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.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/487,039 filed Jun. 1, 2012, entitled “Document Scanner with Instant Retrieval Process,” which in turn claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/478,048 filed May 22, 2012, entitled “Multi-Pass Document Scanner and Multi-Passing Method,” that is further in continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/156,100 filed May 28, 2008, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,872 on May 22, 2012, entitled “Imaging Device and Method for Concurrent Imaging of Opposite Sides of An Identification Card or Document,” which in turn claims priority from U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 60/994,612 filed on Sep. 19, 2007, and the present application claims the benefit of priority date thereof; accordingly the entire contents of these two patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. This present application also expressly incorporates U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/405,064 which is entitled “ID scanner with Machine-Readable Coded Indicia Reader and Card Imaging Digital Camera” by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to scanning device with capability of electronically imaging both sides of and scanning multiple forms of coded data from an ID document. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved ID scanning device and a scanning method capable of confirming the transparency and thickness of an ID card by measuring the amount of light that passes through at least one surface of an ID card and contrasting that with the amount of light that passes through the same surface of a reference or original ID document. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Subsequent to recent heightened security, government and private security measures have continued to increase worldwide. Consequently, there is a continued need for business and government security personnel to inspect and ascertain the identification cards of employees and citizens and to ascertain their authenticity and scope. Further, bars and nightclubs and liquor stores which serve alcohol are under a constant threat of fines and loss of their liquor license should they serve alcohol to an individual who is underage. Inspecting the identification of patrons of such establishments and validating its authenticity is therefore an important daily task. 
     However, with the advent of ever more advanced home and business computers and ever more accurate and high definition color printers, forging and manufacturing false identification cards, passports, employment identification cards, and drivers&#39; licenses and the like has become easier. While forging a driver&#39;s license a decade ago was a cut and paste type of an operation which would generally be laminated to appear authentic, current computers and printers with appropriate graphic reproduction software place the ability to create genuine appearing, yet forged identification documents, in the hands of teenagers. 
     As a consequence, there is an ever more pressing need for business owners, bar and liquor store owners, banks, and government employees such as the TSA checking airline passengers, to be able to read and visually ascertain the authenticity and current validity of a presented piece of identification. Documents such as drivers&#39; licenses in the past decade have included many types of security and authenticity factors which are imprinted directly onto the identification card. These can be inks that fluoresce, inks that are visible only under certain light spectrums, hidden indica in identification photos, printed bar codes, and magnetic strips which are encoded. Frequently a plurality of these types of security and authenticity measures are imprinted on both sides of a driver&#39;s license or ID and can serve to validate that the ID is current and can authenticate the ID as validly issued rather than forged. 
     However, presently, most small businesses such as a bar or restaurant do not have the personnel trained to spot forgeries through comparison of imprinted authenticity and validity markers. Further, because the equipment to read and discern the various different types of security features is both bulky and expensive, business and even government venues do not employ it. Instead, businesses and government employees rely on the eye of a bouncer or gatekeeper at a restaurant or bar, and government relies on personnel such as a counter clerk or TSA agent, both of whom with little training and less equipment must try and spot forged identifications without the aid of variable light wavelengths and magnetic and optical strip readers and comparison of duplicate information on each. 
     One major impediment in imaging and detecting the authenticity and current validity of drivers&#39; licenses and identification cards using conventional scanning machinery is the fact that they are stiff by nature due to their need for longevity. Most two sided document readers and imagers depend on running the document being scanned through a serpentine path in the device on a track through curves and ejecting it at the end of the serpentine path. While traversing this path, the card is optically viewed in a number of positions to try and image spectrum viewable security features for comparison. Being short and stiff, such cards are not well adapted to follow the conventional serpentine path required for imaging two sides. Further, such card readers tend to be very bulky due to the elaborate pathways the card must follow and the different multiple imaging stations along the path. Adding to the problem with such conventional imaging devices is that CCD&#39;s and CMOS-style digital imaging chips are expensive. Consequently employing two to image both sides of a document doubles the cost. Additionally two independent image capturing components require a doubling of calibration, lighting, and double the amount of things that can go wrong. 
     Accordingly, there is an unmet need for an imaging device that will scan both sides of either a flexible or relatively stiff identification card such as a driver&#39;s license or credit card style ID, which has a reduced size and footprint in use at such venues as an airport, bar, or company or government building point of entry. Such a device should provide for imaging of both sides of the card or document concurrently by a single electronic imaging device to thereby reduce costs and initial and ongoing calibration requirements. Such a device, due to the nature of people standing in lines and crowds where the identification is generally checked, and credit cards employed, should serve to increase speed through a checkpoint rather than slowing it as is the result with conventional devices. Further, such a device should eliminate the serpentine path for the document being checked and should provide the shortest and fastest path in and out of the device as is possible while achieving concurrent images of both sides of the document under a plurality of illumination spectrums required to image authenticity markings. Further, such a device should be especially well adapted to image both sides of a driver&#39;s license or ID card concurrently in a highly registered imaging between the two sides and to produce images that are easily readable and comparable on a video display for the user. 
     Because some user systems require information extracted from the machine-readable indicia as well as an image of the card, there is a need for a system capable of reading machine-readable indicia from an ID card as well as photographing the surface of the ID card in a single, compact package. The most convenient embodiment for checking modern ID cards would incorporate a magnetic strip reader alongside a digital camera. With this combination of coded indicia readers, a vendor or security personnel would be able to simply extract data from many ID cards, including any state driver&#39;s license issued in recent years. 
     Additionally, there is a benefit in scanning an ID card or document during multiple passes along an internal defined path. Different scanning devices could require different pass speeds and engaging certain scanners simultaneously could interfere with the quality provided by other scanners. For example, ID cards require a minimum pass velocity to energize a magnetic coil and read a magnetic strip, and this minimum magnetic strip velocity only narrowly overlaps with the maximum digital image capture velocity. Additionally, it would be impossible to simultaneously capture images of an ID card under multiple different lighting conditions, such as infrared, ultraviolet, and RGB (visible), as the sensor would pick up all of the reflected light rather than the specific desired frequency. It is possible to alternate two 2 frequencies of illumination during a single pass, but if more than two frequency captures are desired, an additional pass by the sensors could lower the illumination intensity or precise timing requirements. To allow optimal performance of all included scanners, more than one pass by the scanner assembly can be quite beneficial. 
