Apparatus and method for reading id documents in an open environment

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 (150);
• (b) memory coupled to operate with said processor;
• (c) an imaging device (110) comprising:
• i. at least one image sensor (112);
• and
• ii. a light-source-configuration (114) facilitated to directly illuminate the document from at least two illuminating angles;
• (d) a bench (120) having an upper surface;
• and
• (e) a document holding mechanism (130 or 180) including at least one paperweight (132 or 182),
• wherein said light source configuration includes at least one cluster of light sources, and wherein said clusters of light sources are 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 (134 or 184) 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 paperweight inside said respective fitted hollow space;
• and
• wherein the document may be pushed underneath said paperweight to thereby flatten the document.