Apparatus and method for reading ID documents in an open environment
An imaging apparatus for imaging a document in an open environment or a closed environment including processor, memory, an imaging device having at least one image sensor and a direct light-source, a bench having an upper surface and a document holding mechanism having at least one paperweight. The paperweights are disposed in respective fitted hollow columns formed in the document holding mechanism, extending generally perpendicular, upwardly from the upper surface of the bench, wherein the respective fitted hollow column facilitates free up and down motion of the paperweight inside, and wherein the document may be pushed underneath said paperweight to thereby flatten the document.
1. An imaging apparatus for imaging a document having an imaged side and a back side, the apparatus is facilitated to operate in an open environment or a closed environment, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a processor;
(b) memory coupled to operate with said processor;
(c) an imaging device comprising:
i. at least one image sensor; and
ii. a light-source-configuration facilitated to directly illuminate the document from at least two illuminating angles;
(d) a bench having an upper surface; and
(e) a document holding mechanism including at least one paperweight,
wherein said light source configuration includes at least one cluster of light sources, and wherein said clusters of light sources are alternately operated in a preconfigured sequence;
wherein said imaging device is preconfigured to acquire an image frame of at least a portion of the document being imaged and to store said acquired image frame in said memory, and wherein said image acquisition is operatively coupled with the activation of each of said light sources of said light-source-configuration at each of said at least two illuminating angles;
wherein a space is formed between said bench and said image sensor, facilitating placing the document on top of said upper surface of said bench, and wherein said image side of the document faces said image sensor;
wherein said at least one paperweight is disposed in a respective fitted hollow space formed in said document holding mechanism, extending generally perpendicular upwardly from said upper surface of said bench;
wherein said respective fitted hollow space facilitates free up and down motion of said at least one paperweight inside said respective fitted hollow space; and
wherein the document may be forcefully pushed underneath said at least one paperweight to thereby move said at least one paperweight upwards inside said respective fitted hollow space, and wherein said at least one paperweight then flattens the document by the force of gravity.
2. The imaging apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the document is a booklet type document, such as a passport.
3. The imaging apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein at least the lower portion of said at least one paperweight is rounded.
4. The imaging apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said hollow space is a hollow column, and wherein each of said at least one paperweights is disposed a respective hollow column.
5. The imaging apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein each individual light source of said light source configuration is selected from the group of light sources type, including infrared (IR), ultra violate (UV) and visible light (VL).
6. The imaging apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein each individual light source of said light source configuration is selected from the group including LED, halogen light sources and fluorescence image.
7. The imaging apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said processor is in communication flow with a remote processing unit.
8. The imaging apparatus as in claim 7 , wherein said remote processing unit is a remote server.
9. The imaging apparatus as in claim 7 , wherein said remote processing unit is a mobile device.
10. A method for imaging a document having an imaged side and a back side, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing an imaging apparatus, facilitated to operate in an open environment or a closed environment, including:
i. a processor;
ii. memory coupled to operate with said processor;
iii. an imaging device including:
A) at least one image sensor; and
B) an light-source-configuration, including at least one cluster of light sources facilitated to directly illuminate the document from at least two illuminating angles;
iv. a bench having an upper surface; and
v. a document holding mechanism including at least one paperweight,
(b) placing the document on said upper surface of said bench, wherein said image side of the document faces said image sensor;
(c) determining the type of the document, the type selected from the group consisting of a booklet-type document, a large form document and a small form document;
(d) pushing the document underneath said at least one paperweight, when said document is a booklet-type document or a large form document, to thereby move said at least one paperweight upwards inside said respective fitted hollow space, and wherein said at least one paperweight then flattens the document by the force of gravity; and
(e) activating said imaging apparatus, wherein said cluster of light sources are operated alternately, in a preconfigured sequence, to directly illuminating the portions of the document being imaged, and wherein each of said at least one image sensors are preconfigured to acquire an image frame of said portions of the document being imaged, in operative synchronization with the activation of the respective cluster of light sources.