Method and apparatus for utilizing specular light to image low contrast symbols

A method for imaging a low contrast symbol disposed on a substrate utilizing a light wand comprising a light source and an imaging element, said method comprising:

• directing source light from said light source of said light wand onto said symbol, said source light reflecting off of said target as reflected light, said reflected light comprising a specular portion and a diffuse portion;
• orienting said light wand with respect to said substrate so that said imaging element receives light comprising predominantly said specular portion of said reflected light;
• moving said light wand across said symbol;
• and
• decoding data of said symbol from said specular portion of said light received by said imaging element.

An apparatus for reading low contrast symbols disposed on a substrate, comprising:

• a light source for directing source light onto a low contrast symbol;
• an imaging element for receiving light reflected from said low contrast symbol, said reflected light comprising a specular portion and a diffuse portion, said imaging element and said light source being oriented with respect to said substrate such that said reflected light comprises predominantly said specular portion;
• and
• a processor coupled to said imaging element for discriminating between said specular and diffuse portions of said reflected light and to process image data of said low contrast symbol from said specular portion.