Abstract: A scanned image processing system, a method of processing scanned images and a document conversion system incorporating the scanned image processing system or the method. In one embodiment, the scanned image processing system includes: (1) an artifact characterizer configured to provide a characterization of at least one artifact on at least one of obverse and reverse scanned images of a page and (2) an image modifier associated with the artifact characterizer and configured to modify at least one of the obverse and reverse scanned images based on the characterization and at least one operating parameter.

Abstract: A document transport control system for controlling the throughput rate of the document transport, the document transport has a preset throughput rate. The system includes a smart card for storing data including a throughput rate which is greater than the preset throughput rate. A card reader reads data stored on the smart card. A controller is responsive to the data read by the smart card reader for changing the preset throughput rate to the throughput rate stored on the smart card.

Abstract: A color scanning technique that maintains a high image quality while permitting improved scanning speed and improved perceived resolution. A color pixel array and a luminance pixel array are generated representative of a target object. The pixel arrays are related in that one or more luminance pixels of the luminance pixel array cover each pixel of the color pixel array. A luminance value is sensed for each luminance pixel, and three primary color values are sensed for each color pixel. A measured luminance value is then associated with each respective color pixel wherein the measured luminance value is a function of the sensed luminance values for the one or more luminance pixels covering the respective color pixel. A derived luminance value is also calculated for each respective color pixel wherein the derived luminance value is a function of the three sensed primary color values for the respective color pixel.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes an ink bag for containing ink. The bag is sealed along the bottom to form a bottom seam and is sealed along the bag sides to form side seams. The cartridge includes a housing having first and second side walls defining a cavity for receiving the bag. A first compressible foam sheet is disposed in the cavity between one of the side walls of the housing and one of the walls of the bag and adjacent the side seams. A second compressible foam sheet is disposed in the cavity between the other side wall of the housing and the other bag wall and adjacent the side seams. The foam sheets supply a uniform distribution of pressure along the side seams of the bag as ink is withdrawn from the bag and expand to assist in the uniform delivery of ink from the bag.

Abstract: A document transport system wherein documents containing magnetized encoded indicia are to be read by a magnetic ink character recognition read head as the documents are transported by rollers along a document transport path includes a base plate disposed along the document transport path. A shaft is attached to the base plate and disposed generally perpendicular to the base plate. A hub member having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer peripheral surface and a centrally disposed aperture receives the shaft. The hub member is supported on the base plate for rotation about the shaft. The hub member includes a slot spaced apart from and disposed between the centrally disposed aperture and the outer peripheral surface. A magnetic shield is attached to the base plate and is disposed within the hub member slot.

Abstract: A method for communicating transactions on a network of unsecured parties includes a first party generating a request to a second party on a network to initiate a transaction. The second party maintains a data base containing a plurality of separate transactions. The second party in response to the request, generates and communicates to the first party a unique transaction identifier. The first party trades the processing of the transaction in the second party's data base using the transaction identifier to gain access to the second party's data base.

Abstract: A method and system for recognizing a time varying waveform signal subject to amplitude distortions such as experienced with optical or magnetic printed character reading systems for scanning documents such as bank checks and the like. The variable amplitude waveform is sampled at predetermined time intervals representing predetermined spacings across a dimension of the character being read and difference values related to the sample amplitude ratio values between adjacent samples are calculated to develop a difference waveform or signature. This difference waveform may then be compared to a set of templates representing characters expected to be recognized. The amplitude ratio value of each sample may also be compared to that of a previous sample to determine the direction of the slope of the waveform at selected points wherein rising, falling or no change slope direction identifiers may be compared to a set of templates of characters expected to be read.

Abstract: A multi-item detector for use with a document feeder for feeding documents along a document path includes first and second vacuum heads having juxtaposed faces and being spaced apart on opposite sides along the document path. Each head is adapted to be connected to a vacuum source. The faces of the vacuum heads include a plurality of apertures through which a vacuum is applied for drawing documents into contact with either the first or second vacuum head. A first vacuum sensor is coupled to the first vacuum head. A second vacuum sensor is coupled to the second vacuum head. Each of the sensors have an on-state and an off-state for sensing an increase in vacuum level when a document contacts one of the vacuum heads in order to place the sensor in the on-state. When multiple documents are present in the document path, both sensors are in the on-state.

