Abstract: So that even small code marks or code marks put on metal by laser marking can be correctly read, an infrared camera 6 is disposed in a focus adjustable manner above a stage 1 on which an object to be read is placed, and two laser beam irradiators 8, 8' are disposed on both sides of the camera to face obliquely downwards such that one laser beam provides a spot of light elongated lengthwise (vertically) and the other laser beam provides a spot of light elongated widthwise (horizontally), and that these two light spots intersect with each other in a crisscross at the position coincidental with the focus of the camera. In addition, a plurality of illumination blocks 10 each equipped with infrared emitting diodes 9 are disposed in the polygonal form around the camera 6 so as to illuminate the stage 1, the angle of each of the illumination blocks being variable, brightness of each of the illumination blocks being adjustable.