Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time check authorization and clearing are provided. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a payment transaction using a check and an input device at a point of sale (POS). The method includes electronically capturing at the input device information from the check used in the payment transaction. The method also includes converting the check transaction to a debit transaction, transmitting data associated with the debit transaction to a transaction processor, and processing the debit transaction data to generate one of an authorization for the debit transaction and a denial for the debit transaction.

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: Ultraviolet light is used for checking the authenticity of sheet material, in particular bank notes, whereby the ultraviolet light transmitted, i.e., pervading the sheet material to be checked, is used for checking authenticity.

Abstract: An image capture system for retaining check processing data 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 system includes a scanner operable to process the check image to generate check processing data and one or more processors operable to embed at least a portion of the check processing data in the electronic check image. The embedded check processing data is typically operable to be subsequently identified.

Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past an image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the image scanner and the discrimination unit. The image scanner obtains an image of the documents, obtains an image of a selected area of the documents, and obtains information contained in the selected area of the document. The discrimination unit determines the authenticity of the document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.

Abstract: An OCR percentage matching algorithm achieves a significant reduction in false mismatches accounting for combinations of unprocessed spaces, missing characters, extra characters and character substitution errors during the OCR scanning processing and allows for a specified percentage of the OCR character scan rather the entire OCR character scan to be the same as the expected character string to declare a match.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for obtaining ink annotations from paper comprises a comparator that compares an initial electronic version of a document with an electronic image of an annotated version of the document to identify a handwritten annotation. The system also includes an annotation lifter that extracts the handwritten annotation from the electronic image and converts the handwritten annotation into a computer-usable form. Methods for using the system are also provided.

Abstract: A method of enabling remote deposit of checks includes receiving at a second site a plurality of check images and a plurality of entered dollar amounts, wherein the check images were generated at the depositor site by scanning the checks and the entered dollar amounts were manually entered at the depositor site. Each of the entered dollar amounts correspond to a respective one of the check images. The check dollar amounts are read from the check images at the second site using character recognition, and certain of the entered dollar amounts are used as hints to improve the accuracy of the character recognition. The enhanced character recognition results are provided to the depository bank along with the check images to enable the checks to be deposited in the depositor's account.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) comprises: a fascia (12) having a note entry/exit slot (56); and a note processing module (60) for processing notes deposited via the slot. The note processing module (60) includes a note transport mechanism (70, 70A) for transporting notes between the slot and a note imaging means (74) arranged to scan the notes at a first speed. The transport mechanism includes a loop (70A) arranged to transport notes through the imaging means (74) a second time at a second speed, the first speed being greater than said second speed.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a streak in a JPEG image. A system is provided that includes an extraction system for extracting a DC value from each cell block in the compressed image; an identification system for identifying a peak DC value in each rank of cell blocks within the compressed image; and an analysis system for analyzing the peak DC values to determine if a streak exists in the compressed image.

Abstract: A method for processing document image data wherein the quality of the document image is determined by examination of a vital document area includes determining a confidence level for the document by calculating two or more confidence factors for each vital document area. These confidence levels include calculations based on number, mass, and quality of identified characters within the vital area, the distribution of pixels horizontally across the document, and empirically determined norms for image density and distribution. The confidence levels are combined to give a confidence level for the document image quality.

Abstract: Image integrity in an archive can be verified using document characteristics. Embodiments of the invention provide a way to verify the integrity of a stored document image by determining document characteristics, which can also be embedded in the image file. Before allowing access to the image file by an application, the characteristics data from an image analysis can be compared to either or both of, characteristics information otherwise stored, or embedded characteristics data. The embedded data can optionally be encrypted. In example embodiments the data can include a result of an optical character recognition of contents of the document, a length of data describing the image, a percentage of a specified color of pixels in the image, or a checksum. Example embedding techniques can include those making use of a tagged image file format (TIFF) header, a steganographic watermark, or an image artifact.

