# US 12,119,689 B2 · Adapter for a portable barcode reader and portable scanning system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,119,689 B2 - Document ID: US12119689B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/501,941 - Filed: 2021-10-14 - Published: 2023-04-20 - Granted: 2024-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2021-10-14 - Assignees: Zebra Technologies Corporation - Applicants: Zebra Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Mark D. Anderson; Gennaro Squillante; Michael P. Steele - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12119689B2 ## CPC - H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)} - G06K 7/0004: {Hybrid readers} - G06K 7/10881: {constructional details of hand-held scanners} - G06K 7/1413: {1D bar codes} - H02J 7/02: for charging batteries from AC mains by converters - H02J 7/751: {concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries} - H02J 50/10: using inductive coupling - G06K 2007/10524: {Hand-held scanners} - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract An adapter for a portable barcode reader includes a body having a base for selective placement on an external surface, adapter electrical contacts contained within the body and positioned to be in continuous electrical contact with reader electrical contacts of the portable barcode reader in a fastened state, a wireless charging receiver conductor coupled to the adapter electrical contacts, and a wireless controller configured to control charging of the portable barcode reader. The adapter maintains the portable barcode reader in a stationary position when placed on a surface such that the field of view of the portable barcode reader extends from horizontal to as much as 45 degrees below horizontal. The adapter may further include a near-field communication conductor and a microcontroller to wirelessly communicate indicia data captured by the portable barcode reader to an external receiver. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adapter for a portable barcode reader configured to capture at least one image of an object appearing in a field of view (FOV) having a central axis, the adapter comprising: a body having a base for selective placement on an external surface, the body configured to fasten around a foot of the portable barcode reader to maintain the barcode reader in a stationary position when selectively placed on the external surface and such that the central axis of the FOV of the portable barcode reader extends anywhere between a horizontal plane to a plane as much as 45 degrees below the horizontal plane when the base is selectively placed on the external surface; adapter electrical contacts contained within the body and positioned to be in continuous electrical contact with reader electrical contacts of the foot of the portable barcode reader when the body is fastened around the foot of the portable barcode reader; a wireless charging receiver conductor positioned within the body and coupled to the adapter electrical contacts to provide inductively received power to the portable barcode reader; and a wireless controller positioned within the body and in communication with the wireless charging receiver conductor and the adapter electrical contacts and configured to control charging of the portable barcode reader. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, the body having a plurality of parts adapted to move between an open state, in which the plurality of parts are separated to enable the portable barcode reader to be inserted into the adapter, and a fastened state, in which the plurality of parts are secured around the portable barcode reader such that the adapter moves with the portable barcode reader during use. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The adapter of claim 2, the plurality of parts including a first half and a second half, an enclosure created between the first half and the second half in the fastened state, the enclosure having an enclosure geometry that is complementary to an exterior surface of the foot of the portable barcode reader. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The adapter of claim 2, the adapter further comprising a receptacle region within which any of a plurality of inserts may be placed, each insert being shaped to marry with a different foot geometry of the portable barcode reader, the insert securable within the body of the adapter and adjacent to an exterior surface of the portable barcode reader when the adapter is in the fastened state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The adapter of claim 2, the adapter further comprising a seal engaged between the body of the adapter and the portable barcode reader when the adapter is in the fastened state. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, the body of the adapter further including internal alignment structures that engage an exterior surface of the portable barcode reader to ensure proper placement of the portable barcode reader within the body of the adapter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, the base comprising a bottom that is selectively placed on the surface and an adjustable ratchet by which the FOV of the portable barcode reader can be adjusted when the base is selectively placed on the surface by changing an angle between the bottom and the surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter further comprises a near-field communication (NFC) conductor positioned within the body, and a microcontroller in communication with the NFC conductor, the wireless controller, and the adapter electrical contacts, the microcontroller configured to wirelessly communicate indicia data captured by the portable barcode reader to an external receiver. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a bottom that is contoured to be complementary to the surface upon which the base is configured for selective placement. ### Claim 10 An adapter for a portable barcode reader configured to enable wireless charging and data transfer between the portable barcode reader and a charge pad, the adapter comprising a a body having a base, the body configured to fasten to the portable barcode reader; adapter electrical contacts contained within the body and positioned to be in continuous contact with reader electrical contacts of the portable barcode reader when the body is fastened to the portable barcode reader; a wireless charging receiver conductor positioned within the body and coupled to the adapter electrical contacts to provide inductively received power to the portable barcode reader; a wireless controller positioned within the body and in communication with the wireless charging receiver conductor and the adapter electrical contacts and configured to control charging of the portable barcode reader; a near-field communication (NFC) conductor positioned within the body; and a microcontroller positioned within the body and in communication with the NFC conductor, the wireless controller, and the adapter electrical contacts, the microcontroller configured to wirelessly communicate indicia data captured by the portable barcode reader to an external receiver. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The adapter of claim 10, the adapter further comprising an adapter indicator in communication with the microcontroller, the adapter indicator configured to provide at least one of a visual signal and audial signal regarding a status of the adapter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The adapter of claim 11, wherein the status is one of: a successful pairing between the NFC conductor and the charge pad, a failed pairing between the NFC conductor and the charge pad, a successful Bluetooth connection between the portable barcode reader and the charge pad, a failed Bluetooth connection between the portable barcode reader and the charge pad, a level of charge, currently charging, and currently not charging. ### Claim 13 A portable scanning system, the system comprising: a barcode reader having reader electrical contacts; an adapter having a body configured to fasten to the barcode reader, adapter electrical contacts contained within the body and positioned to be in continuous contact with the reader electrical contacts of the barcode reader when the body is fastened to the barcode reader, a wireless charging receiver conductor positioned within the body and coupled to the adapter electrical contacts to provide inductively received power to the barcode reader, and a wireless controller positioned within the body and in communication with the wireless charging receiver conductor and the adapter electrical contacts and configured to control charging of the barcode; and a charge pad having a wireless charging transmitter conductor and a power source connection, the barcode reader configured to be charged via direct charging between the reader electrical contacts and the adapter electrical contacts, wireless charging between the wireless charging receiver conductor and the wireless charging transmitter conductor, and direct charging between the charge pad and a power source by the power source connection. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The portable scanning system of claim 13, wherein the charge pad is a Qi pad. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The portable scanning system of claim 13, wherein the adapter further comprises a near-field communication (NFC) conductor positioned within the body, and a microcontroller in communication with the NFC conductor, the wireless controller, and the adapter electrical contacts, the microcontroller configured to wirelessly communicate indicia data captured by the barcode reader to an external server. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The portable scanning system of claim 15, wherein the charge pad comprises a pad indicator, the pad indicator configured to provide at least one of a visual signal and audial signal regarding a status of the portable scanning system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The portable scanning system of claim 16, wherein the status is one of: a successful pairing between the NFC conductor and the charge pad, a failed pairing between the NFC conductor and the charge pad, a successful Bluetooth connection between the barcode reader and the charge pad, a failed Bluetooth connection between the barcode reader and the charge pad, a level of charge, currently charging, and currently not charging. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The portable scanning system of claim 13, wherein the charge pad comprises physical or visual guides to direct placement of the adapter on the charge pad. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The portable scanning system of claim 13, wherein the charge pad is connected to a host server through one or more interfaces.