Uniform data card illumination for optical reader

An optical system for providing substantially uniform illumination of an object, such as a data card. The optical system provides the folding of an optical path through a series of angled mirrors placed within the housing. Uniform illumination is provided by a pair of light sources within each of a pair of side panels inserted in the side of the housing. Preferably the light sources are white light emitting diodes. The light panels may include abrasions to better diffuse and scatter the light emitted from the light sources. The light panels are placed such that they do not interfere with the reflected optical paths of the mirrors. The images on the data card are reflected by the mirrors to a lens, and ultimately to an imaging chip. The invention allows the use of a less expensive lens as well as white light sources such that both black and white and color images and information may be read from the desired object, such as a data card.