Abstract: Techniques for use of wireless labels to provide information relating to documents in a document processing operation are described. A plurality of document processing trays each have affixed a label for receiving and displaying messages which are received wirelessly from a central communication interface The messages provide information relating to documents to be placed within or contained within the trays. When a group of documents undergoes initial processing, the group of documents is sorted into a plurality of sorting locations. Each of the sorting locations has an associated tray and label and the documents within the sorting location are placed within the tray. Messages relating to the documents within each tray are transmitted and displayed on the label affixed to the tray. The messages provide information such as the large group, such as an entry, and sorting location to which the documents belong and the endpoint of the documents.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging and capturing information from checks and documents contained in a lockbox remittance. A computer workstation is used to generate and print a header sheet that includes information identifying the check. The header sheet is appended to the front of the documents and the document are imaged using a scanner. Identifying information from each of the documents is used to create a data record for each document. In parallel to the scanning of the documents, the checks are scanned and images are created for each of the checks. Additionally, identifying information from each of the checks (e.g., the check number, the amount, etc.) is manually input into a database, thus creating a data record for each check.

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: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and tangible computer readable media for processing note payables for fraud by searching an image file of a note payable for information in multiple zones on the image file and comparing the obtained information to corresponding information in the issue file that is associated with the note payable. The note payable may be a check and searching of the image file may be done by optical character recognition. However, a user may wish to search an image file of a note payable in multiple zones for desired information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for checking the authenticity of bank notes in unprotected areas. The invention starts out from an apparatus for checking the authenticity of bank notes in unprotected areas, having a sensor assembly containing a light source which produces light of a first wavelength with which the bank notes to be checked are illuminated, whereupon one or more feature substances present in and/or on the bank notes produce light of a second wavelength which is detected by the sensor assembly, and a control device which evaluates data from the sensor assembly about the light of the second wavelength and compares them with reference data to determine the authenticity of the bank notes, wherein structure and operation of sensor assembly and/or control device permit conclusions to be drawn only with difficulty on the feature substance or substances contained in the bank notes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for creating, providing and documenting assembly and test instructions comprising the following components; an acquisition device (1), an interactive electronic documentation device (5) connected thereto for processing the captured assembly and test instructions, to which device a telephone and address directory (6) and a document management system (7) for exchanging status messages, order-specific assembly and test documents, text modules, control files and order data are connected, a signature device (9) for verifying documents (8) created by the documentation device (5) and an archive system (11) which is connected to the signature device (9) and the document management system (7).

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: The device will make it easy to recognize an individual object located at a specific location using radio frequency ID tags. The device includes an object having an object main body, a tag provided with the object main body, and a display section provided with the object main body to display the information corresponding to the ID information stored on the tag.

Abstract: A check reader and method for reading magnetic ink characters on a check involve a controller configured to control a motor to move a check through a check path in a first pass past a magnetic reading head in a first direction, and in at least one other pass past the magnetic reading head in another direction. In one embodiment, the controller moves the check through the check path in three passes, and in another embodiment the check is moved at different speeds during the respective passes.

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 system and method for imaging and capturing information from checks and documents contained in a lockbox remittance. A computer workstation is used to generate and print a header sheet that includes information identifying the check. The header sheet is appended to the front of the documents and the document are imaged using a scanner. Identifying information from each of the documents is used to create a data record for each document. In parallel to the scanning of the documents, the checks are scanned and images are created for each of the checks. Additionally, identifying information from each of the checks (e.g., the check number, the amount, etc.) is manually input into a database, thus creating a data record for each check.

Abstract: An acceptor device for sheet objects such as banknotes, comprises a sensor to derive data corresponding to a spatial array of data samples from a face of a sheet object, said data being configured in a sampling frame that lies within a range of positional relationships to a reference frame. The acceptor device also comprises a processor operable to process the data to determine the relationship between the reference frame and the sampling frame for the sensed data, and being operable to transform pre-selected regions of the sensed data from the sampling frame so as to correspond to data in the reference frame, and to make a comparison of the transformed data with reference data corresponding to the pre-selected regions in the reference frame and to the sheet object depending on the outcome of the comparison.

Abstract: Image data is processed appropriately even when there is a problem with a storage component of an image scanning apparatus. The image scanning apparatus acquires image data and stores it in local storage memory, and sends a storage result report to a terminal computer. Based on this storage result report the terminal computer determines the image data processing method. The image scanning apparatus then processes the image data according to the method determined by the terminal computer.

