GB1576743A - Micr data lift system - Google Patents

Description

(54) MICR DATA LIFT SYSTEM (71) We, RECOGNITION EQUIP MENT INCORPORATED a company organised under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, and of P.O. Box 22306, Dallas, Texas, 75222 United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to the automated reading of characters printed in magnetic ink, and more particularly to the detection, sampling, and synchronization of data signals generated by multi-element MICR read heads.

Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) systems are widely used for sensing information recorded on documents such as checks, credit card slips, and mailpieces.

In one type of MICR data lift systems a transport moves a document having alphanumeric magnetic ink characters printed thereon through a reading station. At the station, a MICR reader sensitive to the character being passed therethrough responds to the magnetized material. The response is in the form of an analog signal, the waveform of whcih is unique to the particular character.

MICR readers employ a magnetic read head which generates an analog signal representing the first derivative of the magnetic field surrounding the character as a function of time.

The analog signal then may be processed by digitizing the signal and comparing with known digital signals to identify the particular character read. A synchronizer or clock is utilized to interrupt the signal from the read head as a function of the space occupied by the character on the document. In this way, a discrete signal is generated which corresponds to a portion of the magnetic field sensed during passage of a character through registration with the magnetic read head.

An improvement in MICR-systems utilizes a pair of multi-element magnetic read heads, one adjacent to the other perpendicular to the direction of movement of the character to be read. Such units read characters as a series of horizontal slices or tracks. A head reading an individual track responds to the magnetic field associated with the area of that track.

Preferably, the tracks sensed by one read head partially overlaps the tracks sensed by the second read head. The response of each in dividual head may then be stored as a twodimensional digitized signal matrix. By increasing the number of tracks, i.e., the number of heads, and by simultaneously decreasing the signal sample interval, the array may be expanded to provide higher resolution.

Because of physical constraints, the total number of tracks into which a signal character may be subdivided is limited.

A shaft encoder or tachometer has been provided to control the delay of scan responses from one read head to compensate for document travel over the distance between the two read heads. Thereafter, the delayed signals are interlaced with the unimpeded signals to produce a single signal stream for analysis.

Despite this improvement, MICR systems still have significant shortcomings. In the processing of data signals generated by the spaced apart read heads, the data of one reader is interlaced with the data of the second reader to provide a serial data stream. As the two readers are separated by a fixed distance, a fixed delay has been incorporated to synchronize the two data signals. It has been found, however, that the delay may vary because of differences in transport speeds and document slippage. Although shaft encoders are sensitive to slow variations in transport speed as compared to the transport period between read heads, the encoders are insensitive to transport speed variations of short duration.

Additional problems have occurred in the sampling of the video signals. The spaced apart multi-element MICR read heads have been driven with independent phase related signals. Further, each read head has been scanned simultaneously under the control of a sample clock which has been phase locked to the data rate of only one of the two read heads. The data samples of the data signals generated by one of the MICR read heads, therefore, become asynchronous to the data signals generated by the second of the two read heads. Thus, data may be lost and character image voids may occur.

A further problem has been a sensitivity to noise which has been mitigated by limiting the range of operation. Such a limitation, however, sacrifices data signals of moderate strength.

The inability to compensate for transport speed variations of short duration, varying signal strengths and document slippage has been manifested by an interlaced serial data stream which does not accurately represent the information field being scanned.

The MICR data lift system of the present invention seeks to dynamically adjust for large and moderate signal strengths, and for slow and rapid changes in the transport delay between spaced apart MICR read heads. The system also seeks to synchronize the scanning of each read head to its data rate, and to accommodate interlacing of the data generated by each read head by providing seriel data streams synchronized to a common fixed frequency.

The present invention provides an MICR reader comprising: (a) a reading station including a pair of multi-element reading heads spaced in a direction of document transport and having respective document scanning zones, transverse to said direction, at a document receiving position, the reading station including means to apply a magnetic field, which alternates about a given centre frequency, at said document receiving position whereby magnetic ink, on a document received at said document receiving position, induces respective signals in said reading heads to provide corresponding scanning output signals; (b) analog-to-digital converting means, synchronised by a clock frequency and by a phase locked control means controlled by the scanning rates of said reading heads, to convert said scanning output signals into parallel sets of binary output signals;; (c) synchronisation means including a pair of multi-bit shift register stacks for receiving the respective sets of parallel binary output signals and synchronised by said clock frequency and controlled by the scanning rates of said reading heads, to gate said shift register stacks to provide respective sub-sets of the stored binary signals; and (d) means for interlacing said sub-sets of binary signals whereby a data output is produced for the data represented by the magnetic ink on said document.

The present invention also provides a method of interlacing signal conditioned outputs of a pair of asychronously operating multi-element reading heads to accommodate a synchronisation to a common fixed frequency, the method comprising: (a) selecting, at a scanning rate, a first maximum output of a first of said pair and a second maximum output of a second of said pair; (b) generating a first data peak signal at said scanning rate if said first maximum output exceeds a reference width, and a second data peak signal if said second maximum output exceeds said reference width; (c) normalising said first and said second maximum output, and respectively forming therefrom a first and a second reference threshold; (d) normalising said conditioned outputs of said pair;; (e) converting normalised outputs of said first of said pair to a first discrete logic level signal under the control of said first reference threshold, and converting normalised outputs of said second of said pair to a second discrete logic level signal under the control of said second reference threshold; (f) sampling said first and said second discrete logic level signals to form a first and a second NRZ (non-return-to-zero) data signal, respectively, in response to said first and said second data peak signals; and (g) synchronising said first and said second NRZ data signals with said common fixed frequency.

In the accompanying drawings: FIGURE 1 is a functional block diagram of a MICR data lift system embodying the invention; FIGURES 2A and 2B illustrate the data sequence and horizontal separation between the dual MICR read heads embodied in the system of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a functional block diagram of an analog processor unit comprising the system of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 4 is a functional block diagram of the digital phase lock and the NRZ converter units of FIGURE 3; FIGURE 5 is a functional block diagram of the adaptive threshold unit comprising the system of FIGURE 3; FIGURE 6 is a detailed electrical schematic diagram of the adaptive threshold unit of FIGURE 5; FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 are timing and output waveform diagrams illustrating the operation of the system of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 10 is a functional block diagram of the synchronization unit of FIGURE 1; and FIGURE 11 is a timing and output waveform diagram of the operation of the even/odd channel synchronisation control units comprising the synchronization unit of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 1 illustrates in functional block diagram form a dual column data lift system with which an exemplary set of parameters will be described.

A single gap MICR write head 10 magnetizes magnetic material in an information field printed on the surface of a document 11. The write head 10 is excited sinusoidally to polarize magnetic material used to print characters to aid in the detection thereof by a MICR reader 12.

