Image analysis – Applications – Reading bank checks
Reexamination Certificate
1996-02-21
2002-10-29
Patel, Jayanti K. (Department: 2723)
Image analysis
Applications
Reading bank checks
C235S379000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06473519
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to check readers and more particularly a check reader having image sensing capabilities in addition to magnetic ink character recognition capabilities.
2. Description of Background
When a patron presents a check to a clerk at a bank or store, the clerk typically enters the account number of the patron and the check number of the check by hand into the computer system of the bank or store. Aside from being tedious and time consuming, this process inevitably leads to entry errors.
Recently, compact and portable table top devices, known as “check readers” have become available which are useful in reading checks. This type of device includes a housing having a slot for receiving a check, and a transport mechanism which transports checks through the slot at a known speed. Check readers read information from a check by a process of magnetic ink character recognition (MICR). Standard MICR character font characters printed on the check are read by a magnetic read head mounted in the housing which is biased to remain in constant contact with a check passing through the slot. A permanent magnet mounted in the housing magnetizes the MICR characters before the characters are read by the read head. An example of a check reader of this type is the series ST8300 check reader manufactured by Welch Allyn, Inc. of Skaneateles, N.Y.
Currently available check readers have greatly improved the processing of checks at the initial status of check processing. Where they have been implemented, check readers have improved the speed and ease with which the account number present on a check in magnetic ink is input into a data collection system and have essentially eliminated the problem of entry error.
However, significant problems with the processing of checks at local banks and retail stores remain. For example, current check reading devices do not address the problem of presentment fraud, wherein the endorser or presenter of a check fraudulently holds herself out as the payee of the check.
There exists a need for a low cost, compact device which in addition to providing efficient reading of the account and check numbers imprinted on the check, is equipped to resolve additional problems commonly encountered in the initial stages of check processing, including the problem of presentment fraud.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention is an improved check reader having image sensing capabilities in addition to magnetic ink character recognition capabilities. While the present invention is especially useful for determining indicia elements of a check, which by convention normally have both MICR and non-MICR characters, it will be well understood that the present invention is useful for determining MICR or non-MICR indicia elements formed on any document comprised of paper or other indicia-carrying substrate.
The check reader of the invention is preferably housed in a compact housing, and is adapted for use on a table top. The housing includes a slot for receiving a check, and a transport mechanism for transporting a check relative to the check reader's indicia-determining components. When a check is passed through the slot, magnetic ink characters printed on the check are read by a magnetic read head which is mounted on the housing to remain in contact with the check. The housing further includes a permanent magnet which magnetizes magnetic ink characters of the check so that the characters can be read by the read head.
Magnetic image character recognition (MICR reading) requires that characters being read are printed using magnetic ink. Because characters being read by MICR reading cannot be successfully altered using conventional ink, reading of a check using a MICR reader provides an important security advantage.
In addition to having a MICR read head, a check reader according to the present invention has mounted in its housing an imaging assembly. The imaging assembly can be adapted to sense any indicia printed on the check including and in addition to the MICR characters encoding an account number, check number, bank routing number, amount field, and other MICR information. The check reader of the present invention, therefore, can perform both MICR reading and imaging assembly imaging. MICR “Reading” shall herein refer to the process of determining character type of a magnetic ink character with use of a magnetic read head. “Imaging” shall herein refer to the process of capturing indicia elements present on a document in an electronic format with use of an imaging assembly.
The imaging assembly of the housing includes an image sensor, a source of illumination, and optics for directing light to the image sensor.
The image sensor may be a visible light or infrared (IR) type image sensor in a single element, linear, or matrix array available in various technologies. The imaging assembly may also be an illumination array comprising a rastering laser or laser array detected either by a single or multiple array of detectors.
In one embodiment of the invention, an imaging assembly having a single element type scan image sensor is mounted on the housing proximate the slot, and images one dimensional symbols printed on the check. Such one dimensional images can include bar code symbols. In this type of embodiment, a bar code symbol is printed on the check and can be made to represent specific information about the check or about the patron. When the imaging assembly is a one dimensional manual scan type imaging assembly, the bar code symbol is printed in a predetermined orientation on the check so that the entire length of the bar code symbol passes across the single element scan imaging assembly when the check is transported through the slot.
In another embodiment of the invention, an imaging assembly having a multiple element scan type one dimensional image sensor is mounted on or in the check reader housing proximate the check receiving slot. When a multiple element imaging assembly is implemented in a check reader, a central processor which coordinates the speed and position of the check, and which controls the scanning of the imaging assembly, can be adapted to control scanning of the imaging assembly so that the imaging assembly can acquire and store processable representations of two dimensional images using only a one dimensional sensor.
The central processor coordinating imaging and MICR reading of a check can be disposed in or on the housing that houses the MICR reader and the imaging assembly, or may be positioned at a location remote from the housing.
An imaging assembly of the housing can be adapted to image a portion of or an entire document passing through the check reader. Supplementary image sensors can be provided for imaging indicia elements of a document in addition to those indicia imaged by a first imaging assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, image sensors of the housing are disposed opposite one another to image check indicia on either side of the check during a single transport of the check through the housing.
The transport mechanism of the invention transports a check received in the housing relative to the check reader's indicia-determining components, i.e. the reader's MICR reader and imaging assembly. The indicia determining components may be transported across a stationary received check, or a check may be transported across stationary indicia-determined components. Alternatively, both a check, and a reader's indicia-determining components may be moved in opposite directions toward one another to provide relative movement of a check and a check reader's indicia determining components.
The transport mechanism of the housing normally transports a check at one predetermined constant speed or at two discrete predetermined constant speeds depending upon application and the type of imaging assembly which is installed in the housing. MICR readers transport a check at a constant transport speed. This con
Britton Thomas D.
Casey John L.
Jost Kevin R.
Pidhirny John M.
Hand Held Products, Inc.
Patel Jayanti K.
Wall Marjama & Bilinski LLP
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