Audible indicators for optical code reading systems

In an optical code reading system for use by an operator in reading optical code symbols on target objects in a noisy environment, said system having a horizontal surface for supporting target objects and an associated housing containing at least one optical code reading module, a system for automatically controlling the volume level of an audible signal provided to the operator by the system comprising:

• a sound level detector for detecting a sound level in a vicinity of the code reading terminal;
• an audible signal generator for producing an audible indication of an event at the code reading terminal;
• and
• means for automatically controlling a volume of the audible indication in response to the detected sound level.

An optical code reading system for use by an operator in reading optical code symbols on target objects in the vicinity of the terminal and for providing an audible indication whose volume is automatically adjusted to compensate for a noisy environment comprising:

• at least one optical code reading module capable of reading plural optical code symbologies;
• a code processor for identifying the symbology of optical code symbols detected in a field of view of the at least one optical code reading module;
• a sound level detector for detecting a sound level in a vicinity of the code reading terminal;
• an audible signal generator for generating a predetermined one of a plurality of distinctive audible signals corresponding to a particular code symbology when an optical code symbol of such symbology is identified by the code reading system;
• and
• means for automatically controlling the volume of at least one of the plurality of audible signals in response to the detected sound level.