Wand type optical reader

A method of reading optically encoded information comprising:

• producing a focussed laser light beam having a fixed focal point;
• contacting the surface on which the optically encoded information is formed to define a first distance between said focal point of the focussed laser light beam and the optically encoded information;
• directing the focussed laser light beam toward optically encoded information;
• sensing light reflected back from the optically encoded information;
• contacting the surface on which the optically encoded information is formed to define a second distance between the focal point of the focussed laser light beam and the optically encoded information, wherein said second distance is different from said first distance;
• directing the focussed laser light beam toward the optically encoded information;
• and
• sensing light reflected back from the optically encoded information to fully read the optically encoded information.

A method of reading optically encoded information of different densities comprising:

• producing a focussed laser light beam having a fixed focal point;
• contacting a surface on which optically encoded information of a first density is formed to define a first distance between the focal point of the focussed laser light beam and the optically encoded information;
• directing the focussed laser light beam toward optically encoded information of the first density;
• sensing light reflected back and deriving therefrom an electrical representation of the optically encoded information of the first density;
• contacting a surface on which optically encoded information of a second density is formed to define a second distance between the focal point of the focussed laser light beam and the optically encoded information, wherein said second density is different from said first density and said second distance is different from said first distance;
• directing the focussed laser light beam toward the optically encoded information of the second density;
• and
• sensing light reflected back and deriving therefrom an electrical representation of the optically encoded information of the second density.

A laser wand for reading optically encoded indicia comprising:

• a wand shaded housing;
• a light emitter, housed within said housing, for emitting a focussed laser light beam having a fixed point beyond which said light beam diverges, said light beam being directed towards a surface on which said indicia is disposed;
• a spacer capable of alternatively defining a first separation distance and a second separation distance, different from said first separation distance, between said light emitter and said indicia;
• wherein
• at said first separation distance, said light beam forms a sensing spot of a first size on said surface and effective for reading indicia having a first physical characteristic;
• at said second separation distance, said light beam forms a sensing spot of a second size, larger than the first size, on said surface and effective for reading indicia having a second physical characteristic different from the first physical characteristic.