Abstract: Techniques for broadcasting user indications are provided. An example system includes a transmitter device that does not include a user interface display or verbal audio capabilities, that is configured to: detect an event and broadcast a signal including one or more of an alphanumeric string or a binary encoded message associated with the detected event as a unidirectional message via a first protocol that is receivable by a plurality of receiver devices, and a receiver device that includes a user interface comprising one or more of a user interface display or verbal audio capabilities, the receiver device being configured to: receive the broadcasted signal from the transmitter device, analyze the signal to identify the event associated with the signal; and generate a notification associated with the event via the user interface, without transmitting, via the first protocol, a response signal that is receivable and interpretable by the transmitter device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for alerting a user to a device low battery state are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving, at a charging station for a scanning device, a notification from the scanning device when the scanning device is not coupled to the charging station indicating that the scanning device has entered a low battery state. The scanning device may be communicatively coupled to the charging station by a wireless communication protocol. Further, the example method may include generating, by the charging station, an indication of the low battery state of the scanning device based upon the notification. The example method may also include displaying, by the charging station, the indication for a user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing a bi-directional communication link between a host device and a barcode reader are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the present invention enables a barcode reader to pair with a host device by way of advertising a unique identification code that is generated by the host device and passed thereto via a barcode. Responsive to detecting the unique identification code, the host device is operable to connect to the barcode reader.

Abstract: Techniques for broadcasting user indications are provided. An example system includes a transmitter device that does not include a user interface display or verbal audio capabilities, that is configured to: detect an event and broadcast a signal including one or more of an alphanumeric string or a binary encoded message associated with the detected event as a unidirectional message via a first protocol that is receivable by a plurality of receiver devices, and a receiver device that includes a user interface comprising one or more of a user interface display or verbal audio capabilities, the receiver device being configured to: receive the broadcasted signal from the transmitter device, analyze the signal to identify the event associated with the signal; and generate a notification associated with the event via the user interface, without transmitting, via the first protocol, a response signal that is receivable and interpretable by the transmitter device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for location-based device configuration are disclosed herein. An example system includes one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories may store instructions thereon that, when executed by the processors, are configured to cause the system to: receive a signal that includes first configuration data indicating one or more configuration settings of a device, determine a location of the device based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value associated with the signal, determine whether a configuration update of the device is required by comparing the first configuration data of the device with a second configuration data associated with the location, responsive to determining that the configuration update is required, establish a connection to the device, and transmit a configuration update instruction to the device that causes the device to change a portion of the one or more configuration settings.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improving proximate device control are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a signal from a proximate device when the proximate device satisfies a distance threshold. The signal may include a dataset corresponding to the proximate device, and the proximate device may have a primary connection to a primary device. The example method may further include analyzing the dataset to determine whether the proximate device requires control; and in response to determining that the proximate device requires control, establishing a secondary connection to the proximate device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improving proximate device battery management are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a signal from a proximate device when the proximate device satisfies a distance threshold. The signal may include a dataset corresponding to the proximate device, and the proximate device may have a primary connection to a primary device. The example method may further include analyzing the dataset to determine whether a battery management threshold of the proximate device is violated; and in response to determining that the battery management threshold is violated, establishing a secondary connection to the proximate device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to generating alert signals based on wireless signal strength measurements between data capture devices, like indicia readers or other mobile devices, and their respective hosts, like their charge cradles. An example method that utilizes this approach includes determining a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a wireless signal between a mobile device and a host. This determination may be made on either the mobile device or the host. From there, if the RSSI falls within a first RSSI range associated with generating a first alert signal, at least one of the mobile device or the host generates a first alert via its respective alert module. On the other hand, if the RSSI falls within a second RSSI range, at least one of the mobile device or the host generates a second alert via its respective alert module.

