Abstract: An electronic, programmable check encoder (10) having a check guide (14) capable of receiving a check to be encoded. A plurality of sensors (40,42,44,46) locate the position of the check in the check guide (14). Following determination of the position of the check, the check is clamped and moved by a drive assembly to an encoder (80) and then moved out of the apparatus by an eject assembly. the structure and interrelationship of the check gudie (14), the sensors (40,42,44,46) the check drive assembly and the check eject assembly are such that the check processing speed is significantly increased.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a socket (13) for receiving an EPROM (18) to be programmed, a telephone interface (11), an RS-232 port (14), and RAM storage 20. Each of the user elements can be a source or destination of data. A microprocessor (52), and an internal EPROM (54) which includes firmware for programming EPROM (18) control the operation of the apparatus, providing the operator a series of prompts through display 15 to which the operator responds through the operation of "yes", "no" and "cancel" buttons.