     Also in light of the above, it is an additional object of the present invention to provide a device combining three popular machine-readable data options (e.g. magnetic strip, 2-D barcode, and RFID tags) and related variations, and further thereby providing an all-in-one peripheral for reading information from virtually any type of ID card, increasing both security and convenience in a smaller, cheaper package. 
     It is still further an object of the present invention to provide a scanning device and method with a particular configuration suited for retrieving a jammed document of identification (ID) card. 
     As stated, these identification documents usually consist of several security features, hidden or visible, in order to reduce easy duplication. For instance, security features on identification documents like driver&#39;s license vary from State to State that includes but not limited to State Flags, Seals, or Department of Motor Vehicle&#39;s (DMV) logos. Further, all these distinct security features, and patterns are in microprints, different colors, fonts, etc. Many of these security features are not visible through naked eye and need either magnification under a light source or simply a light source. For instance, the driver&#39;s license of California State has words “CALIFORNIA USA” written on top left side of the card. The blue colored letters are uniform in font size, and underlined. For an inexperienced fraudster, it could be somewhat difficult to achieve the uniformity in color, and font size. However, a technological savvy fraudster may be able to imitate it easily and pass through the security checks done under a flashlight and naked eye or simple magnification. 
     As a result, there is a continued need of security measures that go beyond magnification of security features employed on such identification documents to inspect and verify identity to ascertain their authenticity. The transparency and thickness of an identification document is one such feature that is still very difficult to replicate. Also, the transparency level associated with different types of identification documents would vary but will remain the same for same type of documents. For instance, all drivers&#39; licenses belonging to State of California will have same transparency level but would be different from the transparency level of insurance card or employment card. However, it would be difficult for security personnel to remember all the patterns employed on each document of each State, Company, or Country that contributes to the thickness or transparency of a document. Thus, there is a need for a system which after inspecting the document could verify the contents of it by contrasting them with the original contents of such document. 
     Bleed-through is a mechanism in which the ink or color from on side of the document seeps onto the other side of the document and the range of bleed can vary from faint to severe. Normally, bleed-through is considered a problem as it obscures the ink and makes reading of the text or image difficult. However, the inventors of the present invention have used bleed-through in a document to work in their favor. Thus, bleed-through of images and texts from one surface of the card onto the opposite surface of the card can determine the transparency level of the identification document. Also, it is important that the procedure to measure the transparency level of the identification document does not consume time, is inexpensive, and efficient. 
     The innovative feature of this invention is utilization of an aspect of bleed-through in a document that is considered a problem by many. Thus, measurement of bleed-though from one surface of the document onto the opposite surface is used to check its transparency, and/or thickness thereby verifying the authenticity of the identification card. Even a slight amount of alteration or forgery with the identification document would change the transparency level and such document will fail to pass the security check. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide a security system that could measure the amount of light that passes from one surface of the ID card on the adjacent surface and contrast it with the amount of light that passed through in the original ID card issued by the manufacturer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed device and method herein employs unique optics which enables it to employ a very short and unique flowpath for documents such as driver&#39;s licenses and identification cards and other identification documents in and out of the device. During this short flowpath through the device, a plurality of light spectrums are sequentially reflected off of both sides of the inserted ID to provide a means to easily image and ascertain the existence of any hidden indicia and security features which must be checked to ascertain document authenticity and current validity. A mechanism employing an electric motor and wheels provide for automatic movement into and out of the device during a scan. Employing a short and inline flowpath for the ID or document inserted and unique lighting, optical reflections and imagers allow for insertion and removal of the card or ID from a single slot in the reader device. The employment of software adapted to the task of ascertaining the current validity and authenticity of the document or ID by measuring the amount of illumination passing through the identification card, and employing alternative light spectrums to ascertain the transparency and thickness of the card can provide a valuable automation to the process of validating such documents. The short flowpath and employment of unique optics and light spectrum illumination allows for a device having a very small footprint and therefore able to be employed at inspection stations where space is sparse. 
     As shown in the drawings and described herein, the disclosed device is a self-contained motorized peripheral unit designed to capture and process the images of both sides of a driver&#39;s license, credit card, employment ID card, or similar credit card style identification card. The device also has the ability to image and read 2D or 1D bar codes frequently encoded on such ID cards with verification information and can also read encoded magnetic strip data which also is employed for age verification and/or authentication of the ID and holder. 
     In operation, images of both sides of the inserted document or card are concurrently captured to memory and then internally processed. This allows the information to become immediately available for further verification of the ID itself and matching it to the person presenting it. 
     The device employs a unique scanning and imaging technology enabling it to capture images of both sides of the ID, card, or document inserted by employing five different light sources sequentially. This enables the system not only to read visible informational indica such as barcode and texts and photos, but also allows the device to discern hidden authentication indica being employed on such documents. 
     The process of validating the ID is accomplished by viewing or comparing one or a plurality of specific features of the ID card or document inserted which only appear visible for capture under a specific light source. The light sources present in the device project light in sequential frequencies or spectrums currently including UV (365 nm) Blue (470 nm) Green (525 nm) Red (625 nm) and IR (850 nm). Employing these individual light spectrums in a novel sequential lighting arrangement also allows concurrent illumination should combinations of the spectrum be required or white light to capture more accurate visible colors. Thus colored renditions can be assembled electronically from the light reflected at the various wavelengths. This accuracy of color reproduction further enhances the processes validating and authenticating ID&#39;s and documents in that it allows for watermark and Original-Color-Print detection. Using onboard or networked information for comparison, the current validity of the identification in the case of expiring documents and the authenticity in the case of valid issuance, as well as matching it to the presenter, can be handled at a very detailed level. 
