Abstract: An apparatus for capturing data and images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents includes a compact, desktop document processor base unit and a transport stage including a plurality of processing devices and a multipass document track. The transport stage conveys the documents through the multipass document track and past tile plurality of processing devices. The transport stage receives a document from the input slot on the base unit, routes the document multiple consecutive times through the multipass document track, and then directs the document to the output slot on the base unit. The introduction of the multiple pass process may provide sufficient apparent track length for all legally required features for Check 21 in a small footprint. For example, magnetic ink character reading, endorsing, and rear imaging may be performed on separate passes of the document through the document track.

Abstract: A magnetic detection system for authenticating a document includes a first magnetic scanhead adapted to create a first magnetic field for saturating the magnetization of an area on each of the bills. The magnetic detection system further includes a second magnetic scanhead with an electromagnet. The electromagnet is capable of creating a second magnetic field of adjustable intensity. The second magnetic field is the opposite polarity of the first magnetic field. The intensity of the second magnetic field is adjusted by changing the amount of current supplied to the electromagnet. The amount of current supplied to the electromagnet is based upon a characteristic of the document to be authenticated.

Abstract: Methods for soliciting and enrolling customers for a retailer payment instrument are disclosed. For example, a method is disclosed for enrolling a customer for a retailer debit card which includes receiving enrollment data from the customer, establishing a check writer rating for the customer based on a history of checks associated with the customer and stored by the retailer, adjusting a validation threshold score based on the check writer rating, and denying enrollment of the customer if the validation score is less than the adjusted validation threshold score. Other associated methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of processing paper checks that divides into two independent paths the processing of a data file representing a check and the digital image of the check. The data files and image files are separated both in time and in space, with the data files being used to promptly initiate the transfer of funds to and from appropriate accounts, while the paper checks, at a remote location and typically lagging in time, are scanned to create digital image files and deposited as an image or substitute check if deemed ACH ineligible. The method provides for the comparison of data files to image files, based on MICR information, to find any unmatching or mismatched items for exception processing and a process to manage ACH-ineligible items as an image or substitute check. The system and method further provides for sorting exceptions according to transaction type (ACH eligible versus ACH-ineligible) and prioritizing the further processing of the exceptions based on transaction type.

Abstract: A magnetic ink character reading apparatus, magnetic ink character reading method and program, and a POS terminal apparatus reduce recognition errors and thereby improve the read rate. The magnetic ink character reading apparatus reads a text string of magnetic ink characters using both a magnetic reading mechanism and optical reading mechanism to obtain magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) results and optical character recognition (OCR) results, which are compared. The OCR process is repeated if the results differ. The positions of the read character blocks are compared to find character blocks that are offset perpendicularly to the base line of the magnetic ink characters, and the OCR process is repeated. The area to which the OCR process is applied again is near the position of the offset character block corrected in the direction perpendicular to the line of magnetic ink characters to be in line with the character blocks for which the MICR result and OCR result were the same.

Abstract: A magnetic detection system for authenticating a document includes a first magnetic scanhead adapted to create a first magnetic field for saturating the magnetization of an area on each of the bills. The magnetic detection system further includes a second magnetic scanhead with an electromagnet. The electromagnet is capable of creating a second magnetic field of adjustable intensity. The second magnetic field is the opposite polarity of the first magnetic field. The intensity of the second magnetic field is adjusted by changing the amount of current supplied to the electromagnet. The amount of current supplied to the electromagnet is based upon a characteristic of the document to be authenticated.

