US5675137A
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US
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Bar code decoding using moving averages to break the (n,k) code barrier for UPC, EAN Code 128 and others
Assignee: CIAS Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-09
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Granted: 1997-10-07
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Expires: 2014-09-09
Abstract
Abstract The new generic bar code decoder system described, with its multistage error correcting, is far more powerful than dedicated reference decode algorithms for popular linear and two dimensional bar codes. For example: the 1-7 and 2-8 EAN and UPC character substitution problems are 100% solved (because EAN and UPC become 100% self-checking with the new decoder); the ink spread tolerance improves, especially for EAN, UPC, Code 128 and Code 16K; far greater levels of random systematic edge noise are tolerated and decoded; even many spike edge errors greater than 0.50x module can be corrected; and, generous levels of acceleration are tolerated. These are all the ways bar code scanning data gets distorted. Using this new generic decoder system, the ultimate linear binary coded binary bar code with error correcting, BCB, also described, performs dramatically better than any other, despite being more compact. Computer simulation testing of the generic bar code decoder has already been conducted on BCB and UPC timing count scan data records that were distorted with various levels of ink spread, noise, spikes and acceleration using new bar code testbench software, all of which is also described including test results, to show the advances that have been made in bar code science.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst van Haagen
- 👤 Leonard Storch
- 👤 Leonard Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/3183; G01R31/318314; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/14; G06K19/00; G06K19/04; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1439; G06K7/1452; G06K7/146; G06K7/1473; G07; G07D; G07D5/00; G07D7/00; G07D7/004; G07D7/0043; G07F; G07F1/00; G07F1/06; G07F17/00; G07F17/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters and establishing a sequence of said reference distances in which reference distances overlap; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances; and identifying said bar coded representations of characters from the categorized distances whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters and establishing a sequence of said reference distances in which reference distances overlap; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances; and identifying said bar coded representations of characters from the categorized distances whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 in which said bar coded representation of characters includes at least one known element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the categorized distances are separated into sequences of individual bar and space elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 3 in which said bar coded representations of characters are identified and decoded from said separated sequences of individual elements and not directly from said categorizations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the number of pairs of elements included in the bar coded representation of characters to establish individual reference distances is a constant number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the number of pairs of elements included in the bar coded representation of characters to establish individual said reference distances is automatically selected so that the fewest number of said pairs of elements is used to satisfy a selected minimum number of modules which are used to establish individual reference distances.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 1 in which more than two leading or trailing edges are used to establish a said reference distance which is used to categorize at least one of said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 7 in which each of said more than two edges used to establish a reference distance is used only once.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 1 in which said reference distances used to categorize said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pain of elements are an average of two or more said reference distances and have automatically been selected while decoding from two or more said reference distances.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 9 in which said reference distances used to categorize said distance between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements are the arithmetic mean of two or more said reference distances and have automatically been selected while decoding from ,said two or more reference distances.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 1 in which said reference distances used to categorize said distance between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements are the median of three or more reference distances and have automatically been selected while decoding from three or more reference distances.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 1 in which said reference distances used to categorize said distance between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements are dampened to limit the change in said reference distances from one categorizing step to the next categorizing step by a selected amount.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
269 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics and in which the bars and spaces have one or more different widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, and in which at least one element is known, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring at least one distance between adjacent edges defining a pair of elements therebetween that includes one known element; measuring at least one distance between adjacent edges defining a pair of elements overlapping said at least one distance between adjacent edges defining a pair of elements therebetween that includes one known element; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to measured reference distances; separating sequences of categorized distances defining pairs of elements into sequences of individual elements; and, identifying said bar coded representation of characters from said sequences of separated individual elements whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
269 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics and in which the bars and spaces have one or more different widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, and in which at least one element is known, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring at least one distance between adjacent edges defining a pair of elements therebetween that includes one known element; measuring at least one distance between adjacent edges defining a pair of elements overlapping said at least one distance between adjacent edges defining a pair of elements therebetween that includes one known element; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to measured reference distances; separating sequences of categorized distances defining pairs of elements into sequences of individual elements; and, identifying said bar coded representation of characters from said sequences of separated individual elements whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 13 in which more than two leading or trailing edges are used to establish a reference distance which is used to categorize at least one of said distances between adjacent edges defining pairs of elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 14 in which each of said more than two leading or trailing edges used to establish a reference distance is used only once.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 13 in which said reference distances used in categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements are a type of average of said reference distances automatically selected while decoding.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of decoding at least one bar coded representation of a character which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different widths, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or leading edges defining pairs of elements with respect to measured reference distances; separating at least two of the categorized distances into respective individual elements, at least two of said separated individual elements comprising at least in part one bar coded representation of a character; and, identifying one bar coded representation of a character from categorized distances defining pairs of elements and at least two of separated individual elements whereby one bar coded representation of a character can be decoded.