Barcode reader and docking station for facilitating presentation mode

Abstract

A barcode reader system includes a barcode reader, a docking station, and a magnet. The barcode reader includes a housing and a first mating structure connected to the housing. The docking station includes a second mating structure to mate with the first mating structure. The second mating structure and the first mating structure are capable of forming a coupling between the barcode reader and the docking station. The magnet produces magnetic forces that strengthen the coupling between the barcode reader and the docking station. The docking station may include the magnet. The barcode reader may include a magnetic field detector and may enter a presentation mode in response to the magnetic field detector detecting a magnetic field.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A barcode reader system, comprising:
 a barcode reader comprising a housing and a first mating structure connected to the housing, wherein the first mating structure comprises a cavity;   a docking station comprising a second mating structure, wherein the second mating structure comprises a protrusion, and wherein the second mating structure is configured to mate with the first mating structure to form a coupling between the barcode reader and the docking station; and   a magnet configured to produce magnetic forces that strengthen the coupling between the barcode reader and the docking station.   
     
     
         2 . The barcode reader system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the docking station comprises the magnet;   the first mating structure comprises metal; and   the magnetic forces are produced when the magnet is brought within a vicinity of the metal of the first mating structure.   
     
     
         3 . The barcode reader system of  claim 1 , wherein the second mating structure comprises the magnet. 
     
     
         4 . The barcode reader system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling between the barcode reader and the docking station does not permit rotation of the barcode reader relative to the docking station. 
     
     
         5 . The barcode reader system of  claim 1 , wherein the first mating structure and the second mating structure are at least one of star shaped or polygon shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The barcode reader system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the barcode reader further comprises a magnetic field detector; and   the barcode reader is configured to enable a presentation mode in response to a magnetic field being detected by the magnetic field detector.   
     
     
         7 . A barcode reader, comprising:
 a housing;   a first mating structure connected to the housing, wherein the first mating structure is configured to mate with a second mating structure that is part of a docking station to form a coupling between the barcode reader and the docking station; and   at least one of a metallic surface on the first mating structure or a magnet within the housing, the metallic surface or the magnet being configured to facilitate magnetic forces that strengthen the coupling between the barcode reader and the docking station.   
     
     
         8 . The barcode reader of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first mating structure comprises a protrusion; and   the second mating structure comprises a cavity.   
     
     
         9 . The barcode reader of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first mating structure comprises a cavity; and   the second mating structure comprises a protrusion.   
     
     
         10 . The barcode reader of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first mating structure comprises the metallic surface;   the docking station comprises the magnet; and   the magnetic forces are produced when the magnet is brought within a vicinity of the metallic surface of the first mating structure.   
     
     
         11 . The barcode reader system of  claim 7 , wherein the second mating structure comprises the magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The barcode reader of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the first mating structure and at least a portion of the second mating structure are at least one of star shaped or polygon shaped. 
     
     
         13 . A docking station for a barcode reader, the barcode reader comprising a housing and a first mating structure connected to the housing, the docking station comprising:
 a base;   a second mating structure connected to the base, wherein the second mating structure is configured to mate with the first mating structure to form a coupling between the barcode reader and the docking station; and   at least one of a magnet or a metallic surface on the second mating structure, the magnet or the metallic surface being configured to facilitate magnetic forces that strengthen the coupling between the barcode reader and the docking station.   
     
     
         14 . The docking station of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the first mating structure comprises a protrusion; and   the second mating structure comprises a cavity.   
     
     
         15 . The docking station of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the first mating structure comprises a cavity; and   the second mating structure comprises a protrusion.   
     
     
         16 . The docking station of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the docking station comprises the magnet;   the first mating structure comprises a metallic surface; and   the magnetic forces are produced when the magnet is brought within a vicinity of the metallic surface of the first mating structure.   
     
     
         17 . The docking station of  claim 13 , wherein the second mating structure comprises the magnet. 
     
     
         18 . The docking station of  claim 13 , wherein the first mating structure and the second mating structure are at least one of star shaped or polygon shaped.