Abstract: Embodiments herein print documents comprising magnetic ink characters, capture overlapping partial images of the MICR line of magnetic ink characters, and stitch these partial images together to form a complete image of the MICR line. This allows the embodiments to accumulate the routing number, the account number, the check number, and the amount data in the magnetic ink characters on each document to produce image-based data including accumulated amounts (e.g. ledger). Then, the image-based data including the accumulated amounts can be compared to the anticipated data from the original source of information to verify the accuracy of the printing operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automated document processing and more particularly, to methods and systems for document image capture and processing using mobile devices. In accordance with various embodiments, methods and systems for document image capture on a mobile communication device are provided such that the image is optimized and enhanced for data extraction from the document as depicted. These methods and systems may comprise capturing an image of a document using a mobile communication device; submitting the image to a server; and processing the image to create a bi-tonal image of the document for data extraction. Additionally, these methods and systems may comprise capturing a first image of a document using the mobile communication device; automatically detecting the document within the image; geometrically correcting the image; binarizing the image; correcting the orientation of the image; correcting the size of the image; and outputting the resulting image of the document.

Abstract: The invention as described provides a method and system for tokenless authorization of commercial transactions between a buyer and a seller using a computer system. The method comprises the steps of registering a buyer, wherein the buyer registers with the computer system a PIN, at least one registration biometric sample, and at least one buyer financial account. The method also includes a seller registration step, wherein the seller registers with the computer system at least one seller financial account. In a proposal step, the seller offers a proposed commercial transaction to the buyer usually comprising price information. If the buyer accepts the seller's proposal, in an acceptance step, the buyer signals his/her acceptance by adding to the proposed commercial transaction the buyer's personal authentication information comprising a PIN and at least one bid biometric sample which is obtained from the buyer's person.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically processing accounts receivable (AR) check transactions via a location-base device associated with a merchant. The location-base device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, can be configured to perform various functions that facilitate processing of AR checks. Such functions may include improved user interface, an ability to handle a repetitive input parameter, an ability to handle multiple merchant identifiers, an ability to generate multiple receipt types, an ability to edit check transactions, an ability to manage throughput of the device, and an ability to allow scanning of different types of checks so as to allow subsequent processing of the scanned checks to be different based on the type of the check. The location-base device configured in one or more of the foregoing manner facilitates a check authorization process performed by a check processing service.

Abstract: A system for handling checks is provided that includes a sorter operable to retrieve MICR data from a plurality of checks. An emulator is coupled to the sorter. The emulator is operable to access the MICR data, to generate a process buffer based on the MICR data, and to generate a plurality of feature instructions for each check based on the process buffer. A communication engine is coupled between the emulator and a check processing system. The communication engine is operable to communicate between the emulator and the check processing system in real-time. The check processing system is operable to receive the process buffer from the emulator through the communication engine. The emulator is further operable to communicate the feature instructions to the sorter. The sorter is further operable to process the checks based on the feature instructions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (‘MICR’) signal generation for a MICR character configured on a medium that include: exposing, by an emitter, an electromagnetic signal to the MICR character, the MICR character absorbing a portion of the electromagnetic signal; detecting, by a receiver, a remaining portion of the electromagnetic signal, the remaining portion of the electromagnetic signal representing the character density for the MICR character; generating a character density signal, the character density signal being dependent upon the detected remaining portion of the electromagnetic signal; and determining a MICR signal for the MICR character, the MICR signal being dependent upon the character density signal.

Abstract: A manually operated document scanner and methods of operation and use are disclosed. The document scanner includes a document bed having a document positioning surface. The document scanner also includes a scanner module slidably attached to the document bed. The scanner module has a magnetic character reader, a first magnet placed along a leading edge of the magnetic character reader in a first direction of travel of the scanner module, and a second magnet placed along a leading edge of the magnetic character reader in a second direction of travel of the scanner module opposite to the first direction of travel.

Abstract: A remote deposit capture system for distributed processing of check presentation can sense, or be instructed to differentiate, between deposit document types, including checks, cash withdrawals, and casino markets. Thereby, automated recognition and correction features can be selectively applied to an imaged deposit document. Thereby deposit documents that tend to use identical transaction codes, such as the same routing/transit numbers in magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) code line data, can be effectively processed without a high failure rate due to duplicate detection. Yet the advantages of duplicate detection are still leveraged against other deposit types. Alternatively or in addition, duplicate detection can be selected to not depend upon uniqueness of MICR code line data.

