Instant portable bar code reader

• US 5,187,355 A
• Filed: 02/24/1992
• Issued: 02/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Chadima, George F. Jr., Laser, Vadim
• Primary Examiner(s): PITTS, HAROLD I
• Application Number:
  US07/839,554
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• Field of Search: 235/455, 235/462, 235/467, 235/472, 250/566
• US Class Current: 235/462.45
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10594 Beam path
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10772 Moved readers, e.g. pen, wand
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, a hand held bar code reader has a handle portion and a reader head portion which may be held spaced from a bar code data carrier during a reading operation. Light energy is directed outwardly through a window so as to illuminate a bar code sensing region in front of the window having a depth dimension of at least about ten millimeters, and an optical system focuses bar code patterns in the sensing region onto an image photosensor in the reader unit with a resolution so as to read e.g. bar code formats with a minimum bar or space width of about 0.0075 inch or less. The bar code image is converged through a generally rectangular optical aperture and is reflected onto the image photosensor by a reflecting mirror positioned relative to the image photosensor by virtue of their common association with a printed circuit board.

Claims

1. A portable instant bar code reader system for reading complete lines of bar code elements, said reader comprising:

(a) a hand-held bar code reader unit having window means providing a bar code sensing region in front of said window means, said window means being arranged for receiving reflections of light from a complete line of bar code elements in the bar code sensing region,

(b) image photodetector means positioned within said hand-held bar code reader unit for sensing light rays reflected through said window means, and operable to generate a bar code image signal in accordance with a complete line of bar code elements in said bar code sensing region, and

(c) an optical system within said hand-held bar code reader unit including a light source arrangement which comprises a light source assembly for generating a sheet of light energy for illuminating a complete line of bar code elements in its entirety in said bar code sensing region so as to produce the reflected light rays representing an entire optical bar code image to be sensed simultaneously by said image photodetector means, and

(d) said optical system providing a resolution and depth of focus such that a complete line of entire bar code elements having substantial curvature can be received simultaneously for reading by said hand-held bar code reader unit, said optical system also providing bar code reading over a depth range of at least ten millimeters.

2. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, wherein said window means provides a bar code sensing region having a width of at least about fifty millimeters.

3. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, wherein said optical system provides a depth of focus of at least ten millimeters in said bar code sensing region.

4. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, wherein said optical system provides a depth of focus of about ten millimeters in said code sensing region.

5. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, wherein said optical system provides a resolution such that a complete line of bar code elements having a minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch can be read by said hand-held bar code reader unit.

6. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, wherein said optical system provides depth of focus of at least about three millimeters in said bar code sensing region.

7. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, wherein said optical system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements at a distance in front of said window means such that the hand-held bar code reader unit is clear of contact with a bar code data carrier and with the bar code elements carried thereby.

8. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 7, wherein said optical system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements disposed at a distance in front of said window means of at least about twenty millimeters.

9. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 7, wherein said optical system has an optimum focal plane at about six millimeters in front of said window means.

10. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, and further including trigger means for controlling trigger of said light source assembly to a reading mode.

11. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, and further including proximity detection means for causing triggering of said light source assembly to a reading mode.

12. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, wherein said optical system has an optical axis extending through said window means and having effective marginal rays extending from said window means to the code sensing region and diverging at angles of at least about plus and minus fifteen degrees to the optical axis.

13. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 12 and further including means defining a portable auxiliary comprising battery means for supplying operating power to said hand-held bar code reader unit.

14. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 13, wherein said hand-held bar code reader unit has a weight exclusive of said auxiliary not substantially greater than eight ounces.

15. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 1, wherein said light source assembly has a substantial light output in the visible light spectrum.

47. A portable bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said hand-held bar code reader unit is arranged for battery operation of said optical system to provide a portable reader, and wherein said light source arrangement is arranged for battery energization.

