Mark M Shimizu

US Patent:

57773084, Jul 7, 1998

Filed:

Aug 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/515035

Inventors:

Mark Yukio Shimizu - Seattle WA
Larry Lingnan Liu - Mill Creek WA

Assignee:

Intermec Corporation - Everett WA

International Classification:

G06K 710

US Classification:

235462

Abstract:

A bar code imaging system provides increased resolution for accurately interpreting width modulated bar code symbols. The bar code imaging system comprises an imaging element adapted to receive light reflected from a bar code symbol and provide a two-dimensional image of the bar code symbol. The two-dimensional image is decoded into data representative of the bar code symbol. More particularly, the spacing between adjacent bar elements and adjacent space elements of said bar code symbol is measured by sampling along a diagonal line segment that intersects the adjacent bar elements. The diagonal sampling allows a greater number of pixels to be included in the measurement. If necessary, a perpendicular spacing measurement can be derived from the diagonal measurement.

US Patent:

57773106, Jul 7, 1998

Filed:

Nov 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/554184

Inventors:

Lingnan Liu - Mill Creek WA
Mark Yukio Shimizu - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Intermec Corporation - Everett WA

International Classification:

G06K 0710

US Classification:

235462

Abstract:

A bar code imaging system capable of accurately and efficiently reading a printed bar code that is partially damaged, distorted, or erased. The bar code imaging system comprises an imaging element adapted to receive light reflected from a bar code symbol and provide a two-dimensional image of the bar code symbol. The two-dimensional image is decoded into data representative of the bar code symbol. More particularly, code words in the bar code pattern are decoded along a path beginning at the start of the bar code and moving toward the end of the bar code. As each code word is decoded, the decoded data is stored in a memory. When an invalid code word is encountered, decoding continues along a path beginning at the end of the bar code and moving toward the beginning of the bar code, and the decoded data is stored in the memory with the previously decoded data. When an invalid code word is encountered, the scan path is moved, and decoding continues along the new scan path beginning at the last valid code word decoded while moving toward the end of the bar code.

US Patent:

59362243, Aug 10, 1999

Filed:

Dec 11, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/769636

Inventors:

Mark Y. Shimizu - Seattle WA
Lingnan Liu - Mill Creek WA

Assignee:

Intermec IP Corporation - Beverly Hills CA

International Classification:

G06K 710

US Classification:

2354621

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for reading data collection symbols initially samples and preferably stores an image of light reflected from the symbol. An initial portion of the symbol in the stored image is located and multiple reading techniques are performed based on the stored symbol image and the located portion. Several output signals are produced from the multiple reading techniques, and one of the output signals is selected as a decoded signal that represents the data encoded in the symbol. The multiple reading techniques can be multiple reading methods performed substantially simultaneously with each other (on one or more processors), a single method performed multiple times and at multiple locations within the stored symbol image, or each reading method can be broken down into constituent modules, and like modules grouped into sets.

US Patent:

58544780, Dec 29, 1998

Filed:

Oct 11, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/731274

Inventors:

Lingnan Liu - Mill Creek WA
Mark Y. Shimizu - Seattle WA
Lisa M. Vartanian - Kirkland WA

Assignee:

Intermec IP Corp. - Everett WA

International Classification:

G06K 710

US Classification:

235462

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for reading a distorted image of data collection symbol within a reader image generated and stored by a two-dimensional symbology reader begins by first locating a starting point in the distorted symbol image within the stored reader image. The method identifies edge contours of some or all of the bars and spaces in the symbol. The method then identifies one or more points within each of the identified edges. Thereafter, the method defines one or more sampling paths or lines that extend through the symbol, and through the points such that each line is constructed in a "connect-the-dot" fashion. The bars and spaces can then be sampled based on one or more of the defined lines, and the information in the symbol decoded from the sampled bars and spaces.