System, method and corresponding apparatus for scanning an identification code of an unknown orientation

Abstract

A method, system and corresponding apparatus are provided for scanning an identification code of an unknown orientation. In particular, the edge of a surface of an item on which the identification code is displayed may be located, and the item may then scanned in a predefined direction relative to the edge (e.g., substantially parallel or perpendicular to the edge) in order to locate the identification code and capture the information stored therein. The item may continue to be scanned in this direction until either the identification code is located or substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned. Where substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned and the identification code has not been located, the item may then be scanned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predefined direction relative to the edge until the identification code is located.

1 . A method of scanning an identification code of an unknown orientation, said method comprising:
 locating an edge of a surface of an item on which the identification code is displayed; and   scanning the item in a predefined direction relative to the edge.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predefined direction is selected from a group consisting of substantially parallel to the edge and substantially perpendicular to the edge. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 continuing to scan the item in the predefined direction relative to the edge until the identification code is located or substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising, where substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned and the identification code has not been located:
 scanning the item in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predefined direction relative to the edge until the identification code is located.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising:
 capturing an image of the item, wherein scanning the item comprises decoding one or more pixels of the captured image on a row-by-row basis.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein scanning the item comprises scanning one or more optical signals across the item. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the item is located in a carrier, and wherein locating an edge of the surface of the item comprises locating the edge based at least in part on a contrast in brightness between the surface of the item and the carrier. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the item comprises a unit dose package configured to hold a unit dose medication, and wherein the carrier comprises a unit dose package mount configured to position a plurality of different types of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, such that respective unit dose packages are repeatably maintained in a predetermined plane. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein scanning the optical signals across the item comprises generating a plurality of optical signals and directing the optical signals to the item, such that the optical signals form an oblique angle with respect to the item upon reflection off of the item. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 automatically changing a focal distance associated with the optical signals.   
   
   
       11 . A system for scanning an identification code of an unknown orientation, said system comprising:
 a reader configured to locate an edge of a surface of an item on which the identification code is displayed, and to scan the item in a predefined direction relative to the edge.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the predefined direction is selected from a group consisting of substantially parallel to the edge and substantially perpendicular to the edge. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the reader is further configured to continue scanning the item in the predefined direction relative to the edge until the identification code is located or substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned. 
   
   
       14 . The system of claim system of  claim 13 , wherein the reader is further configured, where substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned and the identification code has not been located, to scan the item in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predefined direction relative to the edge until the identification code is located. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the reader comprises:
 an image capture device configured to capture an image of the item; and   a processor in communication with the image capture device and configured to decode one or more pixels of the captured image on a row-by-row basis.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the reader comprises a barcode reader, and wherein, in order to scan the item, the barcode reader is configured to scan one or more optical signals across the item. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a carrier configured to hold the item, wherein the reader is configured to locate the edge of the surface of the item based at least in part on a contrast in brightness between the surface and the carrier.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the item comprises a unit dose package configured to hold a unit dose medication, and wherein the carrier comprises a unit dose package mount configured to position a plurality of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, such that respective unit dose packages are repeatedly maintained in a predetermined plane, said system comprising a system for retrieving and delivering the plurality of unit dose packages. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein, in order to scan the optical signals across the item, the barcode reader is further configured to generate a plurality of optical signals and to direct the optical signals to the item, such that the optical signals form an oblique angle with respect to the item upon reflection off of the item. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the barcode reader is further configured to change a focal distance associated with the optical signals. 
   
   
       21 . A system for scanning an identification code of an unknown orientation, said system comprising:
 a carrier configured to hold an item displaying an identification code on a surface of the item; and   a reader configured to locate at least a first and a second edge of the surface of the item based at least in part on a contrast in brightness between the surface of the item and the carrier, wherein the first edge is substantially perpendicular to the second edge, said reader further configured to scan the item in a direction substantially parallel to the first edge of the surface until the identification code is located or substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned, said reader further configured, where substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned and the identification code has not been located, to scan the item in a direction substantially parallel to the second edge until the identification code is located.   
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the reader comprises:
 an image capture device configured to capture an image of the item; and   a processor in communication with the image capture device, said processor configured to decode one or more pixels of the captured image on a row-by-row basis.   
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the reader comprises a barcode reader, and wherein, in order to scan the item, the barcode reader is configured to scan one or more optical signals across the item. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the item comprises a unit dose package configured to hold a unit dose medication, and wherein the carrier comprises a unit dose package mount configured to position a plurality of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, such that respective unit dose packages are repeatedly maintained in a predetermined plane, said system comprising a system for retrieving and delivering the plurality of unit dose packages. 
   
   
       25 . An apparatus for scanning an identification code of an unknown orientation, said apparatus comprising:
 means for locating an edge of a surface of an item on which the identification code is displayed; and   means for scanning the item in a predefined direction relative to the edge.   
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the predefined direction is selected from a group consisting of substantially parallel to the edge and substantially perpendicular to the edge. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising:
 means for continuing to scan the item in the predefined direction relative to the edge until the identification code is located or substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned.   
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  further comprising, where substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned and the identification code has not been located:
 means for scanning the item in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predefined direction relative to the edge until the identification code is located.   
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  further comprising:
 means for capturing an image of the item, wherein the means for scanning the item in a predefined direction relative to the edge, the means for continuing to scan the item in the predefined direction, and the means for scanning the item in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predefined direction, each comprise means for decoding one or more pixels of the captured image on a row-by-row basis.   
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the means for scanning the item in a predefined direction relative to the edge, the means for continuing to scan the item in the predefined direction, and the means for scanning the item in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predefined direction, each comprise:
 means for scanning one or more optical signals across the item.   
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the item is located in a carrier, and wherein the means for locating an edge of the surface of the item comprises means for locating the edge based at least in part on a contrast in brightness between the surface of the item and the carrier. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the item comprises a unit dose package configured to hold a unit dose medication, and wherein the carrier comprises a unit dose package mount configured to position a plurality of different types of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, such that respective unit dose packages are repeatably maintained in a predetermined plane. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the means for scanning one or more optical signals across the item comprises a reader configured to generate a plurality of optical signals and to direct the optical signals to the item, such that the optical signals form an oblique angle with respect to the item upon reflection off of the item. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 33  further comprising:
 means for automatically changing a focal distance associated with the optical signals.   
   
   
       35 . An apparatus for scanning an identification code of an unknown orientation, said apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory in communication with the processor, said memory storing an application executable by the processor, wherein the application is configured, upon execution, to locate an edge of a surface of an item on which the identification code is displayed, and to direct a reader to scan the item in a predefined direction relative to the edge.   
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the predefined direction is selected from a group consisting of substantially parallel to the edge and substantially perpendicular to the edge. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the application is further configured, upon execution, to direct the reader to continue scanning the item in the predefined direction relative to the edge until the identification code is located or substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the application is further configured, upon execution, to, where substantially the entire surface of the item has been scanned in the predefined direction and the identification code has not been located, direct the reader to scan the item in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predefined direction relative to the edge until the identification code is located. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the reader comprises an image capture device configured to capture an image of the item, and wherein the application is further configured, upon execution, to decode one or more pixels of the captured image on a row-by-row basis. 
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the reader comprises a barcode reader, and wherein the application is configured, upon execution, to direct the barcode reader to scan one or more optical signals across the item. 
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the item is located in a carrier, and wherein the application is further configured, upon execution, to locate the edge of the surface of the item based at least in part on a contrast in brightness between the surface and the carrier.