Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding and reading of indicia at the point-of-sale. The printer reads the imprinted MICR indicia and determines whether the MICR indicia are verifiable. Unverified checks may be marked. An operator may be asked to determine whether a "bad" check (i.e., wrinkled, folded, torn, etc.) is the probable cause of the verification failure. If the check appears to be good, the MICR encoding function of the transaction printer may be disabled until a service technician is available to isolate the problem.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia. A diagnostic test procedure reads a printed test document and determines whether the MICR indicia are within specifications. A test document found to be out of specifications, prompts the adjustment of the print parameters of the printing system of the check processing machine.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia. A diagnostic test procedure reads a printed test document and determines whether the MICR indicia are within a certain specification. A test document found to be out of specification prompts the adjustment of the print parameters of the printing system of the transaction printer. The machine establishes and maintains a data base of each print transaction, and compares the printing parameters to determine the degree to which each parameter complies with the specification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically determining when a ribbon cassette in a printer should be replaced. The ribbon cassette comprises a housing and an electrically conductive ink ribbon stored in the housing. The apparatus comprises a detection apparatus which includes a first conductor and a second conductor which pass through the housing and contact the ink ribbon, thereby enabling a signal to be generated when the electrical resistance of the ink ribbon equals a predetermined resistance. A controller coupled to the detection apparatus causes a message that the ribbon cassette needs to be replaced to be displayed on a display in response to the signal. The method entails generating a first signal corresponding to the electrical resistance of at least a portion of the ink ribbon; and then generating a second signal when the first signal equals a third signal corresponding to the predetermined resistance of the ink ribbon.