Devices, systems, and methods for improving throughput of scanners capturing images of items potentially having multiple labels
An image-based optical scanner utilizes methods to improve throughput when decoding items in an environment when items may have only one label, while some items may have multiple labels such both 1D and 2D barcodes. The scanner may include maintaining and updating a local GTIN database during a learning phase, which may be based on its own data or data shared with other devices such as remote servers and/or other scanners. The scanner may also enhance decoding algorithms based on localization information to speed up the process of decoding 2D labels after a 1D label has been decoded.
1 . A scanning device, comprising:
an imager configured to capture images of items passing through a field of view;
a memory having a local GTIN database stored thereon that associates items that have a joint presence of both a 1D label and a 2D label based on a GTIN of the item or items that do not have joint presence of both a 1D label and a 2D label; and
a processor disposed within the housing of the scanning device and operably coupled to the imager and the memory, the processor configured to:
decode a 1D label associated with the item;
query the local GTIN database to determine if a 2D label is expected for the item based on the GTIN derived from decoding the 1D label;
delay reporting the decoded 1D label to a host system and attempting to decode a 2D label responsive to the query of the GTIN database indicating that a 2D label is associated with the item;
report decoding the 1D label immediately to the host system and without attempting to decode a 2D label responsive the query of the GTIN database indicating that a 2D label is not associated with the item; and
update the local GTIN database during a learning phase.
2 . The scanning device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to export at least a portion of the local GTIN database to a remote device.
3 . The scanning device of claim 2 , wherein the portion of the local GTIN database is the entire local GTIN database.
4 . The scanning device of claim 2 , wherein the portion of the local GTIN database is a recent change to the local GTIN database.
5 . The scanning device of claim 2 , wherein the portion of the local GTIN database is an accumulated set of changes made to the local GTIN database since a prior export.
6 . The scanning device of claim 2 , wherein the remote device is a remote server having a central GTIN database that is updated in response to the portion of the local GTIN database being received from the scanning device.
7 . The scanning device of claim 2 , wherein the remote device is another scanning device having its own local GTIN database that is updated in response to the portion of the local GTIN database being received from the scanning device.
8 . The scanning device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to import data from a remote device that is used to update at least a portion of the local GTIN database.
9 . The scanning device of claim 8 , wherein the remote device is another scanning device connected to the scanning device over a communication channel.
10 . The scanning device of claim 1 , wherein a time period for the delay is dynamically adjustable responsive to the processor locating a finder pattern for the 2D label to allow for additional time to decode the 2D label.
11 . The scanning device of claim 1 , wherein the decoding of the 2D label is responsive to a decoder using 1D localization data to start decoding in a region near the 1D label for decoding the 2D label.
12 . The scanning device of claim 11 , wherein the decoder invalidates an area of the 1D label when decoding the 2D label.
13 . The scanning device of claim 1 , wherein the decoding of the 2D label prioritizes region of interest (ROI) locations near the 1D label based on 2D label localization algorithms.
14 . The scanning device of claim 1 , wherein the decoding of the 2D label calls a decoding algorithm another time after decoding the 1D label, wherein the call includes only a sub-region of image for 2D decoding.
15 . The scanning device of claim 14 , wherein the sub-region of the image specifically excludes a region that includes the 1D label.
16 . The scanning device of claim 13 , wherein the ROI locations are prioritized for searching for the 2D label during the decoding of the 2D label based on distances of defined ROI locations from a location of the decoded 1D code.
17 . The scanning device of claim 16 , wherein unprocessed lower priority ROI locations are discarded by the decoder once the 2D label is decoded.
18 . The scanning device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to update the local GTIN database during the learning phase by tracking relationships between the 1D label and a presence or absence of a 2D label over a predetermined number of decodes of the 1D label before updating the GTIN database.
19 . The scanning device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to update the local GTIN database during the learning phase by adding a new GTIN entry within its associated joint presence of both a 1D and a 2D label, and discarding a current GTIN entry based on its lack of a recent access in prior queries by the scanner.
20 . The scanning device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to define a center of a 2D search area for decoding of the 2D label responsive to a decoder using 1D localization data to start decoding the 2D label, wherein the center of the 2D search area is defined after first invalidating an area of the decoded 1D label and/or other areas of the image that are determined to be unlikely to contain the 2D label.