Patent ID: 6164545
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: G06K,H04N

Abstract:
A code reading system for converting two-dimensional code information into a format useable by any of a plurality of types of terminals, wherein at least one of the plurality of types of terminals accepts two-dimensional code information and at least one of the plurality of types of terminals accepts only one-dimensional code information, said two-dimensional code reading system comprising:a code reader unit;a light source in the code reader unit that directs light toward two-dimensional code information to be read;a sensor in the code reader unit that detects light reflected from the two-dimensional code information;processing circuitry in the code reader unit for decoding the two-dimensional code information represented by the reflected light detected by said sensor;an autodetect circuit that identifies whether said code reader unit is communicatively coupled to a terminal and determines whether a communicatively coupled terminal accepts two-dimensional code information;said autodetect circuit also identifies an appropriate protocol for communicating with a communicatively coupled terminal; andcommunication control circuit responsive to the autodetect circuit by selectively converting at least part of the two-dimensional decoded information into a one-dimensional format for communication to any communicatively coupled terminal that cannot process two-dimensional code information.