Automatically identifying decode apparatus

Claim 2

An automatically identifying decode apparatus a decoder unit and a counter, wherein: said decoder unit further comprises a plurality of decoders each for decoding digital data of a certain type among a plurality of different digital-data types and a decoder selector for sequentially selecting one of said decoders; said counter is used for sequentially advancing a process of selecting said decoders of said decoder unit; bar code data is supplied directly to said decoders of said decoder unit; one of said decoders successfully decoding said digital data outputs decoded data; and a selected decoder failing to decode said digital data transmits an error signal to said counter, requesting said counter to advance said process of selecting said decoders by one decoder; wherein said apparatus further comprises: a decode selection order switching means between said decoder unit and said counter for selecting either a value presently output by said counter or a value output by said counter in a previous successful decoding operation; and a decoded-data comparing means on the output side of said decoder unit for comparing decoded data presently output by said decoder unit to decoded data output by said decoder unit in a previous successful decoding operation.

Claim 3

An automatically identifying decode apparatus comprising a decoder unit and a counter, wherein: said decoder unit further comprises a plurality of decoders each for decoding digital data of a certain type among a plurality of different digital-data types and a decoder selector for sequentially selecting one of said decoders; said counter is used for sequentially advancing a process of selecting said decoders of said decoder unit; bar code data is supplied directly to said decoders of said decoder unit; one of said decoders successfully decoding said digital data outputs decoded data; and a selected decoder failing to decode said digital data transmits an error signal to said counter, requesting said counter to advance said process of selecting said decoders by one decoder; wherein said apparatus further comprises: a decode order setting means between said decoder unit and said counter for changing a decoder selecting order according to which said decoders of said decoder unit are to be sequentially selected; a decode selection order switching means between said decoder unit and said counter for selecting either a value presently output by said counter or a value output by said counter in a previous successful decoding operation; and a decoded-data comparing means on the output side of said decoder unit for comparing decoded data presently output by said decoder unit to decoded data output by said decoder unit in a previous successful decoding operation.

Claim 4

An automatically identifying decode apparatus comprising a decoder unit and a counter, wherein: said decoder unit further comprises a plurality of decoders each for decoding digital data of a certain type among a plurality of different digital-data types and a decoder selector for sequentially selecting one of said decoders; said counter is used for sequentially advancing a process of selecting said decoders of said decoder unit; bar code data is supplied directly to said decoders of said decoder unit; one of said decoders successfully decoding said digital data outputs decoded data; and a selected decoder failing to decode said digital data transmits an error signal to said counter, requesting said counter to advance said process of selecting said decoders by one decoder; wherein said apparatus further comprises: a decode order setting means between said decoder unit and said counter for changing a decoder selecting order according to which said decoders of said decoder unit are to be sequentially selected; a decode selection order switching means between said decoder unit and said counter for selecting either a value presently output by said counter or a value output by said counter in a previous successful decoding operation; and a decoded-data comparing means on the output side of said decoder unit for comparing decoded data presently output by said decoder unit to decoded data output by said decoder unit in a previous successful decoding operation.