Deconvolution Mode

Barcode Quality and Deconvolution Modes

Aspose.BarCode for Java provides flexible controls to balance recognition speed and robustness.
These controls are exposed through:

  • QualitySettings presets (for example, getHighPerformance(), getNormalQuality(), getHighQuality())
  • BarcodeQualityMode – how aggressively the engine analyzes barcode quality
  • DeconvolutionMode – how aggressively the engine restores blurred or degraded images
  • Targeted overrides such as XDimensionMode and setMinimalXDimension(...)

All examples in this article are based on the sample class:

com.aspose.barcode.guide.recognition.performance.BarcodeQualityDeconvolutionModeExample

You can find the full source code on GitHub:

DeconvolutionModeExample.java

In the snippets below, variables like imagePath represent paths to barcode images in your application.

1. QualitySettings presets overview

QualitySettings provides ready-made presets that enable appropriate internal algorithms for typical scenarios:

Preset method Typical use case Trade-off
QualitySettings.getHighPerformance() Fast processing of clean, high-contrast images Maximum speed, reduced robustness
QualitySettings.getNormalQuality() General-purpose recognition for normal image quality Balanced speed and robustness
QualitySettings.getHighQuality() Difficult images: noise, blur, low contrast, tiny codes Maximum robustness, lower performance

You can use these presets as a starting point and then adjust details with BarcodeQualityMode, DeconvolutionMode, and other properties.

2. BarcodeQualityMode – quality analysis profile

BarcodeQualityMode defines how deeply the engine analyzes barcode quality and which internal methods are enabled.

Supported values:

Mode Description Typical scenario
BarcodeQualityMode.HIGH Lightweight checks assuming good print quality and clear edges. High-quality printed labels, synthetic test data.
BarcodeQualityMode.NORMAL Standard analysis for regular-quality images. Most business documents and mobile photos.
BarcodeQualityMode.LOW Enables heavy and tolerant algorithms for damaged, low-contrast, or distorted barcodes. Poor printing, fax/scans, degraded images.

2.1 Using BarcodeQualityMode with Code 128

The general pattern:

  1. Choose a QualitySettings preset.
  2. Set the desired BarcodeQualityMode.
  3. Apply the configured QualitySettings to BarCodeReader.

Example: switching between HIGH, NORMAL, and LOW for Code 128.

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, "qset_code128.png");

// HIGH: fastest on clean images
BarCodeReader highQualityReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.CODE_128);
QualitySettings highPerformanceSettings = QualitySettings.getHighPerformance();
highPerformanceSettings.setBarcodeQuality(BarcodeQualityMode.HIGH);
highQualityReader.setQualitySettings(highPerformanceSettings);

// NORMAL: balanced default
BarCodeReader normalQualityReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.CODE_128);
QualitySettings normalQualitySettings = QualitySettings.getNormalQuality();
normalQualitySettings.setBarcodeQuality(BarcodeQualityMode.NORMAL);
normalQualityReader.setQualitySettings(normalQualitySettings);

// LOW: most tolerant, slowest
BarCodeReader lowQualityReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.CODE_128);
QualitySettings highQualitySettings = QualitySettings.getHighQuality();
highQualitySettings.setBarcodeQuality(BarcodeQualityMode.LOW);
lowQualityReader.setQualitySettings(highQualitySettings);

Use this pattern when you need to tune performance:

  • Start with BarcodeQualityMode.HIGH if you expect consistently clean barcodes.
  • Use BarcodeQualityMode.NORMAL as a general default.
  • Switch to BarcodeQualityMode.LOW only for problematic inputs where robustness is more important than speed.

3. DeconvolutionMode – blur and degradation handling

DeconvolutionMode controls how aggressively the engine tries to restore blurred or degraded barcodes.
This is especially important for QR and other 2D codes captured from mobile cameras or low-quality scans.

