Method for preventing storage of duplicate barcode entries in an item security database

摘要

A system, method and/or apparatus aids in preventing duplicate bar code entries in an item security database. Bar codes from items that vary with respect to a security characteristic such as a non-weight characteristic are compiled into a custom bar code format or template that is stored in a custom bar code format file. An obtained bar code from a scanned item is compared to the custom bar code format. If the obtained bar code compares to the custom bar code format, the bar code is manipulated according to the custom bar code format. The manipulated bar code is used to retrieve a security characteristic (value or data) regarding the scanned item and/or to create a bar code entry with an associated security characteristic if the bar code entry is not in the item security database.