System and method for charging a barcode scanner
First Claim
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1. A method for selecting a charging process, the method comprising:
- connecting a rechargeable energy storage unit (RESU) to a charger, the RESU configured to supply electrical energy to a barcode scanner, and the charger configured to perform a first charging process for charging a supercapacitor and a second charging process for charging a battery, wherein the charger comprises a detection circuit configured to interface with a pin on the RESU and to output a digital signal indicative of a voltage from the pin;
ascertaining with a processor whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a supercapacitor or whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a battery;
selecting the first charging process when the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a supercapacitor; and
selecting the second charging process when the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a battery;
wherein the charger comprises one interface configured to receive both an RESU comprising a supercapacitor or an RESU comprising a battery, wherein the RESU comprises a uniform mechanical shape and size and a uniform electrical interface as between the RESU comprising a supercapacitor and the RESU comprising a battery, the uniform electrical interface comprising the pin;
wherein the digital signal corresponds to a terminal resistance at the pin; and
wherein the terminal resistance at the pin approximates the resistance of a short-circuit to ground when the RESU comprises a supercapacitor, and wherein the terminal resistance at the pin approximates 10,000 ohms when RESU comprises a battery, the approximates being sufficiently different such that the processor may ascertain whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a supercapacitor or whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a battery.
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Abstract
Cordless indicia readers may use a rechargeable energy storage unit (RESU) for power. The RESU may include either at least one lithium-ion battery or at least one super capacitor. Problems may arise when an RESU containing a lithium-ion battery is charged using a super-capacitor charging-scheme. The present invention embraces a system and method for charging a barcode scanner that includes determining the RESU type and then charging the RESU with a charging process that is appropriate for the RESU type.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a charging process, the method comprising:
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connecting a rechargeable energy storage unit (RESU) to a charger, the RESU configured to supply electrical energy to a barcode scanner, and the charger configured to perform a first charging process for charging a supercapacitor and a second charging process for charging a battery, wherein the charger comprises a detection circuit configured to interface with a pin on the RESU and to output a digital signal indicative of a voltage from the pin; ascertaining with a processor whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a supercapacitor or whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a battery; selecting the first charging process when the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a supercapacitor; and selecting the second charging process when the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a battery; wherein the charger comprises one interface configured to receive both an RESU comprising a supercapacitor or an RESU comprising a battery, wherein the RESU comprises a uniform mechanical shape and size and a uniform electrical interface as between the RESU comprising a supercapacitor and the RESU comprising a battery, the uniform electrical interface comprising the pin; wherein the digital signal corresponds to a terminal resistance at the pin; and wherein the terminal resistance at the pin approximates the resistance of a short-circuit to ground when the RESU comprises a supercapacitor, and wherein the terminal resistance at the pin approximates 10,000 ohms when RESU comprises a battery, the approximates being sufficiently different such that the processor may ascertain whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a supercapacitor or whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A charging system for a barcode scanner, comprising:
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a rechargeable energy storage unit (RESU) configured to supply electrical energy to a barcode scanner; a charger configured to perform a first charging process for charging a supercapacitor and a second charging process for charging a battery, wherein the charger comprises a detection circuit configured to interface with a pin on the RESU and to output a digital signal corresponding to a voltage from the pin; and a processor configured to; ascertain whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a supercapacitor or whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a battery; select the first charging process when the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a supercapacitor; and select the second charging process when the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a battery; and wherein the charger is configured to; charge the RESU using the first charging process when the processor selects the first charging process; and charge the RESU using the second charging process when the processor selects the second charging; wherein the charger comprises one interface configured to receive both an RESU comprising a supercapacitor or an RESU comprising a battery, wherein the RESU comprises a uniform mechanical shape and size and a uniform electrical interface as between the RESU comprising a supercapacitor and the RESU comprising a battery, the uniform electrical interface comprising the pin; wherein the digital signal corresponds to a terminal resistance at the pin; and wherein the terminal resistance at the pin approximates the resistance of a short-circuit to ground when the RESU comprises a supercapacitor, and wherein the terminal resistance at the pin approximates 10,000 ohms when RESU comprises a battery, the approximates being sufficiently different such that the processor may ascertain whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a supercapacitor or whether the digital signal indicates that the RESU comprises a battery. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification