Device and method for reading coded information, and device for detecting a luminous signal diffused by a support containing coded information

A device for reading coded information, comprising:

• illumination means;
• means for picking-up a luminous signal diffused by an illuminated support containing coded information;
• means for detecting the luminous signal and for generating a first electrical signal proportional to said luminous signal;
• means for processing said first electrical signal to extract the coded information;
• wherein the device comprises means for varying an amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal along at least one reading direction, so as to generate a modified first electrical signal having, along said at least one reading direction, a predetermined amplitude pattern;
• wherein the means for varying the amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal comprises amplifying means with a gain variable according to a predetermined variation law which is substantially inverse with respect to a variation law of said first electrical signal.

A device for reading coded information, comprising:

• illumination means;
• means for picking-up a luminous signal diffused by an illuminated support containing coded information;
• means for detecting the luminous signal and for generating a first electrical signal proportional to said luminous signal;
• means for processing said first electrical signal to extract the coded information;
• wherein the device comprises means for varying an amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal along at least one reading direction, so as to generate a modified first electrical signal having, along said at least one reading direction, a predetermined amplitude pattern;
• wherein the means for varying the amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal comprises amplifying means with a gain variable according to a predetermined variation law;
• further comprising means for controlling said variable gain amplifying means, said controlling means comprising:
• means for generating at least one second electrical signal variable according to an inverse variation law with respect to that of at least one third electrical signal, the at least one third electrical signal being representative of a luminous signal diffused by a reference target placed on at least one predetermined distance;
• means for synchronizing said at least one second electrical signal with said first electrical signal.

A method for reading coded information, comprising the following steps:

• illuminating a support containing coded information;
• picking-up a luminous signal diffused by said illuminated support;
• detecting said luminous signal so as to generate a first electrical signal proportional to said luminous signal;
• processing said first electrical signal so as to extract the coded information;
• varying an amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal along at least one reading direction, so as to generate a modified first electrical signal having, along said at least one reading direction, a predetermined amplitude pattern, said modified first electrical signal being processed to extract the coded information.

A method for reading coded information, comprising the following steps:

• illuminating a support containing coded information;
• picking-up a luminous signal diffused by said illuminated support;
• detecting said luminous signal so as to generate a first electrical signal proportional to said luminous signal;
• processing said first electrical signal so as to extract the coded information;
• varying an amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal along at least one reading direction, so as to generate a modified first electrical signal having, along said at least one reading direction, a predetermined amplitude pattern;
• wherein the step of varying the amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal comprises the step of amplifying said first electrical signal by applying thereto a gain variable according to a predetermined variation law which is substantially inverse with respect to a variation law of said first electrical signal.

A method for reading coded information, comprising the following steps:

• illuminating a support containing coded information;
• picking-up a luminous signal diffused by said illuminated support;
• detecting said luminous signal so as to generate a first electrical signal proportional to said luminous signal;
• processing said first electrical signal so as to extract the coded information;
• varying an amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal along at least one reading direction, so as to generate a modified first electrical signal having, along said at least one reading direction, a predetermined amplitude pattern;
• wherein the step of varying the amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal comprises the step of amplifying said first electrical signal by applying thereto a gain variable according to a predetermined variation law;
• wherein the step of amplifying said first electrical signal comprises the following steps:
• generating at least one second electrical signal variable according to an inverse variation law with respect to that of at least one third electrical signal representative of at least one luminous signal diffused by a reference target placed on at least one predetermined distance;
• synchronizing said at least one second electrical signal with said first electrical signal;
• and
• adjusting said gain depending on said at least one second electrical signal.

A method for reading coded information, comprising the following steps:

• illuminating a support containing coded information;
• picking-up a luminous signal diffused by said illuminated support;
• detecting said luminous signal so as to generate a first electrical signal proportional to said luminous signal;
• processing said first electrical signal so as to extract the coded information;
• varying an amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal along at least one reading direction, so as to generate a modified first electrical signal having, along said at least one reading direction, a predetermined amplitude pattern;
• wherein the step of varying the amplitude pattern of said first electrical signal comprises the step of amplifying said first electrical signal by applying thereto a gain variable according to a predetermined variation law;
• further comprising the steps of carrying out a plurality of consecutive detections, each time amplifying the detected electrical signal by applying thereto a gain variable according to an inverse variation law with respect to that of the previously detected signal.