Patent ID: 7190835

Claim:
A coded image capture and decoding system comprising: (a) an optical system that captures image data from coded targets, so as to generate a plurality of image data groups each representing information concerning coded target as a whole; (b) a first processing system, coupled to the optical system, that supplies a plurality undecoded images each based on one of the image data groups received from the optical system, so that said plurality of undecoded images each represents information concerning a coded target as a whole; (c) an image buffer, coupled to the first processing system, that stores said plurality undecoded images generated by the first processing circuit; and (d) a non-dedicated second processing system, for coupling to the image buffer, that, after said plurality of undecoded images each representing information concerning a coded target as a whole, are stored in the image buffer, after a notification to the non-dedicated second processing system of the presence of said plurality of undecoded images in the image buffer, and with the non-dedicated second processing system having the plurality of undecoded images available at a time for processing, attempts decode processing of said plurality of undecoded images; wherein said non-dedicated second processing system selectively attempts decade processing of each of said plurality of undecoded images in succession, while the optical system may be in a power saving state until expiration of a time interval before resuming image capture operation.