Conditionally delayed charging of a barcode reader's rechargeable battery

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9748779-B1
Application number	US-201615290879-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Oct 11, 2016
Priority date	Oct 11, 2016
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

Abstract

A barcode reader may include a barcode reading system, a rechargeable battery, and a battery charging system. The battery charging system may be configured so that, in response to detecting placement of the barcode reader in a charging cradle, the battery charging system delays charging the battery if a charge level of the battery is above a first threshold level.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A barcode reader, comprising:
a barcode reading system;
a rechargeable battery; and
a battery charging system that implements:
a first charging phase in response to detecting placement of the barcode reader in a charging cradle, wherein the first charging phase delays charging the battery if a charge level of the battery is above a first threshold level; and
a second charging phase after the first charging phase has been implemented for a time period.

2. The barcode reader of claim 1 , wherein during the first charging phase the battery charging system:
draws electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is less than the first threshold level; and
draws no electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to the first threshold level.

3. The barcode reader of claim 1 , wherein during the first charging phase the battery charging system:
draws electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is less than the first threshold level; and
draws a reduced amount of electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to the first threshold level.

4. The barcode reader of claim 1 , wherein during the first charging phase the battery charging system:
draws electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is less than the first threshold level;
draws a reduced amount of electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to the first threshold level and less than a second threshold level that is greater than the first threshold level; and
draws no electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to the second threshold level.

5. The barcode reader of claim 1 , wherein during the second charging phase the battery charging system draws electrical current from the charging cradle.

6. The barcode reader of claim 1 , wherein:
the barcode reader further comprises an indicator light; and
the battery charging system is further configured to activate the indicator light in response to detecting the placement of the barcode reader in the charging cradle.

7. The barcode reader of claim 1 , further comprising a moisture sensor, wherein the battery charging system adjusts a length of delay with respect to charging the battery based on output from the moisture sensor.

8. A system, comprising:
a barcode reader that comprises a barcode reading system, a rechargeable battery, and a battery charging system; and
a charging cradle for the barcode reader;
wherein the battery charging system implements:
a first charging phase in response to detecting placement of the barcode reader in the charging cradle, wherein the first charging phase delays charging the battery if a charge level of the battery is above a first threshold level; and
a second charging phase after the first charging phase has been implemented for a time period.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein during the first charging phase the battery charging system:
draws electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is less than the first threshold level; and
draws no electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to the first threshold level.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein during the first charging phase the battery charging system:
draws electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is less than the first threshold level; and
draws a reduced amount of electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to the first threshold level.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein during the first charging phase the battery charging system:
draws electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is less than the first threshold level;
draws a reduced amount of electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to the first threshold level and less than a second threshold level that is greater than the first threshold level; and
draws no electrical current from the charging cradle if the charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to the second threshold level.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein during the second charging phase the battery charging system draws electrical current from the charging cradle.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein:
the barcode reader further comprises an indicator light; and
the battery charging system is further configured to activate the indicator light in response to detecting the placement of the barcode reader in the charging cradle.

14. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a moisture sensor, wherein the battery charging system adjusts a length of delay with respect to charging the battery based on output from the moisture sensor.

15. The system of claim 8 , wherein the charging cradle comprises a heater and a controller that activates the heater in response to detecting insertion of the barcode reader into the charging cradle.

16. The system of claim 8 , wherein the charging cradle comprises a fan and a controller that activates the fan in response to detecting insertion of the barcode reader into the charging cradle.

17. A method, implemented by a barcode reader comprising a rechargeable battery, comprising:
detecting placement of the barcode reader into a charging cradle;
determining whether a charge level of the battery is above a first threshold level;
implementing a first charging phase in response to detecting the placement of the barcode reader into the charging cradle, wherein the first charging phase delays charging the battery if the charge level of the battery is above the first threshold level; and
implementing a second charging phase after the first charging phase has been implemented for a time period, wherein during the second charging phase a battery charging system of the barcode reader draws electrical current from the charging cradle.

Assignees

• Code Corp

Inventors

• Powell George
• Hoobler Ryan
• Johnson Jessica

Classifications

• H02J7/825

  Detection of fully charged condition · CPC title

• H02J7/731

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

• H02J7/92

  with prioritisation of loads or sources · CPC title

• H02J7/80

  including monitoring or indicating arrangements · CPC title

• H02J7/82 Primary

  Control of state of charge [SOC] · CPC title