Systems and methods for improving the readability of printed bar code symbols and the like

A method for improving the readability of a printed bar code symbol, comprising:

• capturing an image of a printed bar code symbol;
• analyzing the captured image of the printed bar code symbol for determining printing errors by:
• (a) obtaining a reference bar code symbol or reference bar code symbol specification;
• (b) comparing the reference bar code symbol or reference bar code symbol specification to the captured image of the printed bar code symbol;
• (c) generating data indicative of the differences between the reference bar code symbol or reference bar code symbol specification and the captured image of the printed bar code symbol, the differences representing at least a portion of the printing errors;
• removing at least a portion of the printing errors from the substrate based on the generated data.

A system for improving the readability of a printed bar code symbol, comprising:

• an image capture device capable of capturing a digital image of a printed bar code symbol from a substrate;
• a laser capable of removing a portion of the printed bar code symbol;
• and
• a computing system capable of
• (1) receiving the captured image of the bar code symbol;
• (2) comparing the image to a reference bar code symbol image or a reference bar code symbol specification for determining the differences therebetween;
• and
• (3) outputting suitable signals to the laser for operating the laser to remove a portion of the printed bar code symbol associated with the differences previously determined.