US5268580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bar code enhancement system and method for vision scanners
Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co TSMC Ltd
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Filing: 1992-09-02
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Granted: 1993-12-07
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Expires: 2012-09-02
Abstract
Abstract A bar image enhancement system and method for vision scanners which divides an image of an article having a bar code label into groups of pixels, with each pixel having an intensity value, and which minimizes processing time by employing simple algebra. The system includes a camera for generating an analog signal representing the image. Processing circuitry converts the analog signal into a digital signal. A controller divides the image into groups, determines a contrast value for predetermined groups by subtracting the minimum intensity value from the maximum intensity of each group.
Inventors
- 👤 Duanfeng He
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A bar code label edge enhancement system comprising: a camera for generating analog signals representing an image of an article having a bar code label, the image being divided into a grid having pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; processing means for converting the analog signals to digital signals; and controller means, coupled to the processing means, for dividing the image into groups having at first predetermined number of pixels, and for determining a contrast value for each group from the intensity values of a second predetermined number of pixels within each group.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A bar code label edge enhancement system comprising: a camera for generating analog signals representing an image of an article having a bar code label, the image being divided into a grid having pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; processing means for converting the analog signals to digital signals; and controller means, coupled to the processing means, for dividing the image into groups having at first predetermined number of pixels, and for determining a contrast value for each group from the intensity values of a second predetermined number of pixels within each group.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera comprises a charge coupled device camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first predetermined number of pixels within each group is four.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the group has two rows and two columns of pixels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the second predetermined number of pixels comprises three.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the first predetermined number of pixels within each group is nine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 6, wherein each group has three rows and three columns of pixels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the second predetermined number of pixels comprises five.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
A bar code label edge enhancement system comprising: a camera for generating analog signals representing an image of an article having a bar code label, the image being divided into a grid having a first predetermined number of pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; processing means for converting the analog signals to digital signals; and controller means, coupled to the processing means, for dividing the image into groups having four pixels, and for determining a contrast value for each group from the intensity values of three pixels in each group.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A bar code label edge enhancement system comprising: a camera for generating analog signals representing an image of an article having a bar code label, the image being divided into a grid having a first predetermined number of pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; processing means for converting the analog signals to digital signals; and controller means, coupled to the processing means, for dividing the image into groups having four pixels, and for determining a contrast value for each group from the intensity values of three pixels in each group.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
A bar code label edge enhancement system comprising: a camera for generating analog signals representing an image of an article having a bar code label, the image being divided into a grid having a predetermined number of pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; processing means for converting the analog signals to digital signals; and controller means, coupled to the processing means, for dividing the image into groups having nine pixels, and for determining a contrast value for each group from the intensity values of five pixels in each group.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
90 words
A bar code label edge enhancement system comprising: a camera for generating analog signals representing an image of an article having a bar code label, the image being divided into a grid having a predetermined number of pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; processing means for converting the analog signals to digital signals; and controller means, coupled to the processing means, for dividing the image into groups having nine pixels, and for determining a contrast value for each group from the intensity values of five pixels in each group.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for locating a bar code label comprising the steps of: generating an image of an article having a bar code label; dividing the image into a grid having pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; dividing the image into groups of pixels, each group having a first predetermined number of pixels; and determining a contrast value for a second predetermined number of groups of pixels.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for locating a bar code label comprising the steps of: generating an image of an article having a bar code label; dividing the image into a grid having pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; dividing the image into groups of pixels, each group having a first predetermined number of pixels; and determining a contrast value for a second predetermined number of groups of pixels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the step of dividing comprises the substep of: assigning four pixels to each group.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the step of dividing comprises the substep of: assigning nine pixels to each group.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the step of determining comprises the substeps of: comparing the intensity values of the second predetermined number of pixels to determine maximum and minimum intensity values; and subtracting the minimum intensity value from the maximum intensity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the step of determining comprises the substeps of: comparing the intensity values of the second predetermined number of pixels to determine maximum and minimum intensity values; and subtracting the minimum intensity value from the maximum intensity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the second predetermined number of pixels is three.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the second predetermined number of pixels is five.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for locating a bar code label comprising the steps of: generating an image of an article having a bar code label; dividing the image into a grid having pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; dividing the image into groups of pixels, each group having four pixels; determining a contrast value for a predetermined number of groups of pixels, including the substeps of choosing three pixels within each group, comparing the intensity values of the chosen pixels to determine maximum and minimum intensity values, and subtracting the minimum intensity value from the maximum intensity.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for locating a bar code label comprising the steps of: generating an image of an article having a bar code label; dividing the image into a grid having pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; dividing the image into groups of pixels, each group having four pixels; determining a contrast value for a predetermined number of groups of pixels, including the substeps of choosing three pixels within each group, comparing the intensity values of the chosen pixels to determine maximum and minimum intensity values, and subtracting the minimum intensity value from the maximum intensity.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for locating a bar code label comprising the steps of: generating an image of an article having a bar code label; dividing the image into a grid having pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; dividing the image into groups of pixels, each group having nine pixels; determining a contrast value for a predetermined number of groups of pixels, including the substeps of choosing five pixels within each group, comparing the intensity values of the chosen pixels to determine maximum and minimum intensity values, and subtracting the minimum intensity value from the maximum intensity.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for locating a bar code label comprising the steps of: generating an image of an article having a bar code label; dividing the image into a grid having pixels, each pixel having an intensity value; dividing the image into groups of pixels, each group having nine pixels; determining a contrast value for a predetermined number of groups of pixels, including the substeps of choosing five pixels within each group, comparing the intensity values of the chosen pixels to determine maximum and minimum intensity values, and subtracting the minimum intensity value from the maximum intensity.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-06 | 1997-06-07 | 1997-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-06 | 2001-06-07 | 2001-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-06 | 2005-06-07 | 2005-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |