High Performance Mode

High Performance Mode

QualitySettings.getHighPerformance() is a preset that configures the recognition engine for maximum speed on clean, well‑printed barcodes.

Compared to getNormalQuality() or getHighQuality(), the High Performance preset:

  • prefers fast detection paths and simplified preprocessing
  • assumes good image quality (sharp edges, sufficient resolution, good contrast)
  • is ideal for production scanners, back‑office batch jobs, and other scenarios where input is controlled

This article shows how to:

  • enable High Performance mode for 1D and 2D barcodes
  • combine it with type filters (DecodeType) for extra speed
  • use 1D/2D groups when you only know the category of symbology

All examples are based on the sample class:

com.aspose.barcode.guide.recognition.performance.HighPerformanceModeExample

Source code on GitHub:

HighPerformanceModeExample.java

Paths like imagePath in the snippets below refer to your own image locations.

1. Reading a QR code with High Performance

The simplest pattern: generate a clean QR code, enable High Performance, and verify that it is recognized.

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

// Generate fixture if needed
ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, path -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.QR, "HP-QR");
    // Slightly larger modules for robust detection with HighPerformance
    barcodeGenerator.getParameters().getBarcode().getXDimension().setPixels(4);
    barcodeGenerator.save(path, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

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

// Enable High Performance preset
barCodeReader.setQualitySettings(QualitySettings.getHighPerformance());

// Expect a single QR result
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.QR);

Key points:

  • Use QualitySettings.getHighPerformance() when you control how codes are printed and captured (for example, your own labels, office scanners).
  • Make sure modules/bars are not too small; increasing XDimension on generation side makes life easier for a speed‑oriented preset.

2. Fast Code 128 recognition

High Performance mode is especially suitable for 1D symbologies used in logistics, inventory, and POS systems.

String fileName = "code128_hp.png";
String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);

// Generate Code 128 sample
ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, path -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.CODE_128, "FAST-128");
    barcodeGenerator.save(path, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

// Recognize using High Performance
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.CODE_128);
barCodeReader.setQualitySettings(QualitySettings.getHighPerformance());

ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.CODE_128);

Use this pattern when you want low latency and you know that:

  • the symbol type is fixed (DecodeType.CODE_128 in this example)
  • the print quality and capture conditions are under your control

3. Limiting the symbology set for extra speed

Even with High Performance, you can still waste time if the engine has to consider many symbologies.
A common optimization is to:

  1. Construct the reader with DecodeType.ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES.
  2. Limit the set of actual candidates using setBarCodeReadType(...).

Example: image contains a Data Matrix, but you know that only Code 128, QR, or Data Matrix are possible.

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

// Generate Data Matrix sample
ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, path -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.DATA_MATRIX, "HP-DM");
    barcodeGenerator.save(path, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

// Reader scans all supported types, but we will narrow the set
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES);

// Speed‑oriented preset
barCodeReader.setQualitySettings(QualitySettings.getHighPerformance());

// Limit recognition to a small subset of types
barCodeReader.setBarCodeReadType(
        DecodeType.CODE_128,
        DecodeType.QR,
        DecodeType.DATA_MATRIX
);

// Expect one Data Matrix result
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.DATA_MATRIX);

Benefits:

  • Fewer detector branches → less work per frame.
  • Easier to debug: if something unexpected is recognized, you know it is one of the allowed types.

4. Scanning any 1D barcode with TYPES_1D

Sometimes you do not know the exact 1D symbology, but you know it will be linear (EAN, UPC, Code 39, Code 128, etc.).
In that case you can use DecodeType.TYPES_1D together with High Performance.

Example: recognize any 1D barcode, here using EAN‑13 as a fixture.

String fileName = "types_1d_hp.png";
String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);

// Generate EAN-13 sample (scanner-grade)
ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, path -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.EAN_13, "5901234123457");
    barcodeGenerator.save(path, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

// Reader restricted to the 1D group
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.TYPES_1D);
barCodeReader.setQualitySettings(QualitySettings.getHighPerformance());

// Expect EAN-13 among 1D types
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.EAN_13);

Notes:

  • DecodeType.TYPES_1D is a group flag that covers many linear symbologies.
  • Combining a group with High Performance is a good default for fast handheld scanners where:
    • the physical labels are well‑printed,
    • the application does not care which exact 1D symbology is used.

5. High Performance mode: practical recommendations

When to use QualitySettings.getHighPerformance():

  • Inputs are clean and predictable:
    • printed on high‑quality labels,
    • captured by stationary scanners or well‑lit cameras,
    • little to no blur, skew, or heavy noise.
  • You need throughput:
    • scanning many items per second,
    • minimizing CPU usage on the server or mobile device.
  • You are ready to tune type filters (DecodeType) and generation parameters (XDimension, bar height, etc.).

When you might prefer getNormalQuality() or getHighQuality():

  • users scan codes from paper receipts, screens, or user‑generated content
  • there is noticeable blur, motion, or low resolution
  • you do not fully control lighting conditions or camera focus

A common pattern is to:

  1. Try HighPerformance first for fast UX.
  2. If recognition fails or confidence is low, fall back to a slower preset on the same frame.

Summary

High Performance mode in Aspose.BarCode for Java is a preset that prioritizes speed over aggressive error recovery.
Using it effectively involves three main ideas:

  • Enable it via barCodeReader.setQualitySettings(QualitySettings.getHighPerformance()).
  • Keep barcodes clean and sufficiently large (adjust XDimension during generation).
  • Narrow down the recognition space with type filters:
    • single type, like DecodeType.QR or DecodeType.CODE_128
    • groups, such as DecodeType.TYPES_1D
    • custom subsets via setBarCodeReadType(...).

All code snippets in this article are derived from:

HighPerformanceModeExample.java

Use this sample as a template when wiring High Performance mode into your own Java applications.

Deconvolution Mode Minimal XDimension