Patent ID: 7172126
Filing Date: 2007-02-06
Classification: B82Y,G06K

Abstract:
1. An automatically-activated wireless bar code symbol reading system for use in a work environment and having an operational mode and a sleep mode, said automatically-activated wireless bar code symbol reading system comprising: (A) a wireless hand-supportable bar code symbol reader in two-way RF communication with a base station operably connected to a host system, by way of an RF-based wireless data communication link having a predetermined RF communication range over which two-way communication of data packets can occur, said wireless hand-supportable bar code reader including (B) said base station installable within a work environment and including wherein said first and second RF-based transceiver chipsets enable said RF-based wireless data communication link between said wireless hand-supportable bar code symbol reader and said base station; wherein said first and second RF-based transceiver chipsets cooperate to enable the communication of data packets over said RF-based wireless data communication link, during said operational mode; wherein said second RF-based transceiver includes means for automatically generating and transmitting a reference signal to said first RF-based transceiver circuit over said RF-based wireless data communication link; wherein said first RF-based transceiver circuit includes means for automatically receiving said reference signal and detecting the strength of said reference signal; and wherein when said system enters said sleep mode, then said first and second RF-based chipsets and said first and second microcontrollers associated therewith are automatically deactivated and said RF-based wireless data communication link is terminated to conserve said electrical power within said wireless hand-supportable bar code symbol reader, and wherein, when said system re-enters its operational mode, then said first and second RF-based chipsets and said first and second microcontrollers associated therewith are automatically reactivated and said RF-based wireless data communication link is re-established to resume communication between said wireless hand-supportable bar code symbol reader and said base station.