     In addition to employing LED&#39;s to project individual light sources for concurrent or sequential imaging, a unique optical path design enables the device to capture the entire portion of both sides of the ID or document such as a state driver&#39;s license, employing only a single optical sensor (CCD) to digitize the captured images. Employing the unique reflective path allowing for this single CCD not only reduces the system cost but also allows for very easy calibration for image comparison of both sides of a document since all images are captured from the same position rather than multiple image sensors at multiple points as in conventional devices. 
     In addition to onboard microprocessor, memory, and optical components, the device has means for communication with a computer network using either wireless or wired ports. Power is supplied by onboard batteries, or if the device is stationary, it can be by AC adapter. 
     Practitioners of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the imaging device and method are based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other one-sided or two-sided imaging systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is an additional object of this invention to provide a driver&#39;s license or similar identification document reader which can ascertain the authenticity of the document inserted using a single imager and short linear flowpath for the document into and out of the device. 
     It is further object of the invention to provide such a device for imaging two sides of a driver&#39;s license or identification card or document, which employs a single imaging point and one imager to capture all images of both sides in order to reduce cost and calibration requirements. 
     It is yet further object of this invention to employ a plurality of specific wavelengths of light inside a housing for lighting the surface to be imaged to allow the imager to process images from an inserted document thereby, using multiple images under one or a plurality of light wavelengths to ascertain hidden authentication features. 
     These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and method as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     In a first embodiment, the scanning device incorporates a scanning method for confirming the transparency of a dual-sided identification document comprising a single optical sensor to capture both surfaces of said document; illuminating only one surface of said document through an illumination source facing said surface; imaging opposite surface of said document wherein an illumination source facing the opposite surface is turned off; processing said imaging of opposite surface of said document in a data processor, said processing comprising measuring bleed-through in said imaging of opposite surface and contrasting said measured bleed-through with a measured bleed-through of reference image stored in said data processor. 
     The identification card is authenticated based on the amount of illumination that passes through the card at a given amount of time. The amount of light that passes through the card is measured while the document is scanned while being passed along an internal defined path. The amount of illumination that passed through the card must be similar to the amount of illumination passed through a reference identification card. 
     In order to capture the amount of light that passes from one surface of the card onto the opposite surface, a specific light source from the illumination spectrum present in the device projects light onto one surface on the side of card facing them whereas the illumination spectrum in the device present towards other surface of the card is turned off. The digital camera present in the device captures the image of said other surface of the card brought out by the illumination of said one surface of the card by light projected from specific light source. 
     The amount of light that passes from one surface of the card onto the opposite surface varies depending upon the types of indicia and features imprinted on the card. For instance, for regular features like flag, logo, or watermark of a particular State or Country would be used in validating the card by determining the amount of bleed of light through such features. However, if there were magnetic strip present on the surface of the card, then in all probabilities, there would not be any leak of light in that area. Similarly, there is no point in measuring the bleed-though or blockage in the area where picture of the cardholder is located as it may differ from person to person. Further, if the card has been forged by putting a sticker or layer on 2D barcode, such forgery would vary the thickness of the said card and in return the amount of light that passes from a surface imprinted with such security feature. Thus, measuring the bleed of light from that surface easily detects any forgery with a barcode, which is not detected by most scanners if the fraudster gets the exact color. Also, the amount of light that passes through one surface of the card onto the opposite surface would vary for any damaged card e.g. invalid card, broken, missing pieces or missing information from the card. 
     One of the essential features of the invention described and claimed herein is any individual light source from the light spectrum employed in the scanning device can be used for confirming the transparency of the identification document. Different light sources like infrared, ultra-violet, and RGB (visible) can be used to project light and illuminate a surface of the identification card. However, the illumination source is selected based on its ability to penetrate the surface of the identification card. The stronger an illumination source penetrates a surface of the identification card, the more that specific illumination source is preferred for illuminating the surface of the identification card. For instance, infrared with its strong penetrating ability is mostly preferred. 
     Employing a single optical sensor in the scanning device allows for accurate measurements of transparency of the identification card at microscopic levels unlike conventional devices with multiple image sensors at multiple points, which thereby offsets the entire process. The single optical sensor employed in the scanning device is 2D camera or linear camera. 
     In addition, the accuracy of scanning method to confirm the transparency of the identification card is not affected by the level of resolution used in the scanning device. Thus, the transparency of the identification card can be confirmed accurately even in low resolution which allows for faster movement of the identification card in the scanning device. The end user also need not worry about the position or alignment of the identification card into the scanning device. Any way the card is aligned, the device can still capture the amount of light passed through a surface of the card while it is translated in a defined flowpath. 
     Further, the scanning method to confirm the transparency of the identification card is achieved in one pass when mechanically translated into the scanning device. Therefore, during the second pass i.e. while being translated out of the scanning device, the method provides sufficient time to read the magnetic strip present on the identification card thereby providing more details to authenticate the card and also matching it to the cardholder. If desired, the identification card can also be scanned for other security details like barcode under RGB spectrum as the card would get properly aligned by the scanning device for its second pass. 
     In a second embodiment, the scanning device further incorporates a scanning method for authenticating any laser image imprinted on a document comprising illuminating any one surface of said document through an illumination source facing said surface; imaging opposite surface of said document wherein an illumination source facing the opposite surface is turned off; processing said imaging of opposite surface of said document in a data processor. The image processing further comprising detecting any laser image imprinted on said one surface of said document wherein said illumination source completely seeps through perforations of said laser image; measuring amount of illumination source that seeps through perforations of said laser image; contrasting said amount of seeped illumination source with a measured illumination source that seeped through perforations of reference laser image stored in said data processor. 
