An apparatus for decoding a graphic symbol, comprising: a hand held imaging device including one or more processors (A, B) and configured to capture a series of images according to a schedule of image capture over time, and wherein each said image can include a unique digital representation of at least a portion of at least one graphical symbol; characterized in further comprising: a first procedure that is configured to perform a first set of one or more actions during its execution while directing control of at least one of said processors (A, B), said first set of actions are configured for processing an image to decode a graphical symbol, and wherein said execution initiates and completes to define a first elapsed period of time; a second procedure that is configured to perform a second set of one or more actions during its execution while directing control of at least one of said processors (A, B), said second set of actions are configured for processing an image to decode a graphical symbol, and wherein said execution initiates and completes to define a second elapsed period of time; and wherein a duration of said first elapsed period of time is constrained to be less than a first amount of time while a duration of said second elapsed period of time is not constrained to said first amount of time. a hand held imaging device including one or more processors (A, B) and configured to capture a series of images according to a schedule of image capture over time, and wherein each said image can include a unique digital representation of at least a portion of at least one graphical symbol; characterized in further comprising: a first procedure that is configured to perform a first set of one or more actions during its execution while directing control of at least one of said processors (A, B), said first set of actions are configured for processing an image to decode a graphical symbol, and wherein said execution initiates and completes to define a first elapsed period of time; a second procedure that is configured to perform a second set of one or more actions during its execution while directing control of at least one of said processors (A, B), said second set of actions are configured for processing an image to decode a graphical symbol, and wherein said execution initiates and completes to define a second elapsed period of time; and wherein a duration of said first elapsed period of time is constrained to be less than a first amount of time while a duration of said second elapsed period of time is not constrained to said first amount of time. a first procedure that is configured to perform a first set of one or more actions during its execution while directing control of at least one of said processors (A, B), said first set of actions are configured for processing an image to decode a graphical symbol, and wherein said execution initiates and completes to define a first elapsed period of time; a second procedure that is configured to perform a second set of one or more actions during its execution while directing control of at least one of said processors (A, B), said second set of actions are configured for processing an image to decode a graphical symbol, and wherein said execution initiates and completes to define a second elapsed period of time; and wherein a duration of said first elapsed period of time is constrained to be less than a first amount of time while a duration of said second elapsed period of time is not constrained to said first amount of time.