System and method for decoding and analyzing barcodes using a mobile device

1. A method for decoding a barcode comprising:

(a) imaging the barcode with a mobile device equipped with a digital camera;

(b) converting the barcode image to an array of pixels;

(c) dividing the array of pixels into sections;

(d) selecting a section;

(e) determining a minimal pixel intensity for the selected section;

(f) assigning a high pixel intensity to pixels with intensities above a threshold white level intensity;

(g) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities below a threshold black level intensity;

(h) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(i) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels that are adjacent to a pixel that has an intensity within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(j) repeating (d)-(i) for each of the sections;

(k) rendering the sections to form an enhanced barcode image;

(l) decoding the enhanced barcode image to obtain barcode information;

(m) transmitting the barcode information from the mobile device to a server, the mobile device in communication with the server through a wireless network; and

(n) receiving a message associated with the barcode information from the server through the wireless network.

2. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein

the high pixel intensity is 255; and

the threshold black level intensity being user defined for each section.

3. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , further comprising:

calculating the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image; and

if the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image meets a threshold required for a first symbology library, decoding the enhanced barcode image using the first symbology library.

4. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 3 , further comprising:

if the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image meets a threshold required for a second symbology library, decoding the enhanced barcode image using the second symbology library.

5. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is at least one of a camera phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a pager, a pocket PC, and a laptop computer.

6. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the barcode is constructed from at least one of the standardized barcode symbology libraries comprising UPC-A, UC-E, ISBN, RSS-14, RSS-14E, RSS-14L, Interleaved 2 of 5, EAN/JAN-8, EAN/JAN-13, Code 3, Code 39 Full ASCII, Code 128, PDF417, QR Code, or Data Matrix.

7. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the message is a search result of a database and wherein the search is constructed from the barcode information.

8. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the message is product information.

9. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the message is media content.

10. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , further comprising performing a function based at least in part on the message.

11. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , further comprising launching a WAP browser based at least in part on the message.

12. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the sections are vertical sections.

13. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the sections are horizontal sections.

14. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless network is a WAP network.

15. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the barcode information is transmitted to the server via an SMS message.

16. A method for decoding a barcode according to claim 1 , wherein the barcode information is transmitted to the server via an MMS message.

17. A mobile device that decodes barcodes, comprising:

an interface in communication with a wireless network;

a memory;

a digital camera; and

a processor in communication with the memory, the interface, and the digital camera;

wherein in the processor:

(a) images the barcode with a mobile device equipped with a digital camera;

(b) converts the barcode image to an array of pixels;

(c) divides the array of pixels into sections;

(d) selects a section;

(e) determines a minimal pixel intensity for the selected section;

(f) assigns a high pixel intensity to pixels with intensities above a threshold white level intensity;

(g) assigns a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities below a threshold black level intensity;

(h) assigns a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(i) assigns a zero pixel intensity to pixels that are adjacent to a pixel that has an intensity within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(j) repeats (d)-(i) for each of the sections;

(k) renders the sections to form an enhanced barcode image;

(l) decodes the enhanced barcode image to obtain barcode information;

(m) transmits the barcode information from the mobile device to a server, the mobile device in communication with the server through a wireless network; and

(n) receives a message associated with the barcode information from the server through the wireless network.

18. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein

the high pixel intensity is 255; and

the threshold black level intensity being user defined for each section.

19. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the processor further

calculates the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image;

if the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image meets a threshold required for a first symbology library, decodes the enhanced barcode image using the first symbology library.

20. The mobile device of claim 19 , wherein the processor further,

if the number of edges in the enhanced barcode image meets a threshold required for a second symbology library, decodes the enhanced barcode image using a second symbology library.

21. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the mobile device is at least one of a camera phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a pager, a pocket PC, and a laptop computer.

22. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the barcode is constructed from at least one of the standardized barcode symbology libraries comprising UPC-A, UC-E, ISBN, RSS-14, RSS-14E, RSS-14L, Interleaved 2 of 5, EAN/JAN-8, EAN/JAN-13, Code 3, Code 39 Full ASCII, Code 128, PDF417, QR Code, or Data Matrix.

23. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the message is a search result of a database and wherein the search is constructed from the barcode information.

24. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the message is product information.

25. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the message is media content.

26. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the processor further performs a function based at least in part on the message.

27. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the processor further launches a WAP browser based at least in part on the message.

28. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the sections are vertical sections.

29. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the sections are horizontal sections.

30. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the wireless network is a WAP network.

31. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the barcode information is transmitted to the server via an SMS message.

32. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the barcode information is transmitted to the server via an MMS message.

33. A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for decoding a barcode, comprising:

(a) imaging the barcode with a mobile device equipped with a digital camera;

(b) converting the barcode image to an array of pixels;

(c) dividing the array of pixels into sections;

(d) selecting a section;

(e) determining a minimal pixel intensity for the selected section;

(f) assigning a high pixel intensity to pixels with intensities above a threshold white level intensity;

(g) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities below a threshold black level intensity;

(h) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels with intensities within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(i) assigning a zero pixel intensity to pixels that are adjacent to a pixel that has an intensity within a range of the minimal pixel intensity of the selected section;

(j) repeating (d)-(i) for each of the sections;

(k) rendering the sections to form an enhanced barcode image;

(l) decoding the enhanced barcode image to obtain barcode information;

(m) transmitting the barcode information from the mobile device to a server, the mobile device in communication with the server through a wireless network; and

(n) receiving a message associated with the barcode information from the server through the wireless network.