Negotiable instrument processing apparatus
First Claim
1. A negotiable instrument processing apparatus comprising:
- an image reading unit that scans a negotiable instrument and outputs an image;
a threshold value determination unit that sets a threshold value used for digitizing an image, the threshold value based on a density level frequency distribution of gray scale image data being obtained from a first scanning area of the negotiable instrument when the image data reading unit scans the first scanning area, the first scanning area containing part of a printed text area where text is printed on the negotiable instrument and part of a background of the negotiable instrument; and
a digital conversion processing unit that digitizes and converts at least one image to digital image data based on the threshold value set by the threshold value determination unit, the at least one image being obtained from a second scanning area of the negotiable instrument when the image reading unit scans the second scanning area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for processing checks and other negotiable instruments efficiently captures MICR data required for electronic payment and an image of the check or negotiable instrument enabling the amount, payee, and other information printed or written on the check face to be clearly read. The image reading unit 11 of the check processing apparatus 110 scans and outputs a gray scale image of the check. A threshold value determination unit 12 sets a threshold value for digitizing the image data based on the density level frequency distribution of primary gray scale image data obtained by the image data reading unit scanning a first scanning area T. This first scanning area contains part of a printed text area 127 where text is printed on the negotiable instrument and part of the background 49 of the negotiable instrument. A digital image processor 20 digitizes and converts secondary gray scale image data to digital image data based on the threshold value set by the threshold value determination unit 12. The secondary gray scale image data is generated by the image reading unit 11 scanning a predefined second scanning area of the negotiable instrument.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A negotiable instrument processing apparatus comprising:
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an image reading unit that scans a negotiable instrument and outputs an image;
a threshold value determination unit that sets a threshold value used for digitizing an image, the threshold value based on a density level frequency distribution of gray scale image data being obtained from a first scanning area of the negotiable instrument when the image data reading unit scans the first scanning area, the first scanning area containing part of a printed text area where text is printed on the negotiable instrument and part of a background of the negotiable instrument; and
a digital conversion processing unit that digitizes and converts at least one image to digital image data based on the threshold value set by the threshold value determination unit, the at least one image being obtained from a second scanning area of the negotiable instrument when the image reading unit scans the second scanning area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A negotiable instrument processing method comprising the following steps:
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(a) scanning a first scanning area of a negotiable instrument and generating gray scale image data, the first scanning area containing part of a printed text area where text is printed on the negotiable instrument and part of a background of the negotiable instrument;
(b) generating a density level frequency distribution of the gray scale image data;
(c) determining a threshold value for digitizing an image based on the density level frequency distribution;
(d) scanning a second scanning area of the negotiable instrument to obtain an image; and
(e) digitizing the image obtained in step (d) based on the threshold value determined in step (c) to generate digital image data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A negotiable instrument processing method comprising the following steps:
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(a) scanning a first scanning area of a negotiable instrument and generating gray scale image data, the first scanning area containing part of a printed text area where text is printed on the negotiable instrument and part of a background of the negotiable instrument;
(b) generating a density level frequency distribution of the gray scale image data;
(c) determining a threshold value for digitizing an image based on the density level frequency distribution; and
(d) digitizing an image of a second scanning area of the negotiable instrument based on the threshold value determined in step (c) to generate digital image data.
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Specification