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Wireless hand-supportable code symbol reading system with automatic communication range dependent control

  • US 20080128512A1
  • Filed: 10/29/2007
  • Published: 06/05/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1998
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A wireless code symbol reading system for use in a work environment, 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, said wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader including(1) a hand-supportable housing;

    (2) a bar code symbol reading mechanism, disposed in said hand-supportable housing, for reading a bar code symbol on an object, and producing a symbol character data string representative of said read code symbol;

    (3) a first RF-based transceiver circuit, disposed in said hand-supportable housing, for transmitting to said base station groups of data packets associated with each produced symbol character data string;

    (4) a data packet group buffer, disposed in said hand-supportable housing, for buffering one or more groups of data packets associated with produced symbol character data strings;

    (5) a data transmission circuit, disposed in said hand-supportable housing, for transmitting a selected one of said produced symbol character data strings to either said first RF-based transceiver circuit or said data packet group buffer, depending on the location of the wireless hand-supportable symbol reader in said RF communication range; and

    (6) a device controller, disposed within said hand-supportable housing, for controlling the operation of said wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader and said first RF-based transceiver circuit; and

    (B) said base station being installable within said work environment and including(1) a base station housing,(2) a second RF-based transceiver circuit, disposed within said base station housing, for receiving groups of data packets corresponding to the symbol character data strings transmitted from said first RF-based transceiver circuit, and(3) a base station controller mounted in said base station housing, for controlling the operation of said base station;

    wherein said first and second RF-based transceiver circuits enable the RF-based wireless data communication link between said wireless hand-supportable bar code 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 automatically generate and transmit a reference signal to said first RF-based transceiver circuit over said RF-based wireless data communication link;

    wherein said first RF-based transceiver circuit automatically receives said reference signal and detects the strength of said reference signal;

    wherein said device controller is programmed to (i) 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 (ii) automatically transmit the selected symbol character data string to said first RF-based transceiver for transmission to said second RF-based transceiver circuit, while said wireless hand-supportable bar code symbol reader is located inside of said predetermined RF communication range; and

    wherein said device controller is programmed to (i) automatically detect when said wireless hand-supportable bar code symbol reader is located outside of said predetermined RF communication range based on measuring the strength of said detected reference signal, and thereupon (ii) automatically collect and store the selected symbol character data string in said data packet group buffer, while said wireless hand-supportable bar code symbol reader is located outside of said predetermined RF communication range.

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