Abstract: A method of pairing a client device to a host device, the method comprising: obtaining, at the host device, a reference approval code; receiving, at the host device, a pairing request from the client device; when the pairing requests includes an embedded approval code, comparing the embedded approval code to the reference approval code; when the embedded approval code matches the reference approval code, bypassing an approval request and approving a pairing of the client device to the host device; and responsive to approving the pairing, pairing the client device to the host device based on the pairing request.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving device locatability are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a beacon mode capacity of a device battery, the beacon mode capacity corresponding to a device operating in a beacon mode while powered by the device battery. The example method further includes calculating a total battery power of the device battery and an aged total battery power of the device battery based on the total battery power and a state of health (SOH) of the device battery. The example method further includes determining a beacon state of charge (SOC) threshold for the device battery based on the beacon mode capacity and the aged total battery power, and causing the device to begin operating in the beacon mode when a remaining charge of the device battery is less than the beacon SOC threshold.

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: Methods and systems for alerting a user to a device low battery state are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving, at a charging station for a scanning device, a notification from the scanning device when the scanning device is not coupled to the charging station indicating that the scanning device has entered a low battery state. The scanning device may be communicatively coupled to the charging station by a wireless communication protocol. Further, the example method may include generating, by the charging station, an indication of the low battery state of the scanning device based upon the notification. The example method may also include displaying, by the charging station, the indication for a user.

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: Methods and systems for alerting a user to a device low battery state are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving, at a charging station for a scanning device, a notification from the scanning device when the scanning device is not coupled to the charging station indicating that the scanning device has entered a low battery state. The scanning device may be communicatively coupled to the charging station by a wireless communication protocol. Further, the example method may include generating, by the charging station, an indication of the low battery state of the scanning device based upon the notification. The example method may also include displaying, by the charging station, the indication for a user.

Abstract: A method of pairing a client device to a host device, the method comprising: obtaining, at the host device, a reference approval code; receiving, at the host device, a pairing request from the client device; when the pairing requests includes an embedded approval code, comparing the embedded approval code to the reference approval code; when the embedded approval code matches the reference approval code, bypassing an approval request and approving a pairing of the client device to the host device; and responsive to approving the pairing, pairing the client device to the host device based on the pairing request.

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: Techniques for pre-configuring a barcode reader device for establishing a communication link with a particular computing device via a short-range communication protocol are provided herein. An example method includes sending, by a barcode reader device, a request to a computing device via a first short-range wireless communication protocol (e.g., NFC); receiving, by the barcode reader device, from the computing device, via the first short-range wireless communication protocol, an indication of one or more barcode reader device settings for establishing a short-range communication link with the computing device via a second short-range wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®); modifying, by the barcode reader device, the one or more barcode reader device settings as indicated; and establishing, by the barcode reader device, the short-range communication link with the computing device via the second short-range wireless communication protocol.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing a bi-directional communication link between a host device and a barcode reader are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the present invention enables a barcode reader to pair with a host device by way of advertising a unique identification code that is generated by the host device and passed thereto via a barcode. Responsive to detecting the unique identification code, the host device is operable to connect to the barcode reader.

Abstract: Methods and systems for alerting a user to a device low battery state are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving, at a charging station for a scanning device, a notification from the scanning device when the scanning device is not coupled to the charging station indicating that the scanning device has entered a low battery state. The scanning device may be communicatively coupled to the charging station by a wireless communication protocol. Further, the example method may include generating, by the charging station, an indication of the low battery state of the scanning device based upon the notification. The example method may also include displaying, by the charging station, the indication for a user.

Abstract: Techniques for connecting and disconnecting cordless scanners to/from host devices are disclosed herein. A transceiver of an example barcode reader is configured to attempt to establish a wireless connection with a host device (e.g., repeatedly) over a first period of time. Responsive to failing to establish the connection with the host device over the first period of time, the barcode reader enters a power-saving mode. During the power-saving mode at least one of the transceiver, a decode engine, a peripheral sensor, and an imaging engine of the barcode reader are deactivated. The wireless transceiver of the barcode reader is configured to attempt to re-establish the wireless connection with the host device after (i) a passage of a second period of time following the first period of time, wherein the second period of time is greater than the first period of time; or (ii) a receipt of an interrupt signal.