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US5343028A
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Method and apparatus for detecting and decoding bar code symbols using two-dimensional digital pixel images
Assignee: United Parcel Service of America Inc
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Filing: 1992-08-10
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2012-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for detecting a bar code symbol receives a two-dimensional image containing the symbol, where the system has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of the symbol in the image. The system scans the image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for the symbol and searches the image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of the symbol.
Inventors
- 👤 Luis Figarella
- 👤 Mihael Klancnik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1093; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1439; G06K7/1443; G06K7/1456; G06K7/146; G06K7/1465; G06K7/1469; G06K7/1486; G06K7/1491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for detecting a bar code symbol with a bar code symbol reader, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said bar code symbol reader has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; and (c) searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for detecting a bar code symbol with a bar code symbol reader, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said bar code symbol reader has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; and (c) searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said image contains a plurality of bar code symbols of unknown orientation, wherein said scanning of step (b) and said searching of step (c) locates and identifies, respectively, a first symbol of said plurality of symbols, and further comprising the steps of: (d) scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for a second symbol of said plurality of symbols; and (e) searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said second symbol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said scanning of step (d) ignores said first symbol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said scanning is performed at low resolution and said searching is performed at high resolution
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said scanning of step (b) is in a first direction and further comprising the step of scanning said image in a second direction to locate a quiet zone for said symbol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (d) locating first and second corners of said symbol; (e) scanning said image to locate a second quiet zone for said symbol; (f) searching said image to identify a second start/stop character of said symbol; and (g) locating third and fourth corners of said symbol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of decoding said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for detecting a bar code symbol, comprising: (a) means for receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said apparatus has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning means for scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; and (c) searching means for searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for detecting a bar code symbol, comprising: (a) means for receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said apparatus has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning means for scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; and (c) searching means for searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said image contains a plurality of bar code symbols of unknown orientation, said scanning means locates a first symbol of said plurality of symbols, said searching means identifies said first symbol, said scanning means further scans said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for a second symbol of said plurality of symbols, and said searching means searches said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said second symbol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said scanning means ignores said first symbol when scanning for said second symbol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said scanning means scans at low resolution and said searching means searches at high resolution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said scanning means scans said image in a first direction and then said scanning means scans said image in a second direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: (d) means for locating first and second corners of said symbol; (e) means for scanning said image to locate a second quiet zone for said symbol; (f) means for searching said image to identify a second start/stop character of said symbol; and (g) means for locating third and fourth corners of said symbol.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for decoding said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for detecting a bar code symbol with a bar code symbol reader, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said bar code symbol reader has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; and (c) searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol, wherein said scanning is performed at low resolution and said searching is performed at high resolution.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for detecting a bar code symbol with a bar code symbol reader, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said bar code symbol reader has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; and (c) searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol, wherein said scanning is performed at low resolution and said searching is performed at high resolution.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said image contains a plurality of bar code symbols of unknown orientation, wherein said scanning of step (b) and said searching of step (c) locates and identifies, respectively, a first symbol of said plurality of symbols, and further comprising the steps of: (d) scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for a second symbol of said plurality of symbols; and (e) searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said second symbol.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said scanning of step (d) ignores said first symbol.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said scanning of step (b) is in a first direction and further comprising the step of scanning said image in a second direction to locate a quiet zone for said symbol.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of subpixel interpolation to identify said start/stop character.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: (d) locating first and second corners of said symbol; (e) scanning said image to locate a second quiet zone for said symbol; (f) searching said image to identify a second start/stop character of said symbol; and (g) locating third and fourth corners of said symbol.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of decoding said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for detecting a bar code symbol, comprising: (a) means for receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said apparatus has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning means for scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; and (c) searching means for searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol, wherein said scanning means scans at low resolution and said searching means searches at high resolution.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for detecting a bar code symbol, comprising: (a) means for receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said apparatus has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning means for scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; and (c) searching means for searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol, wherein said scanning means scans at low resolution and said searching means searches at high resolution.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said image contains a plurality of bar code symbols of unknown orientation, said scanning means locates a first symbol of said plurality of symbols, said searching means identifies said first symbol, said scanning means further scans said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for a second symbol of said plurality of symbols, and said searching means searches said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said second symbol.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said scanning means ignores said first symbol when scanning for said second symbol.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said scanning means scans said image in a first direction and then said scanning means scans said image in a second direction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said searching means performs subpixel interpolation to identify said start/stop character.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising: (d) means for locating first and second corners of said symbol; (e) means for scanning said image to locate a second quiet zone for said symbol; (f) means for searching said image to identify a second start/stop character of said symbol; and (g) means for locating third and fourth corners of said symbol.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising means for decoding said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for detecting a bar code symbol with a bar code symbol reader, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said bar code symbol reader has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; (c) searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol; (d) locating first and second corners of said symbol; (e) scanning said image to locate a second quiet zone for said symbol; (f) searching said image to identify a second start/stop character of said symbol; and (g) locating third and fourth corners of said symbol.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for detecting a bar code symbol with a bar code symbol reader, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said bar code symbol reader has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; (c) searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol; (d) locating first and second corners of said symbol; (e) scanning said image to locate a second quiet zone for said symbol; (f) searching said image to identify a second start/stop character of said symbol; and (g) locating third and fourth corners of said symbol.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said image contains a plurality of bar code symbols of unknown orientation, wherein said scanning of step (b) and said searching of step (c) locates and identifies, respectively, a first symbol of said plurality of symbols, and further comprising the steps of: (h) scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for a second symbol of said plurality of symbols; and (i) searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said second symbol.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said scanning of step (h) ignores said first symbol.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said scanning is performed at low resolution and said searching is performed at high resolution.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said scanning of step (b) is in a first direction and further comprising the step of scanning said image in a second direction to locate a quiet zone for said symbol.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 29, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of subpixel interpolation to identify said start/stop character.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of decoding said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for detecting a bar code symbol, comprising: (a) means for receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said apparatus has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning means for scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; (c) searching means for searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol; (d) means for locating first and second corners of said symbol; (e) means for scanning said image to locate a second quiet zone for said symbol; (f) means for searching said image to identify a second start/stop character of said symbol; and (g) means for locating third and fourth corners of said symbol.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for detecting a bar code symbol, comprising: (a) means for receiving a two-dimensional image containing said symbol, wherein said apparatus has no a priori knowledge of the orientation of said symbol in said image; (b) scanning means for scanning said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for said symbol; (c) searching means for searching said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said symbol; (d) means for locating first and second corners of said symbol; (e) means for scanning said image to locate a second quiet zone for said symbol; (f) means for searching said image to identify a second start/stop character of said symbol; and (g) means for locating third and fourth corners of said symbol.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said image contains a plurality of bar code symbols of unknown orientation, said scanning means locates a first symbol of said plurality of symbols, said searching means identifies said first symbol, said scanning means further scans said image in one dimension to locate a quiet zone for a second symbol of said plurality of symbols, and said searching means searches said image in one dimension to identify a start/stop character of said second symbol.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said scanning means ignores said first symbol when scanning for said second symbol.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said scanning means scans at low resolution and said searching means searches at high resolution.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said scanning means scans said image in a first direction and then said scanning means scans said image in a second direction.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said searching means performs subpixel interpolation to identify said start/stop character.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising means for decoding said symbol using subpixel interpolation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |