Reader apparatus

A reader apparatus comprising:

• reception means for receiving a card on which a pattern code is attached,
• light emitting means having a light emitting plane for emitting light of a first light path width smaller than a width of said light emitting plane,
• guide means having a portion facing said card received through said reception means, wherein said guide means functions to convert light of a first light path width emitted from said light emitting means into light of a second light path width smaller than said first light path width for guiding light emitted from said light emitting means to the pattern code of said card received through said reception means, said facing portion having a length smaller than the width of the light emitting plane of said light emitting means, and
• reader means for receiving light reflected from the pattern code of said card out of the light guided by said guide means.

A reader for reading an optical code comprising:

• a light source having a light-emitting surface, said light-emitting surface having an emitting-surface width, said light-emitting surface being adapted to emit light having a first light path width, said first light path width being smaller than said emitting-surface width;
• an optical device disposed within said first light path, said optical device adapted to redirect at least a portion of said light along a second light path;
• a mechanical receiver for receiving a substrate bearing an optical code, said receiver being adapted to position said substrate such that said optical code is disposed within said second light path and optically couples with and modulates at least a portion of said light to produce a modulated light;
• and
• an optical receiver for receiving at least a portion of said modulated light, and for producing a signal responsive to a modulation pattern of said modulated light.

A method of reading an optical code comprising:

• emitting a beam of light in a first orientation from a surface of a light source, said surface having a first width, said beam of light having a second width, said first width being wider than said second width;
• changing a direction of said beam of light from said first orientation to a second orientation;
• impinging said beam of light on an optical pattern thereby modulating said beam of light to form a modulated beam;
• detecting said modulated beam;
• and
• producing an output signal corresponding to said modulated beam.