HAND HELD OPTICAL READER

摘要

A hand held optical reader in which indicia on a surface may be read by moving the reader across the surface. The hand held reader includes a light source and light detectors mounted within the handle of the reader. A read head pivotally mounted to the handle is connected to the light source and light detectors by means of optical fibers. A pair of guide wheels on the read head maintains the read head a predetermined distance from the surface being read and causes the read head to track in a straight line. The read head is provided with an array of optical sensors which are mounted in alignment in a row. The number of optical sensors provided in the read head exceeds the number required for reading. This substantially decreases the need for careful alignment of the read head with a line of indicia to be read. Selected outputs of the optical sensors are used to identify the indicia or character being read depending upon the outputs of the optical sensors.