Method of reading a barcode representing encoded data and disposed on an article and an apparatus therefor

A method of reading a barcode representing encoded data and disposed on an article, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) optically scanning the barcode and storing an image thereof in memory;
• (b) performing first and second scans across the stored image of the barcode;
• (c) storing each scan from step (b) in a storage unit;
• (d) performing another scan across the stored image of the barcode such that all scans performed including the first and second scans are at interleaved positions across the stored image of the barcode;
• (e) storing the scan from step (d) in the storage unit;
• (f) testing two stored scans for a consensus;
• and
• (g) repeating steps (d), (e), and (f) until either (i) a consensus of two stored scans is reached which is indicative of a readable barcode or (ii) a predetermined number of stored scans of the barcode is tested which is indicative of an unreadable bar code.

An apparatus for reading a barcode representing encoded data and disposed on an article, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory unit;
• a scanning unit for optically scanning the barcode and storing an image thereof in the memory unit;
• a storage unit;
• and
• a processing unit including circuitry for (i) performing a plurality of scans at interleaved positions across the image of the barcode stored in the memory unit and (ii) storing the resulting scans in the storage unit;
• the processing unit including a testing unit for testing two stored scans in the storage unit until either (i) a consensus of two stored scans is reached which is indicative of a readable barcode or (ii) a predetermined number of stored scans of the barcode is tested which is indicative of an unreadable bar code.