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    • 专利摘要:
    An apparatus and method for updating functions on an image scanning device causes a client computing device to capture an image and decode a first symbol encoding data identifying the image scanning device, prompting a server to enable a function on the image scanning device, receives activation data from the server to enable the function, and generates an image of a second symbol on a display of the client computing device that encodes the activation data. The image scanning device captures an image and decodes the image of the second symbol and uses the decoded activation data to enable a function present in the image scanning device or to request a download of the function from the client computing device if the function is is not in the image scanning device. The client computing device downloads the function from the server and uploads the function to the image scanning device.
    公开号:BE1026524B1
    申请号:E20195551
    申请日:2019-08-22
    公开日:2020-11-20
    发明作者:Andrew Cornell；Ke Zhang
    申请人:Zebra Tech Corp；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    DEVICE AND METHOD OF UPDATING BARCODE READERS
    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Updating existing barcode readers generally requires the barcode reader to be physically taken out of service because many barcode readers are not connected to a network that allows the barcode reader to receive updated functions, such as software updates. When the barcode reader is taken out of service, the barcode reader is connected to a scanner management system, usually via Universal Serial Bus (USB). During this time, the barcode reader is unusable. In addition, there are cases where the distribution of software functions to the barcode readers is performed under a software license. However, it is difficult to verify which barcode readers are covered by the software license and whether the software distribution is in accordance with the software license, let alone update the barcode readers with functions in accordance with the software license.
    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for updating barcode readers that requires little to no downtime, with faster, more complete software licenses and controls.
    SUMMARY In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a client computing device comprising: a housing; a display positioned in the housing; a first wireless transceiver; an image forming assembly positioned in the housing and comprising an image sensor, the image sensor configured to capture at least one of: light reflected from a symbol and light emitted from the symbol; and a controller operably coupled to the imaging assembly and the first wireless transceiver, the controller configured to: communicate communicatively with a server over a public network using the first wireless transceiver; decoding a first symbol captured in an image captured by the image sensor, the first symbol comprising coded identification data uniquely identifying the image scanning device, the coded identification data constituting decoded identification data upon decoding the first symbol; receive activation data from the server in response to transmission to the server of the decoded identification data and a request to enable a function on the image scanning device, the activation data including activation identification data specific to a license for enabling the function on the image scanning device; and generate an image of a second symbol on the display, the second symbol including the activation data encoded in the second symbol.
    The function may include a disabled application stored in a memory of the image scanning device. Additionally and / or alternatively, the function may include an application stored in a memory of the server; and the controller may be further arranged to download the application from the server via the first wireless transceiver in response to an installation prompt of the image scanning device, and upload the application to the image scanning device.
    The identification data may include, for example, at least one of: a serial number of the image scanning device and a model number of the image scanning device.
    The controller can also be further configured to: ask the server to confirm a permission to enable the function on the image scanning device; and requesting the function to be enabled on the image scanning device in response to confirmation from the server of permission to enable the function.
    Additionally and / or alternatively, the controller can be arranged to communicate communicatively with the image scanning device.
    Furthermore, the client computing device may include a second wireless transceiver operably coupled to the controller, wherein the controller may be configured to communicate communicatively with the image scanning device via the second wireless transceiver. For example, the second wireless transceiver may include a nearfield wireless transceiver.
    In one example, the client computing device may further include a communication port operably coupled to the controller, the controller may be configured to communicate communicatively with the image scanning device using a wired connection through the communication port.
    In another aspect of the disclosure, an image scanning apparatus is provided comprising: a housing having a cavity and a window; an imaging assembly positioned in the cavity, the imaging assembly having an imager and a field of view (FOV) extending through the window, the imager configured to capture at least one of: light reflected from a symbol and light emitted by the symbol; and a controller operably coupled to the image-forming assembly, the controller having a processor and a memory, the controller being configured to: decode a first symbol captured in an image captured by the image sensor, the first symbol encoded activation data displayed on a display of a client computing device, the activation data including activation identification data specific to a license to enable a function on the image scanning device, the encoded activation data constituting decoded activation data upon decoding of the first symbol; query the memory for the function; enable the function on the image scanning device using the decoded activation data in response to the function stored in memory; and downloading the function from the client computing device to the memory using the decrypted activation data in response to the function not stored in the memory. The function may include, for example, a disabled application stored in memory.
    Alternatively and / or additionally, the apparatus may further comprise a wireless transceiver operably coupled to the controller, the controller may be configured to communicate communicatively with the client computing device through the wireless transceiver.
    In one example, the wireless transceiver includes a nearfield wireless transceiver.
    Furthermore, the apparatus may include a communication port operably linked to the controller, wherein the controller may be arranged to communicate communicatively with the client computing device using a wired connection via the communication port.