     The scanning method described and claimed herein is capable of detecting any prominent signature security feature imprinted on the surface of the card and thereafter authenticating it by the amount of illumination that bleed-through the surface of the card. For instance, images of Bear imprinted on driver&#39;s license of State of California are one such prominent laser security feature. Such security indicia&#39;s are visible to naked eye but any alteration or forgery with the laser printed security feature would require detailed examination not possible with naked eye. In order to detect and determine the authenticity of such laser printed feature, surface of the identification card displaying that particular image is illuminated by an illumination source located on the same side. As for the detection of laser printed feature, the light projected from the illuminated source should totally pass through the punctured fissures of the image suggesting the presence of a laser feature. With respect to authenticity, the amount of light that seeps through the image of the Bear, for e.g., would be contrasted with the amount of light that seeped through the original laser image imprinted on original card. 
     As described herein, the improved scanning device and the scanning method claimed herein is capable of comparing the scanned images showing the bleed of light with the original images depicting the bleed of light stored as a template in the processor onboard or networked. The use of a data processor minimizes the human error while processing the image whereas onboard or networked information about the reference document while comparing enables the end user to determine any minute alteration or forgery of any indicia located on the surface of the card. 
     It is required that the personnel verifying and authenticating the ID card is aware about the type of identification card presented by the cardholder and also to which State it belongs. The data about the required amount and duration of illumination varies for different types of identification document as the authorities that issue such identification documents have different patterns or security indicia imprinted on their respective identification documents. Therefore, the amount and the duration of illumination to be projected upon one surface of the identification card could be decided based upon the quantity of significant images imprinted on the card and its thickness. Such data is stored in template info and calibrated into the scanning device at the time of scan to be used as a reference point. The amount of light that passes through the card can be compared with the data stored in template. If the card has not been altered or forged, the light that passes through should be similar to the one stored in template. 
     The process of storing template information involves employing light sources present in the scanning device to project light alternatively on both surfaces of the identification card belonging to a particular State or Country and the amount of illumination that passed from both the surfaces of the card would be captured to determine the light that passes through the identification card presented by the cardholder. The data including the amount of light projected from a specific light source, duration for which the illumination was projected on the card, and the amount of light that passed through that specific card is stored as a template and used as a fixed source for comparison to determine the transparency and/or thickness of the card presented by the card holder. For instance, the digital imager in the device captures an image of an authentic driver&#39;s license issued by the State of California wherein illumination is projected on each surface of the identification card and these images displaying the light that seeped through are stored as template for data comparison. 
     In a third embodiment, the scanning device further incorporates a scanning method for checking the transparency of a dual-sided identification document in one pass comprising alternating illumination source on each side surface of said dual-sided document, alternating imager opposite to said illumination source on said each side surface of said dual-sided document, said alternating illumination source and said alternating imager provides a line from one side surface of said document followed by a line from opposite side surface of said document, said each line is separate and when combined provides a full image of each side surface of said document. 
     The end user can instruct the scanning device to keep switching the light spectrums located on both the sides of the identification card when the card is translated into the device. Alternating the LED&#39;s would provide two images of the identification card—front and back. Also, one can ignore the left/odd line and look at the right/even lines or vice versa. 
     The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective depiction of the internal workings of the optical system of the device employing mirrors to communicate both sides of a moving document to a single imaging device for capture. 
         FIG. 2  shows the additional function of a magnetic strip reader which may be concurrently employed to read magnetic strip information and ascertain correct insertion. 
         FIG. 3  is an expanded or unfolded field of view of the device without showing the mirrors employing dotted lines to show locations of the three mirrors which project concurrent images of both sides to the capturing device. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the unique optical arrangement of mirrors to reflect both sides of the ID card to a final mirror under the flowpath for capture by the imaging device mounted traverse to the flowpath. 
         FIG. 5  shows a cutaway view of the casing which would surround the device and with the circuit board removed, and which darkens the flowpath and enables the employment of multiple individual LED or light source projections to capture different images of both sides of the card. 
         FIG. 6  is a rendition of the planar projections of the card surfaces in sections to a final horizontally disposed mirror reflecting sections through a refracting lens to the imager. 
         FIG. 7  depicts the magnetic strip reader. 
         FIG. 8  shows the belt pulling the ID card translating it into and out of the linear flowpath above the imager. 
         FIG. 9  depicts the final horizontal imaging mirror positioned inline with a lens focusing the segmental image of each side of the card to the imager. 
         FIG. 10  depicts another means to concurrently communicate segments of both sides of the card to the imager during periods of illumination from that of  FIGS. 4 and 6 . 
         FIGS. 11A ,  11 B, and  11 C depict exemplary illustrative views of the ID Scanner with the access panel in its closed state; 
         FIG. 12  depicts an exemplary illustrative view of the ID Scanner with the access panel in its partially open state. 
         FIG. 13  depicts the interior of the ID Scanner, revealing internal components; 
         FIG. 14  depicts a flow chart of document movement during a multiple-pass scan utilizing the device; 
         FIG. 15  depicts a flow chart of actual device steps performed during each pass of  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 16  depicts an emergency retrieval process for immediately retrieving a document from the device. 
         FIG. 17A : shows the front and back surface of an identification card. 
         FIG. 17B : depicts the actual bleed of light attained by scanning the card in the scanning device 
         FIG. 18A : shows the front surface of the card displaying a laser security feature, an image of bear. 
         FIG. 18B : depicts the bleed-though from the laser security feature. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings in  FIGS. 1-18 , exemplary preferred embodiments of the present invention in current preferred modes are shown and described. The device  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  and other figures is adapted to be easily employed for imaging two-sided documents such ID type documents such as a driver&#39;s license card  12 . Using a drive mechanism as shown in  FIGS. 8-9  which employs a reversible motor  13  to drive a belt  17  to mechanically translate a card  12  along a linear flowpath  11  into and out of a housing  14 ; the device  10  offers easy review and authentication of presented identifications such as drivers&#39; license card  12 . The translation into and out of the housing  14  is timed to allow strobing of the individual LEDs  28  to illuminate the card  12  to capture segmented images during each such illumination of each LED  28  in each light frequency to thereby electronically assemble one or a plurality of different images of the card  12  in each respective spectrum of illumination employed. 
