Patent ID: 6039252
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A bar code reading system comprising:scanning means for scanning, on a first scanning line and in a first direction, a bar code having at least one symbol, the at least one bar code symbol having at least one of a black bar element and a white space element, a sum of widths of the at least one black bar element and white space element being a constant value for each at least one symbol;damage-determining means for determining whether the at least one bar code symbol is damaged or undamaged, said damage-determining means including means for estimating an expected length of said bar code symbol and comparing said expected length with the actual length of said bar code symbol;reconstructing means for reconstructing the bar code symbol if the bar code symbol is damaged; anddecoding means for decoding the reconstructed or undamaged bar code symbol.