Barcode-reading system

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A barcode-reading system for a mobile device, comprising:
 a barcode-reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device, the barcode-reading enhancement accessory comprising at least one optic system that is positioned either within a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device for modifying the field of illumination projected by the light source or within a field of view of a camera of the mobile device for modifying illumination reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera; and   a barcode-reading application stored in a memory of the mobile device and executable by a processor of the mobile device,   wherein the barcode-reading application is configured to operate in a base mode or an enhanced mode,   wherein in the base mode of operation, the barcode-reading application is configured to:
 control a network interface of the mobile device to establish a network connection to a licensing server and obtain a license code from the licensing server; 
 subject the license code to a predetermined algorithm and determine at least one operating permission authorized by the license code; and 
 enable an enhanced mode of operation, 
   wherein in the enhanced mode of operation, the barcode-reading application is configured to implement at least one enhanced barcode-reading function which corresponds to the at least one operating permission authorized by the license code.