Bluetooth® wireless technology in a portable passport reader

Rochford Thompson is an Irish based company at the forefront of secure document creation and inspection providing scanning solutions for passports, visas, ID cards, airline tickets and credit cards.

More and more frequently, border police and immigration services have to be able to read travel documents whilst on the move, for example when on a train or at a vehicle window. It is important that these officers have a truly wireless solution as wires might get caught as they move about. With these requirements in mind, Rochford Thompson evolved the world’s first battery powered, portable passport reader, the RTE2501.

A true wireless solution

When a travel document is swiped in the RTE2501, it captures the passenger data. This is then transmitted to a small handheld device, such as a PDA, using Bluetooth wireless technology within a range of 10 meters. When required, all data collected and stored in the PDA may be downloaded to a host system for security checking or authentication. The information can be used to interrogate a database or watch list to check for undesirable entrants. The officer can also use it to store the details of a person they have stopped or interviewed for future reference.

Portable and easy to use

Designed for maximum portability, ease of use and reliability, the RTE2501 provides fast and efficient data capture on the move. Bi-directional hand-swipe operation makes the reader simple to use with virtually no operator training.

“With the growing demand for portable readers, it was natural to evolve our highly successful desktop product to a portable version” says Chris Scorey, Managing Director of Rochford Thompson. “Bluetooth wireless technology offers tremendous flexibility and ergonomic benefits in a portable reader.”

Bluetooth requirements

For the Bluetooth connectivity the connectBlue’s OEM Serial Port Adapter is implemented, which gives the following features:

• Portable
• Easy to integrate – no Qualification or Type Approval needed
• High functional low power features
• Future proof – future generations of connectBlue’s products will be compatible with current
• Easy to use - no operator training required

About connectBlue

connectBlue™ is a leading provider of wireless solutions for demanding applications in segments industrial automation, medical, instrumentation, diagnostics, logistics / transportation, vehicles and point of sales. Based on Bluetooth technology, Wireless LAN (WLAN) and IEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee, connectBlue provides ready-to-use products and modules as well as custom design solutions in both hardware and software. connectBlue has offices in Malmö (Sweden), Chicago (USA) and Pfaffenhofen/Munich (Germany). For more information, please visit www.connectblue.com. The connectBlue word mark and logo are owned by connectBlue AB.

 

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