Seiko Epson Corporation

Yukihiro Okamura

Naohiko Koakutsu

An image processing apparatus, method and computer-readable data storage medium to identify and process a negotiable instrument comprising a pre-processing unitto select a binarization method to be used in a main processing unitbased 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.

Apparatus and method for binarizing images of negotiable instruments using a binarization method chosen based on an image of a partial area

An apparatus and a method for processing checks and other negotiable instruments efficiently captures MICR data required for electronic payment and an image of the check or negotiable instrument enabling the amount, payee, and other information printed or written on the check face to be clearly read. The image reading unitof the check processing apparatusscans and outputs a gray scale image of the check. A threshold value determination unitsets a threshold value for digitizing the image data based on the density level frequency distribution of primary gray scale image data obtained by the image data reading unit scanning a first scanning area T. This first scanning area contains part of a printed text areawhere text is printed on the negotiable instrument and part of the backgroundof the negotiable instrument. A digital image processordigitizes and converts secondary gray scale image data to digital image data based on the threshold value set by the threshold value determination unit. The secondary gray scale image data is generated by the image reading unitscanning a predefined second scanning area of the negotiable instrument.

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Hotaka-machi, Japan

Yukihiro Okamura