JPH08147400A - Method for confirming correctness of coded document - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically recognize the accuracy of encoding information on a document. SOLUTION: The document is generated and first encoding information and second encoding information are printed on the document. First and second encoding information are read by an appropriate reader. First encoding information is compared with second encoding information. Whether both information are same or not is judged based on the comparison. When data corresponding to first encoding information and data corresponding to second encoding information are same, the document is issued for the usage of a user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for correctly encoding a document. In particular, it relates to a method of encoding a check (check) using both MICR code and bar code information and thereby verifying the MICR code prior to issuing the check to the user processing the check.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a check issued by a bank is
Symbols are printed in magnetic ink along the bottom of the check. These symbols are called MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) symbols. MICR is a very useful tool in the automatic processing of checks. The MICR symbol printed on the check is
It contains information about banks as well as customers used by clearing houses to settle this check for individual bank balances. At the payment institution, the MICR symbol printed on the check is automatically read by the automatic reading device, and the check payment process is performed based on the information necessary for the payment obtained as a result. The settlement process can be performed quickly and efficiently by such an automatic process.

[0003]

Due to the importance of MICR symbols as well as check processing, errors in the printing of MICR symbols will significantly increase the processing time to settle the check. Therefore, for checks,
It is eager to print MICR symbols in perfect form. However, in conventional MICR printers, errors often occur at a rate of 0.5% to 1%. Such errors are often due to either MICR printers or MICR readers.

Unfortunately, these errors are generally not discovered until the check is processed by the clearing house. Improper printing on such checks can significantly increase processing time. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an on-line verification method and apparatus for verifying that MICR symbols are properly coded prior to issuing a check to a customer. This results in reduced check processing time.

Banks and print shops often also require very detailed data regarding the total number of checks printed and the total number of checks issued. In the traditional way,
Such data is often stored the first time a check is printed.

However, since the online confirmation device is not used, there is currently no method for determining how many of the issued checks have inappropriate codes. Therefore, there is a demand for an online confirmation device capable of recording and holding the inspection result and tracking the result.

The present invention solves the above and other problems in the prior art, and its object is to provide a method for online confirmation of clear data on a transactional document.

A further object of the present invention is to enable better record keeping of payment documents.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a method for confirming the accuracy of coded information displayed on a payment document, which comprises the steps of creating the payment document and the payment. Displaying the first coded information and the second coded information on the document; reading the first coded information displayed on the payment document;
The step of reading the second coded information displayed on the payment document, the step of comparing the first coded information with the second coded information, and the step of comparing the first code When it is determined that the data corresponding to the coded information and the data corresponding to the second coded information are the same, the step of issuing the document to the user who processes the settlement document is included.

With the above configuration, first, a settlement document is created. The first encoded information is displayed on the payment document. The second coded information is also displayed in the payment document. And both the first and second coded information are
It is read by each reading device. The first coded information is compared and collated with the second coded information. Finally, if it is determined that the data corresponding to the first coded information is the same as the data corresponding to the second coded information, the document for the user who processes the settlement document is displayed. Is issued.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, for example, the first coded information is a MICR code and the second coded information is a bar code.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the first embodiment using the self-identification unit 8 described below. In addition, FIG. 2 is a flow chart utilizing the self-identification unit 8 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the host computer 1
0 stores the data printed and verified by the self-verification unit 8. In the present embodiment, the host computer 10 stores data representing personal or corporate checks, and is common for consumer or commercial bills of exchange, such as credit cards or bills of accounts. Instead of coupons or remittance notes, we also store data representing other payment documents, such as instant refund coupons used by the retail industry. Other data may be similarly stored in the host computer 10. In the present embodiment, a case where a check is an application target of the present invention will be described below. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to checks, but includes various types of payment documents as described above.

The host computer 10 is connected to an electronics subsystem 12 (hereinafter referred to as ESS) that controls the operation of the printer 14 and other devices necessary for creating the settlement document. In step 50, the ESS 12 and printer 14 create a blank check, as shown in FIG. The blank check contains blank lines, corresponding to the date, amount and line portion where the signature is written. In addition, the check number (ie Figure 3
The number 9876) is also printed in the upper right corner of this check. The ESS printer 14 additionally has an owner of this check (eg, in FIG. 3,
John Doe) and the person's address are printed in the upper left corner of the check, as shown in FIG. In the preferred embodiment, the respective MICR codes are not created from the beginning until the blank check is created by the printer 14.

