JPH09245119A - Method for avoiding reading error of micr reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain a correctly reading ratio originally provided for an MICR (magnetic ink character) reader by surely preventing a reading magnetic head to generate a reading error because of magnetic change caused by a leaked magnetic fluxes from an external device, etc. SOLUTION: Before reading a magnetic ink character on a voucher, a voltage waveform guided by the reading magnetic head for MICR reader by external environment is outputted as monitoring information signal. A storing means which sorts the correlation between the intensity of the magnetically and/or electrically reading hindering cause of external environment and the normal/ defective condition of the magnetic ink character reading of the reading magnetic head into a normal reading operation range and an abnormal reading operation range and inputting this matter as data is provided. The outputted monitor information signal and data in the storing means are compare-analyzed to discriminate which range the monitor information signal is in. Then a display means for recognizing outside displaying differently between when the signal is in the normal reading operation range and the abnormal reading operation range.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for preventing a magnetic ink character (hereinafter referred to as MICR) reader from causing a reading error due to an external environment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art MICR readers, which are mainly used for reading vouchers such as checks and bills of banks, are guided by respective magnetic ink characters while the vouchers pass through a reading magnetic head. The generated voltage waveform is output, and the output signal is input to the recognition circuit to identify the character.

Therefore, in the case of a small reader using an AC adapter for the power supply, the magnetic head for reading and the A
When the distance from the power transformer in the C adapter is short (for example, about 10 cm), the magnetic head for reading also detects the magnetic change of the leakage magnetic flux from the power transformer, which is a normal magnetic ink character. It is added to the electrical output. As a result, the normal reading waveform is disturbed, and the logic for identifying characters and codes written with magnetic ink malfunctions to cause a reading error.

However, the conventional MICR reader has no means for determining whether or not this kind of reading error is caused by the external environment. For this reason, the MIC does not know that it is in the external environment described above.
If the R reader is operated, the reading accuracy will decrease due to the reading error, and the actual use will be hindered. Such a situation also occurs when the MICR reader is placed in the immediate vicinity of a CRT such as a television receiver or a display of a personal computer.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention surely avoids the read magnetic head from causing a read error due to a magnetic change due to a magnetic flux leaked from an external device,
An object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of maintaining the original correct reading accuracy rate of the MICR reader.

[0006]

The present invention is characterized in that it has the following constitution in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.
That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, first, before reading the magnetic ink characters on the voucher, the voltage waveform induced in the reading magnetic head of the MICR reader by the external environment is output as the monitoring information signal. The correlation between the strength of magnetic and / or electrical reading disturbance in the external environment and the quality of reading magnetic ink characters of the reading magnetic head is divided into a normal reading operation area and a reading abnormal operation area, and this is used as data. Is provided, and by comparing and analyzing the outputted monitoring information signal and the data of the storing means, it is possible to determine in which of the above two areas the monitoring information signal exists. Then, different display is performed by the external recognition display means depending on whether it is in the normal reading operation area or in the abnormal reading operation area.

According to the second aspect of the invention, after the comparative analysis of the monitoring information signal and the data from the storage means, when the detected voltage by the monitoring information signal is in the normal reading operation range, the reading of the magnetic ink of the voucher is started. On the other hand, the magnetic ink on the voucher is not read when it is in the abnormal reading operation area. Prior to or at the same time as whether or not the reading operation is possible, whether or not the reading operation of the magnetic ink is started may be displayed in advance by the display unit for external recognition.

In the above-mentioned storage means, the threshold voltages of the normal read operation area and the abnormal read operation area and the non-negligible limit voltage in the abnormal read operation area are input as data, and the output monitoring is performed. When the average level of the information signal is less than or equal to the threshold value and the output voltage reaching the limit value is less than the predetermined number, the reading of the magnetic ink on the voucher is started, while the average level of the output monitoring information signal is It is possible to prevent the magnetic ink of the voucher from being read when the number of output signals equal to or more than the threshold value or reaching the above limit value is greater than the predetermined number.

The above-mentioned display means illuminates the indicator light of the first display color when the monitoring information signal is in the normal reading operation range, and the second display color when the monitoring information signal is in the abnormal reading operation range. It is advisable to turn on or blink the indicator light.

