Abstract: An optical reader with a single optical assembly that receives images from at least two different environments. For example, one environment may be constructed in a first chamber into which a document or bulk item with a bar code may be placed. The other environment may be constructed in a second chamber with an active drive mechanism that transports a document with optical readable markings to a reading location. The environments may be separated by a baffle that prevents light from leaking between the environments, and the electronics and software are constructed to read and decode information that is found in the images from both environments either sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: A stereoscopic optical reader of a form example is provided where two images are captured of the same scene on a known form example taken from two different angles. The stereoscopic images are amenable to parallax calculations that may help determine that the form example is flat. If the two captured images are congruent with each other and/or with a stored digital model of the form, the entire form example may be read. If the images are not congruent, the form may be rejected as not being flat, and/or the image data may be further processed via parallax operations and/or other such projections to yield a virtual flat form.

Abstract: An optical reader with a single optical assembly that receives images from at least two different environments. For example, one environment may be constructed in a first chamber into which a document or bulk item with a bar code may be placed. The other environment may be constructed in a second chamber with an active drive mechanism that transports a document with optical readable markings to a reading location. The environments may be separated by a baffle that prevents light from leaking between the environments, and the electronics and software are constructed to read and decode information that is found in the images from both environments either sequentially or simultaneously.