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of decoding at least one bar coded representation of a character which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different widths, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or leading edges defining pairs of elements with respect to measured reference distances; separating at least two of the categorized distances into respective individual elements, at least two of said separated individual elements comprising at least in part one bar coded representation of a character; and, identifying one bar coded representation of a character from categorized distances defining pairs of elements and at least two of separated individual elements whereby one bar coded representation of a character can be decoded.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, characters being coded according to bar code convention having logic structure, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances; avoiding possible categorizing errors based on logic structure of bar code convention; and, identifying said bar coded representations of characters from the categorized distances whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, characters being coded according to bar code convention having logic structure, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances; avoiding possible categorizing errors based on logic structure of bar code convention; and, identifying said bar coded representations of characters from the categorized distances whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 18 in which bar coded representation of characters includes at least one known element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 18 in which the categorized distances are separated into sequences of individual bar and space elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 20 in which said bar coded representations of characters are identified and decoded from said separated sequences of individual elements and not directly from categorized distances.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
251 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, one or more of edges being mislocated more than other said edges, comprising the steps off measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters in timing counts, each said distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters in timing counts, each distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances; increasing the accuracy of categorizing said distances based on subtracting said timing counts from an element on one side of a mislocated edge and adding timing counts to the element on the other side of said mislocated edge; and, identifying said bar coded representation of characters from the categorized distances whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
251 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, one or more of edges being mislocated more than other said edges, comprising the steps off measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters in timing counts, each said distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters in timing counts, each distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances; increasing the accuracy of categorizing said distances based on subtracting said timing counts from an element on one side of a mislocated edge and adding timing counts to the element on the other side of said mislocated edge; and, identifying said bar coded representation of characters from the categorized distances whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 22 in which said bar coded representation of characters includes at least one known element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 22 in which the categorized distances are separated into sequences of individual bar and space elements.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 24 in which said bar coded representations of characters are identified and decoded from said separated sequences of individual elements and not directly from categorized distances.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 22 in which said characters are coded according to bar code convention having logic structure, and in which subtracting and adding timing counts avoids possible categorizing errors based on said logic structure of said bar code convention.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
246 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent .leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances with respect to a first direction; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances a second time but with respect to a direction reverse to the first direction; and identifying said bar coded representations of characters from the categorized distances from the first or reverse directions or both said directions whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
246 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, comprising the steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent .leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances with respect to a first direction; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances a second time but with respect to a direction reverse to the first direction; and identifying said bar coded representations of characters from the categorized distances from the first or reverse directions or both said directions whereby said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 27 in which bar coded representation of characters includes at least one known element.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 27 in which the categorized distances for the first and reverse directions are separated into sequences of individual bar and space elements.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 29 in which said bar coded representations of characters are identified and decoded from said separated sequences of individual elements and not directly from said categorizations.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
234 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, comprising specified processing parameters and the processing steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality, of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances; processing said bar coded representation of characters again using different processing parameters or processing steps than processing parameters or processing steps to obtain another result; and, identifying said bar coded representation of characters from the categorized distances from one said processing or both said processings, whereby, said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
234 words
A method of decoding a bar coded representation of characters, which includes a plurality of bar elements separated by space elements of detectably different characteristics, and in which the bar and space elements have one or more different module widths and are separated by edges defining transitions between adjacent elements, comprising specified processing parameters and the processing steps of: measuring the distances between adjacent leading edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent leading edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a bar element and a space element, respectively; measuring the distances between adjacent trailing edges of the bars comprising the bar coded representation of characters, each said distance between adjacent trailing edges defining a pair of elements therebetween including a space element and a bar element, respectively; measuring a plurality, of reference distances covering at least one pair of adjacent elements included in the bar coded representation of characters; categorizing said distances between adjacent leading or trailing edges defining pairs of elements with respect to said measured reference distances; processing said bar coded representation of characters again using different processing parameters or processing steps than processing parameters or processing steps to obtain another result; and, identifying said bar coded representation of characters from the categorized distances from one said processing or both said processings, whereby, said bar coded representation of characters can be decoded.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 31 in which said bar coded representation of characters includes at least one known element.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 31 in which the categorized distances are separated into sequences of individual bar and space elements.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 33 in which said bar coded representations of characters are identified and decoded from said separated sequences of individual elements and not directly from said categorizations.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |