Abstract:
A method is provided of operating a check processing apparatus having a document feed path, a number of check processing devices disposed along the document feed path, and a number of pockets disposed at one end of the document feed path. The method comprises attempting to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline of a document item as the document item is transported along the document feed path, capturing image data which is representative of an image of the document item as the document item is transported along the document feed path, attempting at least once to read a MICR codeline from the image of the document item, and transporting the document item to a non-reject pocket when a MICR codeline is unable to be read from the document item transported along the document feed path and a MICR codeline is able to be read from the image of the document item.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to processing document items in an image-based check processing system, and is particularly directed to a method of processing misoriented document items in an image-based check processing system.  
         [0002]     A typical image-based check processing system includes a check processing transport which has a document track and a number of check processing modules positioned along the document track for performing specific document processing operations on document items including checks moving downstream along the document track. The check processing system also includes a transport processor which executes a transport application program which is stored in memory to control operation of devices contained within the check processing modules positioned along the document track and thereby to control operation of the check processing transport.  
         [0003]     A typical check processing transport includes a hopper into which a stack of document items is placed. An operator initially prepares the document items (e.g., orienting document items properly (forwards and right-side up), removing staples, removing paper clips, straightening bent corners, and the like) before they are placed into the hopper. A document feeder adjacent the hopper selectively feeds or drives each document item from the stack of document items in the hopper to transport the document item from the upstream end to the downstream end along the document track past an image capture device and a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) reader. The image capture device captures an image of the front of the document item and an image of the back of the document item. The MICR reader reads a codeline from each document item. The document items are eventually transported to sorting pockets of a pocket device located at the downstream end of the document track. The pockets receive document items which have been sorted based upon the particular transport application program.  
         [0004]     From time to time, a document item is misoriented in the hopper. This may have occurred, for example, due to an oversight while the document item was being prepared and placed into the hopper. An indication of a possibly misoriented document item having been placed into the hopper is when the MICR reader is unable to read a codeline from the document item as the document item is transported past the MICR reader. In known check processing applications, this possibly misoriented document item is transported to a pocket designated as a reject pocket. Document items in the reject pocket are reprocessed in a known manner. The reprocessing of such rejected document items is time-consuming and costly. It would be desirable to reduce the number of document items being transported to the reject pocket during operation of the check processing transport and thereby to reduce costs.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided of operating a check processing apparatus having a document feed path, a number of check processing devices disposed along the document feed path, and a number of pockets disposed at one end of the document feed path. The method comprises attempting to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline of a document item as the document item is transported along the document feed path, capturing image data which is representative of an image of the document item as the document item is transported along the document feed path, attempting at least once to read a MICR codeline from the image of the document item, and transporting the document item to a non-reject pocket when a MICR codeline is unable to be read from the document item transported along the document feed path and a MICR codeline is able to be read from the image of the document item. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     In the accompanying drawings:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block representation of an image-based check processing system embodying the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view of different types of pockets of a pocket device shown in the image-based check processing system of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting operation of the image-based check processing system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]     The present invention is directed to a method of processing misoriented document items in an image-based check processing system, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , and designated with reference numeral  10 . The specific construction and use of the image-based check processing system  10  may vary. The check processing system  10  may be, for example, a sorting machine or a proof machine wherein financial document items are processed in a bank. The financial document items may be in any number of forms. For examples, a financial document item may be in the form of a check, a deposit slip, a cash-in slip, or a cash-out slip.  
         [0011]     The check processing system  10  includes a check processing transport  12  having a document track  14  along which financial document items, such as checks, can be transported from an upstream end to a downstream end. The transport  12  includes a number of different check processing modules positioned along the document track  14 . Each check processing module includes a number of devices associated with the particular check processing module for performing specific document processing operations on document items moving along the document track. The transport  12  includes a hopper  16  into which a stack of financial document items including checks are placed. A document feeder  18  adjacent the hopper  16  selectively feeds or drives each document item from the stack of document items in the hopper to transport the document item from the upstream end to the downstream end along the document track  14 .  
