Abstract: A casing of a data symbol reader has a grip portion and head portion. A signal processing circuit is housed in the grip portion. A light source for illumination, an image sensing device, and an optical system for imaging the symbol reading area on the light receiving surface of the image sensing device are housed in the head portion. A housing extends from the head portion towards a symbol reading area, and the symbol reading area is formed as a front opening of the housing. A trigger switch for initiating the reading operation and a trigger button for actuating the trigger switch are positioned at the side of casing. The trigger switch and trigger button are supported by a supporting structure in a manner enabling movement with respect to casing.

Abstract: A casing, including a grip portion and a head portion, houses a pair of light sources for illumination, an image sensing device, an optical system for forming an image on the image sensing device, a photosensor for detecting the luminance of symbol reading area, a signal processing circuit, and a light quantity detection circuit. The housing extends from the head portion towards the symbol reading area. An ambient light window is provided in the housing for introducing ambient light into the symbol reading area. A light source driving circuit controls an amount of light emitted by the light source, by increasing or decreasing the amount of light, such that the combined ambient light and light source illumination is between predetermined levels.

Abstract: A data symbol reader for reading a one-dimensional data symbol and a two-dimensional data symbol includes first and second image pickup devices, both having a light receiving surface to receive light reflected from the one-dimensional and two-dimensional data symbols. An optical system respectively converges images of the one-dimensional and two-dimensional data symbols onto the light receiving surfaces of the first and second image pickup devices. A signal processing device is provided for decoding the one-dimensional and the two-dimensional data symbols from outputs of the first and second image pickup devices.

Abstract: An optical reader having a reading head which includes a light source, an optical system and in imaging device such as a CCD. An opening is formed in a tip portion of the reading head which forms an area in which an information pattern to be read is positioned. The information pattern is illuminated by the light source, and the light reflected from the information pattern is sensed by the CCD. A closing plate is slidably supported by guide grooves provided on edge portions of the opening. The opening is opened and closed by the closing plate. The closing plate has a plurality of notches to provide flexibility.

Abstract: A stationary data symbol reader includes a CCD, lens, CCD drive circuit, amplification circuit, binarization circuit, memory, CPU, light sources, light source drive circuit, communication driver, switch circuit and trigger switch. When reading, a frame image capture is carried out, and a number of picture elements of the fields of the frame corresponding to the displacement of an authenticator pattern (associated with the data symbol) between a second field image and a first field image is calculated. The moving speed of the data symbol is calculated from the displacement. The optimal light exposure time is calculated from the moving speed, and the optimal intensity of illumination is calculated from the exposure time.

Abstract: A data symbol reading device for decoding a data symbol is provided with a reading head which has an opening for contacting a symbol reading surface on which the data symbol is positioned. The reading head also includes an optical system for forming an image of the data symbol on an imaging device. The imaging device outputs the image to a processing device which determines that the data symbol is read properly. The data symbol reading device further includes a printing device for printing a predetermined code on the data symbol in response to the processing device determining that the data has been properly read. The data reading device further includes a print mode selection system which selects one of a plurality of printing modes. The printing device prints none or at least one of the predetermined codes in response to the printing mode selected by the print mode selection system.

Abstract: An encoded symbol reader is provided with a joint between a reading head and a main body to allow the reading head to be positioned with respect to the main body. The joint can allow the reading head to rotate about one or two axes. The reading head can be provided with a positioning device to hold the reading head in a selected rotational position, and a returning device to return the head to be predetermined position after a rotational displacement.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided which illuminates a two dimensional data reading area in a data reader and which includes a plurality of light sources which are arranged along one pair of opposing sides of the two dimensional data reading area. An optical axis for each of the light sources is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a line that is normal to a reference surface of the data reading area. The optical axes of the light rays emitted from the light sources onto the reference surface are spaced from the pair of sides of the two dimensional data reading area, at a distance within a range of 0.1 to 0.34 times the length of the other pair of opposing sides of the two dimensional data reading area.

Abstract: An encoded symbol reader has a reading head with guide or positioning members extending therefrom. The guide members are arranged to expose an encoded symbol to an operator when the reader is being positioned. When the complete symbol is readable by the reader, the symbol is always completely visible to the operator. The symbol may be read by the reader even if located beyond outside an area delimited by the guide members.

Abstract: An optical data reading device has a main housing and an optical system housing connected to the main housing. A light source and an imaging optical system are housed in the optical system housing. An image sensor, an image signal processing unit and a light source control unit are housed in the main housing. The light source illuminates a bar code, and the imaging optical system passes light reflected from the bar code into the main housing. The image sensor outputs a signal in accordance with the light passed by the imaging optical system. The image signal processing unit performs a predetermined process on the signal. The light source control unit controls the amount of light generated by the light source in accordance with a processing result obtained by the image signal processing unit.

Abstract: A data symbol reader which reads a two-dimensional data symbol includes a reading device which receives light reflected from the data symbol, a casing in which the reading device is provided, and a guide member which defines a symbol reading area in which the data symbol can be positioned. The guide member is attached to the casing and is moveable between a fisrt postion in witch the position of the data symbol realative to the symbol reading area can be viewed from the exterior of the data symbol reader, and a second position in whitch the data symbol can be read by the the reading device in the casing.

Abstract: An encoded symbol reader capable of reading an illuminated encoded symbol having a two dimensional tessellated pattern code, includes a CCD for scanning a predetermined area and an LCD panel for displaying the area being scanned by the CCD. The LCD panel displays a positional relationship between the encoded symbol being scanned and the boundary of the predetermined area that is being scanned.

Abstract: A one-touch device for removably attaching an audio adapter to optical equipment. A receptive mechanism is provided on one of the audio adapter or the optical equipment, and an insertion mechanism is provided on the other. A lock release mechanism and a movable plate associated with the insertion mechanism may be controlled by a common spring, thus reducing the number of necessary parts. Only a single touch is necessary to disengage the mechanisms from each other.