Patent Document ID: 5438188
Application ID: 08221877
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method for decoding a pixel image representative of a bar code symbol comprising a plurality of encoded characters each of which corresponds to one of a plurality of prototype bar patterns, comprising the steps of: (A) scanning said bar code along a first scan line to determine a first set of candidate character values, each candidate character value of said first set having an error value associated therewith; (B) if said scanning along said first scan line results in an unsuccessful reading of said bar code symbol, scanning said bar code symbol along a second differing scan line to determine a second set of candidate character values, each candidate character value of said second set having an error value associated therewith; (C) comparing corresponding error values associated with said first and second sets of candidate character values; (D) for each corresponding pair of candidate character values from said first and second sets, selecting said candidate character value having a minimum associated error value; (E) forming a third set of candidate character values in accordance with said selected candidate character values; and (F) decoding said bar code symbol in accordance with said third set of candidate character values.