Patent ID: 8196833

Claim:
A programmable synthetic barcode module comprising: a light management module that produces output signals corresponding to received light pulses, emits light pulses that emulate light reflected from a scanned barcode in scan mode, and emits light pulses that enable optical bidirectional communication in programming mode, said light management module comprising an LED operating as both an optical receiver and an optical emitter, wherein the LED receives light pulses, produces output signals corresponding to the received light pulses, and emits light pulses; and a controller module that receives and stores at least one code corresponding to at least one data field, receives said output signals corresponding to received light pulses, determines if the received light pulses correspond to scan mode or programming mode, and outputs driver signals to cause the light management module to emit the light pulses that emulate light reflected from a scanned barcode to communicate the at least one code optically in scan mode, and to emit light pulses that enable optical bidirectional half-duplex communication in programming mode.