Abstract: A method for providing an electronic negotiable instrument as a promise for payment for a selected payee over a communications network, the method comprising: generating the electronic negotiable instrument for the selected payee with instrument information from a payor; receiving a specified mode of communication associated with the payee; sending a message to the selected payee over the communications network using the specified mode of communication to inform the payee of the availability of the electronic negotiable instrument; receiving a request over the communications network from the payee for the electronic negotiable instrument; authenticating the payee request and a specified receipt address; and forwarding the electronic negotiable instrument over the communications network to the specified receipt address. The electronic negotiable instrument is capable of being reproduced in a paper form in accordance with predefined standards, such as Check 21 in the United States.

Abstract: A system for automatically determining the quality of various types of printed images uses either a single element optical sensor or a multi-element sensor which may include one or more of an optical, magnetic, thermal or acoustic transducer. A microprocessor is used to store a standard set of images in its memory and measures certain image characteristics of the printed images by automatically comparing the printed images on a background material with the standard images. The microprocessor then causes the system to produce a result of said comparison and to make a decision as to whether each of the printed images satisfy a set of measurements for the standard images. The system has various uses but is particularly useful in the banking business to determine whether newly printed cheques meet the required print standards before releasing the cheques for the use of customers.

Abstract: A method and system for processing documents such as checks for achieving concurrent, reject, re-entry of sorter rejects of the documents in association with a sorting machine. A document reader such as a MICR reader for example, and an imaging apparatus are included along the document track to generate MICR data and digitized image data for each document passing thereby. A document whose MICR data is read correctly is routinely sorted while a document whose MICR data is not read correctly or completely is sorted in a reject pocket. The data needed to complete or correct the MICR data is obtained by an operator viewing an image of the document on a data entry terminal while the associated document is still physically located in the reject pocket. After a first pass or run of the documents through the sorter, the now-complete data obtained by the operator is used to sort the rejected documents on a second pass through the sorter to provide the re-entry of the sorter rejects.

Abstract: A method and system of matching first and second waveforms, each having identifiable features, for identification purposes. The method includes the steps of obtaining from the first waveforms significant said identifiable features having values and locations with respect to a starting point of the associated said first waveform, with the significant identifiable features being obtained according to the predetermined criteria; utilizing values and locations of the significant identifiable features of a first waveform to search in predetermined locations for anticipated corresponding identifiable features in a second waveform; determining the values and locations of the identifiable features, if any, found in the predetermined locations; and comparing the values and locations from the determining step with the values and locations of the significant identifiable features of a first waveform according to second predetermined criteria to determine whether or not the second waveform matches a first waveform.

Abstract: A character recognition system is disclosed in which each row of a plurality of parallel rows of binary signals representing the configuration of an unknown character is sequentially compared to a plurality of templates, each representing a known character. Each of the rows of signals is compared to feature characteristics of the unknown character twice. The rows of signals are first shifted one signal position and compared. The signals are then compared in their original position to detect an unknown character which has been printed off-center. Only those rows of signals which are required to contain a feature characteristic of the unknown characters are compared. The resulting data is utilized by a data processor apparatus identifying the unknown character.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting the start of an unknown character sensed by a character recognition system. A multi-channel read head develops a plurality of analog waveforms which form the image of an unknown character sensed by the read head. After the analog waveforms have been digitized and rectified, static and dynamic threshold values are applied producing a multi-column binary bit map of the unknown character. The start of the character is detected when two adjacent rows of the bit map are found to have five consecutive binary bits representing a character. The end of the character is detected when the rows of the binary bits representing background data have a width which is inversely proportional to the width of the character detected. This information is used by a character recognition apparatus in locating the start of the character and the data generated during a character recognition operation.

