Apparatus and method for reading indicia using charge coupled device and scanning laser beam technology

A reader for electro-optically reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprising:

• a) a first assembly, including a visible laser light source for directing a laser beam toward an indicium for rendering visible at least a target area on the indicium;
• and
• b) a second reader assembly, including a solid state sensor for imaging light reflected from the indicium along two mutually orthogonal directions over a plane, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the imaged light.

A bar code reader for reading symbols of differing light reflectivity, comprising:

• a) a first assembly, including a visible laser source for generating a laser beam to visually illuminate sequential portions of each symbol for rendering visible at least a target area on the respective symbol;
• and
• b) a second reader assembly, including a solid state sensor for imaging reflected light along two mutually orthogonal directions over a plane from each symbol, and for generating an electrical signal responsive to the imaged light indicative of the respective symbol.

A method of electro-optically reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprising the steps of:

• a) directing a laser beam from a visible laser light source of a first assembly toward an indicium for rendering visible at least a target area on the indicium;
• and
• b) imaging light reflected from the indicium along two mutually orthogonal directions over a plane by a solid state sensor of a second reader assembly, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the imaged light.