User's Manual

Travel Document Reader User Guide DRAFT 3M Confidential

The data from the test card is sent to the host computer and the results displayed on the PC

screen.

Reading Documents

The readers read the barcode and machine-readable zone (MRZ) text on both identification cards

and passports. When the document is properly aligned on the document window, the image is

taken and optical character recognition is performed (when there is OCR data) followed by the

barcode recognition.

The readers read three kinds of 1D barcodes:

• 2 of 5 interleaved

• Code 39 (Code 3 of 9)

• Code 128

The ePassport reader can also detect and read information encoded on contactless integrated

circuits (chips) in passports and ID cards. The position of the antenna in the reader means that a

chip in a passport can be read even if not placed directly on the document window.

Identification Cards

Identification cards typically have a photo and basic information on the front and a 3-line MRZ

on the back.

Figure 21: Sample Identification Card (Back)

Start of MRZ

(Machine Readable Zone)

1D Barcode