensor array.

Abstract: Bar code decoding methods and apparatus are disclosed wherein prototype characters are generated using calculated bar code distortion attributes. The vector distance measurements between the scanned bar code characters and the prototype characters are advantageously utilized to provide advanced and improved decoding.

Abstract: A reader generates a scanning beam for reading a bar code symbol on a selected item. The reader includes a motion sensor or software program for discriminating between the selected item and other items also having bar code symbols thereon. The motion sensor or software program for discriminating between the items may discriminate between an item swept past the reader and stationary items, or an item moved into the field of view of the reader, held stationary and moved out of the field of view and stationary or moving items or between an item placed within a predetermined distance range and other items.

Abstract: A reader generates a scanning beam for reading a bar code symbol on a selected item. The reader includes a database in which codes for all symbols to be read are stored, and frequency of use data indicative of how often each stored code has been read. A processor compares the code of the symbol being scanned with the stored codes. Upon a successful comparison, the code is processed as a valid code. Upon failure to match the code to one of the stored codes, a most likely code is selected as the valid code. The most likely code is based on the frequency of use data.

Abstract: An arrangement for decoding a bar code symbol in which the data resulting from scanning a bar code symbol with a bar code scanner is evaluated to determine if the scanned bar code symbol is within the working range of the scanner. The data acquired by the bar code scanner is evaluated to determine if the detected widths of the bars and spaces of the scanned bar code symbol are too small, less than a threshold value, which indicates that the bar code symbol is too far and outside of the working range of the scanner. Moreover, the working range of the bar code scanner can be selectively changed by changing the threshold value, which can be easily implemented by having the bar code scanner scan a menu bar code which instructs the decoder to change the threshold value to a selected new value which may be pre-established for the particular operation.

Abstract: A method for decoding bar code symbols in which a bar code reader and associated components scan a bar code symbol, produce a representation of the symbol, and attempt to decode that representation in order to produce a character message. The method consists of the steps of storing a first representation of the bar code symbol corresponding to a first scan path through a first portion of said symbol smaller than the entire symbol, and storing a second representation of the bar code symbol corresponding to a second scan path through the symbol. The method then processes said representations in the event a successful decode has not taken place by utilizing the signal from a first scan with the signal from a subsequent scan to determine the best alignment at which successive scans can be concatenated to form a combined signal. The process is repeated with different subsequent scans until successful decoding of the combined signal.

Abstract: A method for decoding bar code symbols in which a bar code reader and associated components scan a bar code symbol produce a representation of the symbol, and attempt to decode that representation in order to produce a character message. The method consists of the steps of storing a first representation of the bar code symbol corresponding to a first scan path through a first portion of said symbol smaller than the entire symbol, and storing a second representation of the bar code symbol corresponding to a second scan path through the symbol. The method then processes these representations in the event a successful decode has not taken place by utilizing the signal from a first scan with the signal from a subsequent scan to determine whether the information from successive scans can be concatenated to form a combined signal. The process is repeated with different subsequent scans until successful decoding of the combined signal.