Patent ID: 8096473
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. An optical reader for reading an identification code on a read side of an optical disc, comprising: a housing, the housing having a longitudinal axis and having a disc-receiving portion for receiving an optical disc in an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis so that the optical disc is coaxial with the longitudinal axis with a read side of the disc facing the housing, the optical disc having an annular identification code region on its read side; at least one light source disposed within the housing, the at least one light source being positioned on the longitudinal axis, so that when an optical disc is received by the disc-receiving portion and the at least one light source transmits light, at least some of the light illuminates the identification code region of the optical disc and thereby illuminates the identification code and is reflected therefrom; and an image sensor having at least a terminus thereof disposed within the housing and positioned on the longitudinal axis and oriented to capture the identification code region of the optical disc, and thereby the identification code, within a field of view of the image sensor, the image sensor being further from the disc-receiving portion than the at least one light source; and wherein the image sensor and the at least one light source are cooperatively configured so that the terminus of the image sensor receives at least some of the light transmitted from the at least one light source and reflected from the identification code, whereby the image sensor can readably detect the identification code.