Method and apparatus for programming functional system parameters in optical bar code scanners

• US 20010007334A1
• Filed: 02/05/2001
• Published: 07/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl H. Knowles, David M. Wilz, Donald Hudrick, John Furlong
• Original Assignee: Carl H. Knowles, David M. Wilz, Donald Hudrick, John Furlong
• Inventors: Hudrick, Donald, Wilz, David M. Sr., Furlong, John, Knowles, Carl H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,347,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.15
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/106 having diffraction gratings as scanning elements, e.g. holographic scanners holographic optical elements G02B5/32, holography G03H
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1012 Special detection of object
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1016 Motor control or optical moving unit control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1017 Programmable
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1018 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10564 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10594 Beam path
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10603 Basic scanning using moving elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10663 using hologram
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10673 Parallel lines
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10693 for omnidirectional scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10792 Special measures in relation to the object to be scanned
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10801 Multidistance reading
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10871 : randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 : constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10891 : the scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/109 : adaptations to make the hand-held scanner useable as a fixed scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 : using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1443 : locating of the code in an image

Abstract

A novel system and method for programming one or more functional parameters of programmable bar code symbol readers and scanners, while avoiding the need to connect a data communication port of a computer system to a bar code symbol reader that is to be programmed. In a first illustrative embodiment, the function-encoded parameters of a master bar code symbol reader are determined using a computer-based-function-parameter device and subsequently buffered in memory buffer contained therein; the buffered function-encoded parameters are used to produce a list of function-encoded bar code symbols which are printed in a specified reading sequence; and the list of printed-function encoded bar code symbols are read in the specified reading sequence so as to configure the bar code symbol reader with the same set of function-encoded parameters that were programmed in the master bar code symbol reader. In a second illustrative embodiment, the function-encoded parameters of a master bar code symbol reader are determined using a computer based-function-parameter acquisition device and buffered in a memory buffer contained therein; the buffered function-encoded parameters are used to produce a list of symbol reading instructions, each referencing a specific function encoded bar code symbol on a particular page of a preprinted bar code symbol programming guide, and the list of symbol reading instructions are used to read in a specified order.

Claims

1. A method of programming one or more functional parameters in a first code symbol reader by using programmable functionalities of a second code symbol reader, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first code symbol reader equipped with a function parameter memory for storing a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each said programmable functionality is implementable by setting a corresponding function parameter in said function parameter memory by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to said function parameter;

(b) providing a second code symbol reader equipped with a function parameter memory for storing plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each said programmable functionality is implementable by setting a corresponding function parameter in the function parameter memory by reading a function-encoded bar code symbol preassigned to said function parameter;

(c) programming a set of functionalities in said second code symbol reader by reading a set of function-encoded code symbols and setting a corresponding set of function parameters in the function parameter memory of said second code symbol reader;

(d) using a computer system to read said corresponding set of function parameters set in the function parameter memory of said second code symbol reader;

(e) storing said corresponding set of function parameters read in step (d);

(f) using said stored function parameters to produce a function parameter programming file;

(g) using said function parameter programming file to print a list of code symbol programming instructions, each said code symbol programming instruction including a reference to a specified function-encoded code symbol preprinted in a code symbol programming guide;

(h) following said list of said code symbol programming instructions printed during step (g) by reading each said specified function-encoded code symbol using said first bar code symbol reader,

wherein one or more function parameters in said function parameter memory of said first bar code symbol reader are automatically set to the same value(s) as one or more function parameters in the function parameter memory of said second code symbol reader.

2. The method of

claim 1

, wherein step (f) further comprises transferring said function parameter programming file to a remote computer system, and wherein step (g) comprises said remote computer system using said transferred function parameter programming file to print said list of said code symbol programming instructions.

3. The method of

claim 1

, wherein step (g) comprises said computer system using said computer system using said function parameter programming file in order to print said of function-encoded code symbols.

4. A method of programming one or more functionalities of a first code symbol reader using programmed functionalities of a second code symbol reader, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first code symbol reader equipped with a function parameter memory for storing a plurality of programmable functionality parameters, wherein each of a plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded bar code symbol preassigned to a functionality so as to cause a corresponding functionality parameter to be stored in the function parameter memory;

(b) providing a second code symbol reader equipped with a function parameter memory for storing a plurality of programmable functionality parameters, wherein each of a plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded bar code symbol preassigned to a functionality so as to cause a corresponding functionality parameter to be stored in the function parameter memory;

(c) programming a set of functionalities in said second code symbol reader by reading a set of function-encoded bar code symbols and storing a corresponding set of functionality parameters in the function parameter memory of said second code symbol reader;

