Method and apparatus for even illumination of a target for image capture

A system for illuminating target areas, the system comprising:

• a first light emitting array positioned to illuminate a primary target area;
• a second light emitting array positioned to illuminate a alternate target area, wherein the distance from the second array to the alternate target area is greater than the distance from the second array to the primary target area wherein said primary target area and said alternate target area are not coplanar;
• and
• an illuminator lens positioned in relation to the second array so that light from the second array is directed across the primary target area to the alternate target area;
• wherein the intensities of individual elements within the first and second arrays are adjusted to provide a relatively even distribution of light over the primary target area.

A method for illuminating target areas using a plurality of light sources, comprising:

• illuminating a first target area with a first light source array;
• directing light from a second light source array toward a second target area, wherein said first target area and said second target area are not coplanar, and wherein the light from the second light source array passes over at least part of the first target area, thereby causing the first target area to be illuminated by both the first and second light source arrays;
• and
• adjusting the illumination levels of individual light sources within the first and second arrays so that the illumination over the first target area is relatively even.

A method for illuminating target areas using a plurality of light sources, comprising:

• illuminating a first target area with a first light source;
• directing light from a second light source toward a second target area, wherein the second target area is located more distant from the second light source compared to the distance from the second light source to the first target area, and wherein the light from the second light source passes over at least part of the first target area, thereby causing the first target area to be illuminated by both the first and second light sources;
• wherein the first target area is a label area on a data storage media, and wherein the second target area is a rear area of a magazine for holding the data storage media;
• and
• adjusting the intensities of the first and second light source to provide a relatively balanced illumination of the first target area.