Abstract: A reading apparatus reads image information and magnetic information displayed on the surface of a sheet-like recording medium. A scanner and MICR head are placed in a path for conveying a recording medium. The reading apparatus has a pressing roller, and a pressing pad. The pressing roller presses a recording medium to the scanner when reading the image information. The pressing pad presses a recording medium to the MICR head when reading the MICR information. The operations of pressing the pressing roller to the scanner and pressing the pressing pad to the MICR head are performed by one driving mechanism by cooperating the arm, rotation cam, roller lift member and link member.

Abstract: An automated document processing system is disclosed. The system includes a magnetic character reader located along a path of travel of a document. The system also includes a first image scanner located after the magnetic character reader along the path of travel, the first image scanner configured to capture an image of a first side of the document. The system further includes an endorser located after the magnetic character reader along the path of travel, where the endorser is configured to print an endorsement on at least one side of the document. The system also includes a second image scanner located after the endorser along the path of travel, the second image scanner configured to capture an image of the at least one side of the document endorsed by the endorser.

Abstract: A gray scale image cleaning algorithm for improved check code line OCR. An image processing system for processing a gray scale image is provided that includes: a system for generating a first thresholded black white image from the gray scale image; a system for generating a second thresholded black white image from the gray scale image, wherein the second thresholded black white image is generated with a higher threshold value than the first thresholded black white image; and a system for logically combining the first and second thresholded black white images to generate a composite image.

Abstract: A slide track of a notched slider control can include a continuous path extending between two end points. A slider can be a graphical element able to move along the slide track. The end points can correspond to upper and lower extremes of a value range. Positions between the end points can represent values within the value range. The slide track can include at least one notch that is visually represented within the slide control as a deviation from a straight line segment having the two end points. The notch corresponds to a value within the value range. The notch can causes the slider to become fixed at a point along the slide track whenever a pointing device controlling the slider is moved in a direction of the deviation.

Abstract: A system and method for determining skew of a document image. An image processing system is provided, comprising: an image segmentation system that identifies and segments a line of printed characters; and a skew processing system that determines the skew by calculating slope values for pairs of characters in the line.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing phase angle based magnetic ink character recognition (MICR). A system is provided that includes: a segmentation system for segmenting inputted MICR data into sets of temporal data for inputted characters; a Fourier system for generating a set of phase angle components from temporal data for each inputted character; and a matching system for comparing the normalized set of phase angle components with each of a set of reference waveforms to determine an identity of the inputted character.

Abstract: A gray scale image cleaning algorithm for improved check code line OCR. An image processing system for processing a gray scale image is provided that includes: a system for generating a first thresholded black white image from the gray scale image; a system for generating a second thresholded black white image from the gray scale image, wherein the second thresholded black white image is generated with a higher threshold value than the first thresholded black white image; and a system for logically combining the first and second thresholded black white images to generate a composite image.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for measuring darkness of a check image. A system is disclosed that includes a system for capturing MICR code line image data from the black white check image; a system for determining a darkness value from the captured MICR code line image data; and a system for determining if the black white check image is acceptable by comparing the darkness value to a threshold, and for outputting a resulting analysis.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for cleaning a black white image. A system is disclosed that includes a filtering system that applies a filter to the black white image, wherein the filter examines a set of neighboring pixels of each black pixel and determines if a black pixel being examined should be converted to a white pixel; and a recursive application system that causes the filtering system to repeatedly re-filter the black white image until a determination is made that the black white image is sufficiently cleaned.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the validity of a check, the method including receiving from a payer an image of a check to a payee together with a personal identifier identifying the payer, where the payer is a customer of a financial institution, determining an account to which the check pertains, comparing the received personal identifier with a personal identifier maintained by the financial institution for the account, comparing the payer check image with an image of the check produced after the payee receives the check from the payer, designating the check as valid if the personal identifiers are the same and if the check images match within a predefined tolerance, and designating the check as invalid if the personal identifiers are not the same or if the check images do not match within a predefined tolerance.