Abstract: An image detector for bank notes is provided which can be made at low cost and in small size. The image detector comprises a pair of detector units 13 includes a first image detection sensor 24 which detects an image of a first detection area mounted on one side of a detector unit 18, a first light emitting device 27 which irradiates light towards the first detection area, and a second light emitting device 31 which irradiates light towards a second detection area mounted on one side of the unit main body 18 but in a different location from the first detection area, a pair of detector units is disposed so as to oppose one another across a bank note transportation path 12, in a manner which enables the image detection sensor 24 of one of the detection units 13 to detect an image of the second detection area of the other of the detection units 13.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively inserting a digital watermark into a visual rendering by an image processing device. The image processing device receives an image processing request including image data of an associated document. The request is then analyzed to determine if a watermark is to be inserted into a visual rendering of the associated document. When required, the selected watermark is then retrieved from associated memory containing a watermark repository, based upon the image processing request. The visual rendering of the associated document, incorporating the watermark, is then generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides enhanced processing of Check 21 items using an electronic payment system (EPS) to capture metadata instructions. The metadata includes instructions regarding an intended payment to a payee, and can be generated through a truncation process and optical character recognition, directly from a digitally originated check, and the like. The metadata is stored in a database or the like for further processing instead of printing a paper check. In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a capability to print Image Replacement Documents (IRDs) compliant to Check 21 regulations from the metadata. Further, these IRDs can include enhanced features as described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for validating the authenticity of a signature on a document by providing a document from an account, the document including an actual signature and a machine-readable identifier, wherein the machine-readable identifier contains a string of data representing the integral characteristics of all valid account signatures and a person-specific confidence threshold. When the document is presented at a point of presentment, the document is scanned into a document-processing machine and the actual signature is compared against all valid account signatures.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, method and computer-readable data storage medium to identify and process a negotiable instrument comprising a pre-processing unit 20 to select a binarization method to be used in a main processing unit 30 based on image data from only a scanned image of specific parts of the negotiable instrument for converting a full image of the entire negotiable instrument to binary image data.

Abstract: A system and method for processing financial information is provided. A client request may be received through an application program interface (API). A first set of data based on the client request may be retrieved through the API from a first information repository comprising information on debit transactions and credit transactions. The first set of results may be transmitted to the client application for display. A second client request based on the first set of results may be received through the API from the client application, and a second set of data may be retrieved through the API from a second information repository comprising information on credit transactions and component deposit items. The second set of results may be transmitted back to the client application for display.

Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items can be provided to the machine in envelopes passed out of the machine to a user. An empty envelope in an envelope holding container (132) is passed through a transport (124) and presented to the user through an opening (244). The user can insert deposit items in the presented envelope. The envelope containing inserted deposited items can then be placed by the user back through the opening (244), causing it to be stored in a deposit-holding container (128). The machine also includes a printer that can print transaction indicia on a deposited envelope. A wiper comprising a resilient squeegee is able to remove excess ink from nozzles of the printer.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring bank notes for the presence of counterfeit bank notes provides for the detection of such data of each bank note to be monitored that permit a judgement to be made on the authenticity of the bank note. By way of the data detected, the authenticity of each bank note is judged, and in the event that the judgement of the authenticity of the respective bank note leads to the conclusion that a counterfeit and/or counterfeit suspect bank note is present, the data of the respective bank note are transferred to a data bank.

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: Systems and processes for processing financial instruments include receiving a physical financial instrument, printing data on the received physical financial instrument, and capturing an image of the physical financial instrument to produce an electronic image. At least a portion of the data printed on the physical financial instrument is printed in a manner that substantially precludes reproduction in the electronic image. The electronic image is transmitted across a network, for example, to perform electronic processing, such as posting or clearing.

Abstract: A document processing system and method for using image quality to sort documents. The document processing system comprises: a document sorting system that designates a destination pocket for each document based on data gathered from each document; a document imaging system that captures an image of each document; and an image quality analysis system that analyzes each image and causes any document having an unacceptable image to be redirected to an unacceptable destination pocket.

Abstract: The present invention aims to propose a method to generate a security pattern to be embedded in an original image having the particularity that the detection of the security pattern can be achieved through a simple, low processing capability device. The present invention proposes a method for generating a security image comprising an original image and a security pattern, characterized in that the security pattern has the form of a grating in which the lines width and/or the line spacing is modulated to embody a predefined data, the security image is generated by the modulation of at least one color of at least a part of the original image with the grating. The present invention belongs to the fields of security printing and copy protection of banknotes. It aims at preventing illegal copy and duplication of banknotes by printing a security image on the banknote. A device capable of detecting this security image with one-dimensional signal processing is described.

