Methods and Apparatus for Signals Exhibiting Improved Signal to Noise Ratio in Image Bar Code Scanning
OwnerSik Piu Kwaninventor
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Abstract
Systems and techniques for improved imaging scanning. An imaging bar code scanner uses an imaging device to capture a bar code image, and combines multiple rows of image information. An image of a typical bar code will comprise multiple rows of similar or identical visual information so that the multiple rows of image information will include repetitions of the same image information, with differing or cancelling noise information. The combined information is processed to generate a scan signal, which will exhibit a higher signal to noise ratio compared to a scan signal based on a single row of image information. The scan signal can be analyzed to identify transitions between light and dark areas of the bar code.
Claims15
An imaging bar code scanner, comprising:
- an image capture device for capturing an image of a bar code, the image capture device being operative to store information in a sensor comprising multiple sensor elements arranged in an array of rows and columns;
- and
- a processor for producing a scan signal based on combined information from multiple sensor elements, the combined information representing information from multiple rows of sensor elements, each row of sensor elements having stored information representing a cross section of the bar code, the processor being further operative to process the scan signal to extracted information encoded by the bar code.
A method of imaging bar code scanning, comprising the steps of:
- capturing a digital image of a bar code;
- combining rows of information of the captured image, each row representing a cross section of the bar code;
- processing the combined rows of information to generate a scan signal;
- and
- processing the scan signal to extract information encoded into the bar code.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.