Supported values:

Mode Description Typical scenario
DeconvolutionMode.FAST Lightweight restoration; minimal extra cost. Slight blur or almost clean images.
DeconvolutionMode.NORMAL Balanced restoration level. Typical handheld photos with some blur/noise.
DeconvolutionMode.SLOW Strongest restoration pipeline; highest CPU cost, maximum robustness. Strong blur, motion blur, or heavy degradation.

3.1 Using DeconvolutionMode with QR codes

Again, the pattern is:

  1. Pick a QualitySettings preset.
  2. Set the desired DeconvolutionMode.
  3. Apply QualitySettings to BarCodeReader.

Example: configuring FAST, NORMAL, and SLOW for QR recognition.

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, "qset_qr.png");

// FAST: for clean or slightly blurred QR codes
BarCodeReader fastDeconvolutionReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.QR);
QualitySettings fastDeconvolutionSettings = QualitySettings.getHighQuality();
fastDeconvolutionSettings.setDeconvolution(DeconvolutionMode.FAST);
fastDeconvolutionReader.setQualitySettings(fastDeconvolutionSettings);

// NORMAL: default level for everyday mobile photos
BarCodeReader normalDeconvolutionReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.QR);
QualitySettings normalDeconvolutionSettings = QualitySettings.getNormalQuality();
normalDeconvolutionSettings.setDeconvolution(DeconvolutionMode.NORMAL);
normalDeconvolutionReader.setQualitySettings(normalDeconvolutionSettings);

// SLOW: strongest restoration for heavily blurred images
BarCodeReader slowDeconvolutionReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.QR);
QualitySettings slowDeconvolutionSettings = QualitySettings.getHighQuality();
slowDeconvolutionSettings.setDeconvolution(DeconvolutionMode.SLOW);
slowDeconvolutionReader.setQualitySettings(slowDeconvolutionSettings);

Use a higher deconvolution level only when necessary, because it increases processing time.

4. Combining presets with targeted overrides

A common pattern is to:

  1. Start from a fast preset, such as getHighPerformance().
  2. Apply targeted overrides for your specific scenario.

For example, if you expect small and low-quality 1D barcodes:

  • enable detection of small modules via XDimensionMode.SMALL
  • set MinimalXDimension to the approximate minimal bar width in pixels
  • use BarcodeQualityMode.LOW and DeconvolutionMode.SLOW to improve robustness

Example: tuning recognition for small, degraded Code 128 symbols.

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, "qset_code128.png");

BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.CODE_128);

QualitySettings qualitySettings = QualitySettings.getHighPerformance();
qualitySettings.setXDimension(XDimensionMode.SMALL);
qualitySettings.setMinimalXDimension(1.0f);
qualitySettings.setBarcodeQuality(BarcodeQualityMode.LOW);
qualitySettings.setDeconvolution(DeconvolutionMode.SLOW);

barCodeReader.setQualitySettings(qualitySettings);

This configuration:

  • keeps the overall preset tuned for performance,
  • but adds extra robustness for tiny and degraded bars through explicit overrides.

5. Practical guidelines

When configuring quality and deconvolution parameters:

  • Start with presets:
    • getHighPerformance() for synthetic data or controlled environments.
    • getNormalQuality() for most real-world applications.
    • getHighQuality() for known difficult inputs.
  • Use BarcodeQualityMode to match expected print quality:
    • HIGH – clean barcodes, best speed.
    • NORMAL – default choice if you are not sure.
    • LOW – damaged or low-contrast barcodes.
  • Use DeconvolutionMode for blur and focus issues:
    • FAST – light restoration.
    • NORMAL – typical mobile snapshots.
    • SLOW – strong blur or motion artifacts.
  • Combine presets with overrides (XDimensionMode, MinimalXDimension, etc.) when you know specific constraints of your data (for example, very small modules).

All patterns in this article are demonstrated in:

DeconvolutionModeExample.java

Use it as a reference when tuning recognition performance in your Java applications.

Barcode Quality Mode High Performance Mode