     In operation the card  12  or other two-sided document to be viewed and/or checked for authenticity and/or current validity as to expiration date, is inserted into and exited from an inline linear flowpath  11  inside a housing  14 . The A drive mechanism  13 ,  17 ,  130  will translate the card  12  into and out of the housing  14  for a duration sufficient to illuminate the card  12  with the LEDs  28  and capture the necessary segments of card image to assemble an total image electronically of the card  12  under each spectrum, or combine the segments in one or a plurality of spectrums electronically, to yield an assembled image of the card  12  showing the different hidden and visible indicia combined. The assembled image of the card  12  thus can show the hidden indicia which only appears under certain light spectrums along with the visible indicia to allow for easy verification of the validity and authenticity of the card  12  when projected on a video monitor such as the depiction in  FIG. 3  showing both sides of the card  12  concurrently as they are seen by the digital imager  16 . 
     Inside the housing  14  the device  10  employs a unique combination of means for illumination and means for optical reflection allowing the use of a single imager  16  which enables a two-sided image to be captured concurrently by the imager  16  from assembled segments of images from the strobing LEDs  28  in their respective spectrum as shown in  FIG. 3 . The segments are sized as a function of the width of the mirrors employed. 
     During translation into and out of the device  10 , both sides of an identification card  12  such as a driver&#39;s license or employment ID or other double sided document are concurrently captured by the imager  16  and thus the two images are registered with each other throughout the imaging process allowing for positions of indicia on each side to be compared with each other as another means to ascertain authenticity. Because of the short linear flowpath  11  allowed by the unique concurrent imaging of both sides, and the fact that the LEDs capturing segments of the assembled image can strobe both during the incoming and exiting movement of the card  12 , a license or other inserted card  12  or ID only needs to move into the housing  14  a short distance, thereby allowing for a relatively small housing  14 , shown in  FIG. 5 . Additionally providing for the small footprint is the placement of the imager  16 , lens  26 , and horizontal mirror  32  on one side of the circuit board  31  and the angled reflective mirrors  30  and linear flowpath  11  for the card  12  on the opposite side. This stacked arrangement of the components renders the device  10  much smaller than would be the case conventionally. 
     The electronic imager  16  such as a CCD chip, or other means to capture an illuminated image and convert it to a digital image, in addition to capturing segmented images of the card  12  surface under different light spectrums, has the ability to capture and digitize images of 2D or 1D bar codes  20 , which are frequently encoded on such ID cards or licenses card  12  and/or ID such as company and government issued security cards. The captured bar codes may be processed by software adapted to the task to extract their data once captured. Optionally but preferred, the device  10  can also read an encoded magnetic strip  18  which frequently contains data about the holder and about the document on which it is placed, using a retractable  119  magnetic strip reader  19  in the proper position as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 . Both the optically readable bar code  20  and the magnetic strip  18  are used by many government and private agencies to encode hidden data and are thus employable to verify the indicia  22  such as text and photo  24  on the card  12  or other ID containing them. 
     In operation, a two-sided image or concurrent individual images of both sides of a document such as an ID card  12  or license, or passport, as shown in  FIG. 3 , is assembled from segments communicated to and captured by the imager  16 . As depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 6  and  10 , segments forming duel assembled images of the card  12 , during capture traveling along the linear flowpath  11 , are concurrently communicated to the imager  16  using means to reflect both sides concurrently into the lens  26  which focuses segments from both sides of the card  12  to assemble both images in each respective spectrum. The arrangement of components in  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  10 , are a preferred means to communicate segmental images of both side surfaces of the card  12  upon the imager  16  during travel of the card  12  into and out of the housing  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , one especially preferred mode providing means to communicate segmented images of the two sides of the card  12  upon the imager  16  is provided by angled reflective mirrors  30  which communicate images of segmented portions of each side of the ID card  12  or license to a horizontal mirror  32  and through a lens  26 , to the imager  16  in sequence. As the LEDs  28  strobe in their respective spectrum during passages along the flowpath, segmental images in each spectrum are communicated to the imager  16 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 10  in another mode of the device  10 , the angled reflective mirrors  30  may be positioned in other arrangements to communicate the segmental images to the imager  16 . In  FIG. 10 , the angled reflective mirrors  30  are parallel to the linear translational linear flowpath  11  of the card  12  and reflect segmental images to two lower angled mirrors  33  which replace the horizontal mirror  32 , as earlier embodiments. The lower angled mirrors  33  project the images though the lens  26  to the imager  16 . Those skilled in the art will realize once educated by this specification that other means to concurrently communicate segmented portions of both sides of the translating card  12  to the imager  16  can be employed and such are anticipated. However, the current preferred mode employs the device  10  as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 9  wherein the angled reflective mirrors  30  are positioned at inclining angles toward the top of the card  12  adjacent to the linear flowpath  11 , and the horizontal mirror  32  is positioned traverse to the linear flowpath  11  of the card  12  underneath it. As noted elsewhere, this arrangement or similar reduces the footprint of the device  10  making employable in limited space areas. 
     If the reader  19  is employed, data from the magnetic strip  18  and/or data extracted by software form the assembled images of the bar code  20  may also be captured thereby making the data encoded therein immediately available for comparison with captured images of the card  12  in the various spectrums, thereby further providing a concurrent plurality of information for further verification of the authenticity and validity of the ID card  12  itself. 
     In the scanning or imaging process, to capture segmented images of both sides of the card  12  while traversing in and out of the linear flowpath  11 , the device  10  employs a unique imaging technology using LEDs  28  or other spectrum-specific lighting means inside the housing  14  to render images on the imager  16  to capture multiple digital images of both sides of the card  12  in a plurality of light wavelengths. The LEDs  28  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 8  mounted on a circuit board  29  are illuminated in a sequence, individually or combined, to thereby illuminate both sides of the card  12  as it travels the linear flowpath  11  in and out of the device  10 . 
