US Patent 7681800 Handheld security document scanner

A sensing device for use with a security document having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a number of coded data portions. Each coded data portion is indicative of an identity of the security document, with the sensing device including a housing adapted to be held by a user in use, a radiation source for exposing at least one coded data portion, a sensor for sensing the at least one exposed coded data portion and a processor for determining, using the at least one sensed coded data portion, a sensed identity.