Patent ID: 7322526

Claim:
In a portable optical reader system, (a) a hand-held optical reader unit having an optical system for focusing at an interior region of the unit an optical image of information comprising discernible indicia disposed within a predetermined area of information external of the reader unit wherein said hand-held optical reader unit having a longitudinal optical axis; (b) an area array of photosensor elements disposed at said interior region of said unit where the optical image of information is to be focused for receiving the optical image of information from the predetermined area; (c) a decoder remote from said hand-held optical reader unit for decoding discernible indicia disposed within optical image of information from said predetermined area; (d) a communication link between said hand-held optical reader and said decoder for communicating optical image information received by said area array of photosensor elements; and (e) a light source for illuminating the exterior region exterior of the hand-held optical reader unit and including the predetermined area of information, such that a complete image of the information within the predetermined area is focused onto said area array of photosensor elements wherein said light source is a flashable light source said flashable light source means including an illuminator disposed in a ring configuration about said longitudinal optical axis.