a method of improving throughput in a scanner whose scanning action is capable of being stopped and started instantly , comprising the steps of a ) storing results of a first scan of a target containing indicia in a first region of a memory and b ) upon determining that the first scan is complete 1 ) decoding results of the first scan 2 ) initiating a second scan , 3 ) storing results of the second scan of the target containing indicia in a second region of a memory , and 4 ) awaiting completion of the decoding before initiating an additional scan .