Ncr Corporation

Steven D Williamson

David Norris

Bruce A Reid

Stewart B Kelland

John S Grabowski

A method is provided of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal. The method comprises receiving from a self-service depositor a check to be deposited, illuminating the check with infrared radiation to improve contrast between pre-printed characters on the check and non-pre-printed check data on the check, and electronically on an imager capturing an image of the check while the check is illuminated with infrared radiation to provide a captured infrared check image with improved contrast between at least one pre-printed character on the check and non-pre-printed check data on the check so as to allow location of a check field associated with the check to be more easily located.

Methods of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal to improve locating a pre-defined check field and an apparatus therefor

A method of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal having an optical character recognition (OCR) reader comprises the steps of (a) receiving from a self-service depositor a check to be deposited, (b) illuminating the check with infrared radiation, (c) capturing a first image of the check while the check is illuminated with infrared radiation, (d) processing the first check image to provide an enhanced image of the check, and (e) applying OCR techniques to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from the enhanced check image.

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Waterloo, Canada

Steven D Williamson