Patent ID: 7147159

Claim:
A reader for electro-optically reading a bar code contained within a target, said reader comprising: a matrix type two-dimensional image sensor having a matrix of picture elements, said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor being of solid state construction and developing signals responsive to light incident on said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor; a light generator including a laser directing light toward said target, said target including a visible indicia, wherein at least some light rays directed by said light generator are incident on said target; optics positioned forward of said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor projecting an image of said target onto said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor; an electronic circuit including a microprocessor, said electronic circuit being in communication with said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor and said light generator, said electronic circuit outputting a plurality of two state pulse signals, one of said plurality of two state pulse signals being a light generator two state pulse signal for control of said light generator; signal processing electronics, wherein signals developed by said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor responsive to light incident thereon are conducted through said signal processing electronics; a memory coupled to said microprocessor; a decoding program stored in said memory; an input/output port enabling communication with an external device; and a manual trigger, wherein said reader is configured to automatically successively obtain a series of electronic representations of indicia on said target when said manual trigger is actuated, and wherein said reader is further configured to pulse said light generator on and off utilizing said two state light generator pulse signal so that pulsed laser light is directed toward said target during a time that said manual trigger is actuated.