US 5,296,691 A · Scanning device for reconstructing a complete code from scanned segments

Abstract

This invention features a device and method for reading machine readable code, having a plurality of code elements, on an object. The device includes a scanning apparatus, a signal processor and a data processor. The scanning apparatus successively scans the code and outputs a signal representative of at least a portion of the code, for each successive scan of the code. The signal processor processes each of the signals outputted by the scanning apparatus and further provides signal identification data, including a width and position associated with each of the outputted signals, for each successive scan of the code. The data processor reconstructs the code from the signal identification data for each successive scan of the code, provided by the signal processor. The data processor reconstructs the code by both determining the position of a selected code element for a successive scan and by positionally aligning the selected code element with the corresponding element from a prior scan. In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention can simultaneously read and decode a plurality of bar codes affixed to an item which approaches the scan line of the device at any orientation.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A device for reading machine readable code, having a plurality of code elements, comprising:

scanning means for successively scanning the code and for outputting a signal representative of at least a portion of the code, for each successive scan of the code;
signal processing means for processing each of said signals outputted by said scanning means, said signal processing means further providing signal identification data, including a width and position associated with each of said signals, for each successive scan of the code;
and
data processing means for reconstructing the code from said signal identification data for each successive scan of the code provided by said signal processing means,
said data processing means including position aligning means, said position aligning means comprising means for selecting an element in a previous scan,
calculating the position of that element in a successive scan based upon a calculated offset, said calculated offset determined by an offset calculating means which calculates the difference in position of features in previous scans, and
aligning said successive scan with said previous scan by means of said calculated offset by placing said selected element in said successive scan in alignment with said selected element in said previous scan.

4 more elements

A method for reading machine readable code, having a plurality of code elements, comprising the steps of:

successively scanning the code to provide a signal representative of at least a portion of the code, for each successive scan of the code;
successively processing each signal representative of at least a portion of the code to provide signal identification data, including a width and position associated with each of said signals, for each successive scan of the code;
and
reconstructing the code from signal identification data for each successive scan of the code, said reconstructing including the steps of:
selecting an element in a previous scan;
calculating the position of said element in a successive scan based upon a calculated offset, said calculated offset determined by the step of:
calculating the difference in position of features in previous scans;
and
aligning said successive scan with said previous scan by means of said calculated offset by the step of:
placing said selected element in said successive scan in alignment with said selected element in said previous scan.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Scanning device for reconstructing a complete code from scanned segments

Life of this patent

Scanning device for reconstructing a complete code from scanned segments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40