Compact ID Scanner with Sequential Spectrum Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ID card scanners are bulky, expensive, and inefficient in verifying the authenticity and validity of modern ID cards due to their need for a serpentine path and multiple imaging components, which complicates the process and increases costs, especially when trying to image both sides of stiff cards like driver's licenses.
Innovation Solution
A compact ID scanner with a short, inline flowpath and unique optics that uses sequential light spectrum illumination and a single CCD imager to capture both sides of an ID card, combined with a magnetic strip reader and digital camera, allowing for concurrent imaging and authentication under various light conditions, reducing the device's footprint and calibration requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional serpentine path and multiple imaging components are used, then both sides of ID cards can be imaged, but the device becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging functions into a single linear path scanner. Instead of using separate imaging components for different sides of the ID card, the invention uses one scanner that captures images of both sides sequentially as the card moves through the linear flowpath, merging multiple imaging operations into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the imaging process into distinct phases within a continuous linear motion. The card is imaged on one side, then flipped or rotated during transit, and imaged on the other side, dividing the complex two-sided imaging task into manageable sequential steps along the linear path.
2Measurement precision
If serpentine path is used for scanning, then both sides of cards can be scanned, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional serpentine path (requiring lateral movement and large area) to a one-dimensional linear path (requiring only forward motion). This dimensional simplification reduces the device footprint while maintaining the capability to scan both sides of cards through sequential positioning and flipping mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple imaging components are used, then comprehensive authentication can be performed, but calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single imaging component universal by designing it to perform multiple authentication functions. The same scanner captures visible images, UV responses, and IR responses by illuminating the card with different light spectra sequentially, eliminating the need for multiple specialized imaging components and their associated calibration procedures.
4Reliability
If conventional ID scanners are used, then security verification can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous scanning action throughout the card's movement through the linear flowpath. The scanner operates continuously while the card moves, flips, and moves again, capturing images without interruption. This eliminates the stop-start nature of conventional scanners, maintaining security verification while significantly reducing total scanning time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables rapid, cost-effective, and accurate verification of ID card authenticity and validity, capable of reading multiple data formats like magnetic strips, barcodes, and RFID tags, improving security and convenience while reducing the device's size and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
uses sequential light spectrum illumination and a single CCD imager to capture both sides of an ID card
Implementation Method 2
a single CCD imager to capture both sides of an ID card
Implementation Method 3
combined with a magnetic strip reader
Data Source
AI summary
An improved document or ID card scanner for imaging documents and decoding coded indicia such as bar codes and magnetic strips is disclosed. The scanner incorporates an internal motor and automatic multi-pass scanning function to quickly and accurately capture all data on a document. During these passes the document is imaged under a number of different lighting conditions and a magnetic strip is read multiple times. The document scanner can perform scans as the document moves in forward and reverse directions; and each scan occurs at a speed optimized to the particular scanning method and direction of the current pass. During the multiple passes, the document is scanned and or read at varying speeds for reliability and for different purposes as detailed herein.