Machine vision verification

Abstract

Embodiments of systems and methods for directly reading and verifying characters on a personalized document, are provided. A surface of the personalized document is illuminated independently or simultaneously by first and second light sources. The first light source has a ring shape, surrounds the personalized document in 360 degree, and transmits a grazing incident light to illuminate the surface of the personalized document. An incident light from the second light source is reflected by a beam splitter and illuminates the surface of the personalized document in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface. Light reflected from the surface of the personalized document in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface thereof is collected by a camera.

1 . A method of directly reading and verifying a character on a surface of a personalized document, comprising:
 illuminating the surface of the personalized document including the character using a first light source that surrounds the personalized document and that transmits a grazing incident light onto the surface including the character so that first light reflects from the surface including the character, and collecting the first light reflected from the surface including the character to capture a first image of the character;   illuminating the surface of the personalized document including the character using a second light source that transmits incident light onto the surface including the character so that second light reflects from the surface including the character, and collecting the second light reflected from the surface including the character to capture a second image of the character; and   verifying the character by a combination of the first and second captured images.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the grazing incident light from the first light source forms an angle of about 25° with respect to the surface of the personalized document. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first light source has a ring shape. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the incident light from the second light source is reflected by a beam splitter and illuminates the surface including the character in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first, second and third images are captured using a camera, and further comprising using a mirror that is positioned to direct the first, second and third light reflected from the surface including the character to the camera. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the character comprises an embossed character. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the document is a plastic card. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 simultaneously illuminating the surface including the character using the first light source and the second light source so that the grazing incident light from the first light source and the incident light from the second light source are simultaneously transmitted onto the surface including the character so that third light reflects from the surface including the character, and collecting the third light reflected from the surface including the character to capture a third image of the character; and   verifying the character by combining the first, second and third captured images.