Patent US5455414A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5455414A
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Simplified bar code decoding with dynamically loadable data character sets
Assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1994-09-15
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Granted: 1995-10-03
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Expires: 2014-09-15
Abstract
Abstract The reading and decoding of two-dimensional bar codes in a bar code reader are simplified and field loading of different data character sets is enabled. Decoding of bar/space patterns of a bar code is simplified by deriving T-sequence data representative of the bar/space pattern and then processing a majority of the T-sequences directly into decoded values representative of the bar/space pattern. Dynamic loading of new data character sets fully or partially superseding a factory installed default character set correlation listing is enabled by use of loadable correlation listings keyed to foreign language characters, symbols, words or phrases relevant to particular applications. The loadable correlation listings can be encoded into a two-dimensional bar code and loaded via a reading of the bar code by the bar code reader.
Inventors
- 👤 Ynjiun P. Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1408; G06K7/1417
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code in a bar code reader, comprising the steps of: (a) loading into said bar code reader, prior to step (b), a loadable correlation listing correlating decoded values of bar/space patterns to corresponding data characters; (b) selecting, prior to step (h), between said loadable correlation listing and a default correlation listing available in said bar code reader; (c) reading a plurality of bar/space patterns of said 2-D bar code and deriving corresponding sequence data; (d) processing said sequence data corresponding to a bar/space pattern to provide a numerical value representative thereof; (e) utilizing said step (d) numerical value as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern, if said numerical value does not exceed a predetermined number; (f) converting said step (d) numerical value to a corresponding number, if said numerical value exceeds said predetermined number, and utilizing said corresponding number as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern; (g) repeating steps (d), (e) and (f) for other bar/space patterns of said 2-D bar code to provide decoded values thereof; (h) utilizing the correlation listing selected in step (b) to correlate each of a plurality of said decoded values as provided in steps (e), (f) and (g) to a corresponding data character; and (i) providing a decoded bar code signal representative of the corresponding data characters from step (h).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code in a bar code reader, comprising the steps of: (a) loading into said bar code reader, prior to step (b), a loadable correlation listing correlating decoded values of bar/space patterns to corresponding data characters; (b) selecting, prior to step (h), between said loadable correlation listing and a default correlation listing available in said bar code reader; (c) reading a plurality of bar/space patterns of said 2-D bar code and deriving corresponding sequence data; (d) processing said sequence data corresponding to a bar/space pattern to provide a numerical value representative thereof; (e) utilizing said step (d) numerical value as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern, if said numerical value does not exceed a predetermined number; (f) converting said step (d) numerical value to a corresponding number, if said numerical value exceeds said predetermined number, and utilizing said corresponding number as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern; (g) repeating steps (d), (e) and (f) for other bar/space patterns of said 2-D bar code to provide decoded values thereof; (h) utilizing the correlation listing selected in step (b) to correlate each of a plurality of said decoded values as provided in steps (e), (f) and (g) to a corresponding data character; and (i) providing a decoded bar code signal representative of the corresponding data characters from step (h).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises loading said loadable correlation listing by reading a 2-D bar code containing said loadable correlation listing in encoded form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises loading a plurality of said loadable correlation listings and step (b) comprises selecting between said loadable correlation listings and said default correlation listing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises deriving T-sequences corresponding to said bar/space patterns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 1, wherein said 2-D bar code is a 16 module wide bar code, including 4 bars and 4 spaces each up to 5 modules wide, and said predetermined number in steps (e) and (f) is 1023.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 1, wherein said bar code comprises data bar/space patterns representative of data characters and instruction bar/space patterns representative of information relating to said data bar/space patterns, and steps (h) and (i) are performed only with respect to a plurality of decoded values provided from said data bar/space patterns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 6, additionally including the following step between steps (g) and (h): (x) utilizing decoded values of said instruction bar/space patterns to provide information used to control the processing of said data bar/space patterns in said bar code reader.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code in a bar code reader, comprising the steps of: (a) loading into said bar code reader, prior to step (f), a loadable correlation listing correlating decoded values of bar/space patterns to corresponding data characters; (b) reading a plurality of bar/space patterns of said 2-D bar code and deriving corresponding sequence data; (c) processing said sequence data corresponding to a bar/space pattern to provide a numerical value representative thereof; (d) utilizing said step (c) numerical value to provide a decoded value for said bar/space pattern; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for other bar/space patterns of said bar code to provide decoded values thereof; and (f) utilizing said correlation listing to correlate each of a plurality of said decoded values as provided in steps (d) and (e) to a corresponding data character.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code in a bar code reader, comprising the steps of: (a) loading into said bar code reader, prior to step (f), a loadable correlation listing correlating decoded values of bar/space patterns to corresponding data characters; (b) reading a plurality of bar/space patterns of said 2-D bar code and deriving corresponding sequence data; (c) processing said sequence data corresponding to a bar/space pattern to provide a numerical value representative thereof; (d) utilizing said step (c) numerical value to provide a decoded value for said bar/space pattern; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for other bar/space patterns of said bar code to provide decoded values thereof; and (f) utilizing said correlation listing to correlate each of a plurality of said decoded values as provided in steps (d) and (e) to a corresponding data character.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 8, wherein step (f) comprises: (f) selectively utilizing one of said loadable correlation listing and a default correlation listing available in said bar code reader, to correlate each of a plurality of said decoded values as provided in steps (d) and (e) to a corresponding data character.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 8, wherein step (a) comprises loading said loadable correlation listing by reading a 2-D bar code containing said loadable correlation listing in encoded form.