Automatic Identity Card and Passport Reader System

Abstract ICAR, Identity Card Automatic Reader, consists of a system for reading identity cards like passports, identity documents and driver licenses. First, document image is acquired by an own acquisition device based on a digital camera chip. Then, the image is analyzed in order to identify document type among a set of predefined models using local features analysis and text localization. Identification process is performed independently from image background. For unknown input documents, lines compliant with machine readable ICAO 9303 format are located and recognized. Once the document has been identified, textual fields are automatically located and read using an OCR based on statistical analysis. The system is currently installed as a check-in application in real environments like hotels and corporate buildings.