Ncr Corporation

Ncr Canada Ltd. -- Ncr Canada Ltee

Benedict C Ho

Gene R Franklin

Gary R Marshall

Thomas S Craig

A signal extraction and character recognition system is provided for an MICR system using E13B font characters and a magneto-resistive read head. Each character is treated as defining a block comprising a matrix of equal sized zones. Because adjacent characters are separated by space (e.g., non-residually magnetized regions), the read head output signal is used to first identify the start of each character. As the document bearing the characters moves relative to the head, the signal strength from each vertical zone is summed. The relative vertical column signal strength is then compared to the vertical column signal strength for the preceding column to form a ratio set. The ratios are then quantized into one of three levels, depending upon whether R&gt;T.sub.1 (a first threshold, preferably 4/3), R&lt;T.sub.2 (a second threshold, preferably 3/4), T.sub.2 .ltoreq.R.ltoreq.T.sub.1. The patterns of these three quantized levels uniquely identify the 14 characters in the E13B character set. These patterns from the processed output signal from the magneto-resistive head are compared with the contents of a look-up table (or the equivalent) containing patterns for the 14 characters in the E13B font to identify the character being read.

Method and apparatus for magnetic ink character recognition using a

A system for use in image recognition applications to reduce the processing demands on the associated Host Computer thus allowing for greater system throughput. Compressed image data is transmitted over a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) for storage in a Multi-Purpose Buffer. The data may decompressed, byte-swapped, byte-flipped, or may be passed through the system unmodified as directed by the Host Computer. A Video Compression-Expansion Processor can handle a variety of data compression formats and receives data from the Multi-Purpose Buffer. Processed data which matches preprogrammed sets of window coordinates can be selectively cropped and stored in multiple First-In-First-Out (FIFO) buffers by Cropper Controller circuitry. The processed and cropped data is then sent to the Host Computer through a Micro-Channel Architecture (MCA) Interface Controller for further recognition processing by the Host Computer. A high data throughput rate is achieved by synchronizing data transfer among the components of the preprocessing system by use of the Multi-Purpose Buffer and a data window storage mechanism.

High speed image preprocessing system including a multi-purpose buffer

A method for locating the start of a MICR character in E13B font so as to facilitate character recognition. A Calculated Character Start Position (CCSP) is generated by using a predetermined number of voltage samples corresponding to a portion of MICR waveform generated by reading a MICR character on a document. The CCSP is generated by averaging the predetermined number of voltage samples within the window which tends to minimize the harmful effects of noise. Noise from magnetic ink spatter is sometimes wrongly interpreted as the start of a character. A process of 'jiggling' is used to assist character recognition techniques by utilizing different character start positions to determine whether or not a template match in character recognition techniques occurs when the new or different character start position is used. Dynamic thresholding is used to avoid false starts or 'ringing' due to an immediately previous character which was read having a high intensity waveform compared to the normal intensity expected. The method also employs a technique of having a variable starting point for the search for the start of the next character, with the variable starting point being based on the character just recognized.

Method for recognizing the leading edge of a character in E13B font

A method and system for use in reading magnetic characters comprised of bars and intervals dimensioned as short intervals or long intervals as is done in CMCs7 encoding. The interval between adjacent bars of a character is obtained by calculating the zero crossing point between a peak of a first polarity and a peak of a second polarity associated with a 'bar' in the associated scanning signal. The zero crossing point may be compared to the midpoint of the associated 'bar'. The intervals are then determined by obtaining the distance or interval between the zero crossing points of adjacent 'bars'.

Method and apparatus for reading bar code magnetic ink characters

A method and apparatus for providing a speed compensation scheme for reading MICR data on a document. The magnetic waveform for a character is sampled at periodic rates and converted to first bytes of data which are placed in a first memory. The velocity of the document is sampled at second periodic rates and the instantaneous values of the speed of the document are placed in a second memory as second bytes of data. A processor is used to remove the second bytes of data from memory and to calculate an average speed of the document for an associated examining window consisting of a predetermined number of the first bytes of data. The width of the examining window is adjusted in accordance with the average speed compared to an anticipated normal speed.

Speed compensation scheme for reading MICR data

A document processing system for reading a line of MICR data from documents passing along a document track and for generating a marker to be positioned over a character which was not read properly when that line of MICR data is presented on a display. A special thresholding circuit is used to convert the image data of the line of MICR data to binary data. The circuit automatically adjusts for changes in light intensity at the associated scanning line where the image data is generated.

Code line display system

A system and method are disclosed for precisely positioning a movable member to a desired fine position after a selected coarse position is reached. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a processor-controlled typewheel servo control system is responsive to a command signal for a selected coarse position for selectively utilizing from a memory circuit preselected stored adjustment information for the selected coarse position comprised of an associated coarse position count and quadrant information related to the sinusoids generated by an optical encoder in order to make a precise fine position adjustment in the position of a typewheel after the selected coarse position is reached for that typewheel.

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Waterloo, Canada

Benedict C Ho