Controlling access to barcode-reading functionality

A barcode-reading system comprising:

• a device comprising:
• a barcode reader;
• an inactivity module that tracks an amount of time since a last barcode read;
• and
• a control module that disables the barcode reader when the amount of time since the last barcode read reaches a preset period and that enables the barcode reader upon receipt of authentication information;
• and
• a charger configured to couple to the device and provide power to the device, the charger comprising:
• an authentication system that determines whether a user is authorized to use the device;
• and
• a communication system that transmits the authentication information to the device when the authentication system determines that the user is authorized to use the device.

A system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• memory comprising instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to:
• receive a connection request for a device with barcode-reading capability, wherein the connection request identifies the device;
• receive location information for the device, wherein the location information indicates a portion of a local area network (LAN) from which the connection request was sent;
• determine whether the device is authorized for use in the portion of the LAN;
• and
• provide a response to the connection request based on the determination of whether the device is authorized for use in the portion of the LAN.

A device with barcode-reading capabilities, the device comprising:

• a wireless communication system;
• one or more processors;
• and
• memory comprising instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to cause the device to:
• send, through the wireless communication system, a request to connect to a local area network (LAN), wherein the request identifies the device and wherein the request is sent from a location in the LAN;
• and
• receive a response to the request, wherein the response indicates whether the device is authorized to connect to the LAN at the location and wherein the device is denied access to the LAN if the device is not authorized to connect to the LAN at the location and is granted access to the LAN if the device is authorized to connect to the LAN at the location.