Optical reading device and portable communication equipment having the optical reading device

A portable communication device, comprising:

• a contact detection unit for providing a signal when the optical reading device is within a threshold distance of a surface;
• a reading unit having a light source unit and a light detection unit, wherein the light source unit irradiates light on the surface and the light detection unit detects light reflected from the surface, based on the signal from the contact detection unit;
• a signal processing unit for identifying the information based on analyzing the light reflected from the surface;
• and
• a transmitting unit for transmitting the information identified by the signal processing unit.

An apparatus, comprising:

• detection means for providing a signal when the apparatus is within a threshold distance of a surface;
• reading means for reading information on the surface based on the signal from the detection means;
• and
• processing means for identifying the information based on the information read from the surface.

A portable communications apparatus, comprising:

• detection means for providing a signal when the portable communications apparatus is within a threshold distance of a surface;
• reading means for reading information on the surface based on the signal from the detection means;
• processing means for identifying the information based on the information read from the surface;
• and
• transmission means for transmitting the information identified by the processing means to at least one other processor.

A method of activating a device to read information on a surface, comprising:

• irradiating light on the surface based on when the device is within a threshold distance to the surface;
• detecting light reflected from the surface;
• and
• identifying the information on the surface based on the reflected light.