16. An optical reader system capable of reading complete lines of bar code elements, said reader system comprising:

(a) a portable reader unit comprising an optoelectronic system for reading a complete line of bar code elements without relative movement between the portable reader unit as a whole and the bar code elements during reading, and for reading while the portable reader unit is spaced from and clear of contact with a bar code data carrier carrying the bar code elements,

(b) said optoelectronic system comprising a triggerable illuminator for generating a sheet of visible light energy,

(c) means for triggering the illuminator at the start of each reading operation,

(d) said portable reader unit being positionable in a reading relation to a bar code data carrier having a complete line of bar code elements such that said optoelectronic system causes a complete line of bar code elements to be simultaneously illuminated by light from said illuminator when triggered, and said reader unit responds to light reflected from a complete line of bar code elements in its entirety, and

(e) said optoelectronic system comprising image sensor means for receiving the light reflected from the complete line of bar code elements in its entirety, said image sensor means retaining an image of the entirety of the reflected light received from the complete line of bar code elements to generate a complete bar code signal, said optoelectronic system providing bar code reading over a depth range of at least ten millimeters.

17. An optical reader system according to claim 16, wherein said portable reader unit further includes decoder means for decoding said complete bar code signal.

18. An optical reader system according to claim 17 wherein said decoder means includes a programmed computer processor.

19. An optical reader system according to claim 16, wherein said optoelectronic system has an optical axis for intersecting a central region of a line of bar code elements during illumination of such bar code elements by said illuminator, and wherein said optoelectronic system has effective marginal rays from said illuminator directed at angles of about plus and minus fifteen degrees to the optical axis.

20. An optical reader system according to claim 16, wherein said optoelectronic system reads a complete line of bar code elements having a length of at least about fifty millimeters.

21. An optical reader system according to claim 16, wherein said optoelectronic system provides a resolution such that a complete line of bar code elements having a minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch can be read by said portable reader unit.

22. An optical reader system according to claim 16, wherein said optoelectronic system reads bar code elements with a depth of field of at least about ten millimeters external to the portable reader unit.

23. An optical reader system according to claim 16, wherein said optoelectronic system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements on a bar code data carrier which is spaced from the portable reader unit by a distance of about ten millimeters.

24. An optical reader system according to claim 16, wherein said optoelectronic system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements on a bar code data carrier which is spaced from the portable reader unit by a distance of about twenty millimeters.

25. An optical reader system according to claim 16, wherein said portable reader unit being of size to be hand held.

26. An optical reader system according to claim 18, and further including a host computer, and wherein said computer processor transmits a decoded bar code signal to said host computer.

28. A portable bar code reader according to claim 21, wherein said optoelectronic system responds to visible light energy from said illuminator for reading a bar code with a depth of field of at least about ten millimeters.

48. An optical reader system as defined in claim 16, wherein said portable reader unit is arranged for battery operation of said optoelectronic system to provide a portable reader, and wherein said light source arrangement is arranged for battery energization.

77. An optical reader system according to claim 18, and further including a host computer, and wherein said computer processor transmits a decoded bar code signal to said host computer.

27. A hand-held portable bar code reader comprising:

(a) a housing having window means for transmitting light between the interior and exterior thereof, and having a bar code sensing region external to said window means,

(b) a visible light illuminator for directing visible light energy through said window means to the bar code sensing region for causing a complete line of bar code elements in said sensing region to be simultaneously illuminated, and for developing a reflected light signal in accordance with visible light energy from the illuminator which is reflected from a complete line of bar code elements in said bar code sensing region,

(c) an optoelectronic system for effecting a reading of a complete line of bar code elements in said bar code sensing region with the assistance of visible light energy from said illuminator, and without requiring any movement of the hand-held reader unit as a whole relative to a bar code data carrier carrying said complete line of bar code elements during reading and without requiring any contact of the unit with a bar code carrier carrying the bar code elements, said optical system providing bar code reading over a depth range of at least ten millimeters,

(d) said optoelectronic system comprising an image sensor for receiving said reflected light signal from a complete line of bar code elements in its entirety, simultaneously to generate a complete bar code signal; and

(e) processing means disposed within said housing and connected in circuit with said image sensor for decoding a complete bar code signal.

29. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, wherein said optoelectronic system is capable of reading a complete line of bar code elements with substantial curvature.

30. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, wherein said optoelectronic system is capable of reading a complete line of bar code elements with a curvature corresponding to a bar code carrier radius approaching 1.25 inches.

31. A portable bar code reader according to claim 30, wherein said optoelectronic system has an optical axis extending through the window means and having marginal rays diverging from the optical axis by at least about plus and minus fifteen degrees to define a relatively wide bar code sensing region in which complete lines of bar code elements of substantial curvature can be read.

32. A portable bar code reader according to claim 31, wherein said optoelectronic system reads bar codes of substantial curvature with minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch over a depth of field of at least about three millimeters.

33. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, wherein said optoelectronic system reads bar codes with minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch over a depth of field of at least about three millimeters.

34. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, wherein said optoelectronic system means reading a complete line of bar code elements having a length of at least about fifty millimeters over a depth of field of at least about three millimeters.

35. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, wherein said optoelectronic system means reading bar codes with minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch over a depth of field of about ten millimeters.

36. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, and further including actuating means for initiating a bar code reading operation, and wherein said visible light illuminator is triggerable.

37. A portable bar code reader according to claim 36, wherein said processing means assesses the validity of a bar code as read by said optoelectronic system.

38. A portable bar code reader according to claim 37, wherein said processing means automatically repeating triggering of the illuminator in the absence of a valid bar code signal.

39. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, wherein said optoelectronic system provides a reading capability for bar codes having a minimum bar or space size of about 0.0075 inch over a substantial range of distances of a bar code data carrier from the hand-held reader unit.

40. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, wherein said illuminator is operable to supply pulses of visible light energy to said bar code sensing region.

41. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, wherein said optoelectronic system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements spaced from the window means by a distance of about twenty-five millimeters.

42. A portable bar code reader according to claim 41, wherein said illuminator is operable to supply light pulses containing substantial light energy within the visible spectrum for developing reflected light signals.

43. A portable bar code reader according to claim 27, and further including means for filtering out a long wavelength region of the spectrum of light energy from the sensing region.

49. A portable bar code reader as defined in claim 27, wherein said hand-held bar code reader is arranged for battery operation of said optoelectronic system to provide a portable reader, and wherein said illuminator is arranged for battery energization.

44. A portable bar code reader comprising,

(a) a hand-held bar code reader housing having a hand grip portion of configuration so as to be grasped with one hand,

(b) window means providing optical transmission between the interior and exterior of said housing, said window means having a bar code sensing region externally thereof for receiving a bar code data carrier having a complete line of bar code elements thereon,

(c) optical system means within said hand-held bar code reader housing for directing light energy toward said bar code sensing region to illuminate a complete line of entire bar code elements on a data carrier, for receiving reflected light energy from such a complete line of entire bar code elements simultaneously and for generating a complete bar code signal in accordance with such complete line of entire bar code elements without requiring any bodily scanning movement of the hand-held bar code reader unit relative to the bar code data carrier,

(d) actuating means for initiating a bar code reading operation while the hand-held bar code reader unit is manually held in operative relation to a bar code data carrier in said bar code sensing region,

(e) said optical system means comprising triggerable current pulse driven visible light source means essentially instantaneously responsive to an abrupt current pulse for supplying visible light to the bar code sensing region and being constructed such that light from the light source means impinging on a complete line of entire bar code elements in the bar code sensing region during a bar code reading operation is reflected to the eye of the user manually holding the bar code reader unit in spaced relation to the bar code data carrier, and such that the illumination of the complete line of entire bar code elements by the triggerable current pulse driven visible light source means is directly observable by the user during a bar code reading operation, and

(f) said optical system means further comprising image sensor means for receiving reflected light energy at once from the complete line of bar code information, said image sensor means retaining an image according to the entirety of the received reflected light energy for generating said complete bar code signal, said optical system also providing bar code reading over a depth range of at least ten millimeters.