Abstract: A method is provided of a financial institution presenting an image of a bank document in a check truncation environment. The method comprises determining security permission level associated with a person to be presented with the image of the bank document, determining type of the bank document, locating a first sensitive area associated with the bank document, and presenting on a screen of a monitor the image of the bank document with the first sensitive area in the image being selectively blanked out based upon the security permission level associated with the person to be presented with the image of the bank document.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing documents is provided. Preferably the apparatus includes a plurality of document processing features operable for processing a variety of documents, such as incoming mail. The apparatus may include a feeder for feeding the documents from a sack of documents, an extraction station for extracting documents from envelopes, an optical scanner for scanning optical images of the documents, a orientation detection station for determining the orientation of the documents, a MICR station for identifying unknown magnetic ink markings and a sorting station for sorting the documents. The documents include a document having an unknown magnetic marking that is magnetized and then scanned to obtain a plurality of data points indicative of the unknown marking. Using cross correlation, the data for the unknown marking is then compared with a series of models corresponding to a series of known magnetic markings.

Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited checks.

Abstract: A check processing system enables determining if tampering has occurred while sending check image information captured by a check processing device to a server. The digitally watermarked image information and the magnetic ink character data are then sent through a host computer to the server. If the image information is tampered with on the host computer, the server cannot extract the magnetic ink character data from the received image information, and even if the magnetic ink character data can be extracted, the extracted magnetic ink character data will be different from the magnetic ink character data received by the server.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting fraud. The method optically recognizes a character imprinted with a magnetic ink on a medium using a first optical character recognition algorithm. The method also optically recognizes the character using a second optical character recognition algorithm. In addition, the method magnetically recognizes the character using a magnetic recognition algorithm. The method determines if the character is potentially fraudulent based on the recognition results of the scan using the first optical character recognition algorithm, the scan using the second optical character recognition algorithm, and the magnetic scan. If the character is potentially fraudulent, the method communicates a fraud indicator.

Abstract: A method for magnetic character recognition may include preparing standard array data of peak intervals; generating a regeneration waveform out of a character string of magnetic characters printed on a surface of an information data recording medium; segmenting a character waveform of each magnetic character out of the regeneration waveform; generating array data of peak intervals out of an array pattern of a plurality of intervals between peaks that are included in the character waveform; and comparing the array data of peak intervals with the standard array data of peak intervals; wherein, based on a comparison result of comparing the array data of peak intervals with the standard array data of peak intervals, a read character is identified with a character corresponding to an array data of peak intervals that shows the highest coincidence.

Abstract: An image capture system for retaining Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) code format comprises a camera operable to generate an electronic check image of a physical check, with the electronic check image operable to generate an image replacement document. The image capture system further comprises a scanner operable to identify MICR code data from the physical check and one or more processors. The one or more processors are operable to embed the identified MICR code data in the electronic check image, with the embedded MICR code data in the original format.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating document imaging and delivery. A scanner reads a barcode from a separator sheet associated with a document, sorts the document based on the barcode, and scans the document in order to create an electronic document. A first server reads a document form number from the electronic document and assigns a document control number to the electronic document. A second server determines the document type and identification information associated with the electronic document based on the document form number. The second server indexes the electronic document using the barcode, the document form number, the document control number, identification information, or the document type. The second server routes the location of the electronic document to a computer system based on the barcode, the document form number, the document control number, identification information, or the document type.

Abstract: A substitute check is created for an original check which has an encode line printed thereon. Check image data which is representative of an image of the original check is received and analyzed to establish positioning of MICR characters within the encode line of the original check. An encode line of the substitute check is formatted based upon the positioning of MICR characters within the encode line of the original check such that the formatted encode line of the substitute check matches the encode line of the original check. The formatted encode line of the substitute check is printed to create at least a portion of the substitute check.

