Method and apparatus for detecting and decoding information bearing symbols encoded using multiple optical codes

An optical target acquisition system for the detection of a plurality of at least first and second differing optical target configurations represented by image data signals provided by an optical scanning device, said system having system data signals independent of said image data signals for controlling system functions, comprising:

• first system processor means including means for receiving said system data signals for executing said system functions by said first system processor means in accordance with said system data signals;
• first target processor means separate from said first system processor means for receiving said image data signals and detecting said first optical target configuration to provide a first detection signal in accordance with said image data signals;
• said first target processor means having means for transmitting said first detection signal to said first system processing means;
• second target processor means separate from said first system processor means and said first target processor means for receiving said image data signals and detecting said second optical target configuration to provide a second detection signal in accordance with said image data signals;
• said second target processor means having means for transmitting said second detection signal to said first system processing means;
• first system bus means coupled to said first system processor means for directly applying said first detection signal to said first system processor means by said first target processor means and for directly applying said second detection signal to said first system processor means by said second target processor means;
• and
• first image data bus means separate from said first system bus means, coupled to said first target processor means and said second target processor means, for receiving said image data signals from said optical scanning device and applying said image data signals to said first target processor means and said second target processor means, wherein identical image data signals from said optical scanning device are continuously applied to said first and second target processor means by said first image data bus means, and further comprising:
• a plurality of template images representative of one of said plurality of target configurations;
• and,
• means for selecting a template image of said plurality of template images in accordance with the distance between an object and image means.

A method for the acquisition and detection of a plurality of at least first and second differing target configurations by a single optical scanning device in an optical target acquisition system having system data signals independent of said image data signals, said system data signals being adapted for controlling system functions, comprising the steps of:

• (a) executing said system functions by first system processor means in accordance with said system data signals;
• (b) receiving said image data signals by first target processor means separate from said first system processor means;
• (c) detecting said first optical target configuration by said first image data signals to provide a first detection signal in accordance with said detecting of said first optical target configuration;
• (d) receiving said image data signals by second target processor means separate from said first system processor means and said first target processor means;
• (e) detecting said second optical target configuration by said second target processor means in accordance with said image data signals to provide a second detection signal in accordance with said detecting of said second optical target configuration;
• (f) directly applying said first detection signal to said first system processor means by first system bus means and directly applying said second detection signal to said first system processor means by said first system bus means;
• (g) receiving said image data signals from said single optical scanning device;
• (h) applying said image data signals to said first target processor means and said second target processor means by second image data bus means separate from said first system bus means, wherein identical image data signals from said optical scanning device are continuously applied to said first and second target processor means by said first image data bus means;
• (i) providing a plurality of template images representative of one of said plurality of target configurations;
• and
• (j) selecting a template image of said plurality of template images in accordance with the distance between an object and image means.

A method for the acquisition and detection of a target configuration in an optical target acquisition system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating, with image means, image data signals of an object having the target configuration;
• (b) selecting an image template from a plurality of image templates based on a distance between the image means and the object;
• and
• (c) comparing the selected image template with the image data signals to generate a detection signal indicating detection of the target configuration.

An apparatus for the acquisition and detection of a target configuration in an optical target acquisition system, comprising:

• (a) image means for generating image data signals of an object having the target configuration;
• (b) means for selecting an image template from a plurality of image templates based on a distance between the image means and the object;
• and
• (c) means for comparing the selected image template with the image data signals to generate a detection signal indicating detection of the target configuration.