Patent ID: 6138914
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
Apparatus for scanning bar codes, comprising:one or more host computers, each host computer having an associated radio receiver configured to receive data over a predetermined communication channel;a control bar code associated with each host computer, the control bar code containing information identifying a predetermined communication channel and an identification number associated with the associated host computer; anda portable bar code scanner having a decoding device that decodes the information in a bar code and a radio transmitter configured to transmit data over a selected one of a plurality of communication channels, wherein the portable bar code scanner, upon decoding a control bar code associated with a selected host computer, determines the communication channel and identification number associated with the selected host computer and configures its radio transmitter to communicate with the radio receiver associated with the selected host computer, such configuring including selecting the predetermined communication channel of that radio receiver, based on the information contained in the decoded control bar code.