Patent ID: 7387253

Claim:
A system comprising: (a) an optical reader including an imaging assembly, a display, a keyboard, an acoustic output device and a controller configured to capture image data and decode decodable bar code symbols therein, said optical reader further including a hand held housing encapsulating said imaging assembly and said controller, said hand held housing further supporting said display and said keyboard; and (b) a host processor having an associated display spaced apart from said optical reader, wherein said hand held housing is adapted to be held in a human hand so that said optical reader is moveable between a variety of orientations and distances with respect to said host processor; (c) wherein said system is configured so that in a first mode said host processor sends to said optical reader a beeper control instruction, wherein said optical reader substantially on receipt of said beeper control instruction actuates said acoustic output device so that said acoustic output device emits a series of beeps without actuating said display; (d) wherein said system is further configured so that in a second mode said host processor sends to said optical reader a display control instruction, wherein said optical reader substantially on receipt of said display control instruction causes a predetermined indicia to be displayed on said display without actuating said acoustic output device.