PURPOSE: To increase the bar code data processing speed by using a composit bar code symbol containing bar code symbols shown by red, yellow and blue bars respecrively and detecting three types of information in parallel and at a time.

CONSTITUTION: Sensor parts 36R, 36Y and 36B having sensitivity to red, yellow and blue colors respectively are used to scan a composit bar code symbol 35. Thus an analog detection signal corresponding to a pattern of the bar code symbol of each color appears at each sensor part. These signals are processed simultaneously and independently by each circuit provided to each color of a bar code recognition circuit 37 and a demodulation circuit 38 respectively and turned into digital signals. These digital signals are finally supplied to a code deciding circuit 39 and decoded after undergoing the code check.