System and method for obtaining information from a bar code for use with a healthcare system

A method of obtaining information from a bar code comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a database of algorithms for decoding bar codes;
• scanning said bar code with a bar code reader;
• determining a length of said bar code;
• generating an error code when said length is less than a predetermined length;
• identifying all algorithms from said database for decoding a bar code having said length when said length is greater than said predetermined length;
• applying each identified algorithm to said bar code;
• verifying a portion of information from said bar code determined from each said identified algorithm;
• and,
• selecting a verified algorithm to obtain said information.

A method of obtaining information from an item having a bar code comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a first database of algorithms for decoding bar codes for use when a manufacturer of an item is known;
• maintaining a second database of algorithms for decoding bar codes for use when a manufacturer of an item is not known;
• scanning a bar code from an item;
• utilizing an algorithm from said first database when said manufacturer of said item is known to obtain information from said scanned bar code;
• and,
• utilizing an algorithm from said second database when said manufacturer of said item is not known to obtain information from said bar code.

A system for obtaining information from a bar code comprising:

• a bar code scanner for scanning a bar code associated with an item;
• a program maintained on a computer readable medium for decoding a bar code scanned by said bar code scanner, said program including
• a first code segment for maintaining a database of a plurality of algorithms for decoding bar codes;
• a second code segment for determining a length of a bar code associated with an item;
• a third code segment for identifying all algorithms from said database for decoding a bar code having said length;
• a fourth code segment for applying each identified algorithm to said bar code;
• and,
• a fifth code segment for verifying a portion of information from said bar code determined from each said identified algorithm.

A program maintained on a computer readable medium for obtaining information from a bar code comprising:

• a first code segment in said program for maintaining a database of a plurality of algorithms for decoding bar codes;
• a second code segment in said program for determining a length of a bar code associated with an item;
• a third code segment in said program for identifying all algorithms from said database for decoding a bar code having said length;
• a fourth code segment in said program for applying each identified algorithm to said barcode;
• and,
• a fifth code segment in said program for verifying a portion of information from said bar code determined from each said identified algorithm.