Patent ID: 7287696

Claim:
A method for decoding a barcode comprising: (a) imaging the barcode with a mobile device equipped with a digital camera; (b) converting the barcode image to an array of pixels; (c) dividing the array of pixels into sections; (d) selecting a section; (e) determining a minimal pixel intensity for the selected section; (f) assigning a high pixel intensity to pixels with intensities above a threshold white level intensity; (g) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities below a threshold black level intensity; (h) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section; (i) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels that are adjacent to a pixel that has an intensity within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section; (j) repeating (d)-(i) for each of the sections; (k) rendering the sections to form an enhanced barcode image; (l) decoding the enhanced barcode image to obtain barcode information; (m) transmitting the barcode information from the mobile device to a server, the mobile device in communication with the server through a wireless network; and (n) receiving a message associated with the barcode information from the server through the wireless network.