Dataform readers using interactive storage and analysis of image data

In a dataform reader, an interactive storage and analysis method, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a memory operable in two modes which when full to capacity stores a number of lines of image data, said memory controllable to use retain and discard modes to either (i) in said retain mode, retain the stored lines of image data after the memory is full and not store a subsequent line when provided, or (ii) in said discard mode, discard an earliest stored line of image data and store a subsequent line when provided after the memory is full;
• (b) providing to said memory successive lines of image data, including lines representative of illumination reflected from a dataform;
• (c) concurrently with step (b) analyzing successive lines of said image data to provide recognition of image data representative of said dataform;
• and
• (d) controlling the mode of said memory (i) upon recognition of image data representative of said dataform, to utilize said retain mode to retain said representative image data in memory for purposes of decoding said dataform and (ii) in the absence of recognition of representative image data, to utilize said discard mode to discard an earliest stored line of image data and store a subsequent line when provided.

A method of reading a dataform using a memory too small to store image data for a complete dataform image, by dataform feature recognition with interactive storage and analysis of image data, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing successive lines of image data, including lines representative of illumination reflected from a dataform;
• (b) storing successive lines of said image data in a memory having a capacity inadequate to store image data representative of all of the information content of said dataform;
• (c) concurrently with step (b) and prior to decoding of said dataform, analyzing successive lines of said image data to provide identification of the type of dataform by recognition of a feature of said dataform and identify a reference line of image data associated with said recognition;
• (d) upon successful step (c) recognition of said feature and identification of the type of dataform present, (i) identifying a series of lines of image data to be used for decoding of said dataform including lines already stored and lines not yet stored and (ii) initiating decoding of said dataform beginning with the earliest line of said identified series of lines;
• and
• (e) discarding an earliest stored line of said image data upon storage of a later line of image data in excess of said number of lines of storage capacity, to enable use of a memory too small to store a complete image of said dataform.

A dataform reader, using interactive storage and analysis of image data, comprising:

• a sensor to provide a succession of lines of image data, including lines representative of illumination reflected from a dataform;
• a two mode memory coupled to said sensor and having a capacity to store a number of lines of said image data as said succession of lines is received from said sensor, said memory having two operating modes (i) a retain mode selectable to retain a series of lines of image data, and (ii) a default FIFO mode in which an earliest stored line of said image data is discarded when a line in excess of said number of lines is coupled from said sensor;
• and
• a locator coupled to said memory and operative concurrently with storage of said succession of lines of image data to provide recognition of a feature of said dataform and identification of a reference line of image data associated with such recognition, said locator responsive to successful feature recognition to (i) identify a series of lines of image data to be used for decoding said dataform, and (ii) control said memory to operate in said retain mode to retain said series of lines of image data;
• said locator arranged to permit said memory to operate in said default FIFO mode when feature recognition has not been successfully achieved.

A system for data storage and analysis method for a dataform reader, comprising:

• memory means selectively operable in at least two storage operating modes, said first storage operating mode discarding data previously stored therein to provide memory storage space to store subsequently received data, and said second storage operating mode retaining data previously stored therein and storing no subsequent received data;
• transmission means for transmitting data to the memory means, wherein the data includes image data representative if the reflectivity of one or more portions of a dataform;
• analysis means for analyzing data transmitted to the memory means, to recognize a feature of said dataform, wherein said feature is used to identify the type of dataform from among a plurality of different 1-D and 2-D bar code dataform types decodable by the dataform reader;
• and
• means modifying the storage operating mode of said memory means depending upon whether the type of dataform from among the plurality of different 1-D and 2-D bar code dataforms types is identified, wherein the said memory means is operated in said first storage operating mode until a dataform type has been identified, and thereafter operating said memory means in said second storage operating mode.