Apparatus for reading information code

An information code reading apparatus comprising:

• a case having an end portion at which a reading opening is formed;
• an area light source disposed within the case and configured to radiate illumination light through the reading opening toward an information code recorded on an object to be read;
• and
• a light receiver disposed within the case and configured to receive light reflected from the object through the reading opening, the reflected light returning along a reading light axis residing in a field of view of the light receiver, the reading light axis being oblique to a perpendicular axis to the reading opening,
• wherein the area light source is disposed outside the field of view in a substantially parallel attitude to and along the field of view, and comprises a plurality of light sources each radiating the illumination light and an optical diffusion plate optically diffusing the illumination light radiated from the light sources, and
• wherein the optical diffusion plaza has a surface on which irregularities are formed to allow the area light source to produce both of an entire illuminating member emitting the illumination light mainly toward the entire reading opening and a partial illuminating member located at a side portion of the area light source to emit the illumination light mainly toward a peripheral partial area of the reading opening near to the side portion of the area light source.

An information code reading apparatus comprising:

• a case having an end portion at which a reading opening is formed;
• an area light source disposed within the case and configured to radiate illumination light through the reading opening toward an information code recorded on an object to be read;
• and
• a light receiver disposed within the case and configured to receive light reflected from the object through the reading opening, the reflected light returning along a reading light axis residing in a field of view of the light receiver, the reading light axis being oblique to a perpendicular axis to the reading opening,
• wherein the area light source is disposed outside the field of view in a substantially parallel attitude to and along the field of view and which comprises at least one light source radiating the illumination light, and a a light guiding plate for guiding the illumination light radiated from the light sources, and
• wherein the light guiding plate has an entire illuminating member emitting the illumination light mainly toward the entire reading opening, and a partial illuminating member disposed at a side portion of the area light source to emit the illumination light mainly toward a peripheral partial area of the reading opening near to the side portion of the area light source.

An information code reading apparatus comprising:

• a case having an end portion at which a reading opening is formed;
• an area light source disposed within the case and configured to radiate illumination light through the reading opening toward an information code recorded on an object to be read;
• and
• a light receiver disposed within the case and configured to receive light reflected from the object through the reading opening, the reflected light returning along a reading light axis residing in a field of view of the light receiver, the reading light axis being oblique to a perpendicular axis to the reading opening,
• wherein the area light source is disposed outside the field of view in a substantially parallel attitude to and along the field of view, and comprises an electroluminescence (EL) panel radiating the illumination light, an entire illuminating member emitting the illumination light mainly toward the entire reading opening, and a partial illuminating member disposed at a side portion of the area light source to emit the illumination light mainly toward a peripheral partial area of the reading opening near to the side portion of the area light source.

An information code reading apparatus comprising:

• a case having an end portion at which a reading opening is formed;
• an area light source disposed within the case and configured to radiate illumination light through the reading opening toward an information code recorded on an object to be read, wherein the area light source comprises an entire illuminating member emitting the illumination light mainly toward the entire reading opening and a partial illuminating member formed at a side portion of the area light source and emitting the illumination light mainly toward a peripheral partial area of the reading opening;
• and
• a light receiver disposed within the case and configured to receive light reflected from the object through the reading opening.