Multiple-interface selection system for computer peripherals

A method for configuring a data reader for a given host, comprising the steps of:

• supplying the data reader with sufficient internal architecture to be configurable for at least two different hosts;
• equipping the data reader with at least two internal configuration selection switch settings, the data reader being selectively configured for a given host by selecting a given one or more of said internal configuration selection switch settings;
• selecting a matching interconnect cable which matches the data reader and the given host, the interconnect cable having a first end connector for attaching to the data reader, the interconnect cable having a label thereon containing encoded data which may be read by the data reader;
• attaching the interconnect cable to the data reader;
• reading the encoded data contained on the label of the interconnect cable with the data reader;
• processing the encoded data which contains instructions for selection of internal hardware and/or firmware for the data reader;
• by means of an internal configuration routine, configuring the data reader for the particular host by selecting proper parameter settings on the basis of the instructions from the encoded data.

A handheld data reader system which is configurable to a plurality of host interfaces, comprising:

• a host interface;
• a handheld data reader unit having internal architecture such that the unit may be configured for use with at least two different host interfaces;
• an interface connector cable connected at a first end thereof to the handheld data reader unit and connectable at a second end thereof to a given host interface, the interface connector cable having a label with configuration data encoded thereon, the configuration data comprising information used by the handheld data reader unit to configure itself for the given host interface;
• wherein the handheld data reader includes an internal operation routine which provides for configuring the handheld data reader for the given host interface on the basis of the information obtained by reading said label on said interface connector cable.

An interface configuration system for configuring a data reader unit for a given host interface, comprising:

• a data reader unit having (a) at least two internal configuration selection circuits and (b) having internal architecture such that the data reader unit may be configured for use with at least two different host interfaces by actuation of a given one or more of said internal configuration selection circuits;
• and
• an interface connector cable having a first end connectable to the data reader unit and a second end connectable to the given host interface, said interface connector cable including
• at least one electrical connection between two contacts which, when the first end of said interface connector cable is plugged into the data reader, completes the given one or more of said internal configuration selection circuits within the data reader unit thereby configuring the internal architecture of the data reader unit such that the data reader unit corresponds to the given host interface and
• a label with configuration data encoded thereon, the configuration data comprising information used by the handheld data reader unit to configure itself for the given host,
• wherein the data reader includes an internal operation routine which provides for configuring the data reader for the given host on the basis of the information obtained by reading said label on said interface connector cable.

An interface connector cable for configuring a handheld data reader for a particular application or host, comprising

• a first end connector connectable to the handheld data reader, the first end connecting having at least one electrical connection between two contacts for completing an internal configuration selection circuit within the handheld data reader thereby internally configuring the handheld data reader for the particular application or host;
• a label with configuration data encoded thereon, the configuration data comprising information used by the handheld data reader unit to configure itself for the given host;
• and
• an identifying code located on an outer surface of the interface connector cable, the identifying code corresponding to the particular application or host.

A method for internally configuring a data reader for a given application, comprising the steps of

• (1) identifying the data reader;
• (2) identifying the given host/application for which the data reader will be used;
• (3) selecting a correct interface connector cable by identifying a connector cable having an identifying code corresponding to the data reader and the given host/application identified in steps (1) and (2);
• (4) connecting the interface connector cable selected in step (3) to the data reader and the host;
• (5) reading encoded data contained on a label on the interconnect cable with the data reader;
• (6) processing the encoded data which contains instructions for selection of configuration parameters for the data reader;
• and
• (7) by means of an internal configuration routine, configuring the data reader for the particular application by selecting proper internal parameter settings on the basis of the instructions from the encoded data.