A sinusoidal signal from a driver 13 drives write head 10 in response to a 30.8 KHz square wave generated by a timing logic unit 14. Logic unit 14 receives a system clock signal from a 7.885 MHz crystal oscillator 15.

As the document 11 is transported at a constant velocity past the reader 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow lla, horizontal segments spanning the information field thereon are sensed, and the sinusoidally polarized portions are detected.

In the embodiment described herein, MICR reader 12 is comprised of two multi-element read heads 12a and 12b spaced apart in the direction of arrow lla. The elements are of like width and spacing, but one head 12a is offset perpendicular to the arrow 1 la relative to the other head 12b. The resulting staggered element arrangement assures that horizontal slices or tracks of any information field sensed by a first read head 12a are slightly overlapped by the horizontal tracks sensed by a second read head 12b. In this embodiment each read head has twenty sensing elements interfacing with twenty parallel data channels.

Responses generated by the read head 12a in the document path are referred to herein as even channel responses. Responses generated by the read head 12b are referred to as odd channel responses. Odd channel responses are transmitted along data channels 16 to a preamplifier 18. Even channel responses are transmitted along data channels 17 to a preamplifier 19. Each of the channels 16 and 17 is a dual transmission line. The signals thereon are amplified by preamplifiers 18 and 19 (common mode rejection amplifiers) and converted from dual line signals to single line signals As each document approaches reader 12, a conventional document presence sensor (not shown) generates a document window pulse to enable analog processor units 20 and 21.

The analog processors condition, digitize and convert the reader responses to NRZ (non-return-to-zero) digital signals. If an information signal is present, the analog processor output is a logic one pulse having a pulse width indicative of the width of a magnetic character segment appearing on the surface of document 11. If a horizontal track of the information field includes plural character segments, the output of the corresponding analog processor unit is a series of logic one pulses having widths dependent upon corresponding segment widths.

The odd channel outputs of unit 20 are applied in parallel on data channels 22 to a synchronization unit 23. Even channel outputs of unit 21 are applied in parallel on data channels 24 to unit 23. Timing pulses or data strobes generated by timing logic 14 and occurring at twice the 30.8 KHz write frequency issue from units 20 and 21 on control lines 25a and 26a, respectively, to control the parallel loading of the analog processor outputs into buffer registers in unit 23.

Further, units 20 and 21 issue pulses on control lines 25b and 26b, respectively, to signal the occurrence of data peaks.

Synchronization unit 23 functions to receive the forty channel parallel outputs of processor units 20 to 21, and to apply a serial stream of even data to a data channel 27 and a serial stream of odd data to a data channel 28. In addition to the data strobe signals on lines 25a and 26a and the data peak signals on lines 25b and 26b, unit 23 further receives a begin scan synchronization signal. This appears on a control line 29 leading from a data recombination unit 30. As will be described, unit 23 synchronizes data flow from the asynchronously operating analog processor units 20 and 21. Concurrently, unit 23 senses lines 25b and 26b, and resets if a predetermined number (twelve) of vertical scan periods elapse between the occurrence of data peak signals.

Data recombination unit 30 is enabled by the document window signal to receive the even channel data on channel 27 and the odd channel data on channel 28. The recombination unit interleaves or interlaces the odd and the even channel data to form a single stream of data to be applied by way of a data channel 31 to a succeeding character recognition system. The unit 30 preferably comprises a single channel delay register of multi-bit size to provide a delay to the even channel data equivalent to the transport delay between the two read heads of reader 12, and a two-to-one multiplexer interlacing the output of the delay register with the odd channel data. In the example here given, the delay is nominally 128 scan periods.

FIGURES 2A and 2B graphically illustrate the vertical interleaving of the sensing elements comprising the read heads of the reader 12, and the horizontal separation between the read heads.

As a document travels past reader 12, even horizontal slices or tracks of the information field are sensed by a read head 12a and odd horizontal tracks by a read head 12b. Assuming the numeral "0" illustrated in FIGURE 2A moves across reader 12 in the direction of arrow 35, read head 1 2a scans even horizontal tracks E1-E7. Read head 12b scans odd horizontal tracks 01-07. The even channel responses, therefore, would reflect the character segment content of tracks E1-E7, and the odd channel responses would reflect the character segment content of tracks 01-07. With distance (d) separating read heads 12a and 12b, even channel data for a given character stroke appears before the odd channel data.

For the example of FIGURES 2A and 2B, the twenty channel parallel data output of processor unit 21 of FIGURE 1 would comprise six even channel waveforms having two narrow logic one pulses separated by a wide logic zero level, and a seventh waveform having a single wide logic one pulse. The parallel data output of processor unit 20, however, would comprise a first odd channel waveform having a single wide logic one pulse, followed by six odd channel waveforms having two narrow logic one pulses separated by a wide logic zero level.

FIGURE 3 is a functional block diagram of an analog processor unit comparable to units 20 and 21 of FIGURE 1.

One of forty channels of analog data generated by reader 12 is applied by way of a data line 40a to a Bessel filter 41, a filter known to attenuate high frequency noise without distorting the information signal. The output of filter 41 is applied to a full-wave rectifier 42 receiving an off-set voltage from noise bias unit 43. The off-set voltage serves to eliminate low frequency noise induced by reader 12.

The output of rectifier 42 is applied to a logarithmic normalizer 44 and to a peak follower 45. Normalizer 44 also receives an input from a manually set compression control unit 46 which, in the preferred embodiment described herein, sets the logarithmic reference point of the normalizer to compress the range of signal variation by a factor of two. The output of normalizer 44 is supplied to a DC restore unit 47 which eliminates amplifier off-sets appearing in the data signal. The output of unit 47 in turn is applied to a comparator 48.

Comparator 48 generates a logic one pulse when the amplitude of a data signal is greater than a threshold voltage. The digital output of comparator 48 is applied to a clock synchronizer 49, which synchronizes the transfer of data with a 1 MHz clock signal provided by timing logic unit 14 of FIGURE 1 on a control line 49a. The data is transferred from synchronizer 49 to an NRZ (non-return-tozero) converter 50.

Peak follower 45 receives twenty channels of linear or unnormalized data from rectifier 42 and similar rectifiers associated with nineteen other data channels, and selects that channel having the strongest data signal. The selected data signal is forwarded to a peak detector 51 and to a logarithmic normalizer 52.

Normalizer 52 also receives an input from a manually set compression control unit 53, and applies a normalized data signal through a DC restore unit 54 to an adaptive threshold unit 55.

Although logarithmic normalizers are preferable, it is to be understood that other forms of waveform compression may be used. For example, normalizers 44 and 52 may be replaced by break point amplifiers.

Adaptive threshold unit 55 further receives a voltage bias from an adjustable static threshold unit 56. The static threshold unit effectively controls the dynamic range of the data lift system, thereby eliminating amplifier noise and video signals generated in response to the sensing of magnetic characters printed on the opposite or remote face of a document.

The adaptive threshold unit 55 provides an adaptive threshold having a magnitude dependent upon the peak of the strongest signal detected by the peak follower 45 and the magnitude of the static threshold provided by unit 56. If the selected peak amplitude exceeds the static threshold, the adaptive threshold is set equal to approximately 20% of the peak amplitude. Thus, the peak amplitude of one data channel is used to set the adaptive threshold for all twenty channels of a read head. If the peak amplitude is less than the static threshold, however, the adaptive threshold is set equal to approximately 20% of the static threshold.The output of threshold unit 55 is applied to comparator 48 for comparison with the output of DC restore unit 47, and applied along control lines 57 to like comparators processing data signals received from the remaining nineteen data channels leading from a MICR read head.

Peak detector 51 provides a pulse having a width proportional to the period of the un- normalized full-wave rectified data signal received from peak follower 45. The detector pulse is sensed by a width discriminator 58, which signals the occurrence of a pulse width equal to or exceeding seven microseconds.

The output of width discriminator 58 is applied to one input of an AND gate 59, a second input of which is connected to the output of an OR gate 60. The output of gate 59 is applied to a phase lock control unit 61.

One input of OR gate 60 is supplied by the output of comparator 48. OR gate 60 also receives nineteen other inputs on lines 62 leading from camparators associated with the remaining data channels of the read head.

When the output of any of the comparators transitions to a logic one level, AND gate 59 is enabled by OR gate 60 and the discriminator 58 output is applied to control unit 61.

Upon being enabled by the document window signal, unit 61 generates a data sample signal on a control line 64 which is synchronized with the output of discriminator 58.

In addition, unit 61 generates a data clock signal on a control ilne 65 delayed ten microseconds from the data sample signal. The data sample and data clock signals also are applied to control lines 66 and 67, respectively, which lead to like systems servicing the remaining data channels of the read head.

In response to the data sample signal on line 64 and the data clock signal on line 65, converter 50 samples the output of comparator 48. The sampled data is converted in an NRZ (non-return-to-zero) data format, and supplied to a data line 68 leading to synchronization unit 23 of FIGURE 1.

The NRZ converter 50, the adaptive threshold unit 55, and the phase lock control unit 61 are described in more detail in the following descriptions. The remaining functional blocks of FIGURE 3 taken individually, however, are believed within the skill of the art as evidenced by textbook descriptions. By way of example, Graeme, Operational Amplifers Design a Applications (1971), provides technical descriptions relevant to Bessel filter 41 at pages 282-321, normalizers 44 and 52 at pages 258-268, comparator 48 at page 362, and peak detector 51 at pages 218219, 569.Ghausi, Principles And Design Of Linear Active Circuits (11965), provides technical information relevant to Bessel filter 41 at pages 86-90. Further, Graeme, Applications Of Operational Amplifiers Third Generation Techniques (1973), provides technical descriptions relevant to full wave rectifier 42 at pages 119-132 and to normalizers 44 and 52 at pages 94-97. In addition, Millman and Taub, Pulse, Digital and Switching Waveforms (1965), presents technical descriptions relevant to noise bias unit 43 and fullwave rectifier 42 at pages 226-228, DC restore unit 47 at pages 262-278, and peak follower 45 at page 312.

Still further, Millman and Halkias, Integrated Electronics (1972), provides technical infor mation relevant to normalizers 44 and 52 at pages 574-575, compression control units 46 and 53 and normalizers 44 and 52 at page 539, and peak detector 51 at pages 546 and 569.

FIGURE 4 is a functional block diagram of the digital phase lock control unit 61 and the NRZ converter 50 of FIGURE 3.

The output of AND gate 59 of FIGURE 3 is applied by way of a data line 70 to one input of a peak selection logic unit 71, and to the load (LD) input of a synchronous four bit counter 72. The clock input to counter 72 is connected to a control line 72a leading to a 1 MHz output of timing logic 14 of FIGURE 1. Logic unit 71 is enabled by the document window signal on a control line 63.

Upon the occurrence of a first pulse on line 70 during an initial reading of a document, logic unit 71 selects a channel in a multiplexer 73 to a voltage level applied by way of a control line 74. Input on line 74 is applied through multiplexer 73 to the input of counter 72. For all line 70 pulses that occur after the initial pulse, however, multiplexer 73 is selected to a first output Q1 of a 8 X 32 bit programmable read only memory (PROM) 75 which is addressed by the output of counter 72.

The feedback loop comprising counter 72, multiplexer 73 and the Q1 output of PROM 75 performs a phase lock operation. For example, upon the occurrence of a count between zero and seven at the output of counter 72, the PROM effects a counter hold for a single count period. For counts between eight and fifteen, however, the PROM effects d single count advance at the counter output.

PROM 75 further decodes the counter 72 output to provide a sample window signal at its Q2 output comprising a logic one pulse occurring between the counts of eleven and fourteen. The sample window signal is applied to an interface logic unit 76 which supplies the data sample signal and the data clock signal to NRZ converter 50 by way of control lines 64 and 65, respectively. Logic unit 76 also supplies a data strobe signal by way of a control line 77 to synchronization unit 23 of FIGURE 1. The leading edge of the data clock signal occurs ten microseconds after the leading edge of the data sample signal. The leading edge of the data strobe signal, however, occurs eight microseconds after the leading edge of the data sample signal.

Peak select logic unit 71, counter 72, multiplexer 73, PROM 75 and logic unit 76 comprise digital phase lock control unit of FIGURE 3. The unit 61 phase locks the data sample signal on line 64 to the data peak pulse train on line 70.

The data sample signal on line 64 is applied to one input of an AND gate 78, the second input of which is supplied by clock synchronizer 49 of FIGURE 3 by way of a data line 79. The output of gate 78 is applied to the clock input of a D-type flip-flop 80.

The D input of flip-flop 80 is connected to a +5 volt source on line 81, to the complementary preset (PS) input of the flip-flop, and to the complementary clear (CLR) input of a D-type flip-flop 82. The complementary clear input of flip-flop 80 is connected to the output of an inverter 83, the input of which is connected to control line 65. The Q output of flip-flop 80 is connected to the D input of flip-flop 82, the clock input of which is connected to line 65. The Q output of flipflop 82 in turn is connected to data line 68 leading to synchronizer 23 of Figure 1.

AND gate 78, flip-flops 80 and 82, and inverter 83 comprise NRZ converter 50 of FIGURE 3.