Abstract: A system for determining the image resolution of a check image using MICR characters. The disclosed system includes an extracting system for extracting a magnetic ink code recognition (MICR) code line from the document image, wherein the extracting system provides coordinate values for each of a plurality of MICR characters in the MICR code line; a calculating system for calculating a set of resolution values based on the coordinate values of the MICR characters; and a statistical analysis system that calculates a representative resolution value from the set of resolution values.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing data to generate documents for use in MICR line testing. The system comprises a MICR testing station for testing MICR processing. The MICR testing station comprises a MICR line testing module for generating at least one MICR testing document for use in testing MICR processing. The MICR line testing module further comprises: (1) an application determination module for determining an application based on a bank selection provided by a tester, (2) a routing/transit number determination module for determining a routing/transit number based on the bank and the application determined, and (3) a tran code determination module for determining a tran code based on the routing/transit number determined; and at least one client station connected to the MICR testing station via a communications network, the at least one client station being used by at least one tester to provide particulars about at least one MICR line.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for assuring electronic documents containing active content. Aspects of the system and method are directed to storing a copy of input data called by the active content in a first invocation of the electronic document, then, on subsequent invocations of the electronic document, using the stored copy of the input data instead of calling for input data from the computing environment. In this way, the output from the subsequent invocations of the electronic document are the same as the output from the first invocation of the electronic document.

Abstract: An Any Which Way Check Acceptance method and apparatus is provided, which allow a set of checks to be deposited in a stack, where each check can be oriented in any of sixteen different ways. In one embodiment of the invention, the ATM check reader has an MICR and OCR scanner/reader. When a set of checks is deposited, each check is subjected to a MICR scan and an OCR scan. If the check is aligned correctly and right side up, then the check is processed based on the MICR scan information. If the check is not aligned correctly or is upside down, then the MICR read fails because the magnetic stripe on the check is not where it is expected to be. Rather than rejecting the check at this point, the invention uses the OCR scan information from both the front and back of the check to process the check.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for processing a card. A card that is processed can have a corresponding card holder. In one embodiment, a card reader can be provided for reading information of a card. A card reader in one embodiment can be configured to sense a level of degradation of a card. A card reader in one embodiment can be in communication with a remote processor system.

Abstract: A method for magnetic character recognition is disclosed. The method may include preparing a standard waveform that is used as a datum in an operation of reading magnetic ink characters, generating a regeneration waveform from a character string of the magnetic ink characters printed on a surface of an information recording medium, segmenting a character waveform of each of the magnetic ink characters from the regeneration waveform, comparing the character waveform segmented through the segmentation process with the standard waveform, and selecting a plurality of the standard waveforms of candidate characters in accordance with a comparison result of the comparison process. A read character may be identified with the candidate character that has the greatest value among all the coefficient values of coincidence.

Abstract: An image quality assurance method for identifying image defects in a plurality of previously-imaged documents, where each previously-imaged document includes at least one image rendition stored in at least one image rendition file according to type of image rendition. The image renditions are analyzed to provide selected image metrics, the latter of which are compared against preselected image quality metric threshold values. An image quality flag is generated for any image rendition if at least one of the selected image metrics for that image rendition does not successfully compare against the preselected image quality metric threshold values. A record entry is created in an image quality flag file for those documents having at least one flagged image rendition, the record entry including information about the selected image metrics of the at least one flagged image rendition for that imaged document.

Abstract: A method and system for enhanced check image privacy are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide a way to automatically link the results from quality assurance software to a check image archive to appropriately mark images as unretrievable by customers. Images are interrogated with a data matching algorithm to determine whether a confidence score expressing a likelihood that the image matches associated, stored magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) data is below a pre-set threshold. The image can be then automatically designated in the financial document archive. The image can be displayed to an operator for analysis when the confidence score is above the pre-set threshold and below a pre-set limit, or in cases where the confidence score cannot be determined by the data matching algorithm.

