Patent ID: 8210432

Claim:
A method for a system comprising a processor, a memory and an array of k number of sensors to read an encoded value on an object encoded with indicia in one or more of k sensing locations on the object, the indicia chosen from a set of N number of different material characters, the method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring k number of active sensor readings, one from each the sensors, while each of the sensors overlays a different one of the sensing locations, the active sensor readings including a maximum sensor reading and a minimum sensor reading; (b) retrieving from the memory a maximum value, a minimum value and the number N; (c) generating a code value comprising a series of k number of digits, each digit associated with a different one of the sensors, wherein generating the code value comprises the steps of: (1) assigning the maximum value to the digit associated with the sensor with the maximum sensor reading; (2) assigning the minimum value to the digit associated with sensor the minimum sensor reading; and (3) assigning values to the digits associated with the remaining active sensor readings by interpolation; (d) decoding the code value into a decoded numerical result using a code value table stored in the memory; and (e) outputting the decoded numerical result.