Systems and methods for configuring, updating, and booting an alternate operating system on a portable data reader
First Claim
1. A method of updating, independently of a host computer, an operating system image on a portable data reader, the portable data reader comprising a reading engine configured to read data from an object, an input component configured to communicatively couple the portable data reader to an external non-volatile storage device, an internal non-volatile memory configured to store the operating system image, and a processor configured to be communicatively coupled to the reading engine, the input component, and the internal non-volatile memory, the method comprising:
- in response to initialization of the processor, the portable data reader automatically determining whether the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader, the external non-volatile storage device having stored thereon multiple operating system images including a first operating system image and a second operating system image, the first and second operating system images being preselected for use by the portable data reader, wherein the second operating system image is different from the first operating system image;
in response to determining that the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader, the portable data reader automatically searching the external non-volatile storage device for an updated operating system image that is configured for use by the portable data reader;
in response to finding that the external non-volatile storage device has stored thereon the multiple operating system images, the portable data reader determining from among the multiple operating system images that the first operating system image is the updated operating system image that is configured for use by the portable data reader;
storing the updated operating system image in the internal non-volatile memory;
wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to a docking station, the docking station comprising a first connector for wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to the docking station and a second connector configured to connect a USB mass storage device to the docking station;
andconnecting the USB mass storage device to the docking station via the second connector.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for updating configuration settings, updating an OS image, and booting an alternate OS on a portable data reader including a reading engine for reading data from an object. Configuration settings of a portable data reader may be updated by detecting whether a storage device having a set of updated configuration settings stored thereon has been coupled to the portable data reader and, if so, updating one or more configuration settings on the portable data reader with one or more of the updated configuration settings from the storage device.
61 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method of updating, independently of a host computer, an operating system image on a portable data reader, the portable data reader comprising a reading engine configured to read data from an object, an input component configured to communicatively couple the portable data reader to an external non-volatile storage device, an internal non-volatile memory configured to store the operating system image, and a processor configured to be communicatively coupled to the reading engine, the input component, and the internal non-volatile memory, the method comprising:
-
in response to initialization of the processor, the portable data reader automatically determining whether the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader, the external non-volatile storage device having stored thereon multiple operating system images including a first operating system image and a second operating system image, the first and second operating system images being preselected for use by the portable data reader, wherein the second operating system image is different from the first operating system image; in response to determining that the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader, the portable data reader automatically searching the external non-volatile storage device for an updated operating system image that is configured for use by the portable data reader; in response to finding that the external non-volatile storage device has stored thereon the multiple operating system images, the portable data reader determining from among the multiple operating system images that the first operating system image is the updated operating system image that is configured for use by the portable data reader; storing the updated operating system image in the internal non-volatile memory; wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to a docking station, the docking station comprising a first connector for wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to the docking station and a second connector configured to connect a USB mass storage device to the docking station; and connecting the USB mass storage device to the docking station via the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
3. A portable data reader for reading data from an object, comprising:
-
a reading engine configured to read data from an object; an input component configured to communicatively couple the portable data reader to an external non-volatile storage device that is configured to store multiple operating system images including a first operating system image and a second operating system image, the first and second operating system images being preselected for use by the portable data reader, wherein the second operating system image is different from the first operating system image; an internal non-volatile memory storing a set of configuration settings associated with the portable data reader, the set of configuration settings including at least one setting associated with the reading engine; a processor configured to be communicatively coupled to the reading engine, the input component, and the internal non-volatile memory, the processor configured to; in response to the external non-volatile storage device being coupled to the portable data reader independently of a host computer, automatically detect that the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader; in response to detecting that the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader, automatically search the external non-volatile storage device for an updated operating system configured for use by the portable data reader; in response to finding that the external non-volatile storage device has stored thereon the multiple operating system images, determine from among the multiple operating system images that the first operating system image is the updated operating system image that is configured for use by the portable data reader; store the first operating system image in the internal non-volatile memory; and wireless connection circuitry for wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to a docking station comprising a first connector for wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to the docking station and a second connector configured to connect a USB mass storage device to the docking station. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
-
-
6. A method of booting an alternate operating system on a portable data reader, said portable data reader comprising a reading engine configured to read data from an object, an input component configured to communicatively couple the portable data reader to an external non-volatile storage device, an internal non-volatile memory storing a boot loader and an executable file containing a primary operating system kernel that the boot loader uses to boot a primary operating system on the portable data reader, and a processor configured to be communicatively coupled to the reading engine, the input component, and the internal memory, the method comprising:
-
in response to initialization of the processor, determining whether the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader; in response to determining that the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader, determining whether the external non-volatile storage device has stored thereon an executable file containing an alternate operating system kernel that the boot loader is configured to use to boot an alternate operating system on the portable data reader; in response to determining that the external non-volatile storage device has stored thereon the executable file containing the alternate operating system kernel, booting the alternate operating system from the external non-volatile storage device; wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to a docking station, the docking station comprising a first connector for wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to the docking station and a second connector configured to connect a USB mass storage device to the docking station; and connecting the USB mass storage device to the docking station via the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 23)
-
-
11. A method of extending an operating system image on a portable data reader, said portable data reader comprising a reading engine configured to read data from an object, an input component configured to communicatively couple the portable data reader to an external non-volatile storage device, an internal non-volatile memory storing a boot loader and an executable file containing a first operating system kernel that the boot loader is configured to use to boot a first operating system on the portable data reader, and a processor communicatively coupled to the reading engine, the input component, and the internal non-volatile memory, the method comprising:
-
in response to initialization of the processor, automatically determining whether the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader; in response to determining that the external non-volatile storage device has been coupled to the portable data reader, automatically mapping a memory of the external non-volatile storage device onto the internal non-volatile memory of the portable data reader; and accessing applications, settings, and configurations stored on the external non-volatile storage device through the memory that is mapped onto the internal non-volatile memory of the portable data reader; wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to a docking station, the docking station comprising a first connector for wirelessly connecting the portable data reader to the docking station and a second connector configured to connect a USB mass storage device to the docking station; and connecting the USB mass storage device to the docking station via the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (12, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification