Abstract: A method of accessing a remote location on a network using an optical reader. The optical reader includes an optical scanning system, a programmable memory system and an output circuit and is user-switchable between a scan mode, a record mode and a playback mode. The optical reader transmits a code to a first computer disposed on the network. When the optical reader is in the scan mode, the code is indicative of information extracted from an encoded indicia just scanned by the optical scanning system. When the optical reader is in the playback mode, the code is indicative of information retrieved from a user-selectable memory in the programmable memory system. The information in the user-selectable memory was previously stored in the user-selectable memory after being extracted from an encoded indicia scanned by the optical scanning system when the reader was in the record mode. In response to the first computer receiving the code from the optical reader, a second computer disposed on the network is accessed.

Abstract: A method of accessing a remote location on a network using an optical reader. The optical reader has an optical scanning system and a dedicated address memory system. The optical scanning system, in response to the user scanning an encoded indicia therewith, sends to a first computer disposed on the network a scan code indicative of information encoded in the scanned indicia. The dedicated address memory system, in response to the user completing an activation sequence, sends to the first computer a dedicated code indicative of information corresponding to a particular remote location. The information from the dedicated address memory system corresponding to a particular remote location does not originate from the scanning of an encoded indica by the user. One of the scan code and the dedicated code is transmitted from the optical reader to the first computer.

Abstract: An optical reader is provided for reading a symbol representing information having areas of different light reflectivity. The optical reader comprises a radiant energy source, a photodetector, an optical system and a decoder. The radiant energy source generates a radiant energy for illuminating a target region. The photodetector generates output electrical signals indicative of the radiant energy incident thereon. The optical system includes a projection portion and a collection portion. The projection portion directs the radiant energy along a projection path extending from the radiant energy source to the target region. The collection portion collects the radiant energy reflected from a symbol when the symbol occupies the target region and directs the collected radiant energy along a collection path extending from the target region to the photodetector.

Abstract: A method of accessing a remote location on a network using an optical reader. The optical reader has an optical scanning system and a dedicated address memory system. The optical scanning system, in response to the user scanning an encoded indicia therewith, sends to a first computer disposed on the network a scan code indicative of information encoded in the scanned indicia. The dedicated address memory system, in response to the user completing an activation sequence, sends to the first computer a dedicated code indicative of information corresponding to a particular remote location. The information from the dedicated address memory system corresponding to a particular remote location does not originate from the scanning of an encoded indica by the user. One of the scan code and the dedicated code is transmitted from the optical reader to the first computer.

Abstract: An optical reader is provided for reading a symbol representing information having areas of different light reflectivity. The optical reader comprises a radiant energy source, a photodetector, an optical system and a decoder. The radiant energy source generates a radiant energy for illuminating a target region. The photodetector generates output electrical signals indicative of the radiant energy incident thereon. The optical system includes a projection portion and a collection portion. The projection portion directs the radiant energy along a projection path extending from the radiant energy source to the target region. The collection portion collects the radiant energy reflected from a symbol when the symbol occupies the target region and directs the collected radiant energy along a collection path extending from the target region to the photodetector.

Abstract: A method of accessing a remote location on a network using an optical reader. The optical reader includes an optical scanning system, a programmable memory system and an output circuit and is user-switchable between a scan mode, a record mode and a playback mode. The optical reader transmits a code to a first computer disposed on the network. When the optical reader is in the scan mode, the code is indicative of information extracted from an encoded indicia just scanned by the optical scanning system. When the optical reader is in the playback mode, the code is indicative of information retrieved from a user-selectable memory in the programmable memory system. The information in the user-selectable memory was previously stored in the user-selectable memory after being extracted from an encoded indicia scanned by the optical scanning system when the reader was in the record mode. In response to the first computer receiving the code from the optical reader, a second computer disposed on the network is accessed.

Abstract: An optical reader is provided for reading a bar code having ultraviolet-wavelength-responsive properties. The optical reader includes an ultraviolet light source, a photodetector, an optical system and a decoder. The ultraviolet light source generates ultraviolet light having a wavelength shorter than visible light and longer than X-rays for illuminating a target region. The photodetector generates output electrical signals indicative of light incident thereon having a wavelength within a predetermined range of wavelengths. The optical system includes a projection portion and a collection portion. The projection portion directs the ultraviolet light along a projection path extending from the ultraviolet light source to the target region. The collection portion collects the light from a bar code when the bar code occupies the target region and directs the collected light along a collection path extending from the target region to the photodetector.

Abstract: A method of accessing a remote location on a network using an optical reader. The optical reader has an optical scanning system and a dedicated address memory system. The optical scanning system, in response to the user scanning an encoded indicia therewith, sends to a first computer disposed on the network a scan code indicative of information encoded in the scanned indicia. The dedicated address memory system, in response to the user completing an activation sequence, sends to the first computer a dedicated code indicative of information corresponding to a particular remote location. The information from the dedicated address memory system corresponding to a particular remote location does not originate from the scanning of an encoded indica by the user. One of the scan code and the dedicated code is transmitted from the optical reader to the first computer.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting data from an optical reader following scanning by the optical reader of an indica encoding information in accordance with one of a plurality of information encoding types. The method includes determining that a particular one of the plurality of encoding types was used for encoding the scanned indicia. A message packet is then transmitted from the optical reader which is indicative of the particular one of the plurality of encoding types that was used for encoding the scanned indicia.