Abstract: A method of operating a distributed image capture proof-of-deposit system having a central processing site and a number of branches connected via a network with the central processing site comprises the steps of (a) capturing images of items at a branch without use of physical tracer items at the branch, and (b) transferring the images captured at the branch via the network to the central processing site. At least some images at the central processing site are processed using logical tracer items which have been inserted at the central processing site.

Abstract: Improved assistance is provided to an operator during jam recovery of an image-based financial document processing system used to process transaction items including debit and credit items. Information associated with a first group of transaction items is displayed after a jam condition has occurred to enable the operator to retrieve at least some of the transaction items of the first group of transaction items. Information associated with a second group of transaction items is displayed as the operator feeds transaction items from the second group of transaction items back into the system to reprocess these transaction items. The displayed information associated with the first group of transaction items and the displayed information associated with the second group of transaction items are compared to determine if a transaction item from the first group and a transaction item from the second group match.

Abstract: Improved assistance is provided to an operator to balance an out-of-proof transaction at a balancing workstation of an image-based financial document processing system used to process transaction items including debit and credit items. A number of suspect tests are invoked. The suspect tests have been previously arranged in an order which is based upon at least one characteristic data collected over a previous time period. The invoked suspect tests are applied to the debit items and the credit items in the particular order to improve assistance to the operator to balance the out-of-proof transaction.