45. A portable bar code reader according to claim 44, wherein said hand-held bar code reader unit has a weight not greater than about eight ounces.

46. A portable bar code reader according to claim 44, wherein said actuating means is manually operated by the hand which holds said hand grip portion.

50. A portable bar code reader as defined in claim 44, wherein said bar code reader is arranged for battery operation to provide a portable reader, and wherein said optical system means is arranged for battery energization.

51. A portable bar code reader according to claim 44, wherein said visible light source means includes a light assembly for generating visible light energy.

52. A portable instant bar code reader system for reading complete lines of bar code elements, said reader comprising:

(a) a hand-held bar code reader unit having window means providing a bar code sensing region in front of said window means, said window means being arranged for receiving reflections of light from a complete line of bar code elements in the bar code sensing region,

(b) image photodetector means positioned within said hand-held bar code reader unit for sensing light rays reflected through said window means, and operable to generate a bar code image signal in accordance with a complete line of bar code elements in said bar code sensing region, and

(c) an optical system within said hand-held bar code reader unit including a light source arrangement which comprises a light source assembly for generating a sheet of light energy for illuminating a complete line of bar code elements in its entirety in said bar code sensing region so as to produce the reflected light rays representing an entire optical bar code image to be sensed simultaneously by said image photodetector means, and

(d) said optical system providing a resolution and depth of focus such that a complete line of entire bar code elements having a substantial curvature can be received simultaneously for reading by said hand-held bar code reader unit, said optical system also providing bar code reading of a bar code data carrier in a focal plane spaced in front of the unit.

53. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, wherein said window means provides a bar code sensing region having a width of at least about fifty millimeters.

54. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, wherein said optical system provides a depth of focus of at least ten millimeters in said bar code sensing region.

55. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, wherein said optical system provides a depth of focus of about ten millimeters in said bar code sensing region.

56. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, wherein said optical system provides a resolution such that a complete line of bar code elements having a minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch can be read by said hand-held bar code reader unit.

57. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, wherein said optical system provides depth of focus of at least about three millimeters in said bar code sensing region.

58. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, wherein said optical system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements at a distance in front of said window means such that the hand-held bar code reader unit is clear of contact with a bar code data carrier and with the bar code elements carried thereby.

59. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 58, wherein said optical system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements disposed at a distance in front of said window means of at least about twenty millimeters.

60. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 58, wherein said optical system has an optimum focal plane at about six millimeters in front of said window means.

61. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, and further including trigger means for controlling triggering of said light source assembly to a reading mode.

62. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, and further including proximity detection means for causing triggering of said light source assembly to a reading mode.

63. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, wherein said optical system has an optical axis extending through said window means and having effective marginal rays extending from said window means to the code sensing region and diverging at angles of at least about plus and minus fifteen degrees to the optical axis.

64. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 63 and further including means defining a portable auxiliary comprising battery means for supplying operating power to said hand-held bar code reader unit.

65. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 64, wherein said hand-held bar code reader unit has a weight exclusive of said auxiliary not substantially greater than eight ounces.

66. A portable instant bar code reader system according to claim 52, wherein said light source assembly has a substantial light output in the visible light spectrum.

98. A portable bar code reader as defined in claim 52, wherein said hand-held bar code reader unit is arranged for battery operation of said optical system to provide a portable reader, and wherein said light source arrangement is arranged for battery energization.

67. An optical reader system capable of reading complete lines of bar code elements, said reader system comprising:

(a) a portable reader unit comprising an optoelectronic system for reading a complete line of bar code elements without relative movement between the portable reader unit as a whole and the bar code elements during reading, and for reading while the portable reader unit is spaced from and clear of contact with a bar code data carrier carrying the bar code elements,

(b) said optoelectronic system comprising a triggerable illuminator for generating a sheet of visible light energy,

(c) means for triggering the illuminator at the start of each reading operation,

(d) said portable reader unit being positionable in a reading relation to a bar code data carrier having a complete line of bar code elements such that said optoelectronic system causes a complete line of bar code elements to be simultaneously illuminated by light from said illuminator when triggered, and said reader unit responds to light reflected from a complete line of bar code elements in its entirety, and

(e) said optoelectronic system comprising image sensor means for receiving the light reflected from the complete line of bar code elements in its entirety, said image sensor means retaining an image of the entirety of the reflected light received from the complete line of bar code elements to generate a complete bar code signal, said optoelectronic system also providing bar code reading of a bar code data carrier in a focal plane spaced in front of the unit.

