Card reader with a translucent cover

1. A card reader for reading data from a data card, the reader comprising

a support;

a light source supported by the support and configured to emit light toward the data card;

a sensor supported by the support and configured to sense the data being carried by reflected light from the data card; and

a light-pipe mounted to the support and defining recesses in which the light source and sensor are located, the light-pipe being configured to: diffuse the light emitted by the light source over the width of the data card; focus the diffused light onto a portion of the data card across the diffused width; and focus the reflected light from the data card onto the sensor.

2. A card reader as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support is planar and opaque.

3. A card reader as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the light source includes a plurality of spaced light emitting diodes (LEDs).

4. A card reader as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a charge coupled device (CCD).

5. A card reader as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the CCD is elongate.

6. A card reader as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the light-pipe is transparent and is integrally formed from a plastics material.

7. A card reader as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the light-pipe defines one or more lenses configured to focus the emitted light onto the data card.

8. A card reader as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the light-pipe defines one or more lenses configured to focus the reflected light onto the sensor.

9. A card reader as claimed in claim 1 , further including a transporting mechanism configured to transport the data card with respect to the light-pipe.