Patent ID: 6817525
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
An apparatus for reading optical codes placed at variable distances, comprising:a casing; a reading window open into the casing, an illuminating means (3), housed within the casing, and arranged to act on an optical code to be read through the reading window; a detection means (4), housed within the casing and responsive to light scattered from the illuminated optical code into the casing through the reading window, wherein the detection means (4) comprises a plurality of light-sensitive elements (5a) capable of converting said light into electric signals representing the light image; an objective lens (9) having an optical axis (Z), the objective lens being housed within the casing between the reading window and the detection means (4), and being located to pick up light scattered from the illuminated optical code and project the picked-up light onto the detection means (4); wherein the illuminating means comprises a first array of light sources and at least a second array of light sources, said light sources of said first and second array of light sources being selectively activated in order to define: a first illumination configuration for illuminating an optical code placed within a first distance range from the apparatus; and at least a second illumination configuration, different from the first illumination configuration, for illuminating an optical code placed within at least a second distance range, said second distance range being different from said first distance range; and wherein: said first illumination configuration is defined by activating a first group of light sources; said second illumination configuration is defined by activating a second group of light sources; said second group comprising at least one light source which is activated in said first group and at least one additional light source which is not activated in said first group.