Patent ID: 7344080
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. An imaging-based bar code reader for reading a target bar code affixed to an item, the reader comprising: an imaging and decoding system supported within a housing for imaging and decoding the target bar code, the imaging and decoding system including focusing optics and a two dimensional sensor array, the focusing optics defining a two dimensional field of view and focusing reflected illumination from the target bar code onto the sensor array, the housing supporting a transparent window through which the the field of view passes; an item guide positioned externally of the housing to guide movement of the item such that target bar code passes through the field of view of the focusing optics in a straight line; and wherein the imaging and decoding system: captures a series of images of the field of view which include at least a part of the target bar code as the target bar code is moved through the field of view of the focusing optics, the field of view being of sufficient size at the item guide to image an entirety of the target bar code; sequentially analyzes the series of captured images, for each captured image, identifying areas of the captured image representative of an image of the target bar code and decoding decodable portions of the imaged target bar code; and combines the decoded portions of the imaged target bar code obtained from the series of captured images to obtain a full decode of the target bar code.