68. An optical reader system according to claim 67 wherein said portable reader unit further includes decoder means for decoding said complete bar code signal.

69. An optical reader system according to claim 68 wherein said decoder means includes a programmed computer processor.

70. An optical reader system according to claim 67, wherein said optoelectronic system has an optical axis for intersecting a central region of a line of bar code elements during illumination of such bar code elements by said illuminator, and wherein said optoelectronic system has effective marginal rays from said illuminator directed at angles of about plus and minus fifteen degrees to the optical axis.

71. An optical reader system according to claim 67, wherein said optoelectronic system reads a complete line of bar code elements having a length of at least about fifty millimeters.

72. An optical reader system according to claim 67, wherein said optoelectronic system provides a resolution such that a complete line of bar code elements having a minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch can be read by said portable reader unit.

73. An optical reader system according to claim 67, wherein said optoelectronic system reads bar code elements with a depth of field of at least about ten millimeters external to the portable reader unit.

74. An optical reader system according to claim 67, wherein said optoelectronic system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements on a bar code data carrier which is spaced from the portable reader unit by a distance of about ten millimeters.

75. An optical reader system according to claim 67, wherein said optoelectronic system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements on a bar code data carrier which is spaced from the portable reader unit by a distance of about twenty millimeters.

76. An optical reader system according to claim 67, wherein said portable reader unit being of size to be hand held.

99. An optical reader system as defined in claim 67, wherein said portable reader unit is arranged for battery operation of said optoelectronic system to provide a portable reader, and wherein said light source arrangement is arranged for battery energization.

78. A hand-held portable bar code reader comprising:

(a) a housing having window means for transmitting light between the interior and exterior thereof, and having a bar code sensing region external to said window means,

(b) a visible light illuminator for directing visible light energy through said window means to the bar code sensing region for causing a complete line of bar code elements in said sensing region to be simultaneously illuminated, and for developing a reflected light signal in accordance with visible light energy from the illuminator which is reflected from a complete line of bar code elements in said bar code sensing region,

(c) an optoelectronic system for effecting a reading of a complete line of bar code elements in said bar code sensing region with the assistance of visible light energy from said illuminator, and without requiring any movement of the hand-held reader unit as a whole relative to a bar code data carrier carrying said complete line of bar code elements during reading and without requiring any contact of the unit with a bar code carrier carrying the bar code elements, said optoelectronic system also providing bar code reading of a bar code data carrier in a focal plane spaced in front of the unit,

(d) said optoelectronic system comprising an image sensor for receiving said reflected light signal from a complete line of bar code elements in its entirety, simultaneously to generate a complete bar code signal; and

(e) processing means disposed within said housing and connected in circuit with said image sensor for decoding a complete bar code signal.

79. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, wherein said optoelectronic system responds to visible light energy from said illuminator for reading a bar code with a depth of field of at least about ten millimeters.

80. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, wherein said optoelectronic system is capable of reading a complete line of bar code elements with substantial curvature.

81. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, wherein said optoelectronic system is capable of reading a complete line of bar code elements with a curvature corresponding to a bar code carrier radius approaching 1.25 inches.

82. A portable bar code reader according to claim 81, wherein said optoelectronic system has an optical axis extending through the window means and having marginal rays diverging from the optical axis by at least about plus and minus fifteen degrees to define a relatively wide bar code sensing region in which complete lines of bar code elements of substantial curvature can be read.

