Abstract: A method for coding mailing items, in which a determination of the surface available for applying an unambiguous code to arriving mailing items is conducted and an application of the unambiguous code with a number of code signs that is adapted to the respectively determined surface available for coding is performed.

Abstract: A bar code reader including a transmitter made up of a light source, a vibrating mirror which scans bar codes using a light beam from the light source and collects light reflected by the bar codes, a receiver made up of a light sensor which converts the reflected light that is collected into electrical signals, and a decoder which converts the coded data into data characters, wherein provision is made of a vibration angle adjuster, and the angle of vibration of the vibrating mirror is changed in order to increase or decrease the scanning region of the laser beam for the bar codes.

Abstract: A light source and a light detector are included in an optical reader such as a field of view reader or a flying spot scanner for reading a printed indicia such as a bar code symbol. At least two channels associated with the detector carry signals corresponding to light detected by the detector at different resolution levels, allowing a single reader to be used for different resolution levels of the indicia to be read.

Abstract: A plurality of scan lines is used to detect characteristic features of a checkerboard structure or similar pattern structure of symbology within a field of view. The scan lines cross leading edges of the symbology which provides signals to a plurality of processors. The processors detect instances wherein sequential leading edges exhibit angular shifts corresponding to a pattern of the symbology. A further processor is used to detect when a coincidence of these angular shifts occur, thereby providing an indication of the location of the symbology within the field of view.