Patent ID: 7281663
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: B82Y,G06K

Abstract:
1. A wireless automatically-activated code symbol reading system for use in a work environment, said wireless automatically-activated code symbol reading system comprising: (A) a wireless hand-supportable 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 in a reliable manner, said wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader including (B) said base station installable within a work environment and including wherein said first and second RF-based transceiver circuits enable a RF-based wireless data communication link between said wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader and said base station; wherein said first and second RF-based transceiver circuits cooperate to enable the communication of data packets between said wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader and said base station, over said RF-based wireless data communication link; 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 reference signal has a strength that varies with distance traveled by said reference signal; 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 said device controller is programmed to automatically detect when said wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader is located inside of said predetermined RF communication range based on measuring the strength of said detected reference signal, and thereupon to automatically transmit to said first RF-based transceiver, the symbol character data string produced at substantially the same time when said data transmission control activation signal is generated while said wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader is located inside of said predetermined RF communication range.