Barcode reader and docking station for charging the barcode reader

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A method, comprising:

• providing 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;
• providing a docking station comprising a second wireless point-to-point interface and a power interface;
• establishing a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station;
• coupling the docking station to a power source via the power interface;
• and
• docking the barcode reader in the docking station such that the docking station provides charging power, supplied by the power source, to charge the supercapacitor of the barcode reader.

A method, comprising:

• providing 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;
• providing a docking station comprising a second wireless point-to-point interface and a power and data interface;
• coupling the docking station to a host computing device via the power and data interface;
• establishing a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station;
• docking the barcode reader in the docking station such that the docking station provides charging power to charge the supercapacitor of the barcode reader;
• the barcode reader sending data to the docking station via the wireless point-to-point communication link;
• and
• the docking station providing the data to the host computing device via the power and data interface.

A method, comprising:

• providing 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;
• providing a docking station comprising a second wireless point-to-point interface and a power and data interface;
• establishing a wireless point-to-point communication link between the barcode reader and the docking station;
• docking the barcode reader in the docking station such that the docking station provides charging power to charge the supercapacitor of the barcode reader;
• coupling the docking station to a host computing device via the power and data interface;
• and
• the host computing device supplying the charging power to charge the supercapacitor of the barcode reader.