Abstract: An impact hammer assembly for a high speed printer includes first and second permanent magnets having opposite poles disposed adjacent to each other and having a gap therebetween. The magnets create flux lines extending across the gap. A print hammer includes a hammer beam and a hammer head. The print hammer is movable between a rest position and a print position. The hammer beam is disposed in the gap between the first and second magnets. A coil is disposed on the hammer beam and perpendicular to the magnetic flux lines. Circuitry generates a current in the coil and controls the direction of current flow in the coil, such that when current flows in the coil in a first direction, the print hammer moves towards the print position and when current flows in the coil in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, the print hammer moves towards the rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying correction strips with encodable indicia to bank checks and similar documents and for removing previously applied correction strips from checks and reapplying a new correction strip to such a check. The apparatus includes feed mechanism for feeding checks without previously applied correction strips and with previously applied correction strips along parallel feed paths which merge to a common feed path provided by plural endless flexible belts. A rotatable drum is interposed in the common feedpath and is disposed in proximity to a heater element engageable with a heat activatable adhesive band portion of the correction strip for applying the adhesive band to the front lower face of bank checks and similar documents. A rotary cutter is disposed in one of the parallel feed paths for cutting a previously applied correction strip from the lower edge of a check.

Abstract: Digital images of documents such as bank checks are analyzed to determine acceptable image quality by capturing an image at a first or normal sensitivity and at a second or greater sensitivity. Both sets of image signals are subjected to speckle filtering to remove extraneous image elements or noise. The greater sensitivity signals are grouped in discrete areas having a predetermined number of pixels and black pixels which are connected are identified as an object in each discrete area. Each object is analyzed by measuring height, width, area, perimeter, aspect ratio, density ratio and perimeter to area ratio. Predetermined limits for these characteristics are applied to each object to classify the object as stroke-like or of another shape. Stroke-like objects are then compared with the object at the same position in the normal image field and a so-called area ratio of the number of black pixels in the normal image to the number of black pixels in the more intense image is determined.

Abstract: Digital images of documents such as bank checks are analyzed to determine acceptable image quality by capturing an image at a first or normal sensitivity and at a second or greater sensitivity. Both sets of image signals are subjected to speckle filtering to remove extraneous image elements or noise. The greater sensitivity signals are grouped in discrete areas having a predetermined number of pixels and black pixels which are connected are identified as an object in each discrete area. Each object is analyzed by measuring height, width, area, perimeter, aspect ratio, density ratio and perimeter to area ratio. Predetermined limits for these characteristics are applied to each object to classify the object as stroke-like or of another shape. Stroke-like objects are then compared with the object at the same position in the normal image field and a so-called area ratio of the number of black pixels in the normal image to the number of black pixels in the more intense image is determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively attaching strips of an encodable material bearing a heat activatable adhesive to a document or for removing the strips therefrom generally comprises a strip attachment assembly and a strip removal assembly. The attachment assembly includes a set of document feed rollers and strip feed rollers which deliver the documents and the strips to an alignment subassembly where the document and the strip are properly aligned. A cutter cuts the strip to match the length of the document and the aligned document and strip pass by a heater which heats the heat activatable adhesive. The strip secured to the document by the heat activatable adhesive is sealed thereto by a pair of sealing rollers. The strip removal assembly comprises a passageway having a heater extending along one side and an obstruction extending across a portion of the passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively attaching strips of an encodable material bearing a heat activatable adhesive to a document or for removing the strips therefrom generally comprises a strip attachment assembly and a strip removal assembly. The attachment assembly includes a set of document feed rollers and strip feed rollers which deliver the documents and the strips to an alignment subassembly where the document and the strip are properly aligned. A cutter cuts the strip to match the length of the document and the aligned document and strip pass by a heater which heats the heat activatable adhesive. The strip secured to the document by the heat activatable adhesive is sealed thereto by a pair of sealing rollers. The strip removal assembly comprises a passageway having a heater extending along one side and an obstruction extending across a portion of the passageway.

Abstract: Financial documents, such as checks and deposit slips, are processed by capturing a video image of each document and sorting each document into a predetermined rehandle pocket during a prime pass, prior to proof of deposit processing. Particular one of the documents are selected for priority processing. Selected data is read from the captured images of the selected documents and any errors are corrected to create verified data, including balanced deposit information. The selected documents are then encoded with machine readable data indicative of the balanced deposit information and are further sorted into predetermined kill pockets during a rehandle pass.