Patent ID: 8485430

Claim:
A data decoding system comprising a server-side proxy component and at least two back-end computers; wherein said server-side proxy component is configured, responsive to receiving a decoding request from a client, to select a back-end computer to forward said decoding request to, based on one or more of: a pre-defined rule, load estimates for said at least two computers, estimated network throughputs across network paths to each of said at least two computers; wherein said selected back-end computer is configured, responsive to receiving said decoding request, said decoding request comprising an image of decodable indicia, to locate said decodable indicia within said image; wherein said selected back-end computer is further configured, responsive to successfully locating said decodable indicia, to decode said decodable indicia into a decoded message; and wherein said image of decodable indicia is provided by one or more of: a raw image byte stream, a compressed image byte stream, a partial compressed image byte stream.