83. A portable bar code reader according to claim 82, wherein said optoelectronic system reads bar codes of substantial curvature with minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch over a depth of field of at least about three millimeters.

84. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, wherein said optoelectronic system reads bar codes with minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch over a depth of field of at least about three millimeters.

85. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, wherein said optoelectronic system means reading a complete line of bar code elements having a length of at least about fifty millimeters over a depth of field of at least about three millimeters.

86. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, wherein said optoelectronic system means reading bar codes with minimum bar/space width of about 0.0075 inch over a depth of field of about ten millimeters.

87. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, and further including actuating means for initiating a bar code reading operation, and wherein said visible light illuminator is triggerable.

88. A portable bar code reader according to claim 87 wherein said processing means assesses the validity of a bar code as read by said optoelectronic system.

89. A portable bar code reader according to claim 88 wherein said processing means automatically repeating triggering of the illuminator in the absence of a valid bar code signal.

90. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, wherein said optoelectronic system provides a reading capability for bar codes having a minimum bar or space size of about 0.0075 inch over a substantial range of distances of a bar code data carrier from the hand-held reader unit.

91. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, wherein said illuminator is operable to supply pulses of visible light energy to said bar code sensing region.

92. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, wherein said optoelectronic system has a reading capability for a complete line of bar code elements spaced from the window means by a distance of about twenty-five millimeters.

93. A portable bar code reader according to claim 92, wherein said illuminator is operable to supply light pulses containing substantial light energy within the visible spectrum for developing reflected light signals.

94. A portable bar code reader according to claim 78, and further including means for filtering out a long wavelength region of the spectrum of light energy from the sensing region.

100. A portable bar code reader as defined in claim 78, wherein said hand-held bar code reader is arranged for battery operation of said optoelectronic system to provide a portable reader, and wherein said illuminator is arranged for battery energization.

95. A portable bar code reader comprising,

(a) a hand-held bar code reader housing having a hand grip portion of configuration so as to be grasped with one hand,

(b) window means providing optical transmission between the interior and exterior of said housing, said window means having a bar code sensing region externally thereof for receiving a bar code data carrier having a complete line of bar code elements thereon,

(c) optical system means within said hand-held bar code reader housing for directing light energy toward said bar code sensing region to illuminate a complete line of entire bar code elements on a data carrier, for receiving reflected light energy from such a complete line of entire bar code elements simultaneously and for generating a complete bar code signal in accordance with such complete line of entire bar code elements without requiring any bodily scanning movement of the hand-held bar code reader unit relative to the bar code data carrier,

(d) actuating means for initiating a bar code reading operation while the hand-held bar code reader unit is manually held in operative relation to a bar code data carrier in said bar code sensing region,

(e) said optical system means comprising triggerable current pulse driven visible light source means essentially instantaneously responsive to an abrupt current pulse for supplying visible light to the bar code sensing region and being constructed such that light from the light source means impinging on a complete line of entire bar code elements in the bar code sensing region during a bar code reading operation is reflected to the eye of the user manually holding the bar code reader unit in spaced relation to the bar code data carrier, and such that the illumination of the complete line of entire bar code elements by the triggerable current pulse driven visible light source means is directly observable by the user during a bar code reading operation, and

(f) said optical system means further comprising image sensor means for receiving reflected light energy at once from the complete line of bar code information, said image sensor means retaining an image according to the entirety of the received reflected light energy for generating said complete bar code signal, said optical system means also providing bar code reading of a bar code data carrier in a focal plane spaced in front of the unit.

96. A portable bar code reader according to claim 95, wherein said hand-held bar code reader unit has a weight not greater than about eight ounces.

97. A portable bar code reader according to claim 95, wherein said actuating means is manually operated by the hand which holds said hand grip portion.

101. A portable bar code reader as defined in claim 95, wherein said bar code reader is arranged for battery operation to provide a portable reader, and wherein said optical system means is arranged for battery energization.

102. A portable bar code reader according to claim 95 wherein said visible light source means includes a light assembly for generating visible light energy.