Image Data Lift for Damaged Check MICR Rebuild

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Solution Overview

Problem

Financial institutions face challenges in processing damaged deposit items, such as ripped, torn, or water-damaged checks, as existing systems struggle to read magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) lines, leading to inefficient manual processing and inconvenience for customers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an image data lift system that extracts readable information from damaged deposit items, rebuilds MICR data if the item is drawn on the same financial institution, and applies processing rules for automated processing, including provisional credit and duplicate detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated systems are used to process deposit items, then processing efficiency is improved, but the system cannot handle damaged items with unreadable MICR lines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidability to handle damaged items

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary process called 'image data lift' that acts as a bridge between damaged deposit items and the automated processing system. This intermediary extracts readable information from the image data of damaged items, enabling the automated system to process items that would otherwise be rejected due to damaged MICR lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/optical MICR reading system with an image-based information extraction system. Instead of relying on magnetic ink recognition that fails on damaged items, the system uses image processing and data extraction techniques to retrieve account information from visible fields of the deposit item.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual processing is used for damaged items, then all items can be processed, but customer convenience deteriorates and processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to process damaged itemsVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables damaged deposit items to process themselves through automated image data extraction and information rebuilding. The system automatically extracts readable information from the item image, rebuilds the MICR line data using available information and routing tables, and completes processing without requiring customer intervention or manual handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary information extraction and MICR line rebuilding automatically during the initial processing stage. By pre-extracting readable information from the image data and reconstructing account details before the actual processing decision, the system eliminates the need for subsequent manual intervention and expedites the overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If image data lift is performed to extract information from damaged items, then processing capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capability for damaged itemsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal processing framework where the image data lift and information extraction capabilities serve multiple functions. The same image processing infrastructure handles both standard and damaged items, and the extracted information is used for multiple purposes including MICR line rebuilding, duplicate detection, and processing decisions, thereby managing complexity through multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Extent of automation

If MICR information is rebuilt using payor information, then automated processing of damaged items is enabled, but accuracy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated processing of damaged itemsVSAvoidaccuracy of rebuilt MICR information

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the rebuilt MICR information is validated against multiple data sources including routing tables, account databases, and the original image data. The system cross-references extracted payor information with stored routing information and verifies consistency before finalizing the rebuilt MICR line, ensuring high accuracy through iterative validation and feedback loops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9519893B2Processing damaged items using image data lift

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for processing damaged items using image data lift are presented. In some embodiments, a computing platform may receive image data of a deposit item. Subsequently, the computing platform may determine whether a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line of the deposit item is readable. If the MICR line is not readable, the computing platform may perform an image data lift on the image data to extract information from one or more visible fields of the deposit item. Then, the computing platform may identify a payor of the deposit item based on the extracted information and may determine whether the deposit item is an on-us item. If the deposit item is an on-us item, the computing platform may rebuild MICR information for the deposit item. Thereafter, the computing platform may process the deposit item for deposit based on the rebuilt MICR information.