Bar code decoding with speed compensation

Abstract

A method for dynamically establishing a plurality of threshold values for use in decoding a bar code symbol having a plurality of characters where each character includes a plurality of wide and narrow elements. Additionally, the symbol also includes a first character having elements of known sequence and type. The method comprising the step(s) of: (a) keeping an indicator of an amount of time that a light source from a scanner system illuminates a selected element from the first character, (b) establishing a current threshold value based upon the selected element indicator for use in decoding a second element, (c) keeping an indicator for each of the plurality of elements of an amount of time that the light source from the scanner system illuminates the plurality of elements, respectively, and (d) adjusting the current threshold value using the indicators before decoding a subsequent element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.