Abstract: A document reader system configured to capture an image of a document is described. The document reader system includes a document reader having a transparent scan area, a light source, an optical filter, and an image sensor. The transparent scan area is configured to receive the document on a first side of the transparent scan area. The light source is positioned on a second side of the transparent scan area opposite the first side and is configured to emit light towards the transparent scan area. The optical filter is positioned between the light source and the transparent scan area and has a variable light transmission configured to modify light intensity of the light emitted by the light source. The image sensor positioned on the second side of the transparent scan area and configured to capture the image of the document on the first side of the transparent scan area.

Abstract: An improved document scanning device and a scanning method for checking the transparency and thickness of an identification document. In a preferred embodiment, any one surface of the document is illuminated by the illumination source facing the said surface and the opposite surface of the document is captured by the camera. The amount of light that passes through the illuminated surface of the document is measured and contrasted with the amount of light that passes through the same surface of a reference or original document. The scanning method is also capable of validating an identification document by detecting and authenticating any laser image imprinted on such document.

Abstract: An improved document scanner for imaging documents and decoding coded indicia such as bar codes and magnetic strips is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the scanner incorporates a set of emergency exit instructions so that a user can always retrieve sensitive documents at a moment's notice. These instructions include receiving an emergency exit command from a jamming sensor or from the user, and then attempting mechanical translation toward a first exit and further subsequent translation toward a second exit. If the document is not successfully retrieved, the scanner prepares for manual document extraction as detailed herein.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica such as bar codes on a side surface of an inserted card. The device is electrically powered and features a double scanning method using an electronic imaging element and processor which turns off unnecessary power when not required. This is accomplished through the use of a processor and software to determine if a complete image of the bar code on the inserted card has been captured and allowing immediate extracting of data from the bar code and immediate removal of the card. Should the image of the bar code be incomplete, a second scan is conducted of the bar code as it is removed and if complete, data is extracted and if incomplete a complete image formed from the two individual scans. The device also employs a magnetic strip data reader to extract magnetically encoded data.