     Each time an LED  28  illuminates for a duration, the card  12  so illuminated reflects an image of a segment of the card  12  passing each of a pair of angled reflective mirrors  30 . Optionally this segmented illumination may be done by stopping the card  12  for moments during its traverse of the linear flowpath  11  or by a fast sequential strobing of the card  12  while the card  12  moves in and out of the linear flowpath  11 . 
     Since images are captured during both directions of traverse or translation of the card  12  the duration to capture segmented images is doubled over just capturing the images in one direction. Further, because the card  12  is imaged in both directions, should hidden indicia be such that it fluoresces under a certain spectrum of light and continues to glow thereafter for a duration, the LED  28  emitting this spectrum would be employed last, as the card  12  is exiting the housing  14  so that the glowing ink does not damage other images in other spectrums which might be taken after such illumination. The two-way segmented imaging of the card  12  thus is most important in this aspect. 
     The angled reflective mirrors  30  are each positioned to reflect the segment of the card  12  during any such illumination period of time that the card  12  traverses the linear flowpath  11  through other mirrors and the lens  26  to the imager  16 . This enables the device  10  concurrently, in real time, to capture images of both sides of the ID card  12  in a registered position relative to each other, using a plurality of spectrum-specific light sources. Currently a plurality of five different light sources from LEDs  28  adapted to emit light at specific points in the spectrum, are employed; however, others are anticipated within the scope of this application. As noted, the LEDs may strobe quickly singularly or in combination to capture certain images to uncover the hidden indicia on the card  12  while it moves, or the card  12  may be stopped momentarily, according to a preferred method along the linear flowpath  11  to allow for segments under each spectrum of each segment to be captured by the imager  16 . 
     This employment of sequential emissions of light onto the card  12  at different spectrums enables the imager  16  of the device  10  not only to image and store readily viewable informational indicia such as barcode  20  and text  22 , but, as noted, also allows the device  10  to image and capture hidden authentication and validation indicia which only illuminates or fluoresces for capture by the imager  16  under certain light spectrums. Inks which either fluoresce after illumination for a period, or reflect light and become viewable under certain light spectrums, are being employed on a widening scale to provide means to authenticate and validate ID&#39;s such as licenses. This is currently done by hand by the TSA with drivers&#39; licenses. This ability to capture one or a plurality of such hidden features and store them for comparison or viewing by the user, is therefore a very important aspect provided by the device  10  and method hereon. 
     As noted, the angled reflective mirrors  30  positioned adjacent to the flowpath  11  of the card  12  will reflect a segment of the card  12  to the imager  16  during each illumination of the card  12  by any one or combination of the spectrum-specific LEDs  28 . The entire images of both sides of the card  12  as depicted in  FIG. 3  are assembled electronically by a connected data processor and software adapted to the task from the segments stored in memory. The illumination process of each segment of the card  12  as it moves in and along the linear flowpath  11 , is accomplished by illuminating the ID card  12  for individual time durations in one or a plurality of light spectrums such as UV (365 nm) Blue (470 nm) Green (525 nm) Red (625 nm) IR (850 nm). Each segmental image in each single or combined light spectrum is reflected to the imager  12  by the aligned mirrors  30  and  32 , and through lens  26  which focuses the segments onto the capturing portion of the imager  16 . Images can be assembled in five or more wavelengths by strobing the LEDs  28  for short time durations as the card  12  moves past the angled reflective mirrors  30 . 
     Since each ID can have any number of hidden authenticating features that are imagable only under certain light-spectrums, the device  10  allows for multiple ways to capture and employ such authenticating indicia by imaging of the card  12  in at least five spectrums and more when the images captured by the imager  16  and communicated to the data processor are combined electronically to yield assembled images. Because both sides of the card  12  are imaged concurrently for each segmental image, the images of both sides of the card are in registered positions relative to one another. This allows for comparison of the specific positions of indicia points on both sides of the card  12  which is also important since equipment used to forge such documents is frequently inexpensive and unable to accurately position such indicia points to the scale that very sophisticated and expensive printing equipment can. By comparing the points or positions of relative location of specific indicia on both sides of the card  12  the device  10  can provide another means to spot forgeries. 
     Employing the plurality of LEDs  28  to project individual light spectrums for concurrent or sequential imaging of the card  12 , the device illuminates each section imaged, at least in one spectrum and preferably in all available, for short respective time segments. The reflected segmented images of both sides of the ID card  12  then follow the unique optical path to communicate small segmented image portions to the imager  16  for digitizing and communication to a data processor. This unique concurrent reflective path allows for a single imager  16  to be employed to capture both sides of the card image. This is most important to allowing for significantly reduced calibration of the device  10  from conventional scanners. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-2  and  4  and  6 , the LEDs  28  illuminate both sides of the ID card  12  to illuminate the image thereon which is communicated to a pair of angled reflective mirrors  30  relative to the flat side surfaces of the card  12 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the two angled reflective mirrors  30  are at substantially a 45-degree angle relative to the card  12  and receive the reflected light from the card  12  and communicate the segment of the image captured by the width of the angled reflective mirrors  30  to a horizontally positioned mirror  32  which is best positioned underneath the circuit board  31  in order to conserve space as best shown in  FIGS. 8-9 . The axis of the horizontal mirror  32  is substantially normal to the two parallel flat surfaces of the card  12  above or adjacent to the horizontal mirror  32 . 
     The two reflected images of illuminated segments of both sides of the ID card  12 , reflected from the angled reflective mirrors  30  onto the horizontal mirror  32 , (or lower angled mirrors  33  if employed) are then refracted from the wider reflected image communication  21  shown in  FIG. 6 , through a lens  26  which yields a narrower projection  23  of the segmental images of both sides of the card  12 , onto the linear narrow imaging area  15  of the electronic imager  16  for conversion to digital image format and storage in onboard memory. 