In operation, when a data sample signal is received concurrently with digitized data at the inputs of AND gate 78, flip-flop 80 is clocked to place a logic one at the Q output of the flip-flop. Upon the occurrence of a data clock pulse on line 65, the logic one pulse at the Q output of flip-flop 80 is clocked to the Q output of flip-flop 82, and flip-flop 80 is cleared. The Q output of flipflop 80 remains at a logic zero state until data again occurs within a data sample window. Further, the Q output of flip-flop 80 is not clocked through flip-flop 82 again until a next data clock-pulse occurs on line 65. The Q output of flip-flop 82 thus remains constant until a second data clock signal is received.

FIGURE 5 illustrates in functional block diagram form the adaptive threshold unit 55 of FIGURE 3.

A data signal selected by peak follower 45 of FIGURE 3 is applied along a data line 90 leading from DC restore unit 54 to a peak detector 91, and to one input of a comparator 92. The peak detector unit 91 includes a dual discharge path controlled by a switch 93 connected to ground. When switch 93 is in a closed position, unit 91 is placed in a fast discharge mode. When the switch is open, however, unit 91 is placed in a slow discharge mode. The operation of switch 93 is controlled by a timer 94, the input of which is connected to the output of comparator 92.

The output of unit 91 is applied to a threshold discriminator 95, which also receives a threshold voltage from a static threshold unit 56. The output of discriminator 95 is applied through a denormalizing amplifier 97 and a buffer amplifier 98 to one input of comparator 92. The output of amplifier 98 also is applied to comparator 48 of FIGURE 3 and to control lines 57 leading to systems similarly processing the data signals of nineteen other data channels interfacing with a MICR read head of reader 12.

In operation, a data signal on data line 90 is held at the peak value by unit 91, and applied to comparator 92. If the amplitude of the input data signal exceeds the magnitude of the threshold value provided by buffer amplifier 98, comparator 92 issues a pulse which resets timer 94. Switch 93 thereby is placed in an open position, and unit 91 enters into a slow discharge mode. When timer 94 counts to a maximum value, the timer issues a pulse to close switch 93 and place unit 91 in a fast discharge mode. During the period that the timer 94 is counting, however, the peak value held by unit 91 is OR'd by discriminator 95 with the threshold voltage provided by static threshold unit 56 of FIGURE 3. If the peak value is of a larger magnitude than the static threshold voltage, the peak value is applied through amplifiers 97 and 98 to comparator 92.If the static threshold voltage exceeds the magnitude of the peak value, however, the static threshold voltage is applied through amplifiers 97 and 98 to comparator 92.

FIGURE 6 is a detailed electrical schematic diagram of the adaptive threshold unit 55 of FIGURE 5.

A data signal is applied by DC restore unit 54 of FIGURE 3 along data line 90 and through a 1.0 K-ohm resistor 101 to the positive input of a differential amplifier 102.

The output of amplifier 102 is connected to the cathode of a diode 103, the anode of which is connected to the negative input of amplifier 102. The output of amplifier 102 also is con nected to the anode of a diode 104 having a cathode connected to the positive input of a differential amplifier 105.

The positive input of amplifier 105 also is connected to one terminal of a 1000 picofarad capacitor 106 having a second terminal con nected to ground, connected through a 470 K-ohm resistor 107 to ground, and connected through a 270 K-ohm resistor 108 to the drain of a junction field effect transistor (FET) 109.

The output of amplifier 105 is connected to the cathode of a diode 110 and to the anode of a diode 111. The cathode of diode 111 is connected through a 10.0 K-ohm resistor 112 to the anode of diode 110 and to the negative input of amplifier 105.

The cathode of diode 111 also is connected to the cathode of a diode 113 having an anode connected to the output of a differential amplifier 114. The output of amplifier 114 in addition is connected through a 10.0 K-ohm resistor 115 and a 10.0 K-ohm resistor 116 to ground, and through resistor 115 to the negative input of the amplifier. The positive input of amplifier 114 is connected to the arm of a potentiometer comprising a 1.0 K-ohm resistor 117, one terminal of which is connected to ground. The second terminal of resistor 117 is connected through a 10.0 K-ohm resistor 118 to a +15 volt source 120.

The cathode of diode 113 further is connected through a 10.0 K-ohm resistor 121 to the negative input of amplifier 102, through a 34.0 K-ohm resistor 122 to the anodes of diodes 123 and 124, through a 24.9 K-ohm resistor 125 to the cathode of diode 124, and through a 24.9 K-ohm resistor 126 to the anodes of diodes 127 and 128.

Amplifiers 102 and 105, diodes 103, 104, 110 and 111, capacitor 106, and resistors 101, 107, 108, 112 and 121 comprise peak detector 91 of FIGURE 5. Amplifier 114, resistors 115, 116 and 118, and the potentiometer including resistor 117 comprise static threshold unit 56. In addition, diode 113 comprises discriminator 95.

The cathode of diode 123 is connected through a 422 K-ohm resistor 129 to a - 15 volt source 130. The cathode of diode 124 is connected to the cathode of diode 127 and to the negative input of a differential amplifier 131. The cathode of diode 128 is connected through a 200 K-ohm resistor 132 to source 130.

The positive input to amplifier 131 is connected through a 4.99 K-ohm resistor 133 to ground, and the output of the amplifier is connected through a 4.99 K-ohm resistor 134 to the negative input of the amplifier. The output of amplifier 131 further is connected through a 10.0 K-ohm resistor 135 to the negative input of a differentiallifier 136.

Amplifier 131 and its associated network comprise denormalizing amplifier 97 of FIGURE 5.

The positive input to amplifier 136 is connected through a 4.99 K-ohm resistor 137 to ground, and the output of the amplifier is connected to control lines 57 leading to the data signal processing circuits servicing the data channels of a MICR read head. The output of amplifier 136 also is connected to one terminal of a 27 picofarad capacitor 138 having a second terminal connected to the negative input of the amplifier, and through a 10.0 K-ohm resistor 139 to the negative input of the amplifier. In addition, the output of amplifier 136 is connected through a 2.0 K-ohm resistor 140 to the positive input of a comparator 141. Amplifier 136, capacitor 138, and resistors 137 and 139 comprise buffer amplifier 98 of FIGURE 5.

The positive input of comparator 141 also is connected through one terminal of a 47 picofarad capacitor 142 having a second terminal connected to ground. The negative input to the comparator is connected through a 2.0 K-ohm resistor 143 to data line 90. The output of comparator 141 is connected through a 1.0 K-ohm resistor 144 to the positive input of a comparator 145, through a 39.0 K-ohm resistor 146 to voltage source 120, and to one terminal of a 1000 picofarad capacitor 147 having a second terminal connected to ground.

An output select terminal of comparator 141 is connected to ground. Comparator 141, capacitor 142, and resistors 140 and 143 comprise comparator 92 of FIGURE 5.

The negative input to comparator 145 is connected through a 10.0 K-ohm resistor 148 to voltage source 120, and through a 5.10 K-ohm resistor 149 to ground. The output of comparator 145 is connected through a 10.0 K-ohm resistor 150 to voltage source 120, and to the cathode of a diode 151. An output select terminal of comparator 145 is connected to the - 15 volt source 130. Comparator 145, capacitor 147, and resistors 144, 146, 148, 149 and 150 comprise timer 94 of FIGURE 5.

The anode of diode 151 is connected to the gate of FET 109, and through a 27.0 K-ohm resistor 152 to ground. The source of FET 109 also is connected to ground. FET 109, diode 151, and resistor 152 comprise switch 93 of FIGURE 5.

In operation, a data signal selected by peak follower 45 of FIGURE 3 is normalized, biased and applied along data line 90 to the positive input of amplifier 102 and to one input of comparator 92.

The differential amplifiers 102 and 105 comprising peak detector 91 form a single unit gain amplifier, and amplifier 105 in addition is connected as a unit gain amplifier.

While diode 104 is forward biased, therefore, capacitor 106 is charged, and amplifier 105 provides a signal reflecting the charge voltage across the capacitor. In addition, the amplifiers 102 and 105 act in combination to equalize the two inputs to amplifier 102.

When the inputs to amplifier 102 are equalized, the charge voltage across capacitor 106 accurately reflects the normalized data signal applied to the input of amplifier 102.

A static threshold is set by the potentiometer including resistor 117. Discriminator 95 comprised of diode 113 effectively OR's the threshold voltage at the output of amplifier 114 with the output of amplifier 105.

The signal having the greater magnitude is applied to the denormalizing amplifier 97.

Amplifier 97 is a non-linear amplifier which removes the logarithmic effect from a logarithmically normalized data signal. The denormalized data signal applied to buffer amplifier 98 is a threshold voltage approximately equivalent to either 20% of the static threshold, or 20% of the peak value of the strongest linear video signal appearing on any of twenty channels comprising one MICR read head of reader 12.

Comparator 92 compares the normalized data signal on line 90 with the threshold voltage of buffer amplifier 98. When the magnitude of the normalized data signal exceeds that of the threshold, the comparator output is tied to ground. During the period that the threshold voltage is greater than the normalized data signal, however, the comparator output is open and capacitor 147 is charged by +15 volt source 120.

When the voltage across capacitor 147 exceeds the +5 volt threshold applied to the negative input of comparator 145, the output of the comparator is open to allow the +15 volt source to be applied to diode 151 of switch 93. As FET transistor 109 is a junction FET which is activated when no voltage exists across the gate to source junction, the FET is placed in an operating mode and capacitor 106 discharges through the fast discharge path provided by resistors 107 and 108. When the voltage across capacitor 147 is less than the + S volt threshold, however, the output of the comparator is tied to the -15 volt source 130 to place diode 151 of switch 93 in the conducting mode. The FET 109 is deactivated thereby, and a slow discharge path to ground is provided through resistor 107.

The waveforms of FIGURE 7 illustrate the operation of Bessel filter 41, rectifier 42, normalizer 44, comparator 48, peak detector 51 and width discriminator 58 of FIGURE 3.

A waveform 160 illustrates a representative data signal appearing at the output of Bessel filter 41. A waveform 161 illustrates the corresponding output waveform of rectifier 42, and a waveform 162 illustrates the output of normalizer 44. Superimposed upon waveform 162 is an adaptive threshold 162a generated by threshold unit 55 of FIGURE 3.

A waveform 163 illustrates the output of comparator 48 upon comparing waveform 162 with adaptive threshold 162a.

The output of peak detector 51 is illustrated by a waveform 164. As may be seen by inspection of waveforms 161 and 164, the output of the peak detector transitions to a logic one level when the slope of waveform 161 is positive, and transitions to a logic zero level when the slope of waveform 161 is negative.

A waveform 165 illustrates the operation of width discriminator 58. Discriminator 58 issues a one microsecond pulse at the trailing edge of those waveform 164 pulses having a pulse width equal to or greater than a preset width criteria. Each pulse of waveform 165 occurs at a peak of waveforms 160-162.

FIGURE 8 is a timing and output waveform diagram illustrating the operation of noramlizer 44, comparator 48, clock synchronizer 49, NRZ converter 50 and digital phase lock control unit 61 of FIGURE 3.

Waveform 170 illustrates a representative output of normalizer 44, and waveform 171 illustrates the output of comparator 48 in response to the waveform 170. Waveform 172 illustrates the data sample signal generated by phase lock control unit 61 on line 64 of FIGURE 3. Waveform 173 illustrates the data clock signal generated by unit 61 on line 65. By inspection, it may be seen that the positive-going pulses of waveform 172 occur at the peaks of the waveform 170, and that the positive-going pulses comprising waveform 173 occur between such peaks.

Waveform 174 illustrates the data strobe generated by unit 61 on line 77 of FIGURE 4, and applied to synchronizer unit 23 of FIGURE 1. The pulses of waveform 174 lead the pulses of waveform 173 by approximately two (2) microseconds.

Waveform 175 illustrates that part of the output of clock synchronizer 49 which is sampled and stored in flipflop 80 of FIGURE 4. The positive-going pulses comprising wave form 175 occur at the Q output of flipfop 80 a delayed time after a logic one state of waveform 171 appears within a data sample window defined by the positive-going pulses of waveform 172. The occurrence of a waveform 173 pulse at the CLR input of the flip-flop 80, however, resets the flip-flop as illustrated by the trailing edges of the waveform 175 pulses.

Waveform 176 is an illustration of the NRZ output of converter 50. It may be seen by inspection that the leading edge of a positivegoing pulse comprising waveform 176 occurs when a posirive-going pulse of waveform 175 is present during the time of occurrence of a pulse comprising waveform 173.'The trail ing edge of the positive-going pulse of wave form 176 occurs when no positive-going pulse of waveform 175 is present during the time of occurrence of a pulse of waveform 173.

FIGURE 9 is a timing and output wave form diagram illustrating the operation of the phase lock control unit 61 of FIGURE 4.

Waveform 180 illustrates a data signal at the output of peak follower 45 of FIGURE 3, and waveform 181 illustrates the most significant bit (MSB) output of counter 72.

Waveform 182 illustrates a decoding of the four bit output of counter 72, wherein the transition between a count of fifteen (C1S, and a count of zero (CO) is designated by a pulse 182a. Waveform 183 illustrates the output of width discriminator 58 of FIGURE 3, wherein pulse 183a indicates the occurrence of a data signal peak as illustrated by waveform 180.

