Patent ID: 7980471

Claim:
A method of unlocking restricted extended classes of features and functionalities embodied within a digital image capture and processing system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a digital image capture and processing system supporting baseline classes of features and functionalities and also extended classes of features and functionalities; (b) assigning a license key for use in generating an encrypted extended feature class activating code symbol which, when read by said digital image capture and processing system automatically causes said digital image capture and processing system to operate in an extended programming mode, unlocking at least one of said extended classes of features and functionalities, and programming said digital image capture and processing system to operate with said at least one of said extended classes of feature and functionalities, in addition to said baseline classes of features and functionalities; and (c) using said digital image capture and processing system to read said encrypted extended feature class activating code symbol and automatically causing said digital image capture and processing system to operate in said extended programming mode, unlocking said at least one of the extended classes of features and functionalities, and programming said digital image capture and processing system to operate with said at least one of said extended classes of feature and functionalities, in addition to said baseline classes of features and functionalities.