Apparatus and method to configure a device, such as a printer, over a network

A method of operating a processor controlled device, comprising:

• executing a first kernel of instructions stored in a memory of the device to monitor a communications port of the device;
• executing a second kernel of instructions to interrogate the operational characteristics of the device;
• and
• linking a number of library modules of executable instructions based on a results of the interrogation to create a dynamic set of executable operating instructions for the device.

A method of configuring a printer over a network, comprising:

• executing a communications kernel stored in a memory in the printer, the first kernel consisting of instructions for monitoring a communications port in the printer;
• receiving a setup kernel over the network at the communications port in the printer;
• executing the setup kernel to determine at least one operational characteristic of the printer;
• and
• linking a number of library modules of executable instructions based on the operational characteristic of the printer.

A printer comprising:

• a printhead;
• a communications port;
• and
• a processor controlling the printhead, the processor executing:
• a communications kernel at a first time;
• a setup kernel at a second time, following the first time;
• and
• a linked library of executable modules at a third time, following the second time.

A printer comprising:

• a printhead;
• a communications port;
• a processor controlling the printhead;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor to provide executable instructions thereto, the memory storing:
• a communications kernel at a first time;
• a setup kernel at a second time, following the first time;
• and
• at least one module of a linked library of executable modules at a third time, following the second time.

A method of configuring an automatic data collection device, comprising:

• initializing a volatile memory;
• executing a communications kernel resident in the automatic data collection device;
• downloading a setup kernel to the memory of the automatic data collection device;
• executing the setup kernel to determine at least one operational characteristic of the automatic data collection device;
• and
• selectively linking a number of library modules of executable instructions based on the determined operational characteristic of the automatic data collection device.

A method of operating a processor controlled automatic data collection device, comprising:

• executing a first kernel of instructions stored in a memory of the automatic data collection device to monitor a communications port of the automatic data collection device;
• executing a second kernel of instructions to interrogate the operational characteristics of the automatic data collection device;
• and
• linking a number of library modules of executable instructions based on a results of the interrogation to create a dynamic set of executable operating instructions for the automatic data collection device.

A method of operating a processor controlled automatic data collection device wherein the automatic data collection device is a symbol reader, comprising:

• executing a first kernel of instructions stored in a memory of the automatic data collection device to monitor a communications port of the automatic data collection device;
• executing a second kernel of instructions to interrogate the operational characteristics of the automatic data collection device wherein executing the second kernel of instructions to interrogate the operational characteristics of the automatic data collection device includes interrogating a set of hardware characteristics of the symbol reader including an operating characteristic of an imager in the symbol reader;
• and
• linking a number of library modules of executable instructions based on a results of the interrogation to create a dynamic set of executable operating instructions for the automatic data collection device.

A method of operating a processor controlled automatic data collection device wherein the automatic data collection device is an RFID tag reader, comprising:

• executing a first kernel of instructions stored in a memory of the automatic data collection device to monitor a communications port of the automatic data collection device;
• executing a second kernel of instructions to interrogate the operational characteristics of the automatic data collection device wherein executing the second kernel of instructions to interrogate the operational characteristics of the automatic data collection device includes interrogating a set of hardware characteristics of the RFID tag reader including an operating characteristic of a radio in the RFID tag reader;
• and
• linking a number of library modules of executable instructions based on a results of the interrogation to create a dynamic set of executable operating instructions for the automatic data collection device.

A method of configuring an automatic data collection device over a network, comprising:

• executing a communications kernel stored in a memory in the automatic data collection device, the first kernel consisting of instructions for monitoring a communications port in the automatic data collection device;
• receiving a setup kernel over the network at the communications port in the automatic data collection device;
• executing the setup kernel to determine at least one operational characteristic of the automatic data collection device;
• and
• linking a number of library modules of executable instructions based on the operational characteristic of the automatic data collection device.

A method of configuring an automatic data collection device over a network, comprising:

• executing a communications kernel stored in a memory in the automatic data collection device, the first kernel consisting of instructions for monitoring a communications port in the automatic data collection device;
• receiving a setup kernel over the network at the communications port in the automatic data collection device;
• executing the setup kernel to determine at least one operational characteristic of the automatic data collection device wherein executing the setup kernel to determine at least one operational characteristic of the automatic data collection device includes determining an operating characteristic of a radio in the automatic data collection device;
• and
• linking a number of library modules of executable instructions based on the operational characteristic of the automatic data collection device.

An automatic data collection device, comprising:

• an imager;
• a communications port;
• and
• a processor controlling the imager, the processor executing:
• a communications kernel at a first time;
• a setup kernel at a second time, following the first time;
• and
• a linked library of executable modules at a third time, following the second time.

An automatic data collection device, comprising:

• an RF interrogator;
• a communications port;
• and
• a processor controlling the RF interrogator, the processor executing:
• a communications kernel at a first time;
• a setup kernel at a second time, following the first time;
• and
• a linked library of executable modules at a third time, following the second time.