Each MICR read head of reader 12 of FIGURE 1 is scanned once each sixteen microseconds, which is the full count period of counter 72. Thus, data may be expected at sixteen microsecond intervals as illustrated by the leading edge of pulses 182a and 183a.

Counter 72 of FIGURE 4 counts continuously at a 1.0 MHz rate until interrupted by a width discriminator pulse at its load input. As a load pulse can be recognized only between counts, however, the period of occurrence of width discriminator pulses may appear to vary by a single microsecond. More particularly, the leading edge of a width discriminator pulse may occur either at a count of zero or a count of fifteen as illustrated by waveform 182. If the leading edge occurs during the logic zero state of the MSB output of counter 72 as illustrated by waveform 181, a - 1 count correction is made as illustrated by a portion 184a of waveform 184. The width discriminator 58 is synchronized thereby with the 1.0 MHz clock driving counter 72.If the leading edge of the width discriminator pulse occurs at a count fifteen, however, a +1 count correction as illustrated by curve portion 184b is made.

PROM 75 is constructed to effect the count corrections illustrated by waveform 184 by reloading counter 72 with a count addressed by the output of the counter. No such correction occurs, however, until a pulse from width discriminator 58 is received at the LD input of the counter. Upon receiving such 3 pulse, PROM 75 reloads counter 72 with a current count to effect a loss of one count, or reloads the counter with a current count plus two to effect an advance of one count.

Waveform 185 illustrates a PROM 75 output wherein a pulse 185a normally occurs between the counts of eleven and fourteen.

Since pulse 185a also occurs during the +1 count correction period of curve portion 184a, an eleven count could be skipped and pulse 185a could begin at a twelve count.

Upon the occurrence of a leading edge of pulse 185a at the output of PROM 75, interface logic unit 76 generates waveforms 186, 187 and 188. Waveform 186 illustrates the data sample signal on line 64; waveform 187 illustrates the data clock signal on line 65, and waveform 188 illustrates the data strobe signal on line 77. The leading edge of pulse 1 86a of waveform 186 occurs three microseconds or three counts after the leading edge of pulse 185a, and the leading edge of a pulse 1 87a of waveform 187 occurs thirteen microseconds after the leading edge of pulse 185a.

Further, the leading edge of a pulse 1 88a of waveform 188 occurs eleven counts or eleven microseconds after the leading edge of pulse 185a.

The signal conditioning operations above described are preferred in carrying out the present invention. Produced are streams of digital signals more faithfully representative of document areas coated with magnitizeablc material as compared with prior operations.

Such conditioning is preferred with the synchronization operations now to be described. However, it will be understood that prior art conditioning systems may be employed to feed the synchronization system, but the results will not be as desirable as the results flowing from the combining the abovedescribed conditioning system with the follow.

ing synchronization system.

FIGURE 10 illustrates in functional block diagram form the synchronization unit 23 of FIGURE 1.

One of twenty data channel outputs of analog processor unit 21 is applied along data channel 24a to the input of a shift register 190 having three serially stacked twenty bit data registers 190a-190c. The three register outputs are applied to the D1-D3 inputs ot a three-to-one multiplexer 191. The clock inputs of data registers 190a-190c are connected to line 26a leading to a data strobe output of processor unit 21. Line 26a also is connected to the IN1 input of an even channel synchronization control unit 192.

The IN2 input of unit 192 is connected to line 26b leading to a data peak output ot processor 21. The select control signals generated by unit 192 at the Q1 and Q2 outputs are applied to the respective select inputs S1, S2 of multiplexer 191. The select control signals control the selection of one of inputs D1-D3 of the multiplexer for transfer of data to a parallel-to-serial converter 193.

The output of converter 193 in turn is applied to a data line 194.

It is to be understood that the select control signals at the Q1 and Q2 outputs of control unit 192 also are applied along control line sets 192a and 192b, respectively, to nineteen other multiplexers servicing the remaining even data channels of analog processor unit 21.

The nineteen serial outputs of those multi plexers are applied in parallel along data lines 193a to corresponding inputs of converter 193.

One of twenty odd data channel outputs of analog processor unit 20 of FIGURE 1 is applied along a data channel 22a to the input of a shift register comprised of three serially stacked data registers 200a--200c. In addition, processor unit 20 provides a data strobe signal by way of line 25a to the clock (CK) inputs of registers 200a-200c and to the IN1 input of an odd channel synchronization con trol unit 201. Processor unit 20 also provides a data peak signal by way of line 25b to the IN2 input of unit 201. The IN3 input of unit 201 is connected to the IN3 input of control unit 192, and by way of a control line 202 to a fixed frequency output of the data recombination unit 30.The Q1 and Q2 outputs of unit 201 are connected to respective select inputs S1, S2 of a three-to-one multiplexer 203, the D1-D3 inputs of which are connected to corresponding outputs of registers 200a-200c. The output of multiplexer 203 is applied to one of twenty inputs of a paralleto-serial converter 204. The output of converter 204 in turn is applied to a data line 205.

It is to be understood that the Q1 and Q2 outputs of control unit 201 also are applied by way of control line sets 201a and 201b to nineteen other multiplexers servicing the remaining nineteen odd data channels of analog processor unit 20. The nineteen serial outputs of the multiplexers are applied along data lines 204a to corresponding inputs ot converter 204.

Continuing with the description of FIGURE 10, the shift/load (S/L) input of converter 204 is connected to the S/L input of converter 193, and to line 202. In addition, the clock (CK) inputs of converters 193 and 204 are each connected to a control line 206 leading to a data shift clock output of the data recombination unit 30.

In operation, data applied along even data channel 24a is applied to the data input of shift register 190a. Upon the occurrence of a data strobe on line 26a, the contents of register 1 90a are clocked into register 190b, and the contents of the register 190b are clocked into register 190c. In addition, the data on channel 24a is clocked into register 1 90a to provide future, present and past even channel data signals in serial order.

Control unit 192 monitors the data strobe signal on line 26a, the data peak signals on line 26b and a Begin Scan signal generated by control logic unit 197 on line 202 to make a proper selection of registers for the transfer of data. Ideally, data strobe and Begin Scan signals occur in an alternating fashion. The one count corrections effected by digital phase lock control unit 61 of Figure 4, however, causes a variation of+ microsecond to occur in the data strobes.

Where only one Begin Scan signal occurs between two adjacent data strobe signals, data register 190b is selected. However, if two Begin Scan signals occur between two adjacent data strobe signals, then register 1 90a is selected. If no Begin Scan signal occurs between adjacent data strobe signals, the register 190c is selected. Further, whenever the control unit 192 detects an intercharacter space, an absence of data peaks on line 26b for a period equal to fourteen Begin Scan periods, the logic unit resets to select the register 190b. By this means, two or more asynchronous data sources can be sampled independently and synchronized without the loss of data.

