Optical reader having a plurality of imaging modules

An optical reader comprising:

• a housing defining at least one cavity;
• a first imaging module mounted in said at least one cavity,
• a second imaging module mounted in said at least one cavity;
• wherein each of said first and second modules includes an image sensor, a support assembly, and at least one illumination LED;
• a control circuit in communication with each of said first and second imaging modules;
• wherein said control circuit is programmed, in response to receipt of a trigger signal to:
• (a) capture a first frame of image data via actuation of said illumination LED and said image sensor of said first imaging module;
• (b) determine whether said first frame of image data includes decodable indicia;
• (c) automatically subject to a decode attempt a second frame of image data if said determination step (b) indicates that decodable indicia is not or is likely not represented in said first frame, wherein said second frame of image data is captured via actuation of said at least one LED of said second imaging module and said image sensor of said first imaging module, wherein no illumination LED of said first imaging module is actuated when said second frame of image data is captured.

An optical reader comprising:

• a housing defining a cavity;
• a first imaging module mounted in said cavity;
• a second imaging module mounted in said cavity;
• wherein each of said first and second imaging modules includes an image sensor, a support assembly, and at least one illumination LED;
• a control circuit in communication with each of said first and second imaging modules;
• wherein said control circuit is programmed, in response to receipt of a trigger signal, to:
• (a) capture a first and second frame of image data, wherein said first frame of image data is captured via actuation of said at least one LED and said image sensor of said first imaging module, and said second frame of image data is captured via actuation of said at least one LED and said image sensor of said second imaging module;
• (b) determine whether said first and second frames include decodable indicia;
• (c) automatically combine said first frame and said second frame to generate a third image representation if said determination step (b) indicates that decodable indicia is not or is likely not represented in said first and second frames of image data;
• and to
• (d) subject said third image representation to a decode attempt.