Abstract: Scanners with wakeup systems are disclosed herein. An example scanner assembly includes a wakeup system having an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to project IR illumination through a window of the scanner and an IR receiver. The IR receiver has a second field-of-view (FOV) directed through the window that overlaps a first FOV of an imaging assembly of the scanner by at least 50% at the window and has a second central axis that is non-perpendicular to the window such that the second central axis is tilted downward from horizontal with the scanner assembly positioned in a vertical first configuration where the window is in a generally upright orientation. A controller of the scanner is configured to activate an illumination system when the IR receiver detects IR illumination reflected from an object in the second FOV of the IR receiver.

Abstract: An example method for charging a first and a second battery that can be implemented by a charging apparatus includes: detecting that the first battery is coupled to a first interface of the charging apparatus for the first battery; detecting that a second battery of the first battery is coupled to a second interface of the charging apparatus; receiving, via a connection between the charging apparatus and a port of a host power source, an indication of a magnitude of an input current that the host power source is capable of delivering to the charging apparatus over the connection; comparing the magnitude of the input current to a threshold magnitude; responsive to the comparing, determining a charging order in which to charge the first battery and the second battery using the input current from the host power source; and charging the first battery and the second battery in accordance with the charging order.

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.

Abstract: An example method for charging a barcode reader that can be implemented by a charging cradle includes: detecting that the barcode reader is coupled to a first interface of the charging cradle for the barcode reader; detecting that a spare battery of the barcode reader is coupled to a second interface of the charging cradle; receiving, via a connection between the charging cradle and a port of a host power source, an indication of a magnitude of an input current that the host power source is capable of delivering to the charging cradle over the connection; comparing the magnitude of the input current to a threshold magnitude; responsive to the comparing, determining a charging order in which to charge the barcode reader and the spare battery using the input current from the host power source; and charging the barcode reader and the spare battery in accordance with the charging order.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an adaptive illumination system of an imager are presented. An example method includes causing the system to enter a calibration mode and providing a calibration illumination level from an illumination source to an environment. An imager captures one or more images of the environment. A processor determines, from the one or more images, a first illumination intensity to provide during an object detect mode operation of the system. The first illumination intensity has an illumination sufficient for detecting a presence of an object in the environment during the object detect mode. The processor stores the first illumination intensity in a memory, and configures the illumination source to provide illumination at the first illumination intensity while the adaptive illumination system is in the object detect mode, and (ii) provide illumination at a second illumination intensity while the adaptive illumination system is in a scanning mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically changing regulator voltage of a scanning device having an illumination system and an imager to reduce current consumption during a suspend mode are disclosed herein. An example method includes detecting, by a microcontroller of the scanning device, an indication to initiate the suspend mode of the scanning device. The example method further includes adjusting, by the microcontroller executing a suspension routine, the voltage of a first voltage regulator of the scanning device from a first level to a second level, wherein the first voltage regulator provides power for use by (i) the microcontroller, (ii) the illumination system, and (iii) the imager, and the first level is less than the second level.

Abstract: Scanners with wakeup systems are disclosed herein. An example scanner assembly includes a wakeup system having an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to project IR illumination through a window of the scanner and an IR receiver. The IR receiver has a second field-of-view (FOV) directed through the window that overlaps a first FOV of an imaging assembly of the scanner by at least 50% at the window and has a second central axis that is non-perpendicular to the window such that the second central axis is tilted downward from horizontal with the scanner assembly positioned in a vertical first configuration where the window is in a generally upright orientation. A controller of the scanner is configured to activate an illumination system when the IR receiver detects IR illumination reflected from an object in the second FOV of the IR receiver.

Abstract: Slot scanners with wakeup systems are disclosed herein. An example slot scanner assembly includes a wakeup system having an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to project IR illumination through a window of the slot scanner and an IR receiver. The IR receiver has a second field-of-view (FOV) directed through the window that overlaps a first FOV of an imaging assembly of the slot scanner by at least 50% at the window and has a second central axis that is non-perpendicular to the window such that the second central axis is tilted downward from horizontal with the slot scanner assembly positioned in a vertical first configuration where the window is in a generally upright orientation. A controller of the slot scanner is configured to activate an illumination system when the IR receiver detects IR illumination reflected from an object in the second FOV of the IR receiver.

Abstract: Slot scanners with wakeup systems are disclosed herein. An example slot scanner assembly includes a wakeup system having an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to project IR illumination through a window of the slot scanner and an IR receiver. The IR receiver has a second field-of-view (FOV) directed through the window that overlaps a first FOV of an imaging assembly of the slot scanner by at least 50% at the window and has a second central axis that is non-perpendicular to the window such that the second central axis is tilted downward from horizontal with the slot scanner assembly positioned in a vertical first configuration where the window is in a generally upright orientation. A controller of the slot scanner is configured to activate an illumination system when the IR receiver detects IR illumination reflected from an object in the second FOV of the IR receiver.

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.

Abstract: An example method for charging a barcode reader that can be implemented by a charging cradle includes: detecting that the barcode reader is coupled to a first interface of the charging cradle for the barcode reader; detecting that a spare battery of the barcode reader is coupled to a second interface of the charging cradle; receiving, via a connection between the charging cradle and a port of a host power source, an indication of a magnitude of an input current that the host power source is capable of delivering to the charging cradle over the connection; comparing the magnitude of the input current to a threshold magnitude; responsive to the comparing, determining a charging order in which to charge the barcode reader and the spare battery using the input current from the host power source; and charging the barcode reader and the spare battery in accordance with the charging order.