Method and apparatus for illuminating an object bearing indicia

Apparatus for controlling the intensity of a light source in a character recognition system, comprising:

• light source means for providing illumination at more than one light intensity;
• a plurality of detectors for sensing reflected light, each of said detectors producing an output signal indicative of the intensity of said reflected light;
• means for generating a first signal when the output of any of said setectors equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold;
• first summing means for generating a first sum signal in response to said first signal generating means, said first sum signal representing the number of first signals generated by said first signal generating means;
• and
• means for controlling said light source means to operate at a first light intensity in response to said first sum signal being equal to or greater than a first preselected number and at a second light intensity in response to said first sum signal being less than said first preselected number.

Apparatus for controlling the intensity of a light source in a character recognition system, comprising:

• light source means for providing illumination at more than one light intensity;
• a plurality of detectors for sensing reflected light, each of said detectors producing an output signal indicative of the intensity of said reflected light;
• means for generating a first digital signal when the output of any of said detectors is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and for generating a second digital signal when the output of any of said detectors is less than said predetermined threshold;
• first digital means for counting the number of said first digital signals generated by said generating means;
• second digital means for counting the number of said second digital signals generated by said generating means;
• first means for controlling said light source means to provide illumination at a first light intensity when said first digital counting means counts equal to or greater than a first preselected number;
• and
• second means for controlling said illuminating means to provide illumination at a second light intensity when said second digital counting means counts equal to or greater than a second preselected number.