Data collection device having dynamic access to multiple wireless networks

A data collection system comprising:

• a server;
• an access point communicatively coupled to the server;
• a portable data collection device residing outside of a communication range of the access point;
• wherein the portable data collection device and the server are configured to establish a network communication responsive to the portable data collection device or the server detecting a presence of a new communication device within a communication range of the portable data collection device;
• wherein the new communication device is configured to receive data packets from the portable data collection device and route payload data of the data packets to the access point if the new communication device determines that it is in range of both of the access point and the portable data collection device.

A data collection system comprising:

• a server;
• an access point communicatively coupled to the server;
• a first portable data collection device in communication with the access point;
• a second portable data collection device residing outside of communication ranges of both the first portable data collection device and the access point;
• wherein the second portable data collection device is configured to establish network communications with the server responsive to detecting a presence of a new communication device within a communication range of the second portable data collection device;
• wherein the new communication device is configured to receive data packets from the second portable data collection device and route payload data of the data packets to the access point if the new communication device determines that it is in range of both of the access point and the second portable data collection device, the new communication device further configured to receive data packets from the second portable data collection device and route payload data of the data packets to the first portable data collection device if the new communication device determines that it is in range of both of the first portable data collection device and the second portable data collection device.