Further, for example, the following configuration may be used to determine whether or not the reading operation of the voucher is started after the monitoring information signal is determined. When the power of the MICR reader is turned on, all the circuits and elements of the MICR reader are reset, and in this reset state, predetermined reference data is read from the storage means. Then, by comparing and analyzing the monitoring information signal and the read reference data, it is determined which of the two areas the monitoring information signal is in, and when it is in the normal reading operation area, a drive signal is sent to the drive element of the voucher feed roller. Is output and the drive signal is not output to the drive element of the voucher feed roller in the abnormal reading operation range.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram of a MICR reader to which the method according to the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a first detection sensor provided on the insertion opening side of a voucher transfer guide (not shown), and detects that the voucher is placed at the leading end of the guide in the feed direction. The detection signal is input from the sensor input element 2 to the CPU 3 of the MICR reader. Based on this signal, the CPU 3 outputs a signal for rotating the drive motor 5 of the voucher feed roller 6 via the motor drive element 4.

Reference numeral 7 is a magnet for magnetizing the magnetic ink characters on the voucher, and 8 is a magnetic head for reading, which is a magnetic change when the magnetized magnetic ink characters pass through and a magnetic head when the voucher is not read. Reads the magnetic changes that occur from the external environment around the reader. These magnetic changes are output as an electrical output as a function of time of the magnetic quantity. This output signal is amplified by the linear amplifier 9 and then amplified by the AD converter 10.
Is digitized every unit time by and is input to the CPU 3.

A clock circuit 11 is directly connected to the CPU 3, and a RAM is provided via an address bus 14 and a data bus 15.
12 and the ROM 13 are connected. Similarly, the communication connector 16 is the serial communication interface element 1
It is connected via 7. The communication connector 16 is connected to a communication port such as a personal computer (not shown) having a host function for sucking up and processing the result and transmitting / receiving data. It is also possible to instruct operation of the MICR reader and change operation parameters from a personal computer or the like. Further, the CPU 3 has a setting switch 1 for setting various conditions.
8 are connected so that settings can be made when the usage conditions are different. Further, a red display element 20 and a green display element 21 for displaying the determination of the external environment before reading the magnetic ink characters via the display drive element 19 to the CPU 3.
Is connected. Reference numeral 22 is another interface element connected to the CPU 3 via both buses 14 and 15, and various inputs and outputs are possible.

A code analysis program and a read preparation program are recorded in the ROM 13 described above. The code analysis program is a program for analyzing the magnetic ink characters on the voucher. For example, based on the standard waveform pattern of 10 types of numbers and 4 types of special symbols, the input waveform is processed according to certain fixed rules. Correct and compare and select the most likely candidate. If a candidate cannot be selected, some kind of special code indicating the reason why it cannot be selected is selected instead. Any of these selection candidates or special codes is temporarily stored in the RAM 12 in the reading order as a character or a code string.

The read preparation program is a program which is operated when the magnetic read head 8 is not reading magnetic ink characters, and determines the influence of interference from the external environment. Specifically, the correlation between the strength of the magnetic and / or electrical reading disturbance in the external environment and the quality of the magnetic ink character reading of the reading magnetic head 8 is determined as the normal reading operation area and the abnormal reading operation area. It is provided with data on the threshold voltages of both regions when divided. In addition, it is provided with data regarding the limit voltage that cannot be ignored in the abnormal read operation region. The data regarding the limiting voltage is used to confirm whether the number of pulse-like outputs larger than the limiting voltage in the monitoring information signal reaches a non-negligible number within a unit time. Then, based on the output monitoring information signal, it is determined whether the average level is less than or equal to the above threshold (normal reading operation range) or more (abnormal reading operation range). It has a disturbance degree check program for discriminating whether the number of signals reaching the limit voltage is larger than a predetermined number or smaller than the predetermined number. A discrimination signal based on this check program is output from the CPU 3 to activate either the red or green display element 20, 21 via the display drive element 19, or the stop state of the feed roller drive motor 5 for the certificate. To maintain or cancel.

The RAM 12 temporarily stores the selection candidate of the code analysis program and the special code, and the digital signal from the reading magnetic head 8 as monitoring information.

Reference numeral 23 is a power supply circuit, which is a power supply input connector 24.
A DC voltage supplied from the outside is converted and stabilized to supply various voltage outputs 25 required for various internal circuits, motors and the like to perform a predetermined operation. 26 is a power input connector 2
An AC adapter having a power supply output plug 27 connected to No. 4 is inserted into a commercial AC 100V outlet 28 and converted into a low voltage by an internal transformer and rectified. Further, 29 is a second detection sensor arranged near the end of the voucher transfer guide, 30 is the CPU 3, both buses 14,
An output element such as a register connected through 15.

