Optical reader having improved reprogramming features

• US 5,900,613 A
• Filed: 09/03/1996
• Issued: 05/04/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Longacre, Andrew Jr., Hussey, Robert M., Ehrhart, Michael A., Koziol, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien Minh
• Application Number:
  US08/697,913
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462, 235/472, 235/454, 235/469, 235/380, 235/382
• US Class Current: 235/462.15
• 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 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• 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 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence

Abstract

An optical reading apparatus adapted to scan and decode data in accordance with the enabled ones of the parameters stored in a parameter table. The reader is equipped with random access and erasable read only memories, and with a processor having a menuing program that allows the contents of the parameter table to be changed by user presented menu symbols. The processor is programmed to respond to a reprogram command, generated by a data source external thereto, by allowing that external data source to change any one or more of the parameter table and the menuing program.

Claims

1. In a reading apparatus for scanning and decoding image data encoded in one of a plurality of types of optically encoded indicia, said apparatus being of the type including a read-write random access memory space (RAMS) and at least one erasable read only memory space (EROMS), in combination:

scanning means for scanning and storing in said RAMS image data for said optically encoded indicia;

decoding means for applying a plurality of decoding programs to image data stored in said RAMS to produce decoded data therefrom;

a parameter table, stored in at least one of said memory spaces, for storing a plurality of parameters which specify the permitted operating modes of said reading apparatus, said parameters including;

(i) a plurality of code parameters for controlling the decoding programs that may be used by said decoding means;

(ii) a plurality of scanning-decoding parameters for controlling the scanning and decoding activities of said scanning means and said decoding means; and

processing means including;

(i) a menuing program for changing the parameters of said parameter table, said menuing program including a plurality of menu routines for causing said processing means to perform tasks corresponding to menu symbols presented to said apparatus by a user, said menu routines including at least one menu routine that causes said apparatus to output information relating to said parameter table; and

(ii) a reprogramming program responsive to a program command generated by a data source external to said reading apparatus for reprogramming said apparatus;

wherein said menuing program allows a user to modify said parameter table by presenting predetermined menu symbols to said apparatus, and wherein said reprogramming program allows said external data source to control the reprogramming of said apparatus.

2. In a reading apparatus for scanning and decoding image data encoded in one of a plurality of types of optically encoded indicia, said apparatus being of the type including a read-write random access memory space (RAMS) and at least one erasable read only memory space (EROMS), in combination:

scanning means for scanning and storing in said RAMS image data for said optically encoded indicia;

decoding means for applying a plurality of decoding programs to image data stored in said RAMS to produce decoded data therefrom;

a parameter table, stored in at least one of said memory spaces, for storing a plurality of parameters which specify the permitted operating modes of said reading apparatus, said parameters including;

(i) a plurality of code parameters for controlling the decoding programs that may be used by said decoding means;

(ii) a plurality of scanning-decoding parameters for controlling the scanning and decoding activities of said scanning means and said decoding means; and

processing means including;

(i) a menuing program for changing the parameters of said parameter table, said menuing program including a plurality of menu routines for causing said processing means to perform tasks corresponding to menu symbols presented to said apparatus by a user, said menu symbols encoding menu words of one of two types, a first type including a first op code that calls for changes in said parameter table and a second type including a second op code that calls for performance of one of said menu routines; and

(ii) a reprogramming program responsive to a program command generated by a data source external to said reading apparatus for reprogramming said apparatus;

wherein said menuing program allows a user to modify said parameter table by presenting predetermined menu symbols to said apparatus, and wherein said reprogramming program allows said external data source to control the reprogramming of said apparatus.

3. In a reading apparatus for scanning and decoding image data that is encoded in one of a plurality of types of optically readable indicia, in combination:

scanning means for scanning said indicia and generating image data indicative of the data encoded therein;

a parameter memory space for storing a parameter table including a plurality of parameters that define the operating modes of said apparatus, said parameter table including a plurality of code options that identify the decoding programs that are and are not enabled for use during decoding;

a menuing memory space for storing a menuing program which enables a user at least to modify said parameter table;

an I/O device through which a data source external to the reading apparatus may transmit reprogram requests and program data to said apparatus;

processing means for executing a plurality of decoding programs in an attempt to decode said image data, said processing means being programmed to respond to a reprogram request initiated by said external data source and to receive program data communicated by said external data source;

whereby said external data source may modify at least one of said parameter table, said menuing program and said decoding programs.

4. The reading apparatus of claim 3 in which said decoding programs form parts of a 1D/2D autodiscrimination program, and in which said reading apparatus is adapted to receive from said external data source program data which modifies at least one of said decoding programs.

5. The reading apparatus of claim 4 in which said parameter table includes parameters specifying which of a plurality of scanning-decoding relationships are to exist between the scanning and decoding activities of said reading apparatus during the execution of said 1D/2D autodiscrimination program.