There is provided a method and apparatus for tracking of items and containers of items. The method comprises generating a set of unique item identifier codes, each identifier code corresponding to a specific item in a set of items. Then, at a production line, uniquely identifying multiple items by marking the multiple items with the corresponding unique item identifiers. The method further includes detecting the unique item identifiers on the set of items and transmitting the detected unique item identifiers to a processor. After aggregating items into containers, containers are marked with container identifiers. The method then associates the detected container identifier in the database with detected item identifiers.

A management system includes a recording device recording an image of a gaming chip and an inspection device determining a type and authenticity of the gaming chip. The gaming chip has a multilayer structure in which both sides of a colored layer are sandwiched between light color layers, surface printing representing a type of the gaming chip is performed on outer sides of the light color layers, and an authenticity recognition mark is printed on the colored layer of an inside of the light color layers by an infrared absorbing material. A visible light camera photographs a visible light image of the surface printing, and an infrared light camera photographs an infrared image of the internal printing. The inspection device determines the type and authenticity of the gaming chip using the visible light image and the infrared image.

A code reader for the reading of optical codes is provided that has an image sensor for the detection of image data with the code and that has a control and evaluation unit that is configured to read the code with at least one decoding method, wherein the control and evaluation unit is connected to a distance sensor that determines a distance value for the distance of the code. The control and evaluation unit is further configured for the purpose of setting at least one parameter and/or including at least one additional algorithm of the decoding method for the decoding method in dependence on the distance value.

A system or method can analyze symbols on a set of objects having different sizes. The system can identify a characteristic object dimension corresponding to the set of objects. An image of a first object can be received, and, a first virtual object boundary feature (e.g., edge) in the image can be identified for the first object based on the characteristic object dimension. A first symbol can be identified in the image, and whether the first symbol is positioned on the first object can be determined, based on the first virtual object boundary feature.

The invention features an image reader and a corresponding method for capturing a sharp distortion free image of a target, such as a one or two-dimensional bar code. In one embodiment, the image reader comprises a two-dimensional CMOS based image sensor array, a timing module, an illumination module, and a control module. The time during which the target is illuminated is referred to as the illumination period. The capture of the image by the image sensor array is driven by the timing module that, in one embodiment, is able to simultaneously expose substantially all of the pixels in the array. The time during which the pixels are collectively activated to photo-convert incident light into charge defines the exposure period for the sensor array. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exposure period occurs during the illumination period.

A barcode reader may include barcode reading hardware, which may include an image sensor. The image sensor may capture an image of a barcode within a field of view. The barcode reading hardware may also include a communication interface for output of decoded data to a remote computing system. The barcode reader may also include volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may include start-up instructions. The barcode reader may also include a processor. The processor may be configured to, upon power-up of the barcode reader, execute the start-up instructions to obtain firmware for operating the barcode reader from a remote configuration server, load the firmware to the volatile memory, and commence execution of the firmware to commence barcode reading functions of the barcode reader without performing a re-boot operation.

Implementations of the present application provide a QR code positioning method and apparatus. Based on a predetermined pixel detection rule, centers of candidate position detection patterns in the QR code image are determined from a QR code image that includes first-type pixels and second-type pixels. The predetermined pixel detection rule includes that a consecutive arrangement ratio of the first-type pixels, the second-type pixels, and the first-type pixels satisfies a predetermined ratio. The candidate position detection patterns are identified based on the centers of the candidate position detection patterns. A set of patterns that satisfies a QR code image positioning rule are determined from the candidate position detection patterns. The set of patterns are used as position detection patterns of the QR code image.

A system for managing a list of products in an inventory includes a plurality of addressable LEDs, each for positioning adjacent a product storing position that includes an identification code; at least one code reader; and at least one controller coupled to both the plurality of addressable LEDs and the at least one code reader for i) receiving from the code reader a command indicative of the list of products; and ii) as a result of the command, controlling the addressable LEDs so as to energize LEDs therefrom corresponding to the list of products. A method for managing the list of products further includes verifying an identity of each product from the list by reading and comparing the identification code thereof to the identification code associated to the corresponding addressable LED.

A product scanner apparatus includes an image capturing device to image an object using visible light. A first reading module is configured to attempt to read a barcode symbol in a captured image from the image capturing device. The barcode symbol provides an identification of the object when read. A second reading module is configured to attempt to read digital watermark information on a product tag affixed to the object. A controller is configured to control the image capturing device to capture an image of the object, control the first reading module to read the barcode symbol, and then control the second reading module to read digital watermark information only if the barcode symbol is successfully read. The product tag includes visible text printed on a surface thereof and the digital water information encodes discount information corresponding to the visible text.

Evaluating a symbol on an object can include acquiring a first image of the object, including the symbol. A second image can be derived from the first image based upon determining a saturation threshold for the second image and possibly scaling of pixel values to a reduced bit-depth for the second image.