Patent ID: 6305608
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A code reader having an optical system for focusing light, and an area sensor for transforming the light focused by the optical system into an electrical signal and outputting the electrical signal, said code reader being adapted to optically read a code pattern printed on a sheet of recording medium as an optically readable code pattern through an image pick-up opening provided in a front section of a main body of the code reader placed in contact with the sheet of recording medium and moving the code reader a predetermined distance in a scanning direction to manually scan the code pattern, said code reader comprising:a first groove arranged on a front surface of the front section of the main body of the code reader, said first groove being open at opposite ends located along said scanning direction; andsecond grooves respectively defined outwardly on opposite external sides of the front section of the main body of the code reader such that said second grooves are located along the scanning direction;wherein said first groove and said second grooves are formed as parts of a continuous groove;two pairs of anti-tilt ridges interposing the first and second grooves therebetween and projecting in the scanning direction, in order to prevent the code reader from tilting while the code reader is being moved on the recording medium in the scanning direction to manually scan the code pattern; andwherein said code reader is substantially pen-shaped.