     Software adapted to the task, onboard or networked to the device  10 , can be employed to ascertain optical character recognition of the text  22 , electronic information in the magnetic strip  18 , and stored in the bar code  20 , and electronically assemble individual images on each side of the card  12  in the different light wavelengths sequentially emitted by the LEDs  28 , to ascertain the presence of required validation or authenticating indicia or markings on the card  12  and to compare it with the electronic information stored in the bar code  20  and magnetic strip  18 . Those skilled in the art will realize that software may be adapted to the task to look for any number of individual identifiers provided by the visible and spectrum-illuminated images so assembled and the device  10  itself may allow for a great increase in intricate authentication and validation schemes that may be employable using both visible and spectrum-specific indicia. 
     Employing the various assembled images of both normal-light visible and spectrum-specific visible indicia, those images may be compared and inspected using software or the human eye on occasions if the images are simply projected onto a screen to ascertain the authenticity and validity of the driver&#39;s license or other ID card  12 , and also to ascertain if the holder is sought for any reason by authorities. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the novel arrangement of the reflective pair of angled reflective mirrors  30  to a horizontal mirror  32  below the linear flowpath  11  of the ID card  12 , allows for a very small footprint for the device  10 . Using the plurality of light-emitting means and other means to read printed and electronic information on the ID card  12 , in concurrently assembled images of segments, allows for authentication of the ID card quickly and easily. 
       FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  11 C,  12 , and  13  depict another embodiment of the device  10  incorporating front flowpath access  110  and rear flowpath access  111  at each end of the flowpath  11 . A user could insert or retrieve a card  12  from either the front flowpath access  110  or rear flowpath access  111 . This embodiment further incorporates an access door  114 , to access the interior of the device  10  that is usually protected and enclosed by housing  14 . Access door  114  can move from a closed state as in  FIG. 11C  to an open state as depicted in  FIG. 12  by pulling access trigger  115 . In the figure, the access door rotates about a point near the rear of housing  14 , but the access door could rotate in any direction, could slide in any direction, or could even be entirely removed from housing  14  without departing from the spirit of the invention. The access door  114  can also hold additional functional elements that move along with the access door  114 . In one embodiment, the distance between the front flowpath access  110  and the closest accessible point along the flowpath  11  when the access door  114  is in an open state is called the sensor array area  120  because it is where most of the active scanning occurs and contains devices that could be sensitive to user touch such as LEDs  28 , lenses  26 , and mirrors  30 . Sensor array area  120  is not made accessible to the user when access door  114  opens, but the length of flowpath  11  through sensor array area  120  is less than the width of card  12  to be scanned by device  10 . By limiting the dimensions in this way, a user can always touch and retrieve the card  12 , even if device  10  loses power or stops functioning for any reason. In this embodiment, sensitive elements can be protected by either locating those sensitive elements in regions of the device  10  that do not become accessible when access door  114  is opened or can retract further into the device when not actively used or when access door  114  opens. For example, an electromechanical solenoid  119  extends and retracts magnetic strip reader  19 . This embodiment also incorporates a button  112  ( FIG. 13 ) to initiate an immediate card extraction routine illustrated in  FIG. 16  and a series of lights (optionally LEDs)  113  to inform the user of device status. This embodiment further optionally incorporates ports for both power  116  and data transfer  117 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 13 , housing  14  has been removed to reveal the interior of device  10 . Motor  13  drives a belt (shown as  17  in  FIG. 8 ) that in turn drives a number of wheels  130 , which hold and advance card  12  in either direction along flowpath  11 . The wheels  130  are spaced along the flowpath  11  in a way that a card in the flowpath  11  will always be in contact with at least one wheel. In addition to advancing card  12  forward or backward, wheels  130  apply lateral pressure on card  12 , allowing magnetic strip reader  19  to surface-read magnetic strip  18 . Vertical pressure bar  118  applies downward pressure to help align card  12  from above flowpath  11  without interfering with the scanning mechanisms (retractable magnetic strip reader  19  and electronic imager  16 ). Vertical pressure bar  118  also forces card  12  to sit level in flowpath  11 , so between the guidance of the flowpath  11 , the downward pressure from vertical pressure bar  118 , and the wheels  130 , the card is maintained at an optimal position and angle for scanning. 
     The fine card position and motor  13  control described above allow for multiple precision document movements and an optimized scanning process, as described in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . In one preferred process, the system can align the document (which could be card  12  from previous examples, though the process is not limited to cards or IDs) while translating  1410  the document along flowpath  11  from outside housing  14  through front flowpath access  110  toward rear flowpath access  111  (herein referring to this direction as forward and the opposite direction as backward) at a first speed optimized for a first magnetic strip scan  1510 . Motor  13  can then reverse the document&#39;s motion and translate the document backward  1420  at a second speed optimized for a second magnetic strip scan  1520 . By utilizing multiple magnetic strip scans, the device can recognize if either scan was incomplete and could even merge valid portions from each magnetic scan to assemble a complete virtual third scan. After performing both magnetic scan steps in first pass  1510  and second pass  1520 , device  10  could retract magnetic strip reader  19  from a first position where magnetic strip reader  19  is active as a contact scanner to a second position where magnetic strip reader  19  will not interfere with document movement during subsequent phases. Between first pass  1510  and third pass  1530 , the document can be maintained entirely within the flowpath  11  without any portion of the document passing through front flowpath access  110  to the exterior of housing  14  to avoid user interference. Alternatively, the document can partially exit front flowpath access  110  to the exterior of housing  14  to diminish device dimensions. 
     Additionally, preliminary scans of the document  12  can be performed during the high speed first or second passes. Because of the high speed, traditional imaging is not possible without increasing component expense, but other valuable measurements can be performed. By illuminating LEDs  28  on only one side of the document, the document scanner  10  can analyze the image captured to quickly determine the height of the document, the width of the document, and the amount of light that bleeds through the document which may assist with later image correction. Document  12  height can be determined through simple calculation from observing what portion of the vertical light is obscured. Document width can be determined because the speed of the document is known and controlled. The document scanner can measure the time the document first obscures light to the time light is no longer obscured and calculate that from the known velocity. Document width could also be determined by counting the number of times a wheel spins from one end of the document to the opposite end. During this preliminary scan, the document can also be weighed and the width of the document can be determined. Document thickness can be determined by closing a simple caliper on the document at any time during the scan. Other simple known measurements can be performed as part of the preliminary scan. 