Abstract: Consumer directed transfers of funds over the Internet are provided by a combination of systems and networks, including the Internet, email, and the Automated Clearinghouse system (ACH). A host system provided by a funds transfer service manages requests of senders to transfer funds and further manages responses of receivers to claim funds. The host system allows the sender to initiate the funds transfer by specifying the amount of the transfer and information for contacting the receiver, without the need to specify the account of the receiver for receiving the funds. Instead, the host system contacts the receiver and informs the receiver of the available funds; the receiver can then provide the necessary target account information for completing the funds transfer. The ACH is used to effect the transfer of funds, with the host system providing instructions for ACH entries to its financial institution using account information separately received from the sender and receiver.

Abstract: An invoice processing system generates a data structure, comprising a data field value associated with each of a plurality of identified data fields, from a document image comprising text representing each of such data field values. The secure document data capture system includes a character recognition system receiving the document image and recognizing characters within the text to generate, for each of the identified data fields, a data field value for association therewith. A validation engine identifies a subset of the identified data fields which can be referred to as exception data fields due to failure to comply with a validation rule. An exception handling system provides an exception image to a first client system. The exception image comprising a portion of the document image which includes text of the at least one suspect character within the exception data field with a context portion of the document image redacted.

Abstract: A method is provided of an institution creating a substitute check using check image data from a remote check image capture device. The method comprises receiving from the remote check image capture device binary image data which is representative of a binary image of a check, receiving from the remote check image capture device grayscale image data which is representative of a grayscale image of the check, determining if the binary image of the check is usable, and creating a substitute check based upon the grayscale image data if the binary image of the check is determined to be unusable.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for applying magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) technology to enable the embedding of coded information within text characters of a document.

Abstract: A plurality of banks of first deposit provide checking account activity data for both transit items (checks received for deposit that need to be cleared) and incoming returns (bounced checks) to a statistical model which determines from the data the likelihood that a check from a specific checking account will be returned. This data is used to populate a database of checking accounts to be used for making check risk decisions, such as check hold policy decisions, check acceptance decisions, and open to buy decisions.

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 includes scanning a check to generate image data representative of an image of the check. The method further includes detecting at least one security feature of the check. The method also includes transforming the image data to include at least one encoded indication of the detected at least one security feature of the check.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting check fraud includes a check scanning module and a detection module. The check scanning module scans checks and matches the encoded Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) data (i.e. serial number, Customer Account Number and amount) from the scanned digital electronic images with items in an issuance database which contains client provided check particulars. The detection module passes the check images through an optical character recognition (OCR) process to read what is written on the check and to match results against the issuance database. If the written information on the face of a check is unreadable or there is no match with the information in the issuance database, the detection module passes the check through a series of slower more precise OCR processes. Any checks that are not successfully read and matched are highlighted as an “exception” and immediately forwarded to the client for further action.

Abstract: A modified multi-page TIFF file. A Tagged Image Format File (TIFF) conforms to a published standard. The TIFF file contains an initial header, which contains a pointer to another header, which points both to (1) the first graphical image and (2) a second header. The second header points to both (1) the second image and (2) a third header, and so on. The headers allow a TIFF reader to locate any selected graphic image, and display it. The invention interleaves auxiliary information within the TIFF file, for example, between a header and a graphical image. The auxiliary information does not interfere with the TIFF reader, and the TIFF reader does not detect the auxiliary information.

Abstract: A method (and system) of discovering a significant subset in a collection of documents, includes identifying a set of documents from a plurality of documents based on a likelihood that documents in the set of documents carries an instance of information that is characteristic to the documents in the set of documents.

Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past an image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the image scanner and the discrimination unit. The image scanner operates to obtain a video image of the transported documents, or the image of a selected area of the documents. The document images are further processed to obtain field information contained in selected areas of the document. The discrimination unit operates to determine the value and authenticity of the document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.

Abstract: An object is to provide an image detector for bank notes which enables the cost to be lowered.

Abstract: A detailed identification method for articles has an image-taking step and a comparison step. The image-taking step includes acts of using a portable identification device having a close-up lens and a screen to take a detailed image of an undistinguishable article and displaying the detailed image on the screen with an enlarged size. The comparison step includes acts of recalling a detailed image of a legal article from a database and displaying the detailed image on the screen of the portable identification device with an enlarged size. The two detailed images are displayed on the same screen so a user can clearly compare the detailed images to judge whether the undistinguishable article is a fake. The detailed identification method for articles has mobility and can be conveniently and extensively used.