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US5777315A
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Method and apparatus for programming system function parameters in programmable code symbol readers
Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1996-08-21
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2016-08-21
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Wilz
- 👤 Donald T. Hudrick
- 👤 John A. Furlong
- 👤 Carl H. Knowles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/106; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10584; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10603; G06K7/10663; G06K7/10673; G06K7/10683; G06K7/10693; G06K7/10702; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811; G06K7/10851; G06K7/10881; G06K7/10891; G06K7/109; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1439; G06K7/1443; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1012; G06K2207/1016; G06K2207/1017; G06K2207/1018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
326 words
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.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
326 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
347 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
347 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said master and clone code symbol readers are each automatic code symbol reading devices having hand-supportable housings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each said automatic code symbol reader includes means for producing a laser scanning beam.
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