Abstract: A system may include a plurality of stations that implement a workflow process. The workflow process may include reading a barcode in connection with at least some of the plurality of stations. The barcode may be attached to an item that is moved between the plurality of stations during the workflow process. The system may additionally include a plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices may be located at one of the plurality of stations. At least some of the plurality of devices may include barcode reading capability. The system may additionally include process management code stored in memory on at least some of the plurality of devices. The process management code may be executable by one or more processors on the plurality of devices to determine auxiliary data corresponding to the workflow process and send the auxiliary data to a server.

Abstract: A barcode-reading system may include a barcode reader and at least one detector that is configured to detect a characteristic of an environment in which the barcode-reading system is located. The barcode-reading system may also include a controller that is configured to adjust at least one output of the barcode-reading system based on at least one detected characteristic.

Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode-reading enhancement accessory for a mobile device having a barcode-reading capability. The accessory may include an outer case and an inner carriage. A mobile device is encased in the inner carriage, and the combination of the inner carriage and the mobile device is accommodated in the outer case. The inner carriage is configured to accommodate a mobile device of a particular size such that a mobile device of a different size may be accommodated in the outer case using a different inner carriage. The accessory may also include an optic system to fold an optical path of a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device and/or a field of view of a camera of the mobile device.

Abstract: A presentation stand for enabling a mobile device to read barcodes in presentation mode includes a cradle portion that is connected to the base portion. The cradle portion is configured to hold the mobile device in a position for reading a barcode. A shield portion is attached to the cradle portion and configured to modify a field of view of a camera of the mobile device. The shield portion is also configured to modify a field of illumination of an illumination source of the mobile device. The shield portion includes a camera optic system that is at least partially aligned with the camera of the mobile device when the mobile device is held in the cradle portion. The shield portion also includes an illumination optic system that is at least partially aligned with the illumination source of the mobile device when the mobile device is held in the cradle portion.

Abstract: An accessory for a mobile device includes a battery pack comprising a battery, battery pack memory, and battery data stored in the battery pack memory. The battery is an auxiliary power source for the mobile device when the accessory is electrically coupled to the mobile device. The accessory additionally includes accessory memory and accessory data stored in the accessory memory. The accessory data and the battery data may be obtained by the application on the mobile device when the accessory is electrically coupled to the mobile device.

Abstract: An accessory for a mobile device includes a battery pack comprising a battery, battery pack memory, and battery data stored in the battery pack memory. The battery is an auxiliary power source for the mobile device when the accessory is electrically coupled to the mobile device. The accessory additionally includes accessory memory and accessory data stored in the accessory memory. The accessory data and the battery data may be obtained by the application on the mobile device when the accessory is electrically coupled to the mobile device.

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.

Abstract: A system may include a plurality of stations that implement a workflow process. The workflow process may include reading a barcode in connection with at least some of the plurality of stations. The barcode may be attached to an item that is moved between the plurality of stations during the workflow process. The system may additionally include a plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices may be located at one of the plurality of stations. At least some of the plurality of devices may include barcode reading capability. The system may additionally include process management code stored in memory on at least some of the plurality of devices. The process management code may be executable by one or more processors on the plurality of devices to determine auxiliary data corresponding to the workflow process and send the auxiliary data to a server.

Abstract: An accessory for a mobile device includes a battery pack comprising a battery, battery pack memory, and battery data stored in the battery pack memory. The battery is an auxiliary power source for the mobile device when the accessory is electrically coupled to the mobile device. The accessory additionally includes accessory memory and accessory data stored in the accessory memory. The accessory data and the battery data may be obtained by the application on the mobile device when the accessory is electrically coupled to the mobile device.

Abstract: A presentation stand for enabling a mobile device to read barcodes in presentation mode includes a cradle portion that is connected to the base portion. The cradle portion is configured to hold the mobile device in a position for reading a barcode. A shield portion is attached to the cradle portion and configured to modify a field of view of a camera of the mobile device. The shield portion is also configured to modify a field of illumination of an illumination source of the mobile device. The shield portion includes a camera optic system that is at least partially aligned with the camera of the mobile device when the mobile device is held in the cradle portion. The shield portion also includes an illumination optic system that is at least partially aligned with the illumination source of the mobile device when the mobile device is held in the cradle portion.

