Multi-threaded Symbol Decoding for Mixed 1D and 2D Barcodes

The patent segments the symbol decoding process into separate decoding threads - a first decoding thread for one-dimensional bar codes and a second decoding thread for two-dimensional symbols. Each thread operates independently and simultaneously, allowing the system to handle both symbol types without sequential processing delays. The processor allocates specific resources to each thread, enabling parallel execution and maintaining fast response times for both symbol types.

The patent implements a universal image-based reading system that can decode both one-dimensional bar codes and two-dimensional symbols through multiple specialized decoding threads. The first decoding thread handles one-dimensional codes with optimized processing, while the second decoding thread handles two-dimensional codes. Both threads operate simultaneously on the same imaging data, providing multi-functionality without sacrificing the fast response characteristics needed for different symbol types.

The patent maintains continuous useful action by running multiple decoding threads simultaneously rather than sequentially. The first decoding thread continuously processes one-dimensional bar codes while the second decoding thread continuously processes two-dimensional symbols. Both threads operate in parallel on the same imaging data stream, ensuring that decoding attempts for both symbol types occur without interruption or waiting, thereby maximizing average decoding speed while maintaining full processing resource utilization for each symbol type.