Barcode reader and docking station for charging the barcode reader

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10474859-B2
Application number	US-201715630807-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2017
Priority date	Jul 31, 2014
Publication date	Nov 12, 2019
Grant date	Nov 12, 2019

Abstract

A barcode-reading system may include a barcode reader that includes an illumination system, an image sensor, an optic system, a supercapacitor, and a first wireless point-to-point interface. The illumination system may be configured to illuminate a target area. The image sensor may be configured to capture an image of the target area. The optic system may be configured to focus reflected light from the target area onto the image sensor. The supercapacitor may be configured to provide operating power to the barcode reader. The barcode-reading system may also include a docking station configured to provide charging power to charge the supercapacitor of the barcode reader. The docking station may include a second wireless point-to-point interface. The first wireless point-to-point interface and the second wireless point-to-point interface may be configured to establish a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A barcode-reading system, comprising:
a barcode reader comprising an illumination system configured to illuminate a target area, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an optic system configured to focus reflected light from the target area onto the image sensor, a supercapacitor configured to provide operating power to the barcode reader, a first wireless point-to-point interface, and a first charging contact; and
a docking station configured to provide charging power to charge the supercapacitor of the barcode reader, the docking station comprising a second wireless point-to-point interface and a second charging contact, wherein the first charging contact is coupled to the second charging contact when the barcode reader is docked in the docking station;
wherein the first wireless point-to-point interface and the second wireless point-to-point interface are configured to establish a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station, and wherein the barcode reader is configured to send data to the docking station via the wireless point-to-point communication link.

2. The barcode-reading system of claim 1 , wherein the docking station further comprises an indicator that illuminates in response to detecting that the first charging contact is coupled to the second charging contact.

3. The barcode-reading system of claim 1 , wherein:
the docking station further comprises a power interface that is configured to be coupled to a power source; and
the power source supplies the charging power to charge the supercapacitor when the power interface is coupled to the power source.

4. The barcode-reading system of claim 1 , wherein the barcode reader further comprises a speaker configured to provide audible output.

5. The barcode-reading system of claim 1 , wherein the barcode reader further comprises targeting illumination circuitry that is configured to project a targeting pattern into the target area.

6. The barcode-reading system of claim 1 , wherein the barcode reader further comprises a good read signal indicator that illuminates in response to successfully reading and decoding a barcode.

7. A barcode-reading system, comprising:
a barcode reader comprising an illumination system configured to illuminate a target area, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an optic system configured to focus reflected light from the target area onto the image sensor, a supercapacitor configured to provide operating power to the barcode reader, and a first wireless point-to-point interface; and
a docking station configured to provide charging power to charge the supercapacitor of the barcode reader, the docking station comprising a second wireless point-to-point interface and a power and data interface that is configured to be coupled to a host computing device;
wherein the host computing device supplies the charging power to charge the supercapacitor when the power and data interface is coupled to the host computing device, wherein the first wireless point-to-point interface and the second wireless point-to-point interface are configured to establish a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station, and wherein the barcode reader is configured to send data to the docking station via the wireless point-to-point communication link.

8. A barcode-reading system, comprising:
a barcode reader comprising an illumination system configured to illuminate a target area, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an optic system configured to focus reflected light from the target area onto the image sensor, a supercapacitor configured to provide operating power to the barcode reader, and a first wireless point-to-point interface; and
a docking station configured to provide charging power to charge the supercapacitor of the barcode reader, the docking station comprising a second wireless point-to-point interface and a power and data interface that is configured to be coupled to a host computing device;
wherein the first wireless point-to-point interface and the second wireless point-to-point interface are configured to establish a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station, wherein the barcode reader is configured to send data to the docking station via the wireless point-to-point communication link, and wherein the docking station is configured to provide the data to the host computing device via the power and data interface.

9. A barcode reader, comprising:
an illumination system configured to illuminate a target area;
an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area;
an optic system configured to focus reflected light from the target area onto the image sensor;
a supercapacitor configured to provide operating power to the barcode reader;
a charging contact that is configured to receive charging power for the supercapacitor when the barcode reader is docked in a docking station;
a wireless point-to-point interface that is configured to establish a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station; and
a processor configured to send data to the docking station via the wireless point-to-point communication link.

10. A barcode reader, comprising:
an illumination system configured to illuminate a target area;
an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area;
an optic system configured to focus reflected light from the target area onto the image sensor;
a supercapacitor configured to provide operating power to the barcode reader;
a charging contact that is configured to receive charging power for the supercapacitor when the barcode reader is docked in a docking station;
a wireless point-to-point interface that is configured to establish a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station; and
targeting illumination circuitry that is configured to project a targeting pattern into the target area.

11. A barcode reader, comprising:
an illumination system configured to illuminate a target area;
an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area;
an optic system configured to focus reflected light from the target area onto the image sensor;
a supercapacitor configured to provide operating power to the barcode reader;
a charging contact that is configured to receive charging power for the supercapacitor when the barcode reader is docked in a docking station;
a wireless point-to-point interface that is configured to establish a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station; and
a speaker configured to provide audible output.

12. A barcode reader, comprising:
an illumination system configured to illuminate a target area;
an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area;
an optic system configured to focus reflected light from the target area onto the image sensor;
a supercapacitor configured to provide operating power to the barcode reader;
a charging contact that is configured to receive charging power for the supercapacitor when the barcode reader is docked in a docking station;
a wireless point-to-point interface that is configured to establish a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station; and
a good read signal indicator that illuminates in response to successfully reading and decoding a barcode.

13. A method, comprising:
providing a barcode reader comprising an il

Assignees

• Code Corp

Inventors

• Utykanski Phil
• Hoobler Ryan

Classifications

• H02J7/731

  specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02J7/342

  The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging (with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/68) · CPC title

• H02J7/00

  Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries · CPC title

• G06K7/146

  the method including quality enhancement steps · CPC title

• H02J7/345

  using capacitors as storage or buffering devices · CPC title