         [0012]     The check processing system  10  also includes a codeline reader  20  such as a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) reader located along the document track  14 . The MICR reader  20  reads a MICR codeline from each check being processed in a known manner. Alternatively, the codeline reader may be an OCR reader instead of a MICR reader depending upon the particular application. The check processing system  10  further includes an image capture device  22  located along the document track  14 . The image capture device  22  captures images of the front and rear of each document item for a number of different purposes well known in the financial industry. More specifically, the image capture device  22  includes a front imaging camera and a rear imaging camera (both not shown) which are controlled to capture images of document items moving along the document track  14 . The structure and operation of MICR readers, OCR readers, and imaging cameras are well known and, therefore, will not be described.  
         [0013]     The check processing system  10  may optionally include an encoder  24 , an endorser  26 , or a bank stamper  28 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The encoder  24  encodes missing fields on each check. The endorser  26  applies an endorsement in a known manner to each check. The bank stamper  28  stamps each check to identify the bank institution processing the check. The structure and operation of encoders, endorsers, and bank stampers are well known and, therefore, will not be described.  
         [0014]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pocket device  30  includes a number of different types of pockets into which document items are pocketed. As an example, three types of pockets are shown in  FIG. 2 . The three types of pockets include on-us pockets  31 , transit pockets  32 , and a reject pocket  33 . By way of example, there are “M” number of on-us pockets, and “N” number of transit pockets shown in  FIG. 2 . The structure and operation of the pockets  31 ,  32 ,  33  in the pocket device  30  are well known and, therefore, will not be described. Also, the functionality of the on-us pockets  31 , the transit pockets  32 , and the reject pocket  33  is well known and, therefore, will not be described.  
         [0015]     The check processing system  10  further includes a transport processor  42  and a transport operator interface  43  which communicates via signals on line  44  with the transport processor. The operator interface  43  may include a keyboard, a mouse, and a display, all of which communicate via signals with the transport processor  42 . The transport processor  42  controls operation of the transport  12  via signals on line  45 . Suitable processors and memories are readily available in the marketplace. Their structure and operation are well known and, therefore, will not be described.  
         [0016]     The check processing system  10  also includes a transport memory  46  which communicates via signals on line  47  with the transport processor  42 . The memory  46  may comprise a single memory unit or a plurality of different memory units. An executable transport application program is stored in the memory  46 . The transport application program is associated with a particular type of document processing work. For example, one type of work is proof of deposit. Another type of work is remittance processing. Still another type of work may be sorting of document items. When the transport application program is executed, the devices contained within the check processing modules lying along the document track  14  are controlled to process document items moving downstream along the document track in accordance with the transport application program, as is known. The memory  46  may store sequence numbers, MICR codelines, and image data associated with document items which have been processed in accordance with the transport application program. If applicable, the memory may also store encoder status, endorsement status, or bank stamp status.  
         [0017]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a flowchart  100  depicts operation of the image-based check processing system  10  of  FIG. 1 . As a check is transported along the document track  14  past the image capture device  22 , the front and the back of the check are imaged (step  102 ). The MICR reader  20  (or OCR reader, if applicable) makes an attempt to read a MICR codeline from the check as the check is transported past the MICR reader (step  104 ).  
         [0018]     At the same time that the MICR reader  20  is making an attempt to read a MICR codeline from the check, an attempt is made to read a MICR codeline from the top portion of the front image of the check (step  122 ). An attempt is then made to read a MICR codeline from the bottom portion of the front image of the check (step  124 ). Further, an attempt is then made to read a MICR codeline from the top portion of the back image of the check (step  126 ). Also, an attempt is then made to read a MICR codeline from the bottom portion of the back image of the check (step  128 ).  
         [0019]     The attempted read of step  104  is performed in parallel with the four attempted reads of steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 . Typically, a total of at least two processors are needed in the check processing system  10  to accomplish this parallel processing. The four attempted reads of steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  may be implemented via either software or hardware. For example, if a read attempt is implemented in software, such a read attempt may be in the form of a multi-line OCR read from the image. It should be noted that the process of reading a codeline from an image is sometimes referred to as “multi-line OCR”, as is known.  
