Imaging module and reader for, and method of, reading targets by image capture over a range of working distances with multi-functional aiming light pattern

An imaging reader for reading targets by image capture over a range of working distances away from the reader, the reader comprising:

• a handheld housing having a light-transmissive window;
• and
• an imaging module supported by the housing and including
• an imaging assembly including a near imager for imaging close-in targets through the window along a near optical axis over a relatively wider imaging field of view, and a far imager for imaging far-out targets through the window over a relatively narrower imaging field of view,
• an aiming assembly for directing through the window along an aiming axis to a target a visible aiming light pattern having an aiming light spot and a pair of collinear aiming light lines, the aiming light spot lying on the aiming axis and being substantially centered between the aiming light lines;
• and
• a controller for determining a distance to the target based on a position of the aiming light spot in the imaging field of view of a default one of the imagers, for selecting at least one of the imagers based on the determined distance, and for enabling both the close-in and the far-out targets to be positioned substantially entirely within the respective imaging field of view of the selected one of the imagers.

A method of reading targets by image capture over a range of working distances away from the module, the method comprising:

• providing a near imager for imaging close-in targets along a near optical axis over a relatively wider imaging field of view;
• providing a far imager for imaging far-out targets along a far optical axis over a relatively narrower imaging field of view;
• directing along an aiming axis to a target a visible aiming light pattern having an aiming light spot and a pair of collinear aiming light lines;
• positioning the aiming light spot to lie on the aiming axis and to be substantially centered between the aiming light lines;
• determining a distance to the target based on a position of the aiming light spot in the imaging field of view of a default one of the imagers;
• selecting at least one of the imagers based on the determined distance;
• and
• enabling both the close-in and the far-out targets to be positioned substantially entirely within the respective imaging field of view of the selected one of the imagers.