Abstract: Targets to be electro-optically read by image capture are illuminated with illumination light emitted from an illumination light source and directed along an illumination path through a window to the targets, and return light from the targets is captured through the window and projected along an imaging path to an array of light sensors of an imaging system. An optical element is located in both the illumination path and the imaging path, and has a light-reflecting, non-diffusing portion for directing the captured return light incident on the light-reflecting portion along a folded imaging path to the array, and a light-diffusing portion for diffusing the illumination light incident on the light-diffusing portion along a folded illumination path to scatter and blur an image of the illumination light source, to increase an apparent size of the illumination light source, and to reduce a perceived brightness of the illumination light source.

Abstract: An optical slot scanner (10) and method includes a housing (12) supporting a scanning arrangement (22) within an interior region (14) of the housing. The scanning arrangement (22) includes an imaging camera (26) and light source (24) disposed within a recess compartment (80) located in the interior region of the housing. The imaging camera defines an imaging field (40) of view for reading indicia located on a target object. The light source defines an illumination field (42) for illuminating indicia located on a target object, such that the illumination field is substantially coaxial with the imaging field during a reading of indicia located on a target object.

Abstract: Infrared light, which is non-readily visible, illuminates at least part of a field of view containing indicia to be electro-optically read. Visible light illuminates another field of view containing the same indicia. The indicia is read by image capture by the illumination light from one of the illuminated fields of view. The use of IR light minimizes an adverse reaction due to only using bright visible light. The use of visible light enables thermally printed indicia, which is not readily readable by IR light, to be read.

Abstract: Targets to be electro-optically read by image capture are illuminated with illumination light emitted from an illumination light source and directed along an illumination path through a window to the targets, and return light from the targets is captured through the window and projected along an imaging path to an array of light sensors of an imaging system. An optical element is located in both the illumination path and the imaging path, and has a light-reflecting, non-diffusing portion for directing the captured return light incident on the light-reflecting portion along a folded imaging path to the array, and a light-diffusing portion for diffusing the illumination light incident on the light-diffusing portion along a folded illumination path to scatter and blur an image of the illumination light source, to increase an apparent size of the illumination light source, and to reduce a perceived brightness of the illumination light source.

Abstract: An optical slot scanner (10) and method includes a housing (12) supporting a scanning arrangement (22) within an interior region (14) of the housing. The scanning arrangement (22) includes an imaging camera (26) and light source (24) disposed within a recess compartment (80) located in the interior region of the housing. The imaging camera defines an imaging field (40) of view for reading indicia located on a target object. The light source defines an illumination field (42) for illuminating indicia located on a target object, such that the illumination field is substantially coaxial with the imaging field during a reading of indicia located on a target object.

Abstract: Infrared light, which is non-readily visible, illuminates at least part of a field of view containing indicia to be electro-optically read. Visible light illuminates another field of view containing the same indicia. The indicia is read by image capture by the illumination light from one of the illuminated fields of view. The use of IR light minimizes an adverse reaction due to only using bright visible light. The use of visible light enables thermally printed indicia, which is not readily readable by IR light, to be read.