US 2003/0169415 A1 · Optoelectronic document reader for reading UV / IR visible indicia

Abstract

A document reader for optoelectronically illuminating, reading and interpreting (i.e. processing and analyzing) indicia appearing on a document in a machine readable zone thereof, wherein the indicia is made visible only under illumination by non-visible light (i.e. UV or IR). UV (or IR) light sources (LED's) of the reader are rapidly switched to a stable, peak UV (or IR) illumination frequency or frequency range to illuminate and render visible such covert UV-visible (or IR-visible) indicia. An optoelectronic image sensor (CCD) captures the document image, which includes the indicia rendered visible by the UV source illumination, and the covert indicia is identified from the captured image. An optical path, being folded by two mirrors so as to provide a compact geometry for the reader, extends between a reading surface on which the document is place and the image sensor. A lens configured for focussing light defining an image onto the sensor is provided in the optical path. The reader may also include bank(s) (array(s)) of visible light sources (LED's), for illuminating visible indicia, in addition to UV and IR LED arrays and any IR light sources may also be used for illuminating visible OCR characters according to ISO 1831. A controller is provided to sequentially activate each different light source bank.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An optoelectronic document reader for automated reading of first indicia in a machine readable zone of a document, said first indicia being invisible when illuminated with visible light and visible when illuminated with invisible light of a predetermined frequency range, said reader comprising:

(a) a reading surface for placement of a document comprising said machine readable zone to be read by said reader;
(b) a plurality of first light sources spaced apart from said reading surface and configured for illuminating said machine readable zone of a document on said reading surface with invisible light of said predetermined frequency range when said first light sources are activated so as to cause said first indicia to become visible;
(c) an image sensor configured for capturing an image defined by light focused thereon and producing electronic data representative of said captured image;
(d) an optical path extending between said reading surface and said image sensor and comprising a lens configured for focusing light defining an image onto said sensor;
and,
(e) a document controller configured for identifying said indicia from said captured image and outputting said identified indicia for display and/or processing;
wherein a document image comprising said first indicia defined by light emitted and/or reflected by said machine readable zone of said document on said reading surface when said first light sources are activated, is transported to said sensor via said optical path and captured by said sensor.

4 more elements

A method for automated reading of first indicia in a machine readable zone of a document, said first indicia being invisible when illuminated with visible light and visible when illuminated with invisible light of a predetermined frequency range, said method comprising:

(a) providing a reading surface for placement of a document comprising said machine readable zone;
(b) providing a plurality of first light sources spaced apart from said reading surface and configured for illuminating said machine readable zone of a document on said reading surface with invisible light of said predetermined frequency range when said first light sources are activated so as to cause said first indicia to become visible;
(c) providing an image sensor configured for capturing an image defined by light focused thereon and producing electronic data representative of said captured image;
(d) providing an optical path extending between said reading surface and said image sensor and comprising a lens configured for focusing light defining an image onto said sensor;
and,
(e) providing a document controller configured for identifying said indicia from said captured image and outputting said identified indicia for display and/or processing;whereby a document image comprising said first indicia defined by light emitted and/or reflected by said machine readable zone of said document on said reading surface when said first light sources are activated, is transported to said sensor via said optical path and captured by said sensor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optoelectronic document reader for reading UV / IR visible indicia

Life of this patent

Optoelectronic document reader for reading UV / IR visible indicia

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20