         [0020]     A determination is made (step  106 ) as to whether the read of a MICR codeline from the check in step  104  is of sufficient quality. If the determination in step  106  is affirmative, a determination is made (step  108 ) as to which non-reject pocket (i.e., either one of the on-us pockets  31  or one of the transit pockets  32 ) the check should be pocketed. The check is then transported to that non-reject pocket (step  110 ). A determination is made (step  112 ) as to whether there is another check to be processed. If the determination in step  112  is affirmative, the program returns to step  102  to process the next check. Otherwise, the program ends.  
         [0021]     However, if the determination in step  106  is negative, then the program proceeds to step  130 . In step  130 , a determination is made as to whether any of the four codeline read attempts from steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  is successful. If the determination in step  130  is affirmative, a determination is made (step  132 ) as to which non-reject pocket (i.e., either one of the on-us pockets  31  or one of the transit pockets  32 ) the check should be pocketed. The check is then transported to that non-reject pocket (step  134 ). A determination is made (step  136 ) as to whether there is another check to be processed. If the determination in step  136  is affirmative, the program returns to step  102  to process the next check. Otherwise, the program ends.  
         [0022]     However, if the determination in step  130  is negative, the check is transported to the reject pocket  33 . The check is transported to the reject pocket  33  because the MICR reader  20  was unable to read a codeline from the physical check, and each of the four different attempts in steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  was unsuccessful in reading a codeline from the front and back images of the check.  
         [0023]     It should be apparent that a pocketing decision is being made as the check is moving along the check feed path  14  towards the downstream end in the pocketing area of the pocket device  30 . The pocketing decision must be made before the check reaches the pocketing area. Accordingly, there is a time limit (typically in numbers of milliseconds) in making a pocketing decision. If the pocketing decision cannot be made within this time limit, the check must be diverted and transported to the reject pocket  33 .  
         [0024]     Although the above description describes the four attempted reads of steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  as being performed in series relative to each other, it is conceivable that steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  may be performed in parallel relative to each other. If this is the case, then typically a total of at least five processors are needed in the check processing system  10  since the four steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  are also performed in parallel with step  104 . Also, it is conceivable that some of the four steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  may be performed in series and some may be performed in parallel. As an example, step  124  may be performed in series with and after step  122 , step  128  may be performed in series with and after step  126 , and steps  122 ,  126  may be performed in parallel relative to each other. If this is the case, then typically a total of at least three processors are needed in the check processing system  10  to accomplish this combination of series and parallel processing.  
         [0025]     Also, although the above description describes four attempted reads in steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 , it is conceivable that more than four attempted reads be made or less than four attempted reads be made on the image of the check. For example, only one read such as that shown in step  122  may be made on the image of the check. Moreover, although the above description describes multiple processors (i.e., more than one processor) as being needed to perform the attempted read of step  104  in parallel with at least one of the attempted reads of steps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 , it is conceivable that only one processor be used if the single processor is sufficiently fast enough to make a pocketing decision before the check reaches the pocketing area of the pocket device  30 .  
         [0026]     It should also be apparent that a check is not being diverted into the reject pocket  33  even though the document item may be misoriented as the check is being transported along the document track  14 . The possibly misoriented check is transported into a non-reject pocket (i.e., either one of the on-us pockets  31  or one of the transit pockets  32 ). Accordingly, the number of document items which are actually diverted into the reject pocket  33  is reduced. This results in cost savings during operation of the check processing system  10 .  
         [0027]     It should be noted that Check  21  legislation allows banks to truncate checks which are transit items. Since a bank (such as a collecting bank) is allowed to truncate checks which are transit items, no physical checks need to be sent from the collecting bank to paying banks. Accordingly, it does not matter to the collecting bank if misoriented checks are transported into transit pockets associated with these paying banks because the physical checks in the transit pockets are not required to be sent to the paying banks. Moreover, since it does not matter if checks are misoriented as they are placed into a hopper of a check processing transport, less time is needed to prepare document items before they are placed into the hopper. This results in cost savings.  
         [0028]     The particular arrangements disclosed are meant to illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention. From the above description, those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Numerous substitutions and modifications can be undertaken without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art to which the present invention relates are intended to be covered by the appended claims.