Bar code recognition in highly distorted and low resolution images

In this paper, we present a novel approach to detection of one dimensional bar code images. Our algorithm is particularly designed to recognize bar codes, where the image may be of low resolution, low quality or suffer from substantial blurring, de-focusing, non-uniform illumination, noise and color saturation. The algorithm is accurate, fast, scalable and can be easily adjusted to search for a valid result within a specified time constraint. Our algorithm is particulary useful for real-time recognition of bar codes in portable hand-held devices with limited processing capability, such as mobile phones.