Method and device for reading of a barcode on an article

A device for reading a code on an article, comprising:

• a housing provided with at least two windows for passage of radiation which are disposed at a relative mutual angle;
• radiation source means for transmitting radiation to the article, which radiation source means are arranged in the housing and include at least a first radiation source and a separate second radiation source, wherein each of the radiation sources provides a line pattern through each of the windows and the axes of the radiation sources are substantially coincident during at least a portion of the reading process;
• a rotatable polygonal mirror for reflecting radiation coming from the radiation source means;
• a plurality of fixedly disposed mirrors for reflecting through the respective windows the radiation coming from the polygonal mirror;
• detection means for detecting the radiation scattered by the code;
• and
• control means for either switching on the first radiation source and switching off the second radiation source or switching off the first radiation source and switching on the second radiation source, wherein the radiation source which is switched on provides only one line of said line pattern at a time through one single window, and wherein subject to the number of correct scans using one of the two radiation sources, this radiation source is switched on more often than the other.