Indicia-reading system
Indicia-reading systems include an auxiliary reading apparatus with wireless charging capability. The systems are configured to couple, transfer, and receive energy wirelessly between a base charging station and auxiliary indicia reader via resonating coils that include an impedance matching network. Wireless charging capability can save space at the point-of-sale and add convenience for the operator.
1. A method for wirelessly charging an auxiliary hand-held indicia reader, comprising:
providing an auxiliary hand-held indicia reader comprising a housing, a receiving inductor for wirelessly receiving energy and an energy storage device, the receiving inductor being configured to charge the energy storage device;
providing a charging zone proximate to an emitting inductor, the emitting inductor incorporated into a top tower of a bi-optic point-of-sale terminal for wirelessly emitting energy to the auxiliary hand-held indicia reader's receiving inductor when the auxiliary hand-held indicia reader is placed in the charging zone;
placing the auxiliary hand-held indicia reader in the charging zone in any relative orientation to the emitting inductor; and
charging the energy storage device through magnetic resonance coupling of the receiving inductor and the emitting inductor while the auxiliary hand-held indicia reader rests on the point-of-sale terminal or is in non-contact proximity to the charging zone.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary hand-held indicia reader has a trigger style form factor.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a battery physically integrated within the housing, the receiving inductor being configured to charge the battery.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the hand-held indicia reader comprises a rectifier physically integrated within the hand-supportable housing and electrically integrated between the receiving inductor and the battery, the rectifier being configured to convert RF-energy to DC energy.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a super capacitor physically integrated within the hand-supportable housing, the receiving inductor being configured to charge the super capacitor.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the hand-held indicia reader comprises a rectifier physically integrated within the hand-supportable housing and electrically integrated between the receiving inductor and the super capacitor, the rectifier being configured to convert RF-energy to DC energy.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the emitting inductor and the receiving inductor are tuned to a resonant frequency.
8. The method of claim 1 , comprising an amplifier configured to drive the emitting inductor at resonance.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the emitting inductor comprises an emitting coil and a resonating coil.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving inductor comprises a receiving coil and a resonating coil.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hand-held indicia reader comprises a wireless communication module at least partially integrated within the housing.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the hand-held indicia reader and the in-counter indicia-reader are in wireless communication.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the charging zone is a cradleless charging zone.