Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for programming an optical bar code reader. The method includes the steps of storing programming binary data in a storage device, coupling a light emitting diode to the storage device enabling the diode to be operated in accordance with the binary data stored in the storage means and scanning the diode with a bar code reader enabling the bar code reader to be programmed in response to reading the scanned binary data. The apparatus includes a processor which stores programming data in a EEPROM which is operated to output binary data to a light emitting diode enabling the diode to operate upon receiving a binary one bit and disabled upon receiving a binary zero bit which condition is read by the bar code reader for use in programming the reader.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner includes a housing member having a pair of sloping supporting surfaces oriented at an angle to each other and a floor portion on which is mounted a reflecting mirror. One of the sloping supporting surfaces includes a transparent substrate. A source of scanning light beams such as a hand-held scanner is mounted adjacent the other sloping supporting surface for projecting a plurality of scanning light beams in the form of a scanning pattern at the reflecting mirror which reflects the scan pattern onto the transparent substrate over which a bar code label is passed enabling the scanning light beams to scan the bar code label. A number of embodiments are disclosed for mounting the hand-held scanner adjacent the other sloping supporting surfaces and include an embodiment of the housing member rotatably mounted for movement to a number of rotated positions.