The selected register contents are transferred through multiplexer 191 to parallel-toserial converter 193. Upon the occurrence of a Begin Scan signal at the shift/load input of the converter, the output of multiplexer 191 and the data signals on data lines 193a are loaded into registers internal to the converter.

A parallel-to-serial conversion then takes place between the occurrence of Begin Scan signals, and under the control of the data shift clock signal on line 206 the serial output of the converter is applied to data line 194.

Asynchronous to the operation of the even data channel process, odd channel data is applied along channel 22a to data registers 200a-200c. As before described, upon the occurrence of a data strobe signal on line 25a, the contents of register 200a are stored into register 200b, and the contents of register 200b are stored into register 200c. Further, the data on channel 22a is clocked into the register 200a.

Control unit 201 monitors the data strobe signals on line 25a, the data peak signals on line 25b and the Begin Scan signal on line 202 to make a proper selection of registers for the transfer of data. The operation of control unit 201 is identical to that of control unit 192.

Under the control of control unit 201, multiplexer 203 is selected to one of three inputs D1-D3 from shift registers 200a-200c. The selected input is transferred through multiplexer 203 to parallel-to-serial converter 204.

Upon the occurrence of a Begin Scan signal at the shift/load input of the converter, the output of multiplexer 203 and the data signals on data lines 204a are loaded into registers internal to the converter. A parallel-to-serial conversion then takes place between the occurrence of Begin Scan signals, and the serial output of the converter is applied to data line 205 under the control of the data shift clock signal.

FIGURE 11 is an output waveform and timing diagram of the operation of the control units 192 and 201 of FIGURE 10.

For purposes of analysis, the description of FIGURE 11 shall be directed to the processing of even data channel signals. Waveform 210 illustrates a data strobe occurring on line 26a, and waveform 211 illustrates a Begin Scan signal supplied by the data recombination unit 30 on line 202.

As before described, NRZ data occurring on line 24a is stored in a first of three registers 190a-190c. The three registers correspond to future, present and past data scans. When two successive data strobes occur on line 26a without a Begin Scan signal occurring, an advance data strobe pulse as illustrated by a pulse 212a of waveform 212 occurs to select multiplexer 191 to the past or third register input D3.

By way of contradistinction, a delay scan pulse as illustrated by pulse 213a of waveform 213 is generated by control unit 192 when there are two Begin Scan pulses without an intervening data strobe pulse. The delay scan pulse selects multiplexer 191 to the future or first register input D1. In such event, the multiplexer 191 remains selected to the future register until another data sample abnormality occurs. When an advance scan pulse is required, however, the next succeeding sample may be of the present or centre register input D2.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a MICR data lift system wherein data signals are detected in the analog responses of two multi-element read heads spaced apart in the direction of character movement, and converted to discrete logic level signals under the control of a dynamically adjustable threshold. The discrete signals of each read head are sampled near the time of occurrence of the data signal peaks in response to independent data sample signals phase locked to the data rate of the respective read head. The NRZ data signals formed thereby are synchronized to a common fixed frequency, and serialized to accommodate an interlacing of data signals generated by each read head into a single serial stream representative of the information field sensed.

Reference is made to our copending application No. 24102/77 (Serial No.

1,564,661).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An MICR reader comprising: (a) a reading station including a pair of multi-element reading heads spaced in a direction of document transport and having respective document scanning zones, transverse to said direction, at a document receiving position, the reading station including means to apply a magnetic field, which alternates about a given centre frequency, at said document receiving position whereby magnetic inky own a document received at said document

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (16)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. lock control unit 61 of Figure 4, however, causes a variation of+ microsecond to occur in the data strobes. Where only one Begin Scan signal occurs between two adjacent data strobe signals, data register 190b is selected. However, if two Begin Scan signals occur between two adjacent data strobe signals, then register 1 90a is selected. If no Begin Scan signal occurs between adjacent data strobe signals, the register 190c is selected. Further, whenever the control unit 192 detects an intercharacter space, an absence of data peaks on line 26b for a period equal to fourteen Begin Scan periods, the logic unit resets to select the register 190b. By this means, two or more asynchronous data sources can be sampled independently and synchronized without the loss of data. The selected register contents are transferred through multiplexer 191 to parallel-toserial converter 193. Upon the occurrence of a Begin Scan signal at the shift/load input of the converter, the output of multiplexer 191 and the data signals on data lines 193a are loaded into registers internal to the converter. A parallel-to-serial conversion then takes place between the occurrence of Begin Scan signals, and under the control of the data shift clock signal on line 206 the serial output of the converter is applied to data line 194. Asynchronous to the operation of the even data channel process, odd channel data is applied along channel 22a to data registers 200a-200c. As before described, upon the occurrence of a data strobe signal on line 25a, the contents of register 200a are stored into register 200b, and the contents of register 200b are stored into register 200c. Further, the data on channel 22a is clocked into the register 200a. Control unit 201 monitors the data strobe signals on line 25a, the data peak signals on line 25b and the Begin Scan signal on line 202 to make a proper selection of registers for the transfer of data. The operation of control unit 201 is identical to that of control unit 192. Under the control of control unit 201, multiplexer 203 is selected to one of three inputs D1-D3 from shift registers 200a-200c. The selected input is transferred through multiplexer 203 to parallel-to-serial converter 204. Upon the occurrence of a Begin Scan signal at the shift/load input of the converter, the output of multiplexer 203 and the data signals on data lines 204a are loaded into registers internal to the converter. A parallel-to-serial conversion then takes place between the occurrence of Begin Scan signals, and the serial output of the converter is applied to data line 205 under the control of the data shift clock signal. FIGURE 11 is an output waveform and timing diagram of the operation of the control units 192 and 201 of FIGURE 10. For purposes of analysis, the description of FIGURE 11 shall be directed to the processing of even data channel signals. Waveform 210 illustrates a data strobe occurring on line 26a, and waveform 211 illustrates a Begin Scan signal supplied by the data recombination unit 30 on line 202. As before described, NRZ data occurring on line 24a is stored in a first of three registers 190a-190c. The three registers correspond to future, present and past data scans. When two successive data strobes occur on line 26a without a Begin Scan signal occurring, an advance data strobe pulse as illustrated by a pulse 212a of waveform 212 occurs to select multiplexer 191 to the past or third register input D3. By way of contradistinction, a delay scan pulse as illustrated by pulse 213a of waveform 213 is generated by control unit 192 when there are two Begin Scan pulses without an intervening data strobe pulse. The delay scan pulse selects multiplexer 191 to the future or first register input D1. In such event, the multiplexer 191 remains selected to the future register until another data sample abnormality occurs. When an advance scan pulse is required, however, the next succeeding sample may be of the present or centre register input D2. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a MICR data lift system wherein data signals are detected in the analog responses of two multi-element read heads spaced apart in the direction of character movement, and converted to discrete logic level signals under the control of a dynamically adjustable threshold. The discrete signals of each read head are sampled near the time of occurrence of the data signal peaks in response to independent data sample signals phase locked to the data rate of the respective read head. The NRZ data signals formed thereby are synchronized to a common fixed frequency, and serialized to accommodate an interlacing of data signals generated by each read head into a single serial stream representative of the information field sensed. Reference is made to our copending application No. 24102/77 (Serial No. 1,564,661). WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An MICR reader comprising: (a) a reading station including a pair of multi-element reading heads spaced in a direction of document transport and having respective document scanning zones, transverse to said direction, at a document receiving position, the reading station including means to apply a magnetic field, which alternates about a given centre frequency, at said document receiving position whereby magnetic inky own a document received at said document

