Integral bar code printer and reader system and method of operation

A symbology system coupled to a host computer for processing printed symbologies, the system comprising:

• an interface port coupling the system to the host computer;
• a printer to receive print commands and to print symbologies in response to said print commands;
• an optical reader to read printed symbologies from said printer in other than the order in which printed by said printer and symbologies printed by other than said printer, and to transmit reader data related to said printed symbologies;
• and
• a controller coupled to said interface port, said printer, and said reader to provide integrated control of printer and reader operation, said controller receiving and processing said reader data to generate commands represented by said printed symbologies and controlling operation of said printer by generating said print commands with at least some of said print commands being generated in response to said generated commands, said controller also controlling communication with the host computer using said interface port by transmitting said generated commands to the host computer if said generated commands are related a host computer function and receiving data from the host computer.