The camera receives a line of light from an object plane containing the characters to be read together with light information indicative of scan motion at right angles to the line of received light. The two light information inputs are converted to electrical information in a common photo-sensor array which is usually an integral component of the camera. The character and scan electrical signals are preferably processed to drive a two-dimensional display device such as a plasma display panel, as part of a reading aid for the partially sighted. In particularly preferred forms light indicative of character and scan information is conveyed to the photo-sensor array by optical fibre strips. Illumination of the information producing surfaces in the vicinity of the light receiving apertures is provided by optical fibre strips the output ends of which are laminated with the receiving apertures of the information conveying strips.
