| Here's a concise guide to MICR and associated | | | | Theory The readers move and read documents |
| technologies.Magnetic Ink Character | | | | from right to left. The right-hand edge of |
| Recognition (MICR) was developed to utilize | | | | the character, as a result, is the first to |
| the benefits of computer technology in the | | | | cross the read head. Analysis of the signal |
| banking industry. Prior to the use of a MICR | | | | level created by reading the character 0 will |
| line, check sorting by account number was a | | | | help explain this in greater detail (Figure |
| manual process. Two systems were previously | | | | 4). Figure 4: MICR Magnetic FootprintAs the |
| used to handle the large numbers of checks | | | | character moves from left to right under the |
| processed in the banking industry: | | | | read head, the gap detects the magnetism of |
| Sort-A-Matic and Top Tab Key Sort.The | | | | the first right-hand edge (edge 1). This |
| Sort-A-Matic system included 100 metal or | | | | results in the increase in magnetism and a |
| leather dividers numbered 00 through 99. Each | | | | positive peak is created (peak 1). As soon as |
| check was placed in the corresponding divider | | | | the right-hand edge moves beyond the read |
| by the first two numbers of the account. The | | | | head gap, no new magnetism is found, and thus |
| sorting process was then repeated for the | | | | the wave form returns to the zero signal |
| next two digits of the account number, and so | | | | level.At the second edge, the vertical read |
| on. When the process was complete, the checks | | | | head detects a drop in magnetism, which |
| were grouped by account number.Under the Top | | | | results in a -110 signal level at peak 2. |
| Tab Key Sort system, small holes punched at | | | | Again the waveform returns to zero until the |
| the top of the checks indicated the digits. | | | | next portion of the inner ring of the |
| For instance, the first hole indicated the | | | | character is detected. At this point (peak |
| value of the first digits (0, 1, 2, 3...) A | | | | 3), an increase in magnetism (+110) is |
| metal "key" was inserted through the holes to | | | | indicated. Finally, the outer portion of the |
| separate all of the checks with the same | | | | character is read, resulting in a negative |
| value in the first digit, and this step was | | | | peak (peak 4) of -130.The placement of the |
| repeated for each digit until all the checks | | | | vertical edges must occur in increments of |
| were sorted.Both of these systems worked, but | | | | 0.013 inches from the first right-hand edge. |
| they were time-consuming. With the advent of | | | | There are five characters that have two |
| the computer and its movement from the | | | | positive and two negative peaks similar to |
| laboratory into the business world, a sorting | | | | the character 0 and also appear in a |
| and matching task seemed ideal. Stanford | | | | positive-negative-positive-negative format. |
| University and Bank of America were the first | | | | They are 0, 2, 4, 5, and the transit |
| to successfully use computers to sort and | | | | character, which are differentiated from one |
| match checks. They developed what is now | | | | another by the horizontal location of the |
| known as MICR . The Development of the MICR | | | | peaks in the waveforms. The peaks do require |
| FontThe MICR font was developed by Stanford | | | | different amplitudes, but ANSI standards |
| University in conjunction with Bank of | | | | allow them to vary from 50% to 200% of the |
| America and approved by the American Banking | | | | nominal amplitudes (Canadian standards allow |
| Association. The font is known as the E-13B | | | | them to vary from 80% to 200% of the nominal |
| font. E-13B has a total of 14 characters: ten | | | | amplitudes). This is why the placement of the |
| specially designed numbers (0 through 9) and | | | | waveform is so important and why the |
| four special symbols (Transit, Amount, On-Us, | | | | characters are shaped unusually.What Affects |
| and Dash).The letter E indicates the fifth | | | | the Signal Level?Signal level can vary based |
| version considered. The letter B indicates | | | | on a number of factors. The amount of iron |
| the second revision of that version. The | | | | oxide (concentration) that is present in the |
| number 13 is derived from the 0.013-inch | | | | character will affect the signal level. This |
| module construction used for stroke and | | | | is a function not only of the toner itself, |
| character width. This means that all | | | | but also of how it is laid on the paper and |
| character widths, both horizontal and | | | | the pile height, which can be controlled by |
