Method of evaluating checks deposited into a cash dispensing automated banking machine

A method comprising:

• (a) moving a check across a magnetic sensor and at least one optical sensor, wherein the magnetic sensor comprises a plurality of sensor elements arranged consecutively along at least one column, wherein the check includes a front face and an opposed rear face, wherein at least the front face includes a plurality of zones, wherein the plurality of zones include a Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) zone adjacent an edge of the check;
• (b) acquiring magnetic signals from each sensor element as the check moves across the magnetic sensor;
• (c) acquiring optical signals associated with the check from the at least one optical sensor;
• (d) through operation of at least one processor in an automated banking machine, associating each zone as being one of at least two types of zones responsive to the magnetic signals acquired in step (b), wherein the at least two types of zones include a first type and a second type, wherein an association with the first type of zone is indicative of the zone having a relatively larger surface area including relatively higher levels of measured magnetic signals associated therewith compared to an association with the second type of zone;
• (e) generating at least one grayscale image of at least one face of the check;
• (f) generating a plurality of different black and white images from the at least one grayscale image;
• (g) performing a plurality of optical tests responsive to the optical signals, including performing a plurality of optical tests on each of the black and white images, wherein the optical tests produce a result indicative of whether or not the check corresponds to a statistically normal check;
• and
• (h) through operation of the at least one processor in the automated banking machine, determining that the check is acceptable to be deposited into the automated banking machine responsive to the type of zone associated in step (d) with each zone and responsive to the optical tests in step (g).