    In another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method comprising: capturing, via an image forming assembly of a client computing device, an image of a first symbol; decoding, via a processor of the client computing device, the first symbol recorded in the image, the first symbol comprising coded identification data that uniquely identifies a client image scanning device, the coded identification data constituting decoded identification data in decoding the first symbol; generating, through the processor of the client computing device, a request to enable a function on the image scanning device of the client; receiving, via a wireless receiver from the client computing device, activation data from a server in response to the transmission of the decoded identification data and the request, the activation data including activation identification data specific to a license to enable the feature on the image scanning apparatus, and generating, on a display of the client computing device, an image of a second symbol in response to receipt of the activation data, the second symbol comprising the activation data encoded in the second symbol constituting encoded activation data .
    The method may further comprise: querying the server via a wireless transmitter of the client computing device to confirm a permission to enable the function on the client's image scanning device; and requesting, via the wireless transmitter of the client computing device, to enable the function on the image scanning device in response to confirmation from the server of permission to enable the function of the server.
    Alternatively and / or additionally, the method may further comprise: capturing, via an image-forming assembly of the client's image scanning device, an image of the second symbol displayed on the client computing device; decoding, via a processor of the client's image scanning device, the second symbol, the encoded activation data constituting decoded identification data upon decoding the second symbol; and enabling, via a processor of the client's image scanning device, the function on the image scanning device in response to decoding the second symbol.
    In the method, the function may include an application stored in a memory of the server, and the activation data includes data that enables the client's image scanning device to install the application, the method further comprising: scanning, via a processor of the client image scanning device, of a memory of the image scanning device of the client for the application in response to decoding the second symbol; via a transmitter of the client's image scanning device prompting the client computing device to download the application in response to the application not residing in the memory of the client's image scanning device; downloading, via a receiver of the client's image scanning device, the application from the client computing device; and installing, through the processor of the client's image scanning device, the application in memory.
    Further, the method may include: generating, via a processor of the client computing device, an installation prompt on the display of the client computing device in response to the request from the client's image scanning device; downloading, via a wireless receiver from the client computing device, the application from the server in response to an installation prompt of the client's image scanning device; transmitting, via a transmitter of the client computing device, a request to the server to download the application; and uploading, via the client computing device, the application to the client's image scanning device.
    In a further example, the method may further comprise: receiving, via a receiver from the server, the request from the client computing device; and uploading, via a transmitter from the server, the application to the client computing device in response to the request from the client computing device.
    The method may further comprise: receiving, via a receiver from the server, the identification data and requesting to enable the function on the client's image scanning device; identifying, through a processor of the server, a given subset of image scanning devices of which the client image scanning device is a member using the identification data, the given subset being associated with a permission to use a threshold value of copies of the function; retrieving, via a processor from the server, activation data associated with the requested function in response to: 1) scanning the client's image scanning device identified as a member of the given subset, and 2) the number of copies of the function used by the given subset is less than the threshold value; and transferring the activation data to the client computing device via a transmitter from the server. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT VIEWS
    OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements in the individual views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated into and form part of the specification, and serve to illustrate embodiments of concepts embodying the claimed invention comprise to illustrate and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system between components according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a barcode reader of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of some of the components of the barcode reader of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for updating functions on the barcode reader as performed by the smartphone of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.
    FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for updating functions on the barcode reader as performed by the barcode reader of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.
    FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for updating functions on the barcode reader as performed by the server of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.
    Those of skill in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
    The apparatus and method components are where appropriate represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. with the benefit of the description herein.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present description provides a client computing device comprising a housing, a display positioned in the housing, a wireless transceiver, an imaging assembly disposed in the housing, and a controller operably coupled to the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly includes an image sensor and the image sensor is arranged to capture at least one of: light reflected from a symbol and light emitted from the symbol. The controller is arranged to communicate communicatively with a server over a public network using the wireless transceiver, decode a first symbol captured in an image captured by the image sensor, receive activation data from the server in response to the transferring the decoded identification data to the server and a request to enable a function on the image scanning device and generate an image of a second symbol on the display. The first symbol includes coded identification data that uniquely identifies the image scanning device, and the coded identification data is decoded identification data in decoding the first symbol. The activation data includes activation identification data specific to a license to enable the feature on the image scanning device. The second symbol includes the activation data encoded in the second symbol.
    Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an image scanning apparatus comprising a housing having a cavity and a window, an imaging assembly disposed in the cavity, and a controller operably coupled to the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly includes an imager and a field of view (FOV) that extends through the window. The imager is arranged to capture at least one of: light reflected from a symbol and light emitted from the symbol. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The controller is arranged to decode a first symbol captured in an image captured by the image sensor, query the memory for the function, enable the function on the image scanning device using the decoded activation data in response to the function stored in the memory and downloading the function from the client computing device to the memory using the decoded activation data in response to the function not stored in the memory. The first symbol includes encrypted activation data displayed on a display of a client computing device.
