A method and apparatus for establishing a bi-directional communication link between a reader and a base station using wireless charging components includes positioning the reader within the base station, and electrically charging a rechargeable power source of the reader by an induced current carried through an induction coil in response to an electromagnetic field generated by an induction coil of the base station. The reader receives a communication parameter that uniquely identifies a short-range communication transceiver of the base station by detecting a modulation in the induced current. In response, a short-range communication transceiver of the reader transmits an RF signal that includes the identification data and a request to establish a bi-directional communication link with short-range communication transceiver of the base station. In response to receiving the identification data and the request, the base station and the reader establish a bi-directional communication link via a short-range wireless communication protocol.