The operation of the above MICR reader will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a read preparation program for analyzing the above-mentioned monitoring information signal. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the code analysis program after passing through the read preparation program.

First, the MICR reader is installed at a desired position. When it is connected to the outlet 28 and the power is turned on,
All circuits and elements including the CPU 3 are reset. When reset, the read preparation program is read in accordance with the stored contents of the ROM 13, and the monitor information signal input from the read magnetic head 8 is awaited. The reading magnetic head 8 detects the leakage magnetic flux of the external environment,
It outputs an electrical signal as a function of its time. This signal is amplified by the linear amplifier 9 and then converted by the AD converter 10 to become a digital signal for each unit time. This monitor information signal is input to the CPU 3 and the RAM 1
It is temporarily stored in 2.

In parallel with this, the disturbance degree check program is operated from the ROM 13. The check program first analyzes whether or not the information by the monitoring information signal is below the threshold value. If it is less than the threshold value, then whether or not the monitoring information signal is average, that is, whether the number of pulse-like outputs larger than the limit voltage in the monitoring information signal is more or less than a predetermined number in a unit time. Is determined. When the average number of states is less than the predetermined number, the green display element 21 is lit by the display element lighting program, which indicates that the reading operation can be normally performed. At the same time, the normal state is output to the communication connector 16 via the output element 30 such as a register and the communication interface 17. The communication connector 16 is connected to a communication port such as a personal computer (not shown) having a host function for absorbing and processing the output information, and transmits / receives data. On the other hand, when it is not average, that is, when the large pulsed output is more than the predetermined number in a unit time, the red display element 20 is blinked or lit by the display element lighting program, and the reading operation cannot be performed normally. It is shown in.

When the information based on the monitoring information signal is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the red display element 20 is turned on or blinks in the same manner as in the above-mentioned non-average case, and the reading abnormality is caused by the influence of the external environment. Indicates that it will occur. Even in those cases where the red display element 21 is turned on or the like, it is output to the communication connector 16 via the output element 30 such as a register or the communication interface 17 that the reading operation cannot be normally performed.

When the green display element 21 is lit, the user can visually recognize that the voucher can be read as it is without being affected by the leakage magnetic flux from the outside. Continue to the step of FIG.
On the other hand, when the red display element 20 is lit or blinking, the user is not affected by the magnetic flux leaking from the outside in the MICR reader in the current arrangement state, and even if the user reads the voucher. It can be seen that an error occurs and the reading accuracy rate is below the expected accuracy of the MICR reader. In this case, the arrangement position of the MICR reader is changed or a service call is made and a service person comes to prepare the external environment.
The power transformer of the AC adapter 26 is placed near the main body of the MICR reader, or near the CRT such as a personal computer display or the motor drive device.
When the reader is arranged, pulsed electric noise or magnetic noise causes the reading magnetic head 8 to generate an electric output, thereby turning on the red display element.

When the red display element 20 is turned on, the rotation instruction from the motor driving element 4 to the motor 5 is automatically cut off, and the voucher is sent even if the voucher is mistakenly inserted into the transfer guide. It is not possible to expect more reliable operation.

When the green display element 21 is on, the user places the voucher on the transfer guide as it is. When information is transmitted from the first detection sensor 1 to the CPU 3 via the input element 2, the motor 5 is driven via the motor drive element 4, and the voucher feed roller 6 rotates to transfer the voucher.

After the magnetic ink characters are magnetized, the voucher is
While passing through the read magnetic head 8, it produces an electrical output as a function of time of the magnetic quantity. This output signal is input to the CPU 3 as a digital signal through the linear amplifier 9 and the AD converter 10, and is temporarily stored in the RAM 12. In parallel with this, the code analysis program in the ROM 13 is started.

The code analysis program compares and examines the digital signal with a standard waveform pattern stored in advance, and selects a selection candidate or a special code. The selected candidates or codes are temporarily stored in the RAM 12 in the reading order as characters or code strings. If necessary, the reading judgment program is started, and the position of the code, the number of effective characters from the original code, other principles and the character or code string stored in the RAM 12 are checked by collating with the printing convention of the MICR reader. The match is verified, and if they do not match, correction or the like is performed according to the situation, and the character or code string stored in the RAM 12 is updated. This is the confirmed reading result.

The read result is output to the communication connector 16 via the interface element 17 for serial communication. The connector 16 is connected to a communication port of a personal computer or the like having a host function for absorbing and processing the read result, and transmits / receives data. When the voucher is ejected from the transfer guide, the first and second detection sensors 1 and 29 inform the CPU 3 via the sensor input element 2 that the voucher has disappeared from the transfer guide. As a result, the drive instruction of the motor 5 is canceled and the feed roller 6 is stopped.

