Apparatus for reading optical information

摘要

Apparatus is disclosed for illuminating a distant object such as a vehicle license plate, and for reading optical information on the distant object. The apparatus is a self-contained, compact unit which includes a radiation source for illuminating a selected area of the object and a CCD camera for receiving radiation from the object and for producing an electrical signal representative of optical information on the object. The radiation source is coaxial with an imaging lens of the camera and includes arrays of LED's spaced around an optical axis passing through the imaging lens. The LED's emit radiation in the near infrared region and are strobed at a predetermined frequency during the acquisition of the information.