    The activation data includes activation identification data specific to a license to enable a function on the image scanning device, and the encrypted activation data is decoded activation data in decoding the first symbol.
    Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method comprising, through an imaging assembly of a client computing device, capturing an image of a first symbol, decoding, through a processor of the client computing device, the first symbol that captured in the image, generating, via the processor of the client computing device, a request to enable a function on the image scanning device of the client, receiving, via a wireless receiver of the client computing device, activation data from a server in response to transmitting the decoded identification data and the request, and generating, on a display of the client computing device, an image of a second symbol in response to receipt of the activation data. The first symbol includes encoded identification data that uniquely identifies a client image scanning device. The encoded identification data is decoded identification data upon decoding of the first symbol. The activation data includes activation identification data specific to a license to enable the feature on the image scanning device. The second symbol includes the activation data encoded in the second symbol which is encoded activation data. Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 various aspects of an example architecture that implements a system 100 for enabling and / or uploading functions on a barcode reader, including, but not limited to, software applications, software functions, firmware updates, etc. More specific examples of the functions include, but are not limited to software for decoding different symbologies (e.g., unique device identification), software for optical character recognition, software for parsing information on a driver's license, and software for reading multiple barcodes on a single surface. The high-level architecture includes both hardware and software applications, as well as different data communication channels for communicating data between the different hardware and software components. The system 100 for enabling and / or uploading functions on a barcode reader may include various software and hardware components or modules.
    The system 100 for enabling and / or uploading functions on a barcode reader includes front-end components, including a barcode reader 102 and a client computing device 104. The client computing device 104 can include a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, a head-mounted display, a portable computer or other suitable client computer device. The client computing device 104 includes several components that are operatively coupled together, including a controller that includes a microcontroller or a processor 106, a program memory 108, a display 110, and an imaging assembly 112, such as a camera, with an image sensor, which are all interconnected via an address / data bus (not shown). The processor 106 of the client computing device 104 executes the instructions stored in the memory 108 to: 1) generate images on the display 110 and 2) capture images via the imaging assembly 112. In particular, the processor 106 performs the computer executes executable instructions stored in the memory 108 to capture images of symbols, such as barcodes, and encode the symbols captured by the image forming assembly 112 to decode information encoded within the symbol. Examples of such instructions are QR code reader applications and bar code reader applications. It will be understood that although FIG. 1 only one processor
    106, the controller may include multiple processors 106. Likewise, the controller memory 108 may include multiple RAMs and multiple program memories that store one or more corresponding server application modules, according to the specific configuration of the controller. Memory 108 can be implemented in any known form of computer storage media, including, but not limited to, semiconductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and / or optically readable memories, for example, but does not include temporary media such as carriers.
    The client computing device 104 also includes various communication components, including a hardwire communication port 114, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB), and / or a wireless nearfield transceiver 116, such as a Bluetooth® transceiver, for communication with other front-end components such as the barcode reader 102.
    Furthermore, the client computing device 104 includes a cellular network transceiver 118 and / or a local area network transceiver 120, such as a WiFi transceiver based on IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standards, for communicating with backend components 122 over a public computer network 124.
    In one embodiment, the processor 106 of the client computing device 104 executes instructions for managing and transferring data to the backend components 122 through the computer network 124, such as data decoded from a symbol captured in an image by the imaging assembly 112. More specifically, the decoded data may include identification data that uniquely identifies front-end components such as the barcode reader 102. Examples of identification data include a serial number associated with the front-end component and a model number of the front-end component. The processor of the client computing device 104 may further execute instructions to manage and receive data from the backend components 122 through the computer network 124, such as activation data to activate a non-activated function located on the barcode reader 102 or data. for the function downloadable to the barcode reader 102 itself.
    The computer network 124 may be a network such as the Internet or some other type of suitable network (e.g., local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), mobile, wired or wireless network, etc.). The computer network 124 may also be one or more cellular networks, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) network, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) network, Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, etc. The processor 106 of the client computing device 104 may also run one or more applications to perform the tasks discussed above.
    The backend components 122 may include a data server 128 and an account database 131. The backend components 122 can communicate with each other through a communications network 138 such as a local area network or other type of suitable network (e.g., the Internet, a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a cellular, a wired or wireless network. network, a private network, a virtual private network, etc.).
    The system for enabling and / or uploading functions on a barcode reader 102 in general, and the data server 128 in particular, includes computer executable instructions 130. A processor of the data server 128 executes the instructions 130 to access an access device 132 To establish, a retrieval tool 134 and an analysis tool 136. The access tool 132 receives data from the client computing device 104 and stores the data in one or more databases, such as the account database 131. The retrieval tool 134 retrieves data from the account database 131 or uses an account identifier to access customer account information from account database 131 regarding licenses for barcode readers owned or leased by the customer, and licensed functions for each of the barcode readers. The account database 131 may be a data storage device such as random-access memory (RAM), hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory, flash memory such as a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The analysis tool 136 may perform one or more analyzes of the customer account data and / or requests from the client computing device 104 before providing activation data to activate a function on the barcode reader 102.
    FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a barcode reader 102 having a housing 202 having a handle portion 204, also referred to as a handle 204, and a head portion 206, also referred to as a scan head 206. The head portion 206 includes a window 208, and is configured to be placed in position. are on top of the handle portion 204. The handle portion 204 is configured to be grasped by a reader user (not shown) and includes a trigger 210 for activation by the user. Also included in the embodiment is a base 212 attached to the handle portion 204 opposite the head portion 206. The base 212 is configured to stand on a surface and support the housing 202 in a generally upright position. The barcode reader 102 can be used in a hands-free mode as a stationary workstation when placed on the counter. The barcode reader 102 can also be used in a hand-held mode when picked up from the counter and held in the hand of an operator. In the hands-free mode, products can be slid past, swept by, or presented to the window 208. In the hand-held mode, the barcode reader 102 can be moved to a barcode on a product and the trigger 210 can be manually depressed to initiate imaging of the barcode.
    In some implementations, the base 212 may be omitted and the housing 202 may also be in other retable shapes. Other implementations may offer only handheld or only hands free configurations.
    As shown on the handle 204 of the barcode reader 102, a symbol 214, such as a barcode, is provided. It will be appreciated that the symbol 214 on the handle is an example, and the symbol 214 may accordingly be provided for any of a variety of symbologies, such as direct part marking, QR, etc. The symbol 214 encodes data that uniquely identifies the barcode reader 102. from other barcode readers. In one embodiment, the symbol 214 encodes the serial number and model number of the barcode reader 102.
    FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a portion of a barcode reader 102 in accordance with some embodiments. It will be understood that FIG. 3 is not drawn to scale. Referring to FIG. 3, an image forming assembly includes a light detection sensor or image sensor 211 operably coupled to or mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 216 in reader 102. In one embodiment, image sensor 211 is a solid state device, for example, a CCD or a CMOS device. Imager, having a one-dimensional array of addressable image sensors or pixels arranged in a single row, or a two-dimensional array of addressable image sensors or pixels arranged in mutually orthogonal rows and columns, and operable to detect return light captured by an imaging lens assembly 215 over a field of view along an imaging axis 17 through the window 208. The return light is scattered and / or reflected from the target 213 across the field of view. The imaging lens assembly 215 is operable to focus the return light on the array of image sensors to allow the target 213 to be read.
    The target 213 can be anywhere in a working range of distances between a near working distance (WD1) and a far working distance (WD2). In a preferred embodiment, WD1 is about half an inch from the window 208 and WD2 is about thirty inches from the window 208.
    An illumination light assembly is also mounted in the image reader
    102. The illumination light assembly includes an illumination light source, such as at least one light emitting diode (LED) 219 and at least one illumination lens 221, and preferably a plurality of illumination LEDs and illumination lenses, configured to provide a substantially uniformly distributed illumination pattern of illumination light. on and past the target 213 to be read by image recording. At least some of the scattered and / or reflected return light is derived from the illumination pattern of light on and along the target 213.
    A target light assembly 1s also mounted in the image reader 102, and preferably includes a target light source 223 (e.g., one or more target LEDs), and a target lens 225 for generating and directing a visible target light beam away from the reader 102 onto the target 213. The directing light beam has a cross-section with a pattern, for example a generally circular spot or reticle for placement in the center of the target 213, or a line for placement over the target 213, or a set of framing lines to delimit the field of view, to assist an operator in visually locating the target 213 in the field of view prior to capturing the image. The client computing device 104 also includes various communication components, including a wireless nearfield transceiver 230, such as a Bluetooth® transceiver, and / or a hardwire communications port 231, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB), for communicating with the client computing device 104.
    As also shown in FIG. 3, the image sensor 211, illumination LED 219, aiming LED 223, nearfield transceiver 230, and communications port 231 are operatively connected to a controller or programmed microprocessor 227 operable to control the operation of these components.
    A memory 229 is connected and accessible to the controller 227. Preferably, the microprocessor 227 is the same as the one used to process the captured return light from the illuminated target 213 to obtain data related to the target 213.
    More specifically, the microprocessor 227 is the same as the one used to communicate with the client computing device 104, including processing absorbed return or emitted light from an illuminated target.
    213 is displayed on the display screen of the client computing device to obtain data related to the target 213, as well as communicating with one or more corresponding transceivers of the client computing device 104 through the nearfield transceiver 230 and / or the communication port 231. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of driving the client computing device 104 to enable and / or upload functions to the barcode reader 102 in the embodiments described herein.
