Abstract: A hand-held bar-code reader (bar-code wand) which forms part of an optical reading device and is capable of being led by hand over the bar code, comprises a storage circuit for storing the data pulse train corresponding to the scanning signals, and a photo- or sound-transmitter by which the stored data pulse train is transmitted to a separate equipment, such as a video tape recorder or radio receiver provided with a photo- or sound-receiver and an evaluating circuit. In another example of embodiment, the equipment comprising the evaluating circuit, contains a reader compartment provided with a connector member for connection to the reader which, following the scanning and storing of one or more words of the character code, is returned to its compartment and is automatically read out via the connector contacts.

Abstract: The novel bar code, in the spaces (4) between neighboring code bars (1) which have a width greater than one modular width, with the modular width always being larger than the diameter of the scanning spot (55) of a reading device, contains counting-line marks (5, 6) or counting bars (7). The thickness of the counting line marks is substantially smaller than the diameter of the scanning spot, for example one third of the width of the code bars. The counting bars have a reflectance lying between that of the spaces and that of the code bars. As a result of these measures, at the output of a photo-receiver (9) of a reading device, pulses (31) of a smaller amplitude than that of the pulses (30) formed by the code bar, are generated. By these pulses there is formed a counting clock by which the decoding is rendered independent of the scanning speed.