Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!SXNAHM@bbng From: SXNAHM@bbng@sri-unix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.micro Subject: OCR and Checks Message-ID: <1870@sri-arpa.UUCP> Date: Tue, 7-Jun-83 20:21:00 EDT Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.1870 Posted: Tue Jun 7 20:21:00 1983 Date-Received: Mon, 13-Jun-83 09:39:21 EDT Lines: 75 A while back I sent out an inquiry about reading the bank codes found on the bottom of returned checks (the codes include check number and amount). Several people told me that MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) is used by the banks. The numbers are enocded in magnetic ink, and the check is read in a manner similar to audio tapes. MICR, while great for high volume, high throughput applications of the banks, seemed too expensive and specialized for personal computer use. I therefore visited the local Sears store where I had seen an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) device being used. The name on the device led me to this company: Recognition Equipment Incorporated P.O. Box 222307 Dallas, Texas 75222 (214) 579-6000 They mailed me some literature for several devices they sell. One was a slot reader, meant specifically for checks. Nice, but again too specialized. The device I had seen at Sears was their OCR WAND* Reader. The electronics for this device can be programmed for several OCR fonts. One of them, OCR-A, looks compatible with the numbers found on checks. The OCR WAND* has a serial RS-232 output interface, plus a parallel 8-bit TTL interface. A call to the marketing department reveals that the OCR WAND retails for $1888 (ouch!). They have a few distributors, but I didn't contact any. A search for info on OCR standards led me to ISO standard 2033. I ordered it from ANSI (1430 Broadway, New Yorn, N.Y. 10018) - $15 plus $4 for shipping. 2033 is a scant seven page document (I recommend you try to get your library to order it, although dealing directly with ANSI took nearly two months). There's not a whole lot in 2033. It shows 4-bit and 8-bit representations for fonts OCR-A, OCR-B and something called CMC-7. The latter has the characters represented by zebra stripes, similar to bar codes, but shaped as characters. The May Computer magazine (IEEE Computer Society) has an article on Optical Scanning Devices (Pages 13-24). OCR is one of the applications mentioned, and I took heart in reading, "OCR input devices may eventually be attached to even the smallest computer systems, complementing the keyboard for alphanumeric entry." Recognition's OCR WAND is pictured on page 20 of the article, and apparently the device uses an "integrated linear array." The linear array provides the Y-axis for the scan, and moving the wand across the characters provides the X-axis scan. The price range shown in the article was $1000, which matches pretty well what Recognition says. The article has a bibliography of Optical Scanning articles, plus a list of vendors of related products. I would be very interested if anyone has seen OCR wands of any type on the surplus market, and what price is asked. I don't mind doing my own programming and basic electrical, electronic hook-up, but I'd rather not try to design such a device from scratch. Thanks to all who replied to my first message. Steve Nahm ----- * OCR WAND is a U.S. Registered Trademark of Recognition Equipment Incorporated.