Method and apparatus for ordering code candidates in image for decoding attempts

A method for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of:
• identifying the first direction of travel through the FOV;
• obtaining images of the FOV;
• for each image, where an image most recently obtained is a current image:
• (i) identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image;
• (ii) attempting to decode code candidates that are proximate the exit edge of the FOV;
• (iii) after attempting to decode code candidates that are proximate the exit edge of the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates that are proximate the entry edge of the FOV;
• and
• (iv) when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

A method for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge so that the sensor generates images having at least first and second different regions of interest that are adjacent the entry edge and the exit edge, respectively the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of:
• obtaining an image of the FOV;
• for each image:
• (i) identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image;
• (ii) identifying at least first and second different regions of interest (ROIs) in the obtained image;
• (iii) attempting to decode code candidates in the first ROI a first time;
• (iv) after attempting to decode code candidates in the first ROI, attempting to decode code candidates in the second ROI;
• (v) after attempting to decode code candidates in the second ROI, attempting a second time to decode code candidates in the first ROI;
• and
• (vi) when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

A method for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of:
• obtaining images of the FOV;
• for each image, where an image most recently obtained is a current image:
• (i) identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image;
• (ii) ordering the code candidates in a candidate order where the order is determined at least in part as a function of at least one of the locations of the code candidates in the FOV, the first direction of travel, the likelihood that code candidates were decoded in a prior image and the speed of travel of the objects through the FOV;
• and
• (iii) when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

An apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor programmed to perform the steps of:
• obtaining images of the FOV;
• for each image:
• (i) identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image;
• (ii) ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV;
• (iii) attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel;
• and
• (iv) when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

An apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor programmed to perform the steps of:
• identifying the first direction of travel through the FOV;
• obtaining images of the FOV;
• for each image, where an image most recently obtained is a current image:
• (i) identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image;
• (ii) attempting to decode code candidates that are proximate the exit edge of the FOV;
• (iii) after attempting to decode code candidates that are proximate the exit edge of the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates that are proximate the entry edge of the FOV;
• and
• (iv) when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

An apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge so that the sensor generates images having at least first and second different regions of interest that are adjacent the entry edge and the exit edge, respectively, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor programmed to perform the steps of:
• obtaining an image of the FOV;
• for each image:
• (i) identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image;
• (ii) identifying at least first and second different regions of interest (ROIs) in the obtained image;
• (iii) attempting to decode code candidates in the first ROI a first time;
• (iv) after attempting to decode code candidates in the first ROI, attempting to decode code candidates in the second ROI;
• (v) after attempting to decode code candidates in the second ROI, attempting a second time to decode code candidates in the first ROI;
• and
• (vi) when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.