(d) using a computer system to read said corresponding set of functionality parameters stored in the function parameter memory of said second code symbol reader;

(e) storing said corresponding set of functionality parameters read in step (d) in the computer system;

(f) using said stored functionality parameters of step (e) to produce a function parameter programming file;

(g) using said function parameter programming file to generate a list of function-encoded code symbols, wherein each code symbol specifies a corresponding function parameter, and generating at least one of the function-encoded code symbols in a physically tangible form, such that the at least one function-encoded code symbol is readable by the first bar code scanner; and

(h) reading one or more of the function-encoded code symbol using said first bar code symbol reader,

wherein one or more function parameters in said function parameter memory of said first bar code symbol reader are automatically set to the same value(s) as one or more function parameters in the function parameter memory of said second code symbol reader.

5. The method of

claim 4

, wherein step (f) further comprises transferring said function parameter programming file to a remote computer system, and wherein step (g) comprises said remote computer system using said transferred function parameter programming file in order to print said one or more function-encoded code symbols, wherein each of the printed one or more function-encoded symbols is associated with a corresponding code symbol programming instruction.

6. An apparatus for programming one or more functionalities in a first code symbol reader using programmed functionalities of a second code symbol reader, wherein said first code symbol reader includes a function parameter memory for storing function parameters corresponding to a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each of the plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to said function parameter so as to cause the storing of a corresponding function parameter in said function parameter memory, and

wherein said second code symbol reader includes a function parameter memory for storing function parameters corresponding to a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each of the plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to said function parameter so as to cause the storing of a corresponding function parameter in said function parameter memory,

said apparatus CHARACTERIZED BY:

a menu of function-encoded code symbols readable by a bar code scanner, for use in programming a particular set of functionalities in said second code symbol reader by said second code symbol reader reading a particular set of said function-encoded bar code symbols and thereby automatically setting a corresponding set of function parameters in said function parameter memory of said first code symbol reader; and

a computer system programmed for reading said corresponding set of function parameters set in said function parameter memory of said second code symbol reader, said computer system including

a parameter storing mechanism for storing said corresponding set of read function parameters,

a file producing mechanism for producing a function parameter programming file using said stored function parameters, and

a list printing mechanism for printing a list of function-encoded code symbols using said function parameter programming file, wherein, when said list of function-encoded code symbols are read by said second code symbol reader, the function parameters in the first code symbol reader function parameter memory are automatically set to the values of the function parameters set in the function parameter memory of the second code symbol reader.

7. The apparatus of

claim 6

, wherein said first and second code symbol reading devices are each automatic code symbol reading devices having hand-supportable housings.

8. The apparatus of

claim 6

, wherein each said automatic code symbol reader includes a mechanism for producing a laser scanning beam.

9. An apparatus for programming one or more functionalities in a clone code symbol reader using the programmed functionalities of a master code symbol reader compatible with said clone code symbol reader,

wherein said master code symbol reader includes a first function parameter memory, and is adapted to provide any of a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each said programmable functionality is implementable by setting a corresponding function parameter in said function parameter memory by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to said function parameter, and

wherein said clone bar code symbol reader includes a function parameter memory, and is adapted to provide any of a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each said programmable functionality is implementable by setting a corresponding function parameter in said second function parameter memory by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to said function parameter;

said apparatus comprising;

a printed menu of function-encoded code symbols, for use in programming a particular set of functionalities in said master code symbol reader by said master code symbol reader reading a particular set of said function-encoded bar code symbols and thereby automatically setting a corresponding set of function parameters in the function parameter memory of said master code symbol reader; and

a computer system programmed for reading said corresponding set of function parameters set in the function parameter memory of said master code symbol reader, said computer system including

a parameter storing mechanism for storing said corresponding set of read function parameters,

a file producing mechanism for producing a function parameter programming file using said stored function parameters, and

a list printing mechanism for printing a list of code symbol programming instructions using said function parameter programming instructions, each said code symbol programming instruction including a reference to a specified function-encoded code symbol preprinted in said menu of function-encoded code symbols;

wherein, when the function-encoded code symbols referenced in said list of code symbol programming instructions are read by said clone code symbol programming instructions are read by said clone code symbol reader, the function parameters in said second function parameter memory are automatically set to the values of the function parameters set in the first function parameter memory of said master code symbol reader.

10. The apparatus of

claim 9

, wherein said master and clone code symbol reading devices are each automatic code symbol reading devices having hand-supportable housings.

11. The apparatus of

claim 9

, wherein each said automatic code symbol reader includes a means for producing a laser scanning beam.