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.

Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode-reading enhancement accessory for a mobile device having a barcode-reading capability. The accessory may include an outer case and an inner carriage. A mobile device is encased in the inner carriage, and the combination of the inner carriage and the mobile device is accommodated in the outer case. The inner carriage is configured to accommodate a mobile device of a particular size such that a mobile device of a different size may be accommodated in the outer case using a different inner carriage. The accessory may also include an optic system to fold an optical path of a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device and/or a field of view of a camera of the mobile device.

Abstract: A barcode-reading system may include a barcode reader and at least one detector that is configured to detect a characteristic of an environment in which the barcode-reading system is located. The barcode-reading system may also include a controller that is configured to adjust at least one output of the barcode-reading system based on at least one detected characteristic.

Abstract: Verification operations may be performed in connection with individuals' age-restricted interactions with an establishment. A barcode reading application running on a mobile device may be used to read a barcode on an ID card corresponding to an individual. Personal information associated with the individual may be extracted from the decoded data. The barcode reading application may determine, using the personal information, whether the individual satisfies a minimum age requirement for participating in an age-restricted interaction with an establishment. The barcode reading application may also perform at least one additional function related to the individual's participation or attempted participation in the age-restricted interaction when operating in an enhanced mode of operation.

Abstract: A system may include a plurality of stations that implement a workflow process. The workflow process may include reading a barcode in connection with at least some of the plurality of stations. The barcode may be attached to an item that is moved between the plurality of stations during the workflow process. The system may additionally include a plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices may be located at one of the plurality of stations. At least some of the plurality of devices may include barcode reading capability. The system may additionally include process management code stored in memory on at least some of the plurality of devices. The process management code may be executable by one or more processors on the plurality of devices to determine auxiliary data corresponding to the workflow process and send the auxiliary data to a server.

Abstract: A presentation stand for enabling a mobile device to read barcodes in presentation mode includes a cradle portion that is connected to the base portion. The cradle portion is configured to hold the mobile device in a position for reading a barcode. A shield portion is attached to the cradle portion and configured to modify a field of view of a camera of the mobile device. The shield portion is also configured to modify a field of illumination of an illumination source of the mobile device. The shield portion includes a camera optic system that is at least partially aligned with the camera of the mobile device when the mobile device is held in the cradle portion. The shield portion also includes an illumination optic system that is at least partially aligned with the illumination source of the mobile device when the mobile device is held in the cradle portion.

Abstract: A system may include a plurality of stations that implement a workflow process. The workflow process may include reading a barcode in connection with at least some of the plurality of stations. The barcode may be attached to an item that is moved between the plurality of stations during the workflow process. The system may additionally include a plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices may be located at one of the plurality of stations. At least some of the plurality of devices may include barcode reading capability. The system may additionally include process management code stored in memory on at least some of the plurality of devices. The process management code may be executable by one or more processors on the plurality of devices to determine auxiliary data corresponding to the workflow process and send the auxiliary data to a server.

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.

Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode-reading enhancement accessory for a mobile device having a barcode-reading capability. The accessory may include an outer case and an inner carriage. A mobile device is encased in the inner carriage, and the combination of the inner carriage and the mobile device is accommodated in the outer case. The inner carriage is configured to accommodate a mobile device of a particular size such that a mobile device of a different size may be accommodated in the outer case using a different inner carriage. The accessory may also include an optic system to fold an optical path of a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device and/or a field of view of a camera of the mobile device.

Abstract: A barcode-reading system may include a barcode reader and at least one detector that is configured to detect a characteristic of an environment in which the barcode-reading system is located. The barcode-reading system may also include a controller that is configured to adjust at least one output of the barcode-reading system based on at least one detected characteristic.