Barcode reader that reads electronically displayed barcodes differently than physically printed barcodes

A barcode reader, comprising:

• a first optical path comprising a first portion of a rolling shutter image sensor;
• a second optical path comprising a second portion of the rolling shutter image sensor;
• an illumination element;
• and
• an illumination controller, wherein the illumination controller does not activate the illumination element when the first portion of the rolling shutter image sensor is being exposed, and wherein the illumination controller activates the illumination element when the second portion of the rolling shutter image sensor is being exposed.

A barcode reader, comprising:

• a first optical path receiving light reflected or generated from a first target area;
• a second optical path receiving light reflected from a second target area;
• a first illumination element that is angled with respect to the first target area;
• and
• a second illumination element that is aimed directly at the second target area.

A barcode reader, comprising:

• a first optical path comprising first automatic gain control circuitry that is optimized for reading an electronically displayed barcode;
• and
• a second optical path comprising second automatic gain control circuitry that is optimized for reading a physically printed barcode;
• wherein the first automatic gain control circuitry is independent of the second automatic gain control circuitry.

A barcode reader, comprising:

• a first optical path comprising a first configuration that is optimized for reading an electronically displayed barcode;
• and
• a second optical path comprising a second configuration that is optimized for reading a physically printed barcode;
• wherein the barcode reader selects between the first configuration that is optimized for reading the electronically displayed barcode and the second configuration that is optimized for reading the physically printed barcode based on comparing the quality of a first image of a barcode that is captured using the first configuration and the quality of a second image of the barcode that is captured using the second configuration.