    Turning now to the flowchart of FIG. 4, when a function is to be enabled and / or uploaded to the barcode reader 102, the image forming assembly 112 of the client computing device 104 captures an image of the symbol 214 on the barcode reader 102 in block 302. As noted above, the symbol is 214 a symbology type, such as a barcode, that encodes data that uniquely identifies the barcode reader 102, for example, by serial number and / or model number.
    At block 304, the controller of the client computing device 104 decodes the symbol as captured in the image of the symbol using a decoding approach, such as a decoding algorithm, stored in the memory 108 of the client computing device 104 and executed by the processor of the device. client computing device 104 to decrypt the identification data encoded in symbol 214.
    In block 306, the client computing device 104 establishes a connection to the backend components 122, such as the server 128, over the network 124. The client computing device 104 communicates over the network 124 using the local wireless network transceiver 120 or the mobile network transceiver 118, depending on whether WiFi service or mobile service is available to the client computing device 104, and depending on the settings on the client computing device 104 for communication with backend components. In one embodiment, the client computing device 104 accesses a web page hosted and / or managed by the server 128, from which the client computing device 104 has the ability to enable a function on the barcode reader 102 and / or a function. for the barcode reader to be downloaded 102 from the server 128. In one embodiment, the web page requires authentication from the user of the client computing device 104 prior to further interaction with the server 128.
    Upon establishing communication with the server 128, the client computing device 104 transmits the identification data as decoded from the image of the symbol 214 on the barcode reader 102 to the server 128 via the network 124. Along with the transfer of the identification data, the client computing device 104 transmits a request to the server 128 to enable or install the desired function on the barcode reader 102. In one embodiment, the request may take the form of a request to the server 128 for permission to perform a function in on the barcode reader 102 as identified by the identification data, and a request to enable this function upon confirmation of the permission from the server 128. As will be further discussed below, the confirmation (or denial) may be based on the fact whether or not such function is available under a license for the barcode reader 102.
    Provided that the barcode reader 102 has permission to use the requested function, the client computing device 104 receives activation data from the server 128 at block 308. As further discussed below, the activation data is used to enable the requested function located in the memory of the barcode reader 102, but is disabled.
    In one embodiment, the activation data may be an activation code unique to the requested function, as well as identification of the function used by the barcode reader 102 to enable the function, where the function is already in memory 229 and disabled except to enter the activation code.
    In response to receiving the activation code from the server 128, the client computing device 104 encodes the activation data into a symbol in block 310. In one embodiment, the symbol with the encoded activation data may be of the same symbology type as the symbol 214 on the barcode reader 102. Preferably, however, the symbology type used to encode the activation data is one that is recognized by the barcode reader 102. That is, the barcode reader 102 has a decoding approach (e.g., decoding algorithm) to decode the symbology type used to encode the activation data. encode.
    In block 312, the client computing device 104 generates an image of the symbol encoding the activation data on the display 110 in accordance with the symbology type used to encode the activation data.
    Upon displaying the symbol, the image sensor 211 of the barcode reader 102 is capable of capturing an image of symbol as provided on the display 110 of the client computing device 104. Following the display of the symbol in block 312, the client computing device 104 thereafter for a predetermined time upon feedback from the barcode reader 102 through the nearfield transceiver 116 or through the communications port 114. In one embodiment, the barcode reader 102 provides verification that an image of the symbol has been captured, successfully decoded, and / or that the function for which the authentication data is provided is on the barcode reader 102. If such verification is provided, or the predetermined threshold is met so that the client computing device 104 can assume that the function is on the barcode reader 102, the client computing device 104 may suspend operations to enable the function on the barcode reader
    102.
    On the other hand, the client computing device 104 receives an indication from the barcode reader 102 through the nearfield transceiver 116 or communications port 114 that the function is not on the barcode reader 102 in block 316 and should be downloaded. In one embodiment, the indication may be provided by the barcode reader 102 as a prompt to install the function corresponding to the authentication data.
    In response to receiving the indication from the barcode reader 102, the client computing device 104 displays a prompt on the display 110 for the user to download the function from the server 128 in block 318. After enabling the prompt, download the client computing device 104 performs the function of the server 128 in block 320. In one embodiment, the client computing device 104 transmits a request to the server 128 via the local network transceiver 120 or cellular network transceiver 118 to download the function to the server 128. In response to the request, the server 128 transfers data for installation of the function to the client computing device 104 and the client computing device 104 downloads the data for installation of the function via the local network transceiver 120 or the cellular network transceiver 118. In block 322 , the client computing device 104 uploads the data for the function to the barcode reader
    102 through the nearfield transceiver 116 or the communications port 114 for installation. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the control of the barcode reader 102 to enable and / or download functions to the barcode reader 102 in the embodiments described herein. Turning now to the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the client computing device 104 generates an image of the symbol encoding the authentication data on the display 110, the image sensor 211 of the barcode reader 102 captures an image of the symbol at block 402. The target 213 for the barcode reader 102 in this In this case, the symbol is displayed on the client computer device 104. The aiming LED 223 is activated such that the barcode reader 102 can be aimed at the target 213 and the illumination LED 219 is activated to illuminate the target 213. The image sensor 211 then captures an image of the target 213.
    At block 404, the controller 227 uses a decoding algorithm stored in the memory 229 corresponding to the symbology type of the symbol displayed on the client computer device 104 to decode the image of the symbol as captured by the image sensor 211. In the image sensor 211 specifically, the image of the symbol is decoded to decode the activation data encoded within the symbol. As mentioned above, once decoded, the activation data may include identification of the function to be enabled and an activation code for activating the function. Using the identification of the function to be enabled, controller 227 queries memory 229 in block 406 to determine if the function is already on barcode reader 102.
    If the function is stored, but disabled, in memory 229 as determined in block 408, controller 227 uses the authentication code to enable the function in block 410. Thereafter, the barcode reader 102 can use the function, at least to the extent provided by the authentication code.
    On the other hand, if the function is not in memory 229, controller 227 may generate an indication at block 412 and transmit the indication to client computing device 104 through nearfield transceiver 116 or communication port 114. In one embodiment, the indication provided as a prompt for the client computing device 104 to download the function from the server 128.
    After the client computing device 104 has downloaded (or started downloading) the function from the server 128, the barcode reader 102 in block 414 downloads the function from the client computing device 104 through the nearfield transceiver 230 or the communication port 231 if connected via hardware communication (eg.
    USB cable). After the function has been downloaded to the barcode reader 102, the controller 227 installs and activates the function in the memory 229 in block 416. The barcode reader 102 can then use the function, at least as far as provided by the authentication code.
    FIG. 6 is a flowchart of controlling the server 128 to enable and / or download functions to the barcode reader 102 in the embodiments described herein.
    Turning now to the flowchart of FIG. 6, a receiver from the server 128, such as the access tool 132, receives the request to enable the function on the barcode reader 102 from the client computing device 104 via the network 124 in block 502. Typically, a license applies to more than one barcode reader, so that the license covers multiple barcode readers.
    For example, a license can be limited to a certain number of barcode readers within the group.
    In an example, permission to enable a desired feature can be limited to a specified number or threshold of barcode readers in the group that are allowed to use the feature.
    Identification of these barcode readers can be stored as a group (ie, a particular subset of barcode readers) within the account database 131, where the subset (s) can be identified according to the barcode readers owned / leased by a customer and / or according to permitted functions. As such, when a request to enable a feature is received by the server 128, the server 128 analyzes the identifying data that uniquely identifies the barcode reader 102 with the analyzer 136 and then identifies, using the identifier, the reader group to which the barcode is reader 102 is associated with block 504 using the retrieval tool
    134. In one embodiment, the identification data that uniquely identifies the barcode reader 102 may include data identifying the group to which the barcode reader 102 belongs.
    To determine whether the requested function is permitted for the identified barcode reader 102 under the terms of the applicable license, the server 128 determines in block 506 using the analysis tool 136 whether the barcode reader 102 is a member of the group or subset identified in block 504. For example, if the group is defined by the barcode readers owned / leased by the entity, this step can check whether the barcode reader 102 identified in the request is in fact owned / leased by the entity. In another example, if the group is defined by barcode readers that can enable the requested function, this step can verify that the barcode reader 102 identified in the request is at least nominally eligible to enable the requested function. If not, the server 128 may transmit a denial of the request to the client computing device 104 over the network 124 in block 508 using the access tool 132.
    On the other hand, if the barcode reader 102 is a member of the group or subset identified in block 504, then the server 128 can determine whether the number of barcode readers allowed to enable the function has reached a predetermined threshold in block 510. . For example,
    As noted above, the terms of the license may limit the number of barcode readers owned / leased by the customer that can enable the requested feature. Accordingly, in order to enable a function on the barcode reader identified in the request, the server 128 determines whether the number of enabled copies of the function used by the barcode readers in the group has reached the threshold. If so, the server 128 may transmit a denial of the request to the client computing device 104 over the network 124 in block 512 using the access tool
    132. On the other hand, if the threshold has not yet been reached, the server 128 may transmit the activation data to the client computing device in block 514 using the access tool 132.
    An apparatus and method are disclosed for updating functions on an image scanning device, the apparatus and method causing a client computing device to capture and decode an image of a first symbol encoding data identifying the image scanning device, a server requesting a function on turn on the image scanning device, receive activation data from the server to enable the function, and generate an image of a second symbol on a display of the client computing device encoding the activation data. The image scanning device captures an image from and decodes the second symbol and uses the decoded activation data to enable a function in the image scanning device or request a download of the function from the client computer device if the function is not in the image scanning device . The client computing device downloads the function from the server and uploads the function to the image scanning device.
