Conditionally delayed charging of a barcode reader's rechargeable battery

• US 9,748,779 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2016
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Powell, George, Hoobler, Ryan, Johnson, Jessica
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US15/290,879
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 23546242, 235375, 23546241, 23546224, 23546211
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10742 including a diffuser for diffusing the light from the light source to create substantially uniform illumination of the target record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1413 1D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0071 with a programmable schedule

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.

Claims

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.