     Device  10  could then mechanically translate document forward at a third speed for a third pass  1430 . During third pass  1430 , the document could be illuminated with a first light condition and photographed as in step  1530 . Finally device  10  can mechanically translate document backward at a fourth speed for a fourth pass  1440 . During fourth pass  1440 , the document can be illuminated with a second light condition and photographed again before being translated outside of the casing through front flowpath  11  access  110  as in step  1540 . The first and second light conditions could be a specific frequency of light, an alternation of multiple specific frequencies, or any other combination of simultaneous light frequencies. The device is not limited to only 4 passes, and the different speeds could actually be the same speed. The lowest operable magnetic strip reader speed only slightly overlaps the highest allowable speed for electronic imaging without investing in more expensive high-speed CCDs and image processors, so it is likely that the device  10  will utilize higher speeds during magnetic strip reading passes than during photographing passes. 
     Turning to  FIG. 16 , device  10  incorporates an exit-now or emergency document extraction command function. Upon receipt  1610  of an emergency exit command (either from a user pressing button  112  or from some internal sensor), device  10  can attempt to mechanically translate  1620  the document toward the front flowpath access (backward). If that fails, device  10  can attempt to mechanically translate  1630  the document toward the rear flowpath access (forward). Either of these mechanical translation attempts can incorporate an intermittent or jittered motion to attempt to loosen any jam. Additionally or alternatively, these translations could be attempted at a lower speed to utilize a greater torque or a higher speed to attempt to skip over any impediment. If neither forward nor backward translation has successfully ejected the document  12 , device  10  can prepare  1640  for manual document extraction by the user. Manual document extraction preparation  1640  could include retracting magnetic strip reader  19 , wheels  130 , lifting vertical pressure bar  118 , and cutting electricity to some or all internal devices to eliminate the risk of user shock during extracting the document. Instrument retraction could occur either before or after backward translation  1620  and forward translation  1630 . Once device  10  has completed manual document extraction preparation  1640 , the device could optionally illuminate  1650  a notification light or play a notification sound to alert a user that the document will require manual document extraction and that device  10  is now safe for manual extraction. At this point, document retrieval will require the access door  114  to open  1660 . The access door can be opened manually by utilizing trigger  115  or automatically via some internal command to disengage the latch that secures access door  114 . When access door  114  opens, the user will have access to flowpath  11 , excluding that portion of flowpath  11  enclosed within sensor array area  120  (in this embodiment). Because the portion of flowpath  11  enclosed by sensor array area  120  is shorter than the width of the document to be scanned (card  12  in one embodiment), a user can always touch and retrieve the document manually from either the front flowpath access  110  or from the portion of flowpath  11  exposed when access door  114  is opened. In other embodiments, the entirety of flowpath  11  including that portion enclosed by sensor array area  120  is accessible when access door  114  is opened. After retrieving a document, the user can close access door  114 , at which point device  10  can return to its active state, which may include powering up the device, running a brief system check, and extending previously refracted elements such as the magnetic strip reader  19 , the wheels  130 , the LEDs  28 , and the vertical pressure bar  118 . 
     The use of flashlight and naked eye to measure the effect of light on the card doesn&#39;t give best results and is capable of deceiving the end user into believing that the card is authentic. The reasons for such result could be attributed to the ambient light and the regular light from the flashlight, which may not detect many security features present on the card, and hence the amount of light that seeps through cannot be accurate. Whereas the scanning device claimed herein provides a closed environment thereby minimizing the effect of ambient light on bleed-through. Also, the scanning device provides the option of selecting the light source, projected by LED  28 , depending upon the type of card  12  and the security features it employs. 
       FIG. 17A  depicts both surfaces of card  12  showing various security features imprinted on card  12 . One surface of card  12  is imaged under a specific light source projected from individual LED&#39;s  28  during its travel along the defined flowpath  11 . While LED&#39;s  28  present on one side project light to illuminate the surface of the card  12 , the LED&#39;s  28  facing the opposite surface of the card  12  are turned off. The image of the opposite surface of the card  12  is captured by the imager  16  to see the amount of light that seeped through the surface of the card  12  illuminated by specific light source from LED&#39;s  28 . As can be seen in  FIG. 17B , the accurate bleed-through of the barcode  20 , magnetic strip  18  from the back surface of the card  12  is visible on the front surface of the card  12 . The individual LED&#39;s  28  which is turned on to project light on surface of the card  12  facing it also provides a dark reflection of that surface of the card  12  onto the nearby mirror  30  onto the imager  16 . Such image is discarded by the end-user. 
     The measurement of amount of light from one surface of the card  12  onto the opposite surface to determine if the card is authentic also detects and validates any laser printed feature employed on the card  12 . Any laser printed security feature on the card  12  like an image of bear  40  as depicted in  FIG. 18A  would let the light pass through it completely thereby informing the end user about its presence on the card  12 . Further, the laser printed feature can be compared with the data about its pattern, type, and size of such laser feature to validate its authenticity. Such data is stored in a template and can be processed trough data processor. In  FIG. 18B , the laser printed feature, the image of the bear, which has same size punctured fissures has let the light pass through it completely. The scanning device  10  is capable of detecting punctured fissures of different sizes as well. Also, there could be different patterns present and detection of image of Bear  40  in  FIGS. 18A &amp; 18B  is merely an illustrative embodiment and thus laser print detection is not limited to it. 
     While many of the fundamental characteristics and features of the ID scanner and its processes have been described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it should be apparent that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should be understood that such substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations are included within the scope of the invention as defined herein.