ARRANGEMENT FOR AND METHOD OF COMPATIBLY DOCKING A CORDLESS ELECTRO-OPTICAL READER WITH DIFFERENT DOCKING STATIONS

摘要

A cordless, electro-optical reader is compatibly docked with different docking stations having station contacts located at different locations. A rechargeable battery is mounted in a housing that extends along a longitudinal axis. Multiple housing contacts are located on the housing. Some housing contacts conduct electrical power to recharge the battery; other housing contacts conduct electrical signals to and from a controller. Each housing contact has one exposed contact portion facing in a first direction, e.g., axially along the longitudinal axis, to make electro-mechanical contact with station contacts located at one location of one docking station, and another exposed contact portion facing in a different second direction, e.g., transversely of the longitudinal axis, to make electro-mechanical contact with station contacts located at another location of another docking station.