A
Concise Guide to MICR and Associated Technologies
By: Charles Katz
The
Sort-A-Matic system included 100 metal or leather
dividers numbered 00 through 99. Each check was
placed in the corresponding divider by the first
two numbers of the account. The sorting process
was then repeated for the next two digits of the
account number, and so on. When the process was
complete, the checks were grouped by account number.
Under
the Top Tab Key Sort system, small holes punched
at the top of the checks indicated the digits.
For instance, the first hole indicated the value
of the first digits (0, 1, 2, 3...) A metal "key"
was inserted through the holes to separate all
of the checks with the same value in the first
digit, and this step was repeated for each digit
until all the checks were sorted.
Both
of these systems worked, but they were time-consuming.
With the advent of the computer and its movement
from the laboratory into the business world, a
sorting and matching task seemed ideal. Stanford
University and Bank of America were the first
to successfully use computers to sort and match
checks. They developed what is now known as MICR.
The
Development of the MICR Font
The MICR font was developed by Stanford University
in conjunction with Bank of America and approved
by the American Banking Association. The font
is known as the E-13B font. E-13B has a total
of 14 characters: ten specially designed numbers
(0 through 9) and four special symbols (Transit,
Amount, On-Us, and Dash).
The
letter E indicates the fifth version considered.
The letter B indicates the second revision of
that version. The number 13 is derived from the
0.013-inch module construction used for stroke
and character width. This means that all character
widths, both horizontal and vertical, are in multiples
of 0.013 inches ranging from 0.052 to 0.091. The
significance of this will be explained more thoroughly
later in this article.
MICR
Readers
Three types of machines are used to read MICR
characters. The two that read the characters magnetically
are referred to as MICR readers. The third machine
is an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) reader.
E-13B
characters are printed with toner containing iron
oxide, which is capable of being magnetized. MICR
readers transport the checks containing the E-13B
magnetic characters past a magnet, thereby magnetizing
the iron oxide particles. The magnetized characters
then pass under a magnetic read head. The magnetic
field (flux pattern) caused by the magnetized
characters generates a current in the read head.
The strength and timing of this current allows
the reader to decipher the characters.
Magnetic
readers come in two types: single track (single
gap or split scan) and multiple track (matrix
or pattern) readers.
Single-Track Reader Characteristics
Single track uses a read head with one gap to
detect the magnetic flux pattern generated by
the MICR character. When a magnetized E-13B printed
character moves across the narrow gap of the read
head, the electric voltage caused by the magnetic
flux from the character generates a waveform unique
to each character.
Multi-Track
Reader Characteristics
The multiple track reader employs a matrix of
tiny, vertically aligned read heads to detect
the presence of the magnetic flux pattern. The
small individual read heads slice across the character
to detect the presence of magnetic flux. This
sensing of magnetic flux over time produces a
unique matrix pattern for each character.
An
OCR reader does not use magnetic properties to
detect the E-13B characters. Instead, it uses
a scanner to detect the amount of light reflected
from the character and the amount of light reflected
from the background. A photocell column detects
the presence of the dark area of a character.
Waveform
Theory
The readers move and read documents from right
to left. The right-hand edge of the character,
as a result, is the first to cross the read head.
Analysis of the signal level created by reading
the character 0 will help explain this in greater
detail.
As
the character moves from right to left under the
read head, the gap detects the magnetism of the
first right-hand edge (edge 1). This results in
the increase in magnetism and a positive peak
is created (peak 1). As soon as the right-hand
edge moves beyond the read head gap, no new magnetism
is found, and thus the wave form returns to the
zero signal level.
At
the second edge, the vertical read head detects
a drop in magnetism, which results in a -110 signal
level at peak 2. Again the waveform returns to
zero until the next portion of the inner ring
of the character is detected. At this point (peak
3), an increase in magnetism (+110) is indicated.
Finally, the outer portion of the character is
read, resulting in a negative peak (peak 4) of
-130.
The
placement of the vertical edges must occur in
increments of 0.013 inches from the first right-hand
edge. There are five characters that have two
positive and two negative peaks similar to the
character 0 and also appear in a positive-negative-positive-negative
format. They are 0, 2, 4, 5, and the transit character,
which are differentiated from one another by the
horizontal location of the peaks in the waveforms.
The peaks do require different amplitudes, but
ANSI standards allow them to vary from 50% to
200% of the nominal amplitudes (Canadian standards
allow them to vary from 80% to 200% of the nominal
amplitudes). This is why the placement of the
waveform is so important and why the characters
are shaped unusually.
What
Affects the Signal Level?
Signal level can vary based on a number of factors.
The amount of iron oxide (concentration) that
is present in the character will affect the signal
level. This is a function not only of the toner
itself, but also of how it is laid on the paper
and the pile height, which can be controlled by
numerous other cartridge components (i.e., "hot"
OPCs).
The
taller the vertical edge of the character, the
taller the peak (either positive or negative).
A vertical edge that is not regular and/or not
vertical will result in a reduction in the amplitude
of the peak and will flatten the peak out.
Keys
to proper waveform detection are:
All peaks in a character's waveform must be detected.
The reader sorter must know that the peak is there.
The peak must be located at or near its anticipated
location.
No significant "extra" peaks can be
present.
There cannot be wide variations in the signal
levels of peaks within a character.
What to Look for in MICR Printers and Consumables
Printers that are used for MICR printing must
have a unique MICR font that is modified to suit
the unique printer engine, and it must be modified
to the pixel level to match the magnetic toner
provided for that printer. This is essential to
ensure the correct waveform, dimension, and signal
strength when a check is printed with the correct
MICR characters. In addition, the MICR font must
meet ABA-X9 standards to ensure acceptance of
your checks by banking institutions.
The
magnetic MICR toner that you choose must be specifically
designed for the particular print engine in the
printer. Ensure the toner has been thoroughly
tested for consistent signal readings, image permanence
and uniformity, and excellent edge acuity. Toner
coverage must be solid with no extraneous toner
lay down.
OEM
cartridges are always a safe (but more expensive)
bet. If you buy a "compatible" brand,
ensure it has a new OPC drum, new primary charge
rollers (PCRs), a new black velvet magnetic sleeve,
and new image wiper blades. The hopper system
must be filled with high-quality, low-abrasion
MICR toner.
The
vendor you choose should use the latest and most
advance MICR test equipment, such as a Verifier
and Golden Qualifier to conform to ANSI X9 Standards.
It is also recommended that the systems exceed
U.S. and Canadian check printing standards.
Author
Bio
Charles Katz is CEO and founder of Printerm Datascribe
Inc., a distributor of band, shuttle matrix, dot
matrix, and ion deposition printers for various
manufacturers. In 1992, Printerm started its R&D
department to develop innovative MICR secure laser
check printers, MICR fonts, MICR toner, MICR check
software, removable security flash cards, and
secure digitizing. Reproductions of this article
are encouraged but must provide an html link pointing
to www.printerm.com
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