Price checker with OCR module: reads passport MRZ, licence PDF417 and document text
The 802 series price checker can be fitted with an optional OCR module that reads the machine readable zone (MRZ) of passports, the PDF417 barcode on driving licences and printed text on documents. It covers stores that need to record document details, such as hotel check-in, prescription registration in a pharmacy, and visitor registration at ports and business parks.
Three types of document
| Document | What is read | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Passport MRZ | The two machine readable lines at the bottom of the passport data page: name, passport number, nationality, date of birth and expiry date | Hotel check-in, visitor registration, ticket checks |
| Driving licence / vehicle registration PDF417 | The PDF417 barcode on the front or back of the document | Car rental, insurance, vehicle registration at business parks |
| Printed text on documents | Printed characters on the surface of ID cards, driving licences and business cards (OCR) | Form autofill, records entry |
| Linear / matrix codes | Standard product codes, receipt codes, QR codes | Price checks and ticket checks (the standard scan engine already covers these) |
What it does and does not do
What it does
- Turns MRZ characters into structured fields for the registration form
- Reads the document number and basic details stored in the PDF417 code
- Reads printed text on the document surface to cut manual entry
- Runs alongside price checking and product lookup on the same device
What it does not do
- Cannot read encrypted data inside an ID card chip (this needs a dedicated ID reader module, optional on the XTCM215 and XTCM320)
- Cannot verify whether a document is genuine
- Cannot replace the multispectral authenticity checks of a dedicated document reader
- Damaged, laminated or reflective documents lower the read rate; confirm with an on-site test
Three things to watch when capturing ID data
- Capture only the fields you need: check-in needs only the name, document number and expiry date, so do not keep an image of the whole page.
- Tell users on screen: tell users what is collected, what it is used for and how long it is kept, and offer an alternative that does not collect it.
- Do not store on the device: send results straight to the business system and keep neither the raw image nor the full document number on the device; where retention is required, mask and encrypt it.
ID reading FAQ
Is the OCR module standard or optional?
Optional. The 802 series, including the X86 versions, can be ordered with an OCR module for MRZ and document OCR. The standard configuration ships with a product barcode scan engine only.
Can it read Chinese ID cards?
Text on the surface of an ID card can be read by OCR. Data inside the card chip requires a dedicated ID reader module (security module); the XTCM215 and XTCM320 support this option.
How fast is reading?
MRZ and PDF417 are structured codes and read in under 1 second. OCR of printed text depends on document condition and lighting, typically 1–2 seconds. Confirm with an on-site test.
The passport reflects light on the window and will not read. What can we do?
Angle the device and the document away from direct ceiling light, flatten the passport data page and read it without the plastic holder. If needed, add a light shield or move the fill light to the side.
Where is the captured document data stored?
By default the result goes to your application only and is not stored on the device. Whether and how long to keep it is up to your business system; keep it to the minimum you need.
Tell us which document you need to read
Tell us whether it is a passport, driving licence, ID card or another document, and we will confirm the module and the test arrangement.