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Abstract

A method for decoding bar code symbols in which a bar code reader and associated components scan a bar code symbol produce a representation of the symbol, and attempt to decode that representation in order to produce a character message. The method consists of the steps of storing a first representation of the bar code symbol corresponding to a first scan path through a first portion of said symbol smaller than the entire symbol, and storing a second representation of the bar code symbol corresponding to a second scan path through the symbol. The method then processes these representations in the event a successful decode has not taken place by utilizing the signal from a first scan with the signal from a subsequent scan to determine whether the information from successive scans can be concatenated to form a combined signal. The process is repeated with different subsequent scans until successful decoding of the combined signal. Specifically, timing information associated with the flying beam spot as it scans the bar code symbol in successive scan paths is used to determine where the scans will be stitched together.

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First Claim