In step 52, MICR code 4
The 0 is printed by the printer 14 on the check 38. Although the present invention is described with respect to a single printer 14, the printer 14 is comprised of two or more printers to print all of the respective codes on each check 38. May be Further, step 52 is described as being performed after the blank check 38 is created, but MI
The CR code 40 may be printed prior to or simultaneously with the printing of the blank check 38. At step 54, a second code is printed by the printer 14 on the check. As mentioned above, the need for an additional printer to print this second code depends on the type of code printed on the check. In the preferred embodiment, the second code takes the form of a bar code 42, as shown in FIG. In the preferred embodiment, the second code is printed on the top center of the check as shown in FIG. 4, but can be printed on any position of the check. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the check 38 includes a MICR code 40 and a bar code 42.

In addition, different types of codes may be used as another embodiment. For example, UV ink (u
ltraviolet ink) can also be used in the second code above by acting as an "invisible ink". It is also possible to additionally print on the check 38 a symbol which can be detected by an optical character reader (OCR). In addition, the magnetic stripe as used on the back of credit cards and airline tickets should be attached to the check 3
8 may be printed or fitted on. Many other alternative methods of encoding clear data may be utilized as a means for printing each of the two types of codes. The present invention is intended to include all such embodiments.

Although FIG. 2 discloses step 52 performed prior to step 54, bar code 42 may be printed prior to or concurrently with MICR code 40.

The check 38 provided with the code is then processed by the self-verification unit 8. Step 56
In, the bar code 42 is read by the bar code reader 18 in a known manner. In other embodiments, other types of readers may be configured to read a second code corresponding to each type encrypted on the check 38. For example, a conventional optical character reading device that can also read optical characters may be used. Alternatively, a magnetic stripe reader that can read the magnetic stripe on the check 38 may be used. Such readers are well known in the art.

Next, at step 58, the M
The ICR symbol is read by a conventional magnetic ink character reading device 20. Although shown in FIG. 2 as performing step 56 prior to step 58, step 58 may be performed prior to or concurrently with step 56.

Each of the readers 18 and 20 produces a bit pattern which represents the coded information read. In a preferred embodiment, the encrypted code is a number from 0 to 9 and A to Z as alphanumeric symbols.
Contains characters up to. The total k alphanumeric components are encoded by their respective codes. Each of the k symbols is represented by an n-bit code. In the preferred embodiment, the MICR code font may be either E13B or CMC7. E13B is composed of 14 numbers and symbols (ANSI X9.27-1994 edition,
Issued on or after March 15, 1994). The CMC 7 is composed of 42 numbers, symbols and alphabetic characters (see ISO 1004 standard). Each of these symbols can be represented by a corresponding single code. This single code is
It is compared via an electrical comparator (comparator) or by a comparator on software.

Each of the readers 18 and 20 is
Output an n-bit code for each of the k symbols. This output is input to the comparator 22. In step 60, the comparator 22 compares the bits of each of the two types of symbolized codes for all k symbols. Therefore, the comparator 22 is
It is determined whether all k symbols of the MICR code 40 match all k symbols of the barcode 38. If all k symbols of the above two types of codes match, then the check 38 determines that the sheet deflector 30
Or, it is deflected and discharged to the receiving box 28 by another similar device. Thus, each check that enters the inbox 28 is a properly coded document. The appropriately encoded data representing each document is sent to the controller 24 and then to the host computer 10. This data includes the check number and the total number of checks printed. This data is stored to provide an inspection process for all properly printed checks. Other data is also accumulated by the host computer 10.