| vertical, are in multiples of 0.013 inches | | | | numerous other cartridge components (i.e., |
| ranging from 0.052 to 0.091. The significance | | | | "hot" OPCs).The taller the vertical edge of |
| of this will be explained more thoroughly | | | | the character, the taller the peak (either |
| later in this article.MICR ReadersThree types | | | | positive or negative). A vertical edge that |
| of machines are used to read MICR characters. | | | | is not regular and/or not vertical will |
| The two that read the characters magnetically | | | | result in a reduction in the amplitude of the |
| are referred to as MICR readers. The third | | | | peak and will flatten the peak out.Keys to |
| machine is an Optical Character Recognition | | | | proper waveform detection are: - All peaks in |
| (OCR) reader.E-13B characters are printed | | | | a character's waveform must be detected. The |
| with toner containing iron oxide, which is | | | | reader sorter must know that the peak is |
| capable of being magnetized. MICR readers | | | | there. - The peak must be located at or near |
| transport the checks containing the E-13B | | | | its anticipated location. - No significant |
| magnetic characters past a magnet, thereby | | | | "extra" peaks can be present. - There cannot |
| magnetizing the iron oxide particles. The | | | | be wide variations in the signal levels of |
| magnetized characters then pass under a | | | | peaks within a character.What to Look for in |
| magnetic read head. The magnetic field (flux | | | | MICR Printers and Consumables Printers that |
| pattern) caused by the magnetized characters | | | | are used for MICR printing must have a unique |
| generates a current in the read head. The | | | | MICR font that is modified to suit the unique |
| strength and timing of this current allows | | | | printer engine, and it must be modified to |
| the reader to decipher the | | | | the pixel level to match the magnetic toner |
| characters.Magnetic readers come in two | | | | provided for that printer. This is essential |
| types: single track (single gap or split | | | | to ensure the correct waveform, dimension, |
| scan) and multiple track (matrix or pattern) | | | | and signal strength when a check is printed |
| readers.Single track uses a read head with | | | | with the correct MICR characters. In |
| one gap to detect the magnetic flux pattern | | | | addition, the MICR font must meet ABA-X9 |
| generated by the MICR character. When a | | | | standards to ensure acceptance of your checks |
| magnetized E-13B printed character moves | | | | by banking institutions.The magnetic MICR |
| across the narrow gap of the read head, the | | | | toner that you choose must be specifically |
| electric voltage caused by the magnetic flux | | | | designed for the particular print engine in |
| from the character generates a waveform | | | | the printer. Ensure the toner has been |
| unique to each character (Figure 1).Figure 1: | | | | thoroughly tested for consistent signal |
| Single-Track Reader CharacteristicsThe | | | | readings, image permanence and uniformity, |
| multiple track reader employs a matrix of | | | | and excellent edge acuity. Toner coverage |
| tiny, vertically aligned read heads to detect | | | | must be solid with no extraneous toner lay |
| the presence of the magnetic flux pattern. | | | | down.OEM cartridges are always a safe (but |
| The small individual read heads slice across | | | | more expensive) bet. If you buy a |
| the character to detect the presence of | | | | "compatible" brand, ensure it has new a OPC |
| magnetic flux. This sensing of magnetic flux | | | | drum, new primary charge rollers (PCRs), a |
| over time produces a unique matrix pattern | | | | new black velvet magnetic sleeve, and new |
| for each character (Figure 2).Figure 2: | | | | image wiper blades. The hopper system must be |
| Multi-Track Reader CharacteristicsAn OCR | | | | filled with high-quality, low-abrasion MICR |
| reader does not use magnetic properties to | | | | toner.The vendor you choose should use the |
| detect the E-13B characters. Instead, it uses | | | | latest and most advance MICR test equipment, |
| a scanner to detect the amount of light | | | | such as a Verifier and Golden Qualifier to |
| reflected from the character and the amount | | | | conform to ANSI X9 Standards. It is also |
| of light reflected from the background. A | | | | recommended that the systems exceed U.S. and |
| photocell column detects the presence of the | | | | Canadian check printing standards.Copyright |
| dark area of a character (Figure 3).Figure 3: | | | | 2005 Printerm Datascribe, Inc. |
| Photocell Column OCR CharacteristicsWaveform | | | | |