Patent ID: 8548420

Claim:
A data collection device comprising: an image signal generating system for reading and interpreting bar codes; a scan key to initiate reading and interpreting bar codes; a memory for storing bar code data; a temperature sensor communicatively coupled to the memory; a wireless communication device; a dedicated panic button; and a processor in communication with the memory, wherein the data collection device is configured to perform a method, the method comprising: receiving, by the processor, an alert responsive to a user activating the dedicated panic button; switching, by the processor, the image signal generating system to an image capture mode, responsive to receiving the alert; capturing, by the image signal generating system, responsive to being switched into image capture mode, image data and saving the image data in the memory; capturing, by the temperature sensor, temperature data and saving the temperature data in the memory; compiling, by the processor, a message comprising the image data and the temperature data; retrieving a designated emergency contact record from the memory; and utilizing the wireless communication device to send a message to the designated emergency contact; and erasing, by the processor, scan data stored in a predetermined section of the memory or a predetermined file or group of files in the memory in response to receiving the alert.