1. A method of unlocking restricted extended classes of features and functionalities embodied within an optical scanning system having an extended programming mode, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an optical scanning system supporting baseline classes of features and functionalities, and having an extended feature class programming mode for programming extended classes of features and functionalities, in addition to said baseline classes of features and functionalities; (b) assigning a license key to said optical scanning system, for unlocking at least one of said extended classes of features and functionalities, and programming said optical scanning 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; (c) procuring a license to unlock and use said at least one of said extended classes of feature and functionalities, and obtaining said license key assigned to said optical scanning system; (d) causing said optical scanning system to operate in said extended feature class programming; and (e) while said optical scanning system is operating in said extended feature class programming, using said license key to unlock said at least one of the extended classes of features and functionalities, and program said optical scanning system to operate with said at least one of the extended classes of feature and functionalities, in addition to said baseline classes of features and functionalities.