Scan IDs & Passports with Your Device

In this article, we'll explore several identity document scanning services, such as BlinkID, MRZ Scanner, and Tesseract, and discuss their unique features and potential use cases. Additionally, we will provide an example of implementing an identity document scanning solution for a hotel check-in process using the BlinkID SDK.

Comparing Identity Document Scanning Solutions

Tesseract

Tesseract is a versatile optical character recognition (OCR) engine funded by Google. It supports various operating systems and can be integrated into web, mobile, and desktop applications.

As a general-purpose OCR tool, Tesseract requires a clear understanding of the specific use case it will be employed for, such as license plate recognition, PDF scanning, image recognition, or text scanning. To optimize Tesseract for your industry, you may need a specialized team or developer to create a custom solution.

Tesseract can be combined with React Native for text recognition in mobile apps.

BlinkID

BlinkID claims to be the safest, most powerful software for scanning and extracting data from IDs, powered by its proprietary machine learning system.

MRZ Scanner

MRZ Scanner offers lightning-fast scanning of passports, visas, and IDs using mobile devices, resulting in more successful transactions.

Use Cases and Industries

Hotel Check-in Process Using BlinkID SDK

Here's an example of how to implement an identity document scanning solution for a hotel check-in process using the BlinkID SDK:

  import React, { useState } from 'react';
  import { View, Text, TouchableOpacity } from 'react-native';
  import { BlinkID } from 'blinkid-react-native';
  
  const CheckInScreen = () => {
    const [scanResult, setScanResult] = useState(null);
  
    const startScan = async () => {
      try {
        const result = await BlinkID.scanWithCamera();
        if (result) {
          setScanResult(result);
        }
      } catch (error) {
        console.error('Scan error:', error);
      }
    };
  
    return (
      <View>
        <TouchableOpacity onPress={startScan}>
          <Text>Scan ID</Text>
        </TouchableOpacity>
  
        {scanResult && (
          <View>
            <Text>{"Name: " + scanResult.firstName + " " + scanResult.lastName}</Text>
            <Text>{"ID Number: " + scanResult.documentNumber}</Text>
            <Text>{"Date of Birth: " + scanResult.dateOfBirth}</Text>
            <Text>{"Nationality: " + scanResult.nationality}</Text>
          </View>
        )}
      </View>
    );
  };
  

This example demonstrates how to create a simple hotel check-in process using the BlinkID SDK. The React Native component allows users to scan their ID documents, and the scanned information is then displayed on the screen. This streamlined check-in process not only saves time but also reduces the risk of manual data entry errors.

To finish this post

Each platform has a particular set of advantages and disadvantages. We always recommend creating a Proof of Concept (PoC) to see if the capabilities of a particular platform match your requirements.

Because Tesseract is a more general-purpose OCR tool, it may necessitate more customization work for specific situations. BlinkID and MRZ Scanner, on the other hand, cater to specific industries, which can be a huge advantage in terms of development time and project readiness. If you require additional services such as license plate recognition, credit/debit card recognition, or others, BlinkID is highly recommended.

Remember that these solutions can be developed for mobile or tablet devices (Android and iOS), eliminating the need for a custom scanner and reducing associated costs for your project.

If your company is interested in implementing an identity document scanning solution, please feel free to get in touch. We would be more than happy to discuss the best alternative for your specific use case and help you make an informed decision.