ID SCANNER

ID document readers for professional verification

Principle of operation and application areas

ID verification and document reader devices are used to capture and validate personal ID cards, passports, driving licences and other official documents in a fast and secure way. Modern readers combine high-resolution optical sensors with white, infrared and sometimes UV light sources, allowing both visible and covert security features to be inspected. OCR and MRZ engines automatically extract data from machine-readable zones, names, document numbers and other key fields, which reduces manual data entry and typing errors. These devices are ideal for bank branches, telecom shops, customer service counters, hotel check-in kiosks, card issuing terminals and access control gates where standardised, auditable customer identification is required.

Products, features and manufacturers

The range includes devices such as the ICT DCM5 document verification and reader module with MDB/RS232/PULSE interfaces, which is designed for integration into unattended terminals. Different configurations of the same family offer various interface options and data capture capabilities to match project requirements. The CRT-603-7005 ISO card document scanner is targeted at environments where ID documents are issued as plastic cards: its duplex reading captures both sides of the card in a single pass, while the USB interface makes integration with POS systems, kiosks and service desks straightforward.

Products like the ICT DCM5 document verifier, its MDB/RS232/PULSE variants, the CRT-603-7005 ISO card document scanner and various CREATOR or KIOSK-branded ID verification modules cover a broad range of needs from simple MRZ reading to full-page document scanning. Most solutions support several reading modes (MRZ, barcode, QR code, RFID-enabled eID documents) and come with SDKs and documentation for smooth software integration. Manufacturers such as ICT, CRT, KIOSK and Creator focus on industrial-grade construction, long lifetime and stable performance in demanding 24/7 applications.

Quality, service, operating conditions and financing

Because ID readers are critical to security and regulatory compliance, build quality and support are key. The mechanical parts, sensors and illumination units must withstand continuous use in high-traffic environments, while maintaining image quality and reading accuracy over many years. It is therefore important to plan maintenance cycles, spare part supply and local support, as well as commercial and logistical conditions, already at the design phase of the project.

• availability of local technical support for installation, integration, testing and troubleshooting;
• preventive maintenance plans for regular cleaning and inspection of glass surfaces, optics, cameras and illumination modules;
• compliance with specified operating conditions (temperature, humidity, power supply, mechanical protection) in banking, retail and outdoor kiosk projects;
• adequate stock levels and scheduled deliveries to support large roll-outs, fleet extensions and replacement devices;
• flexible logistics options, customs handling and shipping services for national and international deployments;
• post-payment terms, invoicing in foreign currencies and banking support for complex, multi-site ID verification projects;
• project-specific quotations covering ID verification modules as well as complementary card readers, printers and complete kiosk solutions.

FAQ – ID verification and document reader devices

• Question: How do industrial ID readers differ from standard office document scanners?
     Answer: Industrial ID readers are optimised for passports and ID cards, with MRZ/OCR engines, security feature inspection, event logging and rugged housings. They are built for high throughput and continuous use, delivering reliable and auditable identification in demanding environments.
• Question: What should you look at when choosing an ID verification device for a new project?
     Answer: Key aspects include the range of supported document types, reading speed, MRZ/OCR capabilities, supported interfaces (USB, RS232, MDB), availability of SDKs, local service options and spare parts supply.
• Question: What is the benefit of devices that handle both card-size and full-page documents?
     Answer: A single unit can process ID cards, driving licences and passports, which simplifies hardware design, reduces system cost and provides more flexibility for customer-facing processes.
• Question: Which extra capabilities do industrial ID readers offer compared with non-industrial products?
     Answer: Typical extras include remote firmware updates, detailed event logging, multi-spectral illumination (white/IR/UV), automated authenticity checks and secure, standardised data links to back-end systems.