In step 60, the computer 22 sets the MICR code 40 to the bar code 42.
It is determined whether or not Bar codes have a very low error rate in terms of reading and writing. Therefore, if the MICR code 40 matches the bar code 42, it is presumed that both the MICR code 40 and the bar code 42 are correctly printed. If the MICR code 40 does not completely match the barcode 42, several processing methods can be selected. One option is to send the check 38 immediately to the discard section 26. Each of the documents sent to the discard unit 26 will then be discarded or reprinted. Another option is to have the check 38 reread by each of the readers 18 and 20, as shown in FIG. Because during the first reading step, the reading device 18
Alternatively, one of 20 may have caused a functional failure. In this case, in step 68, the count number (X) of the counter is incremented by one. Then, for the check 38, steps 56, 58 and 60.
By repeating the above procedure, a plurality of inspections will be performed. In decision block 66, the counter (X) is checked to see if the count has increased up to a predetermined number b. For example, if the predetermined number of times b is 2, the check will be checked twice. If the check 38 is checked twice by the readers 18 and 20, and the bit data of both the MICR code 40 and the bar code 32 do not match, then the check 38 is sent to the discard section 26 at step 72. Will be sent. Further, the discarded check data is sent to the host computer 10 by the controller 24. Thus, the host computer 10 will accumulate data for both checks with improperly coded information and checks with properly coded information.

According to the above-mentioned method, the box 2 is finally received.
Each check 38 in 8 has a properly coded MIC
It will have an R line 40 and an appropriately coded bar code line 42. All checks in the discard section 26 will have a defect in either the bar code line 42 or the MICR line 40. Therefore, the properly coded check in the inbox 28 is ready for distribution to a user such as a bank customer. As mentioned above, FIG. 4 shows a check with a properly coded bar code 42 as well as a MICR code. The check is then provided to the bank customer. The customer completes the document by correctly dated a document showing the person making the payment, the amount paid, and endorsing the check 38 correctly.

By using the method and apparatus described above,
Since it has been accurately confirmed whether or not the check 38 is correct, the error occurrence rate of the MICR code 40 is extremely low as compared with the prior art. Therefore, when the check 38 is finally processed by the clearing house, there are very few errors caused by the improperly printed MICR code. In addition, the clearing house may use the M to quickly process the check 38.
Either the ICR code 40 or the bar code 42 can be used. Similarly, if other forms of code are printed on the check 38, the clearing house may also use these encoded codes to process the check 38. it can.

The method and apparatus described above further provide an improved method of inspecting properly printed checks. In the conventional method, the data representing each of the checks is transferred to the ES during the printing operation of the MICR code 40.
It was edited by S12. However, according to the use of the device described above, the data is accumulated in the self-validation unit 8 after determining whether each document is properly coded. Then, this data is sent back to the host computer 10, and the host computer 10 edits and stores all the respective data.
By possessing the self-validation unit 8 that collects data, the ESS 12 is free to play other roles.

[0027]

As described above, according to the method for confirming the accuracy of the coded information displayed on the settlement document according to the present invention, whether the coded information is correct or not is compared by comparing the two coded information. Since it can be confirmed before issuing the payment document, the error occurrence rate of the coded information in the issued payment document is extremely low as compared with the conventional technique. Therefore, when the payment document is processed, the error caused by the improperly displayed coded information is very small. When processing the issued payment document, either the first coded information or the second coded information can be used to quickly process the payment document.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a self-identification unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a check in a blank state.

FIG. 4 shows a check with both a MICR code as well as a bar code.

[Explanation of symbols]

8 Self-verification unit, 10 host computer, 1
2 Electronics Subsystem (ESS), 14
Printer, 18 bar code reader, 20 MICR reader, 22 comparator, 24 controller, 2
6 discarding section, 28 receiving box section, 30 sheet deflector, 38
Check, 40 MICR code, 42 bar code.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for confirming the accuracy of coded information displayed on a payment document, the method comprising: creating the payment document; first coded information and second coded information on the payment document. A step of displaying the first coded information displayed on the payment document, a step of reading the second coded information displayed on the payment document, the first coded information A step of comparing information and the second coded information; and a step of comparing, the data corresponding to the first coded information and the data corresponding to the second coded information are determined to be the same. In this case, the method for confirming the accuracy of the coded information displayed on the payment document includes the step of issuing the payment document for a user who processes the payment document.