Xerox 6100BD - Phaser Color Laser Printer, Fundamentals

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Generic MICR Fundamentals Guide 5-1
5. Document processing
The life cycle for a MICR document involves three types of
processing equipment:
• Proof machine
• Reader sorter
• Repair station
Proof machine The proof machine transfers the amount from the Convenience
Amount field to the MICR encoded Amount field. It prints the
Amount field onto the check using either a thermal transfer or an
impact ribbon printer. The proof machine may be manually
operated or automated using a scanner and character
recognition technology.
Reader sorter The checks are then sent through a series of reader sorter
passes. The reader sorter inputs data from the checks, captures
each check image, endorses the checks, and sorts them
according to their destination.
The checks are separated into either “transit items” drawn on
other banks or On-Us items, drawn on the processing bank.
Transit items are segregated into different groups and may
receive several reader sorter passes, depending on the
destination.
Repair station If an error occurs in the reader sorter, the document usually goes
to a repair station. Here, the MICR line is read both magnetically
and optically, with operator intervention in severe cases. A new,
corrected MICR line is applied to the check.
The final measure of the quality of the MICR document is how
well it passes through the automated payment processing
system.