Dual-Sensor Passport Scanner with Switchable Mirrors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing document reading devices for identification documents, such as passports, often fail to capture both pages correctly, leading to errors in electronic border control systems, particularly when only one page is presented or when pages are scanned sequentially.
Innovation Solution
A device with two detection sections and corresponding detection devices, along with deflecting mirrors, allows for simultaneous capture of both pages of an opened passport, using partially transparent mirrors and switchable detection sections to maintain a compact design and prevent extraneous light, enabling capture in a single step without significant increase in time compared to single-page readers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential scanning of multiple pages is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to page insertion errors
Solution Approach 1:
The document support is divided into multiple capture sections (first capture section and second capture section), each corresponding to a specific document section. This segmentation allows simultaneous capture of multiple pages without requiring sequential scanning, thereby maintaining measurement precision while managing device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential temporal scanning to parallel spatial capture by arranging multiple capture sections side-by-side on the document support. This dimensional change enables simultaneous capture of multiple document sections in a single scanning operation, eliminating page insertion errors while keeping the device structure manageable.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detection devices are added to capture both pages, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detection devices are integrated into a unified optical detection arrangement that shares common illumination sources and control systems. The first and second detection devices are combined with corresponding illumination elements and deflecting mirrors into coordinated subsystems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the measurement precision benefits of multi-page simultaneous capture.
3Volume of moving object
If beam path is folded to save space, then volume of device is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional mirrors
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system employs nested beam paths where the second illumination beam is positioned within or adjacent to the first illumination beam path. This nesting arrangement allows multiple optical paths to coexist in a compact volume without requiring excessive space, while the shared deflecting mirror structure reduces the number of additional components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflecting mirrors serve multiple functions: they redirect both the first and second illumination beams, and in some configurations, a single mirror handles multiple beam paths. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of optical components needed, offsetting the complexity increase from beam path folding and enabling compact device design.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If capture sections are made switchably transparent, then harmful factors are reduced by blocking extraneous light, but device complexity increases due to switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The capture sections are switched between transparent and opaque states in periodic cycles synchronized with the scanning operation. During active scanning of a document section, the corresponding capture section is transparent; during idle periods or when scanning other sections, it is opaque to block extraneous light. This periodic switching effectively reduces harmful light interference while using simple, manageable switching mechanisms.
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
Enables accurate capture of both pages of a passport without requiring alignment, reducing errors and maintaining efficiency comparable to single-page readers, while ensuring minimal disruption from extraneous light.
Implementation Method 1
a first deflecting mirror (20.1) for deflecting light coming from the first capturing section (14.1) to the first detection device (18.1), and a second deflecting mirror (20.2) for deflecting light coming from the second capturing section (14.2) to the second detection device (18.2)
Implementation Method 2
one or both capture sections can be designed to be switchably transparent. This can involve a known procedure in which glass is coated with a liquid crystal layer to which an electric current can be applied
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for optically capturing a document (D), comprising a document bed (12) with a surface (14) on which a document (D) is laid, wherein the document bed (12) comprises a first capturing portion (14.1) and a second capturing portion (14.2), which are designed in such a way that the first capturing portion (14.1) is assigned to a first document portion (D1) of a document (D) laid on the surface (14) and the second capturing portion (14.2) is assigned to a second document portion (D2) of the document (D) laid down, and comprising at least one lighting element (B) for illuminating the surface (14) of an optical capturing assembly (16) for detecting light reflected by the document (D) laid down, wherein the detection capturing assembly (16) comprises a first capturing device (18.1) assigned to the first capturing portion (14.1) and a second capturing device (18.2) assigned to the second capturing portion (14.2).