A reading device includes: an imaging unit that acquires an image by imaging an object; and a reading unit that emits a scanning light having a prescribed scanning angle range in a prescribed one-dimensional direction and that detects the scanning light reflected by the object so as to acquire a target information displayed on the object. The imaging unit and the reading unit are disposed such that a center line of the prescribed scanning angle range of the scanning light and an optical axis of the imaging unit intersect with each other at a point that is away from the reading device by at a prescribed distance.

The present invention discloses apparatuses and methods for simultaneous viewing and reading top and bottom images from a workpiece. The present ID reader can comprise an enclosure covering a top and bottom section of the workpiece with optical elements to guide the light from the workpiece images to a camera. The optical element can be disposed to receive images from a high angle with respect to the surface of the workpiece. The present ID reader can further comprise a light source assembly to illuminate the image. The light source assembly can utilize a coaxial light path with the images, preferably for bright field illumination. The light source assembly can also utilize a non-coaxial light path, preferably for dark field illumination.

A reading device includes: an imaging unit that acquires an image by imaging an object; and a reading unit that emits a scanning light having a prescribed scanning angle range in a prescribed one-dimensional direction and that detects the scanning light reflected by the object so as to acquire a target information displayed on the object. The imaging unit and the reading unit are disposed such that a center line of the prescribed scanning angle range of the scanning light and an optical axis of the imaging unit intersect with each other at a point that is away from the reading device by at a prescribed distance.

A method, a computer program product and a measuring system are provided for operating a triangulation laser scanner to identify surface properties of a workpiece. The scanner has a CMOS sensor chip, an imaging optical unit, and a laser line light source configured to generate a laser line on the workpiece in compliance with a Scheimpflug condition. Data generated on the sensor chip is reduced to an amount of data only including actual lateral positions of image points of the laser line and a quality criterion for each of the image points. The quality criterion is a measure of an intensity distribution along a direction transverse to a local direction of extent of the image points of the laser line on the sensor chip and the reduced amount of data is analyzed with respect to the quality criterion regarding a presence of barcode and/or detection code information and/or texture information.

Method of and system for reading bar code symbols using a hand-supportable laser scanning bar code symbol reading system supporting an improved level control over the length of laser scan lines projected onto scanned objects, at any instant in time, in a manner dependent the detected location, distance or range of the scanned object in the scanning field of the system during system operation. The length characteristics of the laser scan line are controlled by setting the laser scan sweep angle as a function of detected or estimated distance or range of the object from the system. In the illustrative embodiment, the laser scan sweep angle is controlled by supplying a drive current to the scanning mechanism, as a function of detected or estimated distance or range of the object from the scanning system.

A method, a computer program product and a measuring system are provided for operating a triangulation laser scanner to identify surface properties of a workpiece. The scanner has a CMOS sensor chip, an imaging optical unit, and a laser line light source configured to generate a laser line on the workpiece in compliance with a Scheimpflug condition. Data generated on the sensor chip is reduced to an amount of data only including actual lateral positions of image points of the laser line and a quality criterion for each of the image points. The quality criterion is a measure of an intensity distribution along a direction transverse to a local direction of extent of the image points of the laser line on the sensor chip and the reduced amount of data is analyzed with respect to the quality criterion regarding a presence of barcode and/or detection code information and/or texture information.