Abstract: A system for permitting a secure electronic transaction on a network is disclosed. The network has a user device having a fingerprint, a provider's server and a means for providing verification of user's identity. In response to a request by the provider's server the means for providing verification positively identifies the fingerprint of the user device. It thereupon requests a confirmation from the user device of the transaction and upon receiving the confirmation completes the transaction.

Abstract: An image processing network for processing image files and coupled to an outside data communication network comprising a plurality of remote image capture units, the units scanning documents and creating a plurality of image files of said documents; the image processing means is coupled to said plurality of remote image capture units for processing the image files; the accounting means is coupled to the image processing means for immediately updating accounts associated with said image processing means; and the plurality of remote capture units are coupled to the outside network, the outside data communication network is connected to outside financial institutions, the image processing means transmits said image files to the outside financial institutions via the data communication network and receives image files from the outside financial institutions over the network.

Abstract: A method of processing a check prior to electronically depositing the check includes receiving the check, determining a number of existing check submission indicating marks, if any, that are present on the check, determining whether the number is less than a pre-set maximum number, discontinuing the processing of the check if it is determined that the number is not less than the pre-set maximum number, and printing a new check submission indicating mark onto the check and continuing the processing of the check if it is determined that the number is less than the pre-set maximum number. The existing check submission indicating marks may be printed with an energy emitting ink, such as, without limitation, a luminescent ink. Also provided is an apparatus adapted to implement the method just described.

Abstract: In the magnetic ink character reading apparatus, a first determination section reads signal data sequentially from a signal data string corresponding to the output signals of a magnetic head and determines whether the signal data corresponds to a predetermined signal. A second determination section determines whether the determination results by the first determination section is obtained successively for at least a predetermined number of signal data. A determination counter section counts the number of times (count) the successive acquisition of the determination results each telling the disagreement of the signal data with the predetermined signal over at least the predetermined number of signal data has been confirmed by the second determination section. A character recognition processing execution limit section limits the execution of the character recognition processing according to the count result provided by the determination counter section.

Abstract: A system and method for determining skew of a document image. An image processing system is provided, comprising: an image segmentation system that identifies and segments a line of printed characters; and a skew processing system that determines the skew by calculating slope values for pairs of characters in the line.

Abstract: A banknote identifying machine and method for testing a banknote for genuineness stably without being affected by a sensor or contamination on the banknote. Transmission photosensors 61 are moved over a banknote to be tested to scan the banknote with a light beam along reading lines L to obtain patterns of an amount of transmitted light through the banknote (FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c)). Patterns (1a, 1b) of an amount of transmitted light corresponding to watermark portions are evaluated with maximum values (11, 12) of patterns of an amount of transmitted light corresponding to ordinary design portions other than the watermarks to determine whether or not there is any watermark in the banknote and to authenticate it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of automatically determining and recognizing a code included in image data, and, more particularly, to a method capable of determining not only a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code but also a steganographic code with certainty. A code image processing method according to an embodiment of the present-invention includes: a block extracting step of extracting a rectangular block unit area from image data; a block feature value calculating step of calculating the feature value of a code included in the rectangular block unit area; a block determining step of determining the type of the code included in the rectangular block unit area on the basis of the feature value of the code; and a code processing selecting step of selecting processing to be performed on the basis of the determined code type.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the performance of a character recognition system is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises utilizing an average confidence score for a plurality of characters for ongoing performance monitoring of the character recognition system, wherein a confidence score indicates a level of confidence that a character is accurately recognized.

Abstract: An improved method for accurately and correctly encoding and printing complete checks on blank paper sheets from graphic check images. The method includes inputting into a computer a graphic image of a check. Scanning the graphic image, in computer memory, and identifying the MICR character codes with their locations. Printing said MICR codes with magnetic ink in MICR fonts in a designated “clear band”. Reformatting the scanned graphic image with the MICR images deleted and printing the reformatted graphic image above the “clear band” to provide a negotiable check instrument.