Method of locating imaged bar codes for an imaging-based bar code reader

An imaging-based bar code reader adapted to be used in a hand-held mode of operation and a fixed position mode of operation, the reader comprising:

• an imaging system including a sensor array for imaging a target bar code and generating captured image frames of a field of view of the imaging system;
• a decoding system for decoding an image of the target bar code located within a captured image frame;
• the decoding system utilizing a first method of locating an imaged bar code in the captured image frame if the reader is operated in the hand-held mode, the first method of locating an imaged bar code including the steps of:
• selecting a captured image frame;
• searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame;
• and
• if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found;
• and
• the decoding system utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code in a captured image frame if the reader is operated in the stationary mode, the second method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of:
• analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames;
• determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames;
• searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame;
• and
• if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found.

A decoding system for use with an imaging-based bar code reader adapted to be used in a hand-held mode of operation and a fixed position mode of operation, the decoding system comprising:

• circuitry for decoding an image of the target bar code located within a captured image frame;
• the decoding system utilizing a first method of locating the imaged bar code in the captured image frame if the reader is operated in the hand-held mode, the first method of locating an imaged bar code including the steps of:
• selecting a captured image frame;
• searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame;
• and
• if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found;
• and
• the decoding system utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code in a captured image frame if the reader is operated in the stationary mode, the second method of locating an imaged bar code includes the steps of:
• analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames;
• determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames;
• searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame;
• and
• if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found.

Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of locating an imaged bar code in a captured image frame for an imaging-based bar code reader, the steps of the method comprising:

• determining a mode of operation of the reader;
• if the reader is being operated in a hand-held mode of operation, utilizing a first method of locating the imaged bar code wherein the first method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of:
• selecting a captured image frame;
• searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame;
• and
• if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found;
• and
• if the reader is being operated in a fixed position mode, utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code wherein the second method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of:
• analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames;
• determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames;
• searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame;
• and
• if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found.

An imaging-based bar code reader adapted to be used in a hand-held mode of operation and a fixed position mode of operation, the reader comprising:

• means for imaging a target bar code and generating captured image frames of a field of view of the imaging system;
• means for decoding an image of the target bar code located within a captured image frame;
• the means for decoding utilizing a first method of locating the imaged bar code in a captured image frame if the reader is operated in the hand-held mode, the first method of locating the imaged bar code including the steps of:
• selecting a captured image frame;
• searching for the imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame;
• and
• if no imaged bar code is found at the starting location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the starting location until the imaged bar code is found;
• and
• the means for decoding utilizing a second method of locating the imaged bar code in a captured image frame if the reader is operated in the stationary mode, the second method of locating the imaged bar code includes the steps of:
• analyzing a series of captured image frames for changes in the series of captured image frames indicative of a movement of an object in the series of captured image frames;
• determining a location corresponding to the movement in a selected image frame of the series of captured image frames;
• searching for the imaged bar code commencing at the movement location within the selected image frame;
• and
• if no imaged bar code is found at the movement location, utilizing a search pattern to search outwardly from the movement location until the imaged bar code is found.