A Short Introduction to MICR and Related Technologies

 A Short Introduction to MICR and Related Technologies

One way that banks have been able to reap the benefits of computer technology is via the invention of Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR). Manual sorting of checks by account number was the norm before MICR lines were used. When it came to processing the massive amounts of checks that banks had to deal with, two methods were previously in use: Sort-A-Matic with Top Tab Key Sort.

One hundred numbered metal or leather dividers, ranging from 00 to 99, were part of the Sort-A-Matic system. For every account, the first two digits were used to determine which divider to use. The following two digits of the account number were sorted in the same way, and the procedure continued thereafter. The last step was to sort the checks according to their account numbers.

The digits were represented by tiny holes punched at the top of the checks under the Top Tab Key Sort system. One example is how the first hole represented the values of the first few numerals (0, 1, 2, 3,...) The checks were sorted by inserting a metal "key" through each hole; this process was repeated for each digit until all of the checks with the same first digit were separated.

Although both methods were effective, they required a significant amount of time. A sorting and matching job appeared perfect with the introduction of computers and their transition from labs to businesses. Computers were initially used to sort and match checks by Stanford University and Bank of America. What we now know as MICR was really created by them.
How the MICR Font Came to Be

The American Banking Association gave its stamp of approval to the MICR font after its development by Stanford University and Bank of America. This typeface is called the E-13B font. Of the fourteen characters that make up E-13B, ten are numbers (from zero to nine) and four are symbols (Transit, Amount, On-Us, and Dash).

"E" stands for the fifth variation that was taken into consideration. When you see the letter B, it means the version has been revised twice. The 0.013-inch module construction that is utilized for stroke and letter width is where the number 13 is derived from. All horizontal and vertical character widths, from 0.052 to 0.091 inches, are thus in multiples of 0.013 inches. The importance of this will be elaborated upon later on in the article.
Readers for MICR

There are three different kinds of machines that can scan MICR codes. Both of these devices are known as MICR readers because of their ability to read magnetic characters. Thirdly, there's a device that can read OCR files.

Toner containing iron oxide, which can be magnetized, is used to print E-13B characters. The iron oxide particles are magnetized when MICR readers carry the checks with the E-13B magnetic characters past a magnet. A magnetic read head is subsequently used to scan the magnetized characters. An electric current flows through the read head as a result of the flux pattern, which is created by the magnetized characters. The reader is able to discern the characters based on the intensity and timing of this current.

There are two varieties of magnetic readers: those with one track (single gap or split scan) and those with several tracks (matrix or pattern).

Features of a Single-Track Reader
The magnetic flux pattern produced by the MICR character can be detected using a read head with one gap in one track. Electric voltage created by the magnetic flux from a magnetized E-13B printed character creates a waveform that is unique to each character as it goes over the tiny gap of the read head.

Reader Features with Multiple Tracks
In order to identify the magnetic flux pattern, the multiple track reader makes use of a grid of small, vertically aligned read heads. In order to identify magnetic flux, the tiny individual read heads slice across the character. A distinct matrix pattern is generated for every character through the gradual detection of magnetic flux.

In order to read the E-13B characters, an optical character reader does not rely on magnetic characteristics. On the contrary, it makes use of a scanner to measure the amount of light reflected off the character and the background. A photocell column can identify when a character's shadow is present.
Theory of Waveforms

Users scroll right to left as they read documents. So, the read head traverses the character's right side first. For a more in-depth explanation, examine the signal level that is generated by reading the character 0.

The gap picks up on the magnetism of the initial right-hand edge (edge 1) as the character goes from right to left under the read head. A positive peak, or peak 1, is formed as a result of the increase in magnetism. The wave shape goes back to zero signal level the second the right-hand edge passes the read head gap, where no additional magnetism is detected.

A -110 signal level is produced at peak 2 when the vertical read head detects a decrease in magnetism at the second edge. Once more, the waveform goes back to zero until the following inner ring component of the character is identified. Here, at peak 3, we can see that the magnetism has increased by 110. A negative peak (peak 4) of -130 is produced when the outer part of the character is read last.

As you move from the first right-hand edge to the next, make sure to insert the vertical edges every 0.013 inches. The five characters in question follow the same pattern as the number 0, with two positive peaks and two negative peaks, and they likewise appear in this pattern. The horizontal placement of the waveform peaks distinguishes the five characters (0, 2, 4, and 5) from one another. Although the amplitudes needed by the peaks are not uniform, they can range from 80% to 200% of the nominal amplitudes according to Canadian standards and 50% to 200% according to ANSI standards. This explains the peculiar character shapes and the significance of waveform location.
What Factors Influence the Signal Signal?

There are a lot of variables that can affect the signal strength. The level of the signal is affected by the concentration of iron oxide in the character. There are a lot of other parts of the cartridge (the "hot" OPCs) that regulate the pile height and how the toner is put out on the paper, thus these factors all contribute to this.

Positive or negative, the height of the peak is proportional to the height of the character's vertical edge. Reduced peak amplitude and flattening of the peak are effects of an irregular or non-vertical vertical edge.

Achieving accurate waveform detection requires:

* The waveform of a character must have all of its peaks identified. The reader sorter needs to be aware of the presence of the peak.

* It is expected that the peak will be at or near its predicted location.

It is not possible for there to be any noticeable "extra" peaks.

* Within a character, the signal levels of peaks cannot exhibit large fluctuations.

An Overview of MICR Printers and Their Accessories

For MICR printing to work, each printer needs its own special MICR typeface that's tailored to its engine and adjusted pixel-by-pixel to work with the magnetic toner that comes with it. When printing checks with the correct MICR characters, it is crucial to ensure that the waveform, dimension, and signal strength are correct. For your checks to be accepted by banks, the MICR font also needs to be ABA-X9 compliant.

It is imperative that you select a magnetic MICR toner that is engineered to work exclusively with your printer's print engine. Make sure the toner has passed all of the necessary tests for reliable signal readings, consistent picture quality, and sharp edges. There should be no unnecessary toner lay down and the toner coverage should be solid.

The more expensive, but guaranteed, OEM cartridges are the way to go. If you decide to go with a "compatible" brand, make sure it comes with fresh new image wiper blades, a black velvet magnetic sleeve, main charge rollers (PCRs), and an OPC drum. Only premium, low-abrasion MICR toner should be used in the hopper system.

If you want your vendor to meet ANSI X9 standards, they should use cutting-edge MICR testing equipment like a Verifier and Golden Qualifier. Also, the systems should be better than what's required for printing checks in the US and Canada.

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