PROXIMITY-ACTIVATED RELEASE FOR DOCKED ELECTRO-OPTICAL READER

摘要

A portable housing of a moving laser beam reader or an imaging reader is held by an operator in a handheld mode during electro-optical reading of symbols. A docking station supports the housing in a docked state when the housing is not in the handheld mode. At least one proximity sensor is supported by the housing and/or the docking station. The proximity sensor detects the operator's remoteness from the sensor to lock the housing to the docking station in the docked state, and detects the operator's proximity to the sensor to release the housing from the docking station.