Abstract: A system for processing data used by a recognition system in recognizing an unknown character. A multi-channel read member generates a plurality of parallel rows of data bits which taken together form an image of the character to be recognized. In order to align the rows of data in their proper relationship, each row of data bits is examined to determine if the row contains data representing a feature characteristic of the unknown character or a clear channel. The top row of the character is selected as the first row of data bits representing a feature characteristic of the character which follows the largest number of consecutive clear channel rows. The top two rows of the character are then compared. The row having the greatest number of feature characteristic data bits is selected as the top row of the character. Signals identifying the top row of the character are generated for us by a recognition apparatus in recognizing the unknown character from the rows of data bits generated.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having multiple recording devices, each recording device being associated with a separate document feed path, in order to provide simultaneous recording on more than one document for the purpose of increasing effective document recording speed. The recording apparatus also includes driving mechanism for driving the documents along the feed paths, selection means for selecting an appropriate document feed path for each document which is introduced to the recording apparatus, and control means for controlling the recording devices, the driving mechanism and the selection means.

Abstract: A printing system for printing coded bar elements on a record member include a rotatable drum member having slidably mounted print elements disposed about its periphery. An actuator member positioned adjacent the drum member engages one of the print elements upon movement of the drum member to position a print element adjacent a record member. The actuator member is operated to slide the engaged print element to a printing position enabling the print element to print a coded bar on the record member.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading data printed on a flexible document in which the document is orientated in a vertical direction during the reading operation. The document is initially positioned on a movable support member located in the path of movement of a scanning head. Movement of the document against the support member enables a clamping member to clamp the document in a sensing position, an actuator member for moving the support member out of the path of movement of the scanner head and moving the scanning head in a longitudinal direction to read the data on the document.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data used in a character recognition system in which a threshold voltage value is developed to be applied to an analog waveform representing an unknown character to determine the start of the character waveform. Samples of the first peak of the waveform are generated and a value representing the area under the first peak is developed. Data processing means divides the area by the number of samples taken to arrive at a threshold voltage value which, when applied to the samples taken, determines the start of the character waveform. The voltage amplitudes of adjacent samples of the character waveform are then averaged and the number of samples reduced by one half. A predetermined number of samples having the maximum voltage amplitudes located within peak areas of the waveform are normalized for use by a utilization device in recognizing the unknown character.

Abstract: A character recognition system is disclosed in which feature characteristics of an analog waveform representing an unknown character are applied to a plurality of templates each representing a known character and consisting of a number of windows in which the feature characteristics of the known character are to be located. Hardware implemented circuits compare each feature characteristic of the unknown character with each window of the template. If a feature characteristic is found outside the window, the distance between the location of the feature characteristic from the location of the window is found. The sum of the distances for each template is generated and the templates having the two minimum distances are selected and evaluated to determine if a character can be recognized from the value of the two minimum distances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for processing documents having human readable intelligent bearing written indicia located thereon and includes optical scanning means (46) for generating signals representing the pattern of the written indicia scanned by the scanning means. Means (40) also are provided for generating recognition data pertaining to certain characteristics of the written indicia associated with the owner of each document, which means includes an operator keyboard (26) for entering the location of the written indicia on the document, together with a number (60) identifying the owner, the number being located on the document and being used as an address in a storage unit (41) to store the recognition data generated which is employed in recognizing the characters of the indicia associated with the document.

Abstract: A magnetic character recognition system is disclosed for reading magnetized characters printed on a document such as a check, which system determines the magnitude and position of each of the peaks of an analog waveform representing each character read by a single gap magnetic read head. Means are provided for normalizing the peak amplitude by dividing the amplitude of each succeeding peak value by the amplitude of the first peak value read and generating a digital value representing the ratio of the succeeding peak values to the first value. Further means are provided for normalizing the peak position by determining the ratio of the position of each of the peaks within the waveform to the position of the first position peak of the waveform. The digital values of the normalized peak amplitude and position are then processed and compared with corresponding values of a plurality of reference characters to identify the character read. Threshold values are applied to insure a valid recognition operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the velocity of a document over a fixed distance of travel. Sensing means are provided for generating signals which are used in determining the value of the time the document requires to move over the fixed distance. Using terms of a Taylor series expansion of the velocity equation, a value of the velocity is determined utilizing digital elements requiring only multiplication and addition operations. The elements include a digital multiplier and accumulator together with a plurality of storage devices which utilize the value of the time together with a plurality of predetermined constants to determine and output the value of the velocity to a display which displays the velocity in numerical form.