Patent ID: 8313032

Claim:
A method for time stamping an image file generated by an imaging based barcode reader, the method comprising: a microprocessor; initializing a current time and date on the imaging based barcode reader after powering on the barcode reader; tracking the current time and date based upon the frequency of an oscillator of the imaging based barcode reader, and wherein the oscillator is operationally coupled to the microprocessor to supplying timing information for the operation of the microprocessor; capturing an image of a barcode on a target object using the imaging based barcode reader; time stamping the captured image of the barcode using the tracking, wherein said time stamping comprises storing in an image file having therein both the captured image of the barcode and the current time obtained from said tracking step; and wherein initializing a current time and date includes setting a current time and date value upon powering on the imaging based barcode reader.