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 8, wherein step (b) comprises deriving T-sequences corresponding to said bar/space patterns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 8, wherein said 2-D bar code is a 16 module wide bar code, including 4 bars and 4 spaces each up to 5 modules wide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 8, wherein said bar code comprises data bar/space patterns representative of data characters and instruction bar/space patterns representative of information relating to said data bar/space patterns, and step (f) is performed only with respect to a plurality of decoded values provided from said data bar/space patterns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 13, additionally including the following step between steps (e) and (f): (x) utilizing decoded values of said instruction bar/space patterns to provide information used to control the processing of said data bar/space patterns in said bar code reader.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code in a bar code reader comprising the steps of: (a) reading a plurality of bar/space patterns of a bar code and deriving corresponding sequence data; (b) processing said sequence data corresponding to a bar/space pattern to provide a numerical value representative thereof; (c) utilizing said step (b) numerical value as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern, if said numerical value does not exceed a predetermined number; (d) converting said step (b) numerical value to a corresponding number, if said numerical value exceeds said predetermined number, and utilizing said corresponding number as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern; and (e) repeating steps (b), (c) and (d) for other bar/space patterns of said bar code to provide decoded values thereof.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code in a bar code reader comprising the steps of: (a) reading a plurality of bar/space patterns of a bar code and deriving corresponding sequence data; (b) processing said sequence data corresponding to a bar/space pattern to provide a numerical value representative thereof; (c) utilizing said step (b) numerical value as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern, if said numerical value does not exceed a predetermined number; (d) converting said step (b) numerical value to a corresponding number, if said numerical value exceeds said predetermined number, and utilizing said corresponding number as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern; and (e) repeating steps (b), (c) and (d) for other bar/space patterns of said bar code to provide decoded values thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 15, additionally comprising the following steps: (f) utilizing a correlation listing available in said bar code reader to correlate each of said decoded values as provided in steps (c), (d) and (e) to a corresponding data character; and (g) providing a decoded bar code signal representative of the corresponding data characters from step (f).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 15, wherein step (a) comprises deriving T-sequences corresponding to said bar/space patterns.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 15, wherein said 2-D bar code is a 16 module wide bar code, including 4 bars and 4 spaces each up to 5 modules wide, and said predetermined number in steps (c) and (d) is 1023.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 16, wherein said bar code comprises data bar/space patterns representative of data characters and instruction bar/space patterns representative of information relating to said data bar/space patterns, and steps (f) and (g) are performed only with respect to a plurality of decoded values provided from said data bar/space patterns.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 19, additionally including the following step between steps (e) and (f): (x) utilizing decoded values of said instruction bar/space patterns to provide information used to control the processing of said data bar/space patterns in said bar code reader.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code in a bar code reader comprising the steps of: (a) loading into said bar code reader, prior to step (g), a loadable correlation listing correlating decoded values of bar/space patterns to corresponding data characters; (b) reading a plurality of bar/space patterns of said 2-D bar code and deriving corresponding sequence data; (c) processing said sequence data corresponding to a bar/space pattern to provide a numerical value representative thereof; (d) utilizing said step (c) numerical value as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern, if said numerical value does not exceed a predetermined number; (e) converting said step (c) numerical value to a corresponding number, if said numerical value exceeds said predetermined number, and utilizing said corresponding number as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern; (f) repeating steps (c), (d) and (e) for other bar/space patterns of said bar code to provide decoded values thereof; and (g) utilizing said correlation listing to correlate each of said decoded values as provided in steps (d), (e) and (f) to a corresponding data character.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code in a bar code reader comprising the steps of: (a) loading into said bar code reader, prior to step (g), a loadable correlation listing correlating decoded values of bar/space patterns to corresponding data characters; (b) reading a plurality of bar/space patterns of said 2-D bar code and deriving corresponding sequence data; (c) processing said sequence data corresponding to a bar/space pattern to provide a numerical value representative thereof; (d) utilizing said step (c) numerical value as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern, if said numerical value does not exceed a predetermined number; (e) converting said step (c) numerical value to a corresponding number, if said numerical value exceeds said predetermined number, and utilizing said corresponding number as the decoded value of said bar/space pattern; (f) repeating steps (c), (d) and (e) for other bar/space patterns of said bar code to provide decoded values thereof; and (g) utilizing said correlation listing to correlate each of said decoded values as provided in steps (d), (e) and (f) to a corresponding data character.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 21, wherein step (a) comprises loading said loadable correlation listing by reading a 2-D bar code containing said loadable correlation listing in encoded form.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 21, wherein step (b) comprises deriving T-sequences corresponding to said bar/space patterns.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 21, wherein said 2-D bar code is a 16 module wide bar code, including 4 bars and 4 spaces each up to 5 modules wide, and said predetermined number in steps (d) and (e) is 1023.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 21, wherein said bar code comprises data bar/space patterns representative of data characters and instruction bar/space patterns representative of information relating to said data bar/space patterns and step (g) is performed only with respect to a plurality of decoded values provided from said data bar/space patterns.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of decoding a 2-D bar code as in claim 25 additionally including the following step between steps (f) and (g): (x) utilizing decoded values of said instruction bar/space patterns to provide information used to control the processing of said data bar/space patterns in said bar code reader.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5086215A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-02 | 1999-04-03 | 1999-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-02 | 2003-04-03 | 2003-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-02 | 2007-04-03 | 2007-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |