WIRELESS DATA READER AT CHECKSTAND

• US 20120319645A1
• Filed: 12/15/2011
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic Adc, Inc. (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: O'Donnell, Patrick M., Williams, Jon P.C., Breckenridge, Cameron G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,515,512 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence

Abstract

A checkstand system including a counter surface within which a plurality of induction charge transmission coils are embedded in or disposed below the counter at selected charge positions about the countertop whereby a cordless peripheral, such as a data reader, is positionable and movable between multiple positions about the counter surface, the peripheral including an induction charge receiving coil operative to receive a charge current from one of the induction charge transmission coils when the peripheral is placed in proximity of a selected one of the charge positions on the checkstand. In one configuration, the system includes a temperature sensing component disposed proximal to an induction charge transmission coil and a controller operative for receiving a temperature signal from the temperature sensing component and adjusting the charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coil in response to the signal.

Claims

1. A system for retail checkout comprising

a checkstand including a counter with a counter surface;

a plurality of induction charge transmission coils embedded in or disposed below the counter at selected charge positions about the checkstand;

a cordless peripheral positionable and movable between multiple positions about the counter surface, the peripheral including an induction charge receiving coil operative to receive a charge current from one of the induction charge transmission coils when the peripheral is placed in proximity of a selected one of the charge positions on the checkstand.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral comprises data reader selected from the group consisting of:

a handsfree scanner;

a cradle and removable handheld scanner combination; and

a handheld scanner.

3. A system according to claim 1 further comprising

a controller including drive circuitry operative for controlling charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coils;

a temperature sensing component for generating a signal associated with the temperature of the drive circuitry,

wherein the controller is further operative for receiving the signal and adjusting the charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coil in response to the signal.

4. A system according to claim 1 further comprising

an efficiency monitoring component electrically connected to at least one of the induction charge transmission coils and establishing a signal associated with a derived efficiency of the induction charge transmission coil;

a controller operative for receiving the signal and adjusting the charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coil to maintain resonance between the induction charge transmission coil and the induction charge receiving coil in response to the derived efficiency.

5. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a controller operative for sensing presence of peripheral device receiving coil drawing power from a specific induction charge transmission coil and for selectively driving only that specific induction charge transmission coil and removing drive current from other induction charge transmission coils not in use.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the counter surface includes a lowered shelf section.

7. A method of operation at retail checkout, comprising

arranging a plurality of induction charge transmission coils embedded in or disposed below a counter at selected charge positions about a checkstand;

moving a cordless peripheral device between multiple positions about the counter, the peripheral device including an induction charge receiving coil operative to receive a charge current from one of the induction charge transmission coils when the peripheral device is placed on a surface of the counter in proximity of one of the charge positions.

8. A method according to claim 7 further comprising

sensing presence of a peripheral device receiving coil drawing power from a specific induction charge transmission coil;

selectively driving only that specific induction charge transmission coil and removing or reducing drive current from other induction charge transmission coils not in use.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the step of sensing presence of a peripheral device receiving coil drawing power comprises monitoring a change in drive current at the specific induction charge transmission coil.

10. A method according to claim 8 wherein the step of sensing presence of a peripheral device receiving coil drawing power comprises monitoring a change in inductance at the specific induction charge transmission coil.

11. A method according to claim 7 further comprising charging only the peripheral device by sensing presence of peripheral device receiving coil drawing power from a specific induction charge transmission coil and for selectively driving only that specific induction charge transmission coil and removing drive current from other induction charge transmission coils not in use.

12. A method according to claim 7 wherein the peripheral comprises a data reader selected from the group consisting of:

a handsfree scanner;

a cradle and removable handheld scanner combination; and

a handheld scanner.

13. A method according to claim 7 further comprising

controlling, via drive circuitry, charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coils;

sensing temperature at the drive circuitry and generating a signal associated with the temperature;

adjusting the charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coil in response to the signal associated with the temperature.

14. A charging system comprising:

a work surface;

a plurality of induction charge transmission coils embedded in or disposed below the work surface at selected charge positions;

a cordless device positionable and movable between multiple positions about the surface, the peripheral including an induction charge receiving coil operative to receive a charge current from one or more of the induction charge transmission coils when the peripheral is placed in proximity of a selected one of the charge positions on the work surface;

a controller operative for sensing presence of peripheral device receiving coil drawing power from a specific induction charge transmission coil and for selectively driving only that specific induction charge transmission coil and removing drive current from other induction charge transmission coils not in use.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the cordless device comprises a data reader selected from the group consisting of:

a handsfree scanner;

a cradle and removable handheld scanner combination; and

a handheld scanner.

16. A system for charging electrical storage of an electronic device, comprising

at least one induction charge transmission coil disposed at a selected charge position;

a controller including drive circuitry operative for controlling charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coil;

a temperature sensing component for generating a temperature signal associated with the temperature of the drive circuitry,

wherein the controller is operative for receiving the temperature signal and adjusting the charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coil in response to the temperature signal.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the controller is further operative for sensing presence of an electronic device receiving coil drawing power from the induction charge transmission coil and for selectively driving the induction charge transmission coil.