    In the foregoing description, specific embodiments have been described. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Therefore, the description and figures are to be understood by way of illustration rather than limiting, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present description. In addition, the described embodiments / examples / implementations should not be construed as mutually exclusive and should instead be understood as potentially combinable if such combinations are permissible in any way. In other words, any function disclosed in any of the above embodiments / examples / implementations may be included in any of the other above embodiments / examples / implementations.
    The benefits, solutions to problems, and any element (s) that could cause any benefit or solution to occur or become more apparent should not be construed as critical, mandatory or essential features or elements of any or all of the conclusions. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any modifications made during the course of this application and all equivalents of those claims as published. For clarity and brief description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, but it is to be understood that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. It can be understood that the embodiments shown have the same or similar components, except where they are described as being different.
    In addition, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, may be used herein only to distinguish an entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or requiring an actual relationship or sequence between such entities or actions. imply. The terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “contains”, “containing” or any variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or assembly that a list includes, has, includes not only those elements, but may also include other elements not explicitly mentioned or inherent in such a process, method, item, or assembly. An element preceded by “includes. a ”,“ has… a ”,“ contains… a ”does not exclude, without further restrictions, the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising, has or contains the element. The term “one” is defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. The terms "substantially", "essential", "approximately", "approximately" or any other version thereof are defined as close to what is understood by those skilled in the art, and in a non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined as being within 10 %, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "linked" is defined herein as linked, although not necessarily direct and not necessarily mechanical. A device or structure that is “configured” in some way is configured in at least that way, but can also be configured in ways not described.
    It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be contained in one or more generic or specialized processors (or "processing devices") such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software such as firmware) that direct the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuitry, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and / or device described herein. Alternatively, some or all of the functions can be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which any function or some combinations of certain functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
    In addition, one embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium with computer-readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory), an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) and a flash memory. Furthermore, it is expected that, notwithstanding potentially considerable effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles described herein, one skilled in the art will readily be able to use such software instructions and software. generate programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
    The "Disclosure Summary" is provided to help the reader quickly discover the nature of the technical description. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Moreover, in the foregoing "detailed description", it can be seen that different features are grouped together in different embodiments to streamline the description.
    This manner of description cannot be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than those expressly set forth in each claim.
    Rather, as the following claims reflect, there is inventive matter in less than all of the features of a single described embodiment.
    Thus, the following claims are included in the "detailed description", each claim being isolated as individually claimed matter.
    权利要求:
    Claims (21)
    [1]
    A client computing device comprising: a housing; a display positioned in the housing; a first wireless transceiver; an image-forming assembly positioned in the housing and comprising an image sensor, the image sensor configured to capture at least one of: light reflected from a symbol and light radiated from the symbol; and a controller operably coupled to the imaging assembly and the first wireless transceiver, the controller configured to: communicate communicatively with a server over a public network using the first wireless transceiver; decode a first symbol recorded in an image captured by the image sensor, the first symbol comprising coded identification data uniquely identifying the image scanning device, the coded identification data constituting decoded identification data upon decoding the first symbol; receive activation data from the server in response to transmission to the server of the decoded identification data and a request to enable a function on the image scanning device, the activation data including activation identification data specific to a license to enable the function on the image scanning device; and generate an image of a second symbol on the display, the second symbol comprising the activation data encoded in the second symbol.
    [2]
    The client computing device of claim 1, wherein the function includes a disabled application stored in a memory of the image scanning device.
    [3]
    The client computing device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the function includes an application stored in a memory of the server; and the controller is further arranged to download the application from the server via the first wireless transceiver in response to an installation prompt of the image scanning device, and upload the application to the image scanning device.
    [4]
    The client computing device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the identification data includes at least one of: a serial number of the image scanning device and a model number of the image scanning device.
    [5]
    The client computing device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to: ask the server to confirm a permission to enable the function on the image scanning device; and requesting the function to be enabled on the image scanning device in response to the confirmation of permission from the server to enable the function.
    [6]
    The client computing device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to communicate communicatively with the image scanning device.
    [7]
    The client computing device of claim 6, further comprising a second wireless transceiver operationally coupled to the controller, the controller configured to communicate communicatively coupled to the image scanning device via the second wireless transceiver.
    [8]
    The client computing device of claim 7, wherein the second wireless transceiver comprises a nearfield wireless transceiver.
    [9]
    The client computing device of any of claims 6-8, further comprising a communications port operably coupled to the controller, the controller configured to communicate communicatively to the image scanning device using a wired connection through the communications port.