receiving position, induces respective signals in said reading heads to provide corresponding scanning output signals; (b) analog-to-digital converting means, synchronised by a clock frequency and by a phase locked control means controlled by the scanning rates of said reading heads, to convert said scanning output signals into parallel sets of binary output signals; (c) synchronisation means including a pair of multi-bit shift register stacks for receiving the respective sets d parallel binary output signals and synchronised by said clock frequency and controlled by the scanning rates of said reading heads, to gate said shift register stacks to provide respective sub-sets of the stored binary signals; and (d) means for interlacing said sub-sets of binary signals whereby a data output is produced for the data represented by the magnetic ink on said document.

2. An MICR reader according to claim 1 wherein the control of the phase locked control means and of the synchronisation means is dependent upon respective maximum output signals from said reading heads.

3. An MICR reader according to claim 2 including adaptive threshold circuit means having time bases, which are respectively controlled by said maximum output signals, to adjust the adaptive threshold with respect to a reference threshold.

4. An MICR reader according to claim 3 including means for filtering and normalising said scanning output signals and comprising comparator means for comparing the normalised signals with the output of said adaptive threshold circuit means, the output of said comparator means being supplied to the phase locked control means and to the synchronisation means to control the analog-to-digital conversion of said scanning output signals into said parallel sets of binary output signals.

5. An MICR reader according to any one of claims 2-4 wherein said phase locked control means comprises, for each channel of scanning output signals, a digital phase-locked control unit including: (a) means responsive to the maximum output signal from the respective reading head to generate a selection control signal; (b) counter means responsive to said maximum output signal for generating PROM addresses; (c) a PROM addressed by said counter means and storing count correction signals; (d) multiplexer means connected to said counter means and responsive to said selection control signal for transferring said count correction signals from said PROM to said counter means; and (e) interface logic means to provide output signals, from the stored count in the PROM, for the analog-to-digital conversion.

6. An MICR reader according to daim 5 wherein said analog-to-digital converswlon is effected by a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) converter connected to the output of said interface logic means.

7. An MICR reader according to any one of claims 2-6 wherein said synchronisation means includes multiplexer means, synchronised by said clock frequency and controlled by said scanning rates, to transfer data stored in said shift register stacks to a parallel-serial converter for providing said sub-sets of binary signals.

8. An MICR reader according to claim 1 including, for each channel of said scanning output signals: (a) signal conditioning means for filtering and rectifying said scanning output signals; (b) peak follower means for selecting, at the scanning rates of said reading heads, peaks in the filtered and rectified signals; (c) peak detector means responsive to the selected peaks for generating respective pulses each having a width proportional to the period of the selected and respective peaks; (d) pulse width discriminator means responsive to the pulses which exceed a predetermined width to provide a discriminated output.

(e) normalising and compression means for normalising the filtered and rectified signals and for compressing the normalised signals within a waveform envelope having a stable base line; (f) threshold generating means responsive to the compressed output to adjust a threshold level, above a reference threshold, with respect to said scanning rates; (g) a plurality of further normalising and compression means for normalising said filtered and rectified signals and for compressing the normalised signals within said waveform envelope; and (h) a plurality of comparator means responsive to the latter compressed output of (g) and to the adjusted threshold for forming discrete signal levels; said phase locked control means being responsive to said discriminated output and to said discrete signal levels for controlling the rate at which the discrete signal levels are fed from the analog-to-digital converting means to said synchronisation means.

9. An MICR reader according to claim 8, wherein said threshold generating means includes: (a) peak detector means which capacitively stores the compressed output of (e) of claim 8; (b) threshold discriminator means responsive to the latter peak detector means for adjusting the threshold level when the normalised and compressed output exceeds said reference (c) denormalising means operating upon said threshold level to provide a denormalised signal; (d) a comparator responsive to the normalised and compressed output and to the denormalised signal for generating a discharge control signal; and (e) discharge control means responsive to said discharge control signal for controlling the rate of discharge of said peak detector means.

10. An MICR reader according to claim 9 wherein said discharge control means includes transistor switch means for controlling the rate of discharge of said peak detector means, and another comparator responsive to said first mentioned comparator means for controlling the operation of said transistor switch means.

11. An MICR reader according to any one of claims 8-10 wherein said phase locked control means includes: (a) peak selection logic means responsive to said discriminated output for generating a selection control signal; (b) counter means responsive to said discriminated output for generating PROM addresses; (c) a PROM addressed by said counter means for issuing count corrections and a data sample window pulse; (d) multiplexer means in electrical communication with said PROM and responsive to said peak selection logic means for transferring said count corrections to said counter means; and (e) interface logic means responsive to said data sample window pulse for generating a data sample signal indicating the expected times of occurrence of said peaks.

12. An MICR reader according to claim 11, wherein said analog-to-digital converting means includes, for each channel of scanning output signals: (a) clock synchroniser means for synchronising the transfer of said discrete signal levels with a system clock; (b) an AND gate in electrical communication with said clock synchroniser means and said interface logic means; (c) a first flip-flop means in electrical communication with said AND gate and said interface logic means for storing those of said discrete signal levels occurring near the time of occurence of said peaks; and (d) second flip-flop means in electrical communication with said first flip-flop means and said interface logic means for transferring stored ones of said discrete signal levels at a data clock rate.

13. An MICR reader according to any one of claims 8-12 wherein said synchronisation means includes a plurality of multiplexer means corresponding with said shift register stacks for transferring selected signals stored therein to parallel-to-serial converter means for forming said sub-sets of binary signals in respective serial streams.

14. An MICR reader according to claim 13, wherein each of said shift register stacks includes three serially connected shift registers, each having a bit size dependent upon said scanning rates.

15. An MICR reader substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of interlacing signal con ditioned outputs of a pair of asynchronously operating multi-element reading heads to accommodate a synchronisation to a common fixed frequency, the method being sub stantially as hereinbefore described and used with the apparatus of the accompanying drawings.