Method and apparatus for reading a bar code.

摘要

A bar code (16) on the cylindrical surface of an object (14) is accurately read by rotating the object (14) past a bar code reader (28) so that the bar code passes the reader a plurality of times. Each of the readings from the reader is compared with the other readings and a final reading is provided when several of the same readings is obtained in succession. The object (14) may be rotated to pass the reader (28) first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to assure a proper reading in the event that the bar code (16) is backwards. Also, the object (14) may be rotated at a varying speed to obtain the optimum scan speed for the particular density of the bar code.