Testing automatic data collection devices, such as barcode, rfid and/or magnetic stripe readers

Abstract

Automatic data collection devices such as barcode readers, RFID readers, magnetic stripe readers and the like may be tested using ADC device test executables, modules, or processes stored at a variety of network locations. One or more sets of tests or work lists may be defined to facilitate testing. Tests may be identified by name and/or keyword. Keywords may be indicative one or more functionalities tested by the respective ADC device test module.

1 . A method of testing automatic data collection devices, the method comprising:
 automatically determining a set of functionalities of a target automatic data collection device to be tested;   based on the determined set of functionalities of the target automatic data collection device, automatically identifying a number of automatic data collection tests to be run against the target automatic data collection device;   determining whether any of the identified automatic data collection tests are indicated as being disabled;   executing at least one of the identified automatic data collection tests against the target automatic data collection device, but not executing against the target automatic data collection device any of the identified automatic data collection tests that are indicated as being disabled; and   at least temporarily storing a set of results from the execution of the identified automatic data collection tests against the target automatic data collection device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether any of the identified automatic data collection tests are indicated as being disabled comprises:
 querying a global set of automatic data collection test disablement information stored on at least one location on a network; and/or   querying a global set of automatic data collection test disablement information stored on at least one location on a network based on at least one keyword indicative of a functionality of the target automatic data collection device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein automatically determining a set of functionalities of a target automatic data collection device to be tested includes:
 remotely querying the target automatic data collection device; and/or   querying a database that stores relationships between a number of automatic data collection device model identifiers and a number of functionalities of automatic data collection devices of specific models.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein automatically identifying a number of automatic data collection tests to be run against the target automatic data collection device based on the determined set of functionalities of the target automatic data collection device includes locating respective ones of the identified automatic data collection tests at various locations on a network. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein locating respective ones of the identified automatic data collection tests at various locations on a network includes determining at least one keyword associated with at least of the functionalities and searching the network based on the determined keyword for automatic data collection tests corresponding to the at least one keyword. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein searching the network based on determined keywords for automatic data collection tests corresponding to the at least one keyword includes searching the network for dynamically linked libraries having attributes with at least one keyword that matches the determined keyword. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 providing a set of interim results formatted within a work list of the identified automatic data collection tests while executing the at least one of the identified automatic data collection tests against the target automatic data collection device; and/or   providing a set of final results formatted within a work list of the identified automatic data collection tests after executing the at least one of the identified automatic data collection tests against the target automatic data collection device, with any failures visually emphasized.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising storing a work list indicative of the identified automatic data collection tests and a respective location of each of the automatic data collection tests on a network, the work list selectively retrievable to rerun the identified automatic data collection tests. 
     
     
         9 . A method of facilitating testing automatic data collection devices, the method comprising:
 forming a first set of data that identifies a plurality of automatic data collection device tests, where an executable module for a respective one of each of the automatic data collection tests are stored at a number of different storage locations; and   assigning at least a first identifier to the first set of data that identifies the number of automatic data collection device tests.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein forming a first set of data that identifies a plurality of automatic data collection device tests includes forming the first set of data that identifies at least two automatic data collection devices tests, where the respective executable modules for each of the at least two automatic data collection tests are distributed at respective locations on a network, the at least two respective locations being different from one another. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein assigning at least a first identifier to the first set of data that identifies the number of automatic data collection device tests includes assigning a first name to the first set. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising:
 receiving a run test command including the first identifier; and   running the executable modules of each of the respective automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data against a target automatic data collection device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising:
 receiving a run test command including the first identifier;   determining if any of the automatic data collection device tests are identified as being disabled;   locating the executable modules of at least some of the respective automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data; and   running the located executable modules of the respective automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data which are not identified as disabled against a target automatic data collection device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising providing a set of interim results formatted within a framework of the automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising providing a set of final results formatted within a framework of the automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data after executing the identified automatic data collection tests against the target automatic data collection device, with any failures visually emphasized. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising:
 forming a second set of data that identifies a plurality of automatic data collection device tests, where an executable module for a respective one of each of the automatic data collection tests are stored at a number of different storage locations; and   assigning at least a second identifier to the first set of data that identifies the number of automatic data collection device tests.   
     
     
         17 . A system for facilitating testing automatic data collection devices, the system comprising:
 a network port to provide communications via a network;   a processor coupled to the network port; and   a processor-readable medium that stores instructions that cause the processor to facilitate testing by:
 forming a first set of data that identifies a plurality of automatic data collection device tests, where an executable module for a respective one of each of the automatic data collection tests are stored at a number of different storage locations; and 
 assigning at least a first identifier to the first set of data that identifies the number of automatic data collection device tests. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to facilitate testing by:
 receiving a run test command including the first identifier;   locating the executable modules of each of the respective automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data; and   running the located executable modules of each of the respective automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data against a target automatic data collection device.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to facilitate testing by:
 receiving a run test command including the first identifier;   determining if any of the automatic data collection device tests are identified as being disabled;   locating the executable modules of at least some of the respective automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data; and   running the located executable modules of the respective automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data which are not identified as disabled against a target automatic data collection device.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to facilitate testing by:
 providing a set of results formatted within a framework of the automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data; and/or   providing a set of final results formatted within a framework of the automatic data collection device tests identified by the first set of data after executing the identified automatic data collection tests against the target automatic data collection device, with any failures visually emphasized.