In the read preparation program, only data relating to the threshold voltage is stored, which area of the threshold the monitor information signal is in is analyzed, and the read operation availability is displayed. You may allow it. In this case, the program is simplified. In addition, the program that checks whether the monitoring information signal is an average signal as described above based on the data related to the limit voltage starts operating when the limit voltage above the threshold voltage is detected. The red display element may be continuously turned on if it is average, and the red display element may be made to blink otherwise.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, before the magnetic ink characters on the voucher are read, the magnetic change due to the leakage magnetic flux of the external environment is read as monitoring information, and this is read normal operation range and abnormal read operation. Since it is determined whether the reading operation of the voucher is possible or not by the display means and / or the reading operation can be started or disabled, the magnetic field due to the magnetic flux leaked from the external device is detected. It is possible to avoid the read magnetic head from causing a read error due to the change, and the original correct reading accuracy rate of the MICR reader is not lowered.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a MIC to which a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
The electric block diagram of R reader.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a read preparation program mainly for analyzing a monitoring information signal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a code analysis program after passing through a read preparation program.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-First detection sensor 3-CPU 6-Certificate feeding roller 7-Magnetizing magnet 8-Reading magnetic head 12 ... RAM 13 ... ROM 19 ... Display drive element 20 ... Red display element 21 ... Green display element 26 ... AC adapter

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A voltage waveform induced in a magnetic read head of a MICR reader by an external environment is output as a monitoring information signal before reading magnetic ink characters on a voucher, and the magnetic and / or electrical environment of the external environment is output. Correlation between the strength of the read disturbing cause and the quality of reading the magnetic ink characters of the reading magnetic head is divided into a normal read operation area and an abnormal read operation area, and storage means for inputting this is provided and output. By comparing and analyzing the monitoring information signal and the data in the storage means, it is determined which of the two areas the monitoring information signal is in. When the reading information is in the normal reading operation area and in the reading abnormal operation area, The method for avoiding the reading error of the MICR reader is characterized in that different display is performed by the display means for external recognition. 2. Before reading the magnetic ink characters on the voucher, a voltage waveform induced in the reading magnetic head of the MICR reader by the external environment is output as a monitor information signal, and the magnetic and / or electrical environment of the external environment is output. Correlation between the strength of the read disturbing cause and the quality of reading the magnetic ink characters of the reading magnetic head is divided into a normal read operation area and an abnormal read operation area, and storage means for inputting this is provided and output. By comparing and analyzing the monitoring information signal and the data in the storage means, it is determined which of the above two areas the monitoring information signal is in. When it is in the normal reading operation area, the reading of the magnetic ink of the voucher is started. On the other hand, the magnetic ink of the voucher is not read when it is in the abnormal reading operation range. How to avoid. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein after the discrimination, the quality of the reading operation of the magnetic ink is displayed in advance by a display means for external recognition, thereby avoiding a reading error of the MICR reader. Method. 4. A threshold voltage between a normal read operation area and an abnormal read operation area and a non-negligible limit voltage in the abnormal read operation area are input as data to the storage means and output. When the average level of the monitoring information signal is less than or equal to the threshold value and the output voltage reaching the limit value is less than a predetermined number per unit time, the reading of the magnetic ink on the voucher is started, while the output monitoring is performed. The magnetic ink of the voucher is not read when the number of output signals whose average level of the information signal is equal to or more than the threshold value or reaches the limit value is more than a predetermined number per unit time. M according to claim 3
How to avoid read errors in an ICR reader. 5. The display means illuminates the indicator light of the first display color when the monitoring information signal is in the normal reading operation range, and turns the second indicator light when the monitoring information signal is in the abnormal reading operation range. The indicator light of a display color is turned on or blinked, M according to claim 1 or claim 3 characterized by things.
How to avoid read errors in an ICR reader. 6. The MCR is powered by turning on the power of the MICR reader.
All the circuits and elements of the ICR reader are reset, and in this reset state, predetermined reference data is read from the storage means, and the monitoring information signal is compared with the read reference data by a comparative analysis. If it is in the normal reading operation area, a drive signal is output to the drive element of the voucher feed roller, and if it is in the abnormal reading operation area, the drive signal is output to the drive element of the voucher feed roller. No output, M according to claim 2 or claim 4 characterized in that
Method for avoiding reading error of ICR reader.