Method and apparatus for reading optical indicia using a plurality of data sources

A system for decoding an encoded symbol character associated with a product, the system comprising:

• a bioptic scanning apparatus comprising a first scan source disposed within a housing;
• a second scan source disposed within the housing, the second scan source comprising an operating technology distinct from an operating technology of the first scan source;
• the first scan source adapted to output a first scan data set;
• the second scan source adapted to output a second scan data set;
• and further comprising a central processing unit adapted to execute a bar code decoding process by cross-referencing the first scan data set and the second scan data set;
• a memory coupled to the central processing unit;
• wherein at least one of the first scan data set and the second scan data set comprise product bar code scan data;
• wherein the first scan source is a laser scanner, the second scan source is a multiple pixel image sensor assembly, and the first scan data set comprises bar code data;
• and
• wherein the multiple pixel image sensor assembly is adapted to capture an image of the encoded symbol character, the second scan data set comprises bar code data, and the central processing unit is adapted to execute a bar code decoding process by stitching the first scan data set and the second scan data set.