# US 2013/0156291 A1 · Methods of operating an image-based check processing system to detect a double feed condition of checks and an apparatus therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0156291 A1 - Document ID: US20130156291A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/327,310 - Filed: 2011-12-15 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15 - Assignees: NCR Corporation - Inventors: Darryl S. O'Neill - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156291A1 ## CPC - G06V 30/2253: {Recognition of characters printed with magnetic ink (G06V30/2247 takes precedence)} - G07F 19/20: {Automatic teller machines [ATMs]} - B65H 2511/524: Multiple articles, e.g. double feed - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract A method is provided of operating an image-based check processing system to detect a double feed condition of checks. The method comprises attempting to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from front of a check item. The method also comprises electronically by a rear imaging camera, capturing image data which is representative of a rear image of the check item as the check item is transported from an upstream end of the document feed path to a downstream end of the document feed path. The method further comprises alerting an operator when information from the attempted read of a MICR codeline from front of the check item and information from the rear image of the check item meet predetermined criteria which is indicative the check item comprising two overlapping checks. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating an image-based check processing system to detect a double feed condition of checks, the method comprising: attempting to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from front of a check item; electronically by a rear imaging camera, capturing image data which is representative of a rear image of the check item as the check item is transported from an upstream end of the document feed path to a downstream end of the document feed path; and alerting an operator when information from the attempted read of a MICR codeline from front of the check item and information from the rear image of the check item meet predetermined criteria which is indicative the check item comprising two overlapping checks. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises (i) a MICR codeline is readable from front of the check item, and (ii) the rear image of the check item is indicative of the check item being upside right and backwards in the document feed path. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method according to claim 2, further comprising: electronically by a front imaging camera, capturing image data which is representative of a front image of the check item as the check item is transported from the one end of the document feed path to the other end of the document feed path. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A method according to claim 3, further comprising: attempting an optical character recognition (OCR) read of the front image of the check item; and alerting an operator when an OCR read of the front image of the document item indicates that a MICR codeline in the front image contains three or more transit Q symbols. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A method according to claim 3, further comprising: attempting an optical character recognition (OCR) read of the front image of the check item; and alerting an operator when an OCR read of the front image of the check item indicates that the MICR codeline in the front image contains three or more amount Q symbols. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) A method according to claim 3, further comprising: attempting an optical character recognition (OCR) read of the front image of the check item; and alerting an operator when an OCR read of the front image of the check item indicates that a MICR codeline in the front image contains three or more account symbols. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises (i) a MICR codeline is readable from front of the check item, and (ii) the rear image of the check item is indicative of the check item being upside down in the document feed path. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A method according to claim 7, further comprising: electronically by a front imaging camera, capturing image data which is representative of a front image of the check item as the check item is transported from the one end of the document feed path to the other end of the document feed path. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, further comprising: attempting an optical character recognition (OCR) read of the front image of the check item; and alerting an operator when an OCR read of the front image of the check item indicates that a MICR codeline in the front image contains three or more transit Q symbols. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, further comprising: attempting an optical character recognition (OCR) read of the front image of the check item; and alerting an operator when an OCR read of the front image of the check item indicates that a MICR codeline in the front image contains three or more amount Q symbols. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, further comprising: attempting an optical character recognition (OCR) read of the front image of the check item; and alerting an operator when an OCR read of the front image of the check item indicates that a MICR codeline in the front image contains three or more account symbols. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a computer having a memory executing one or more programs of instructions which are tangibly embodied in a program storage medium readable by the computer. ### Claim 13 A method of operating an image-based check processing system to detect a double feed condition of checks, the method comprising: attempting to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from front of a check item; electronically by an imaging camera, capturing image data which is representative of a front image of the check item as the check item is transported along the document feed path from an upstream end of the document feed path to a downstream end of the document feed path; based upon information from the attempted read of a MICR codeline from the check item and information from the front image of the check item, determining a number of check symbols associated with the front image of the check item; and alerting an operator when the number of check symbols associated with the front image of the check item is at least a predetermined number. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, wherein (i) the check symbol comprises transit Q symbols associated with a check, (ii) the predetermined number is three, and (iii) an operator is alerted when the number of transit Q symbols associated with the front image of the check item is at least three. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, wherein (i) the check symbol comprises amount Q symbols associated with a check, (ii) the predetermined number is three, and (iii) an operator is alerted when the number of amount Q symbols associated with the front image of the check item is at least three. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, wherein (i) the check symbol comprises account symbols associated with a check, (ii) the predetermined number is three, and (iii) an operator is alerted when the number of account symbols associated with the front image of the check item is at least three. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13, wherein the method is performed by a computer having a memory executing one or more programs of instructions which are tangibly embodied in a program storage medium readable by the computer. ### Claim 18 A check processing apparatus comprising: a document feed mechanism having a document feed path; a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline reader arranged to read a MICR codeline from front of a check item as the check item is transported along the document feed path from an upstream end of the document feed path to a downstream end of the document feed path; a first imaging camera arranged to capture image data which is representative of a front image of a check item as the check item is transported along the document feed path; a second imaging camera arranged to capture image data which is representative of a rear image of a check item as the check item is transported along the document feed path; a first optical character recognition (OCR) reader arranged to perform an OCR read of a captured front image of a check item as the check item is transported along the document feed path; a second OCR reader arranged to perform an OCR read of a captured rear image of a check item as the check item is transported along the document feed path; a number of pockets located at the downstream end of the document feed path; and a processor programmed to (i) process data from a MICR codeline read from front of a check item by the MICR reader, (ii) process data from an OCR read of a captured rear image of the check item by the second OCR reader, and (iii) control the document feed mechanism to transport the check item to a particular pocket when processed data is indicative of the check item comprising two overlapping checks. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A check processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the processor is further programmed to (iv) process data from an OCR read of a captured front image of the check item by the first imaging camera to determine a number of check symbols associated with the captured front image of the check item, and (v) control the document feed mechanism to transport the check item to a particular pocket when the number of check symbols associated with the front image of the check item is at least a predetermined number. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A check processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the processor is further programmed to (iv) process data from a MICR codeline read from front of the check item by the MICR reader to determine if the check item in the document feed path is a personal type of check, (v) process data from an OCR read of a captured front image of the check item by the first imaging camera to determine if image length is greater than a predetermined length, and (vi) control the document feed mechanism to transport the check item to a particular pocket when the check item is determined to be a personal type check and the image length is determined to be greater than the predetermined length.