    [10]
    An image scanning device comprising: a housing having a cavity and a window; an imaging assembly disposed in the cavity, the imaging assembly having an imager and a field of view (FOV) extending through the window, the imager configured to capture at least one of: light reflected by a symbol and light emitted by the symbol; and a controller operably coupled to the imaging assembly, the controller having a processor and a memory, the controller configured to: decode a first symbol captured in an image captured by the image sensor, the first symbol being encoded includes activation data displayed on a display screen of a client computing device, the activation data including activation identification data specific to a license to enable a function on the image scanning device, the encrypted activation data constituting decoded activation data upon decoding of the first symbol; query the memory for the function;
    enable the function on the image scanning device using the decoded activation data in response to storing the function in memory; and downloading the function from the client computing device to the memory using the decrypted activation data in response to the function not being stored in the memory.
    [11]
    The image scanning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the function includes a disabled application stored in the memory.
    [12]
    The image scanning device of claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising a wireless transceiver operably coupled to the controller, the controller being configured to communicate communicatively with the client computing device through the wireless transceiver.
    [13]
    The image scanning device of claim 12, wherein the wireless transceiver comprises a nearfield wireless transceiver.
    [14]
    The image scanning device of any of claims 10 to 13, further comprising a communication port operably coupled to the controller, the controller configured to communicate communicatively with the client computing device using a wired connection through the communication port.
    [15]
    A method comprising: capturing, via an image forming assembly of a client computing device, an image of a first symbol; decoding, via a processor of the client computing device, the first symbol recorded in the image, the first symbol comprising coded identification data that uniquely identifies an image scanning device of the client, the coded identification data constituting decoded identification data in decoding of the first symbol;
    generating, through the processor of the client computing device, a request to enable a function on the image scanning device of the client; receiving, via a wireless receiver from the client computing device, activation data from a server in response to the transmission of the decoded identification data and the request, the activation data including activation identification data specific to a license to enable the feature on the image scanning apparatus and generating, on a display of the client computing device, an image of a second symbol in response to receipt of the activation data, the second symbol comprising the activation data encoded in the second symbol constituting encoded activation data.
    [16]
    The method of claim 15, further comprising: requesting, via a wireless transmitter of the client computing device, the server to confirm a permission to enable the function on the image scanning device of the client; and requesting, via the wireless transmitter of the client computing device, to enable the function on the image scanning device in response to a confirmation of permission from the server to enable the function.
    [17]
    The method of claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising: capturing, via an image forming assembly of the client's image scanning device, an image of the second symbol displayed on the client computing device; decoding, via a processor of the client's image scanning device, the second symbol, the encoded activation data constituting decoded identification data upon decoding the second symbol; and enabling, via a processor of the client's image scanning device, the function on the image scanning device in response to decoding the second symbol.
    [18]
    The method of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the function includes an application stored in a memory of the server, and the activation data includes data that enables the client's image scanning device to install the application, the the method further comprising: scanning, through a processor of the client's image scanning device, a memory of the client's image scanning device for the application in response to decoding the second symbol; triggering, via a driver of the client's image scanning device, the client computing device to download the application in response to the application not residing in the memory of the client's image scanning device; downloading, via a receiver of the client's image scanning device, the application from the client computing device; and installing, through the processor of the client's image scanning device, the application in memory.
    [19]
    The method of claim 18, further comprising: generating, via a processor of the client computing device, an installation prompt on the display of the client computing device in response to the request from the client's image scanning device; downloading, via a wireless receiver from the client computing device, the application from the server in response to an installation prompt of the client's image scanning device; transmitting, via a transmitter of the client computing device, a request to the server to download the application; and uploading, via the client computing device, the application to the client's image scanning device.
    [20]
    The method of claim 19, further comprising: receiving, via a receiver from the server, the request from the client computing device; and uploading, via a transmitter from the server, the application to the client computing device in response to the request from the client computing device.
    [21]
    The method of any of claims 15 to 20, further comprising: receiving, via a receiver from the server, the identification data and requesting the function to be enabled on the image scanning device of the client; identifying, through a processor of the server, a given subset of image scanning devices, of which the client image scanning device is a part, by means of the identification data, the given subset being associated with a permission to set a threshold value of copy number of the function. use; retrieving, through a server processor, activation data associated with the requested function in response to: 1) scanning the client's image scanning device as a member of the given subset, and 2) the number of copies of the function being used by the given subset that is less than the threshold value; and transferring, via a transmitter from the server, the actlverimgs data to the client computing device.
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    同族专利:
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    GB202101917D0|2021-03-31|
    US10515248B1|2019-12-24|
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    WO2020040901A1|2020-02-27|
    DE112019004221T5|2021-05-27|
    GB2592755B|2022-03-02|
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    法律状态:
    2021-01-15| FG| Patent granted|Effective date: 20201120 |
    优先权:
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