Methods and apparatus to change a feature set on data collection devices
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for changing a configuration of a remote data collection device, the method comprising:
- maintaining a first data structure on the remote data collection device that stores values describing the operation of features of the data collection;
receiving at a computer system different from the remote data collection device a request for a new configuration of the data collection device, the request including an identifier for the data collection device, identification of one or more features, and for each identified feature, an indication to modify the operation of the feature;
using the computer system, generating a second data structure to update the first data structure in accordance with the request;
transmitting the second data structure to the data collection device; and
updating the first data structure based on the second data structure;
wherein the step of transmitting the second data structure to the data collection device comprises generating a barcode, magnetic media or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag bearing the second data structure and scanning the barcode, magnetic media or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag with the data collection device utilizing a scan engine to decode the output of the data of the barcode, magnetic media or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for modifying the feature set of data collection devices are disclosed. Requests are receiving at a computer system different from the data collection device for a new configuration of the data collection device, the request including an identifier for the data collection device, identification of one or more features, and for each identified feature, an indication to modify the operation of a feature. The identifier may comprise an identifier that is unique for a particular data collection device or an indication of a group of devices, e.g. a model number. Prior to authorizing the new configuration, a determination may be made as to whether the identified data collection device(s) are suitable for the new configuration by consulting a configuration database. To implement the new configuration, an encoded authorization file is generated based on the requested configuration and the identifier of the data collection device(s). The encoded authorization file is transmitted to one or more data collection devices. Each data collection device that receives an encoded authorization file attempts to decode of the license using its identifier(s). If the authorization file is successfully decoded, a license key on that device is updated to implement the new configuration.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1. A method for changing a configuration of a remote data collection device, the method comprising:
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maintaining a first data structure on the remote data collection device that stores values describing the operation of features of the data collection; receiving at a computer system different from the remote data collection device a request for a new configuration of the data collection device, the request including an identifier for the data collection device, identification of one or more features, and for each identified feature, an indication to modify the operation of the feature; using the computer system, generating a second data structure to update the first data structure in accordance with the request; transmitting the second data structure to the data collection device; and updating the first data structure based on the second data structure; wherein the step of transmitting the second data structure to the data collection device comprises generating a barcode, magnetic media or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag bearing the second data structure and scanning the barcode, magnetic media or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag with the data collection device utilizing a scan engine to decode the output of the data of the barcode, magnetic media or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system comprising:
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a plurality of data collection devices, each data collection device operable in accordance with a plurality of features and including a memory with a first data structure that stores values describing the operation of features of the data collection, each data collection device further including an update program to update the first data structure based on a second data structure; a customer interface system that receives a request to change the configuration of a data collection device, the request including an identifier of the data collection device, identification of one or more features, and for each identified feature an indication to modify the operation of the feature; and a manager that, responsive to the request received by the customer interface, generates a second data structure to update the first data structure in accordance with the request, and facilitates the transmission of the second data structure to the identified data collection device wherein the second data structure is transmitted to the data collection device by generating a barcode, magnetic media or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag bearing the second data structure and scanning the barcode, magnetic media or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag with the data collection device utilizing a scan engine to decode the output of the data of the barcode, magnetic media or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification