Apparatus and method for reading an optical code

A reading head for an apparatus for reading an optical code, comprising:

• an illuminating means adapted to emit light toward an optical code to be read;
• a linear sensor responsive to the light diffused from the illuminated optical code and having a sensitive line extended along a direction X;
• an optical apparatus for focusing the diffused light on the linear sensor, said optical apparatus having an optical axis Z which is substantially perpendicular to said sensitive line and defining with said sensitive line a plane X-Z;
• wherein said illuminating means comprises at least one first light source disposed on one side of the optical axis Z of the focusing optical apparatus and at least one second light source disposed on the other side of the optical axis Z of the focusing optical apparatus, said at least one first and second light sources having their axes substantially lying on said plane X-Z.

A reading head for an apparatus for reading an optical code, comprising:

• an illuminating means adapted to emit light toward an optical code to be read;
• a linear sensor responsive to the light diffused from the illuminated optical code and having a sensitive line extended along a direction X;
• an optical apparatus for focusing the diffused light on the linear sensor, said optical apparatus having an optical axis Z which is substantially perpendicular to said sensitive line and defining with said sensitive line a plane X-Z;
• wherein said illuminating means generates a fan of light having a plane of symmetry substantially lying on said plane X-Z, said illuminating means comprising at least one first light source disposed on one side of the optical axis Z of the optical apparatus and at least one second light source disposed on the other side of the optical axis Z of the optical apparatus, and wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one lens placed downstream said first and second light sources for widening the emission angle of said fan of light in the plane X-Z along the direction X parallel to the sensitive line of the linear sensor, and for narrowing the emission angle of said fan of light along a direction which is perpendicular to the plane X-Z.

A reading head for an apparatus for reading an optical code, comprising:

• an illuminating means adapted to emit light toward an optical code to be read;
• a linear sensor responsive to the light diffused from the illuminated optical code and having a sensitive line extended along a direction X;
• an optical apparatus for focusing the diffused light on the linear sensor, said optical apparatus having an optical axis Z which is substantially perpendicular to said sensitive line and defining with said sensitive line a plane X-Z;
• wherein said illuminating means generates a fan of light having a plane of symmetry substantially lying on said plane X-Z, said illuminating means comprising at least one first light source disposed on one side of the optical axis Z of the optical apparatus and at least one second light source disposed on the other side of the optical axis Z of the optical apparatus, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a pair of lenses placed downstream said first and second light sources at symmetric locations with respect to the optical axis Z of the optical apparatus, for widening the emission angle of said fan of light in the plane X-Z along the direction X parallel to the sensitive line of the linear sensor, and for narrowing the emission angle of said fan of light along a direction which is perpendicular to the plane X-Z.

A reading head for an apparatus for reading an optical code, comprising:

• an illuminating means adapted to emit light toward an optical code to be read;
• a linear sensor responsive to the light diffused from the illuminated optical code and having a sensitive line extended along a direction X;
• an optical apparatus for focusing the diffused light on the linear sensor, said optical apparatus having an optical axis Z which is substantially perpendicular to said sensitive line and defining with said sensitive line a plane X-Z;
• wherein said illuminating means generates a fan of light having a plane of symmetry substantially lying on said plane X-Z, said illuminating means comprising at least one first light source disposed on one side of the optical axis Z of the optical apparatus and at least one second light source disposed on the other side of the optical axis Z of the optical apparatus, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a holder element for said first and second light sources which comprises respective seats for supporting said first and second light sources such that said light sources have their axes substantially lying on said plane X-Z.