Systems and methods for printed code inspection

A computer-implemented method for printed code inspection by a printed code inspection system operating in conjunction with a production line apparatus configured to move objects along a production line comprising:

• receiving an image of an object to which a printed code comprising one or more printed characters should have been applied, the image having been captured when the object was located at a particular position on the production line;
• analyzing the image to detect, based on a set of one or more character identification parameters, at least one candidate character within the image;
• determining, for each of the at least one candidate characters and based on a set of one or more candidate character properties, a likelihood that the candidate character is one of the printed characters of the printed code that should have been applied to the object;
• determining, based on the candidate characters determined as being likely to be one of the printed characters of the printed code that should have been applied to the object, and without use of optical character recognition in respect of the candidate characters determined as being likely to be one of the printed characters of the printed code that should have been applied to the object, whether the printed code is present and legible on the object;
• outputting an indication as to whether the printed code that should have been applied to the object is present and legible on the object;
• and
• wherein determining whether the printed code is present and legible on the object is based at least in part on
• a size, shape, and/or orientation of a print box, wherein the print box is an area encompassing all of the candidate characters determined as being likely to be one of the printed characters of the printed code that should have been applied to the object.