Barcode-reading Application Mode Switching via Licensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with barcode-reading capabilities often operate in limited modes without proper licensing, restricting advanced decoding functions and image processing capabilities, which hinders efficient barcode reading and decoding.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a mobile device accesses a licensing server to obtain a license for a barcode-reading application, enabling enhanced modes of operation with specific permissions, allowing for unrestricted decoding of barcodes, faster processing, and improved image processing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile device operates in base mode without licensing, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but barcode decoding capability and processing speed are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The barcode reading application implements dynamic mode switching between base mode and enhanced mode. The system automatically adjusts its functionality based on licensing status, allowing users to operate in simplified base mode without licensing while enabling full enhanced mode capabilities when a license is obtained. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation in base mode while preserving the option for full productivity in enhanced mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by introducing licensing as a controlling variable. When a license is obtained, the system transitions from base mode with restricted parameters to enhanced mode with expanded parameters including faster processing speeds, additional barcode symbologies, and advanced image processing capabilities. This parameter change mechanism allows the system to satisfy both ease of operation (in base mode) and high productivity (in enhanced mode).
2Device complexity
If a mobile device operates in base mode without licensing, then device complexity is reduced, but barcode decoding speed and quantity are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The barcode reading application is segmented into two distinct operational modes: base mode and enhanced mode. Base mode contains the essential, simplified functionality with lower complexity, while enhanced mode contains the advanced high-speed decoding capabilities. This segmentation allows the system to maintain low complexity in base mode while providing access to high productivity in enhanced mode when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The base mode implements partial action by providing a subset of the full barcode reading functionality. It handles common barcode types at standard speeds, which is sufficient for many applications. When higher productivity is required, the system can transition to enhanced mode that implements the full capability set including faster processing and support for additional barcode symbologies.
3Ease of operation
If a mobile device operates in base mode without licensing, then ease of operation is improved, but image processing capability is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts image processing capabilities based on licensing status. In base mode, the system uses simplified image processing algorithms that are easier to operate but have limited capability. When a license is obtained, the system transitions to enhanced mode where advanced image processing functions become available, improving reliability for challenging barcode scenarios while maintaining ease of operation through automatic mode management.
4Productivity
If a mobile device operates in enhanced mode with licensing, then barcode decoding capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The licensing system acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of enhanced mode functionality. Rather than requiring users to directly configure and manage complex enhanced features, the license serves as a mediator that automatically enables the appropriate level of functionality. This intermediary approach allows high productivity in enhanced mode while shielding users from the underlying complexity through automated license-based control.
Data Source
AI summary
This patent specification describes operations of a mobile device with barcode-reading capabilities and an application and license server. A mobile device may include a barcode-reading application downloaded from an application server. The barcode-reading application may operate in a base mode or an enhanced mode. In the base mode, the barcode-reading application may establish a network connection to a licensing server to obtain a license code, and determine at least one operating permission authorized by the license code. In the enhanced mode, the barcode-reading application may implement at least one enhanced barcode-reading function which corresponds to the at least one operating permission authorized by the license code. For example, the enhanced barcode-reading function may be a function of decoding a barcode symbology that the decoder is restricted from decoding in the base mode of operation.