A processor is configured to: analyze multiple read paths of multiple read operations to identify a cluster of read operations associated with attempts to read encoded data of a first barcode; analyze results of the cluster of read operations to identify successful read operations; in response to at least one successful read operation, provide the successfully read encoded data to another device; and in response to a lack of success among the cluster of read operations, analyze the results of the cluster of read operations to identify any read operation in which both a start end and a stop end of the first barcode were successfully read, and store, as part of a set of indications of read failures for a set of barcodes that includes the first barcode, an indication of at least whether both the start end and the stop end of the first barcode were successfully read.

The present disclosure relates to data readers including an improved imaging system that optimizes active and passive autofocus techniques for improving data reading functions. In an example, the data reader initially uses active autofocus techniques to focus a lens system based on a measurement reading by a rangefinder and acquire an image of an item in the field-of-view of the data reader. The data reader includes a decoding engine operable to decode an optical code of the item using the acquired image. If the decoding engine is unable to decode the optical code using the active autofocus technique, the data reader alternates to a passive autofocus technique to alter the focus settings of the lens system and reattempt the decoding process.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a first image of a random distribution of items overlaying an encoded region of an object identification tag affixed to an object, wherein the first image comprises a first pattern obtained according to a first image capture configuration. A second image of the random distribution of items is also obtained, wherein the second image comprises a second pattern obtained according to a second image capture configuration. First and second stored reference patterns are identified according to decoded information obtained from the encoded region of the object identification tag and the first and second patterns are compared to the first and second stored reference patterns to obtain a comparison result. An authenticity of the object is determined according to the comparison result. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Examples provide for a mobile computing device to include a camera, a processor and a memory resource to store a printing control application. In examples, the processor can execute the printing device control application to control the camera to capture a series of images of a region surrounding the mobile computing device using a plurality of image setting. Additionally, the processor can process individual images of the series of images using a corresponding image setting of the plurality of image settings and detect, by processing the individual images, a graphical encoding element in at least a first image of the series of images, using the corresponding image setting of the at least first image. Upon the processor detecting the graphical encoding element, the processor can perform operations to implement an encoding recognition state to interpret an encoding of the detected graphical encoding element.

Provided is a method, performed by an electronic device, of reading a barcode, the method including obtaining an image by capturing an image of the barcode, determining a plurality of lines that cover a part of the barcode from the image, obtaining information about a distortion level of the barcode in a region adjacent to each of the plurality of lines, determining at least one line for reading the barcode from among the plurality of lines, based on the obtained information, and reading the barcode based on the determined at least one line.

The parameters of an optical code are optimized to achieve improved signal robustness, reliability, capacity and/or visual quality. An optimization program can determine spatial density, dot distance, dot size and signal component priority to optimize robustness. An optical code generator employs these parameters to produce an optical code at the desired spatial density and robustness. The optical code is merged into a host image, such as imagery, text and graphics of a package or label, or it may be printed by itself, e.g., on an otherwise blank label or carton. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a first image of a random distribution of particles overlaying an encoded region of an object identification tag, wherein the first image is obtained according to a first image capture configuration comprising a first image capture angle. The first image is associated with a decoded message determined according to the encoded region resulting in an association between the object identification tag and the first reflection pattern. A second image of the random distribution of particles is obtained according to a second image capture configuration including a second image capture angle, and an authenticity of the object identification tag is determined according to the association, the first image, and the second image. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A decoding device includes a display, a display buffer to store a current display image of what is currently visually presented on the display, a scanning engine to capture scanning images of objects, and a processor configured to: decode first barcodes carried on surfaces of objects in the scanning images to retrieve first data encoded within the first barcodes; provide the first data to an application routine as input; and in response to a screen capture of the current display image from the display buffer, perform operations including disrupt the decoding of the first barcodes carried on the surfaces of objects of the scanning images, decode a second barcode within the current display image to retrieve second data encoded within the second barcode, and provide the second data to the application routine as input.

A system contributing to prevention of unauthorized use of an information code displayed on a screen. In the system, an information code display device cyclically displays a plurality of partial code images on a display screen of a display unit based on a first rule when the first rule is received from a server in response to a first request to the server. Accordingly, an information code reading device captures images of the display screen at imaging intervals according to a second rule which is received from the server by in response to a second request to the server to decode an information code composed of the plurality of images thus captured, according to the second rule.

Techniques for optimizing one or more imaging settings for a machine vision job are provided. An example method includes configuring a machine vision job by setting a plurality of banks of imaging parameters, with each of the plurality of banks of imaging parameters being different from each other; transmitting the machine vision job to an imaging device; and executing the machine vision job on the imaging device to: (a) capture an image with the imaging device operating pursuant to one of the plurality of banks of imaging parameters; (b) attempt to decode a barcode within the image; (c) responsive to successfully decoding the barcode within the image, successfully ending the barcode reader tool; and (d) responsive to unsuccessfully decoding the barcode within the image, repeating (a)-(d) with another one of the one of the plurality of banks of imaging parameters.