Method and apparatus for programming system function parameters in programmable code symbol readers

• US 5,777,315 A
• Filed: 08/21/1996
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Furlong, John A., Hudrick, Donald T., Wilz, David M., Knowles, Carl H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Thien Minh
• Application Number:
  US08/697,154
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 235/467, 235/462, 235/472, 235/375, 235/436, 235/454
• 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 programming the function parameters of programmable bar code symbol readers and scanners, while avoiding the need to couple the data communication port of a function parameter computer system and the programmable bar code symbol reader to be configured. 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 functionalities in a clone code symbol reader using the programmed functionalities of a master code symbol reader compatible with said clone code symbol reader, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a master code symbol reader having a first function parameter memory, and 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 bar code symbol preassigned to said function parameter;

(b) providing a clone code symbol reader, having a second function parameter memory, and said 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;

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

(d) using a computer system to read said corresponding set of function parameters set in the first function parameter memory of said master 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 specificized 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 clone bar code symbol reader,

whereby the function parameters in said second function parameter memory are automatically set to the identical values of the function parameters set in the first function parameter memory of said master 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. Apparatus for programming 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 has a first function parameter memory, and 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 having a second function parameter memory, and said 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 preprinted 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 said first function parameter memory of said master code symbol reader; and

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

parameter storing means for storing said corresponding set of read function parameters,

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

list printing means 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;

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

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said master and clone code symbol readers are each automatic code symbol reading devices having hand-supportable housings.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each said automatic code symbol reader includes means for producing a laser scanning beam.