Indicia reading system with improved battery charging

Abstract

Embodiments of an indicia reading system comprise a terminal and a cradle that communicate via wireless technology and are configured to charge a battery in the terminal using power supplied by a host device when the terminal is operated in a presentation mode.

1 . A system comprising:
 a terminal comprising a battery and having an image sensor array comprising a plurality of pixels, a first light source for use in generating a first pattern to illuminate decodable indicia on a target, a second light source for use in generating a second pattern, a lens assembly for use in focusing an image onto the image sensor array, and a housing incorporating the battery and the image sensor array;   a cradle with a socket sized and configured to receive a portion of the housing therein, the cradle having a input port that is connectable to a host device from which an input current can be received; and   a server external to the terminal and the cradle;   wherein the terminal is operative for capture of a frame of image data, the frame of image data representing the target and the decodable indicia disposed thereon,   wherein the terminal is operative to transmit the frame of image data to the server, and   wherein responsive to docking the terminal in the socket of the cradle the terminal is configured to operate in a first mode characterized by the first light source generating the first pattern to provide illumination for use in capturing images by the terminal, the first mode further being characterized by the second light source being disabled, the first mode further being characterized by the battery is being charged via an electrical signal conducted from the cradle to the terminal.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the input current is 500 mA or less at about 5 V. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the terminal is operative for capture of the frame of image data in the first mode without the trigger signal. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cradle comprises an auxiliary connection that is connectable to an adapter, and wherein the auxiliary connection is empty in the first mode. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the terminal comprises a second light source that is disabled in the first mode. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the first light source is deactivated when the terminal is removed from the socket.