Where are MICK characters used?
Introduction to Information Technology
Computer Science Engineering
515
Seema
MICR, which is pronounced as mick-er, is commonly used by banks and other financial institutions to accelerate the processing and clearance of checks. Retailers also often use MICR readers to minimize their exposure to check fraud. The magnetic ink character recognition line enables a computer to rapidly read and record numbers or other information from printed documents, such as a personal check. In this case, that information is a check number, routing number, and account number.
The Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) line is a special line of numbers and characters printed on documents such as checks and bank statements. It uses a unique combination of magnetic ink and specific fonts to enable machines to read and process the information quickly and accurately. Here's how the MICR line works:
Printing Process: The MICR line is typically printed using a special ink containing iron oxide particles. This ink is magnetizable, which means it can be read by magnetic scanners. The MICR line is printed with precise specifications, including the font, size, and placement of characters.
Magnetic Field: MICR readers or scanners use a magnetic field to read the information on the MICR line. The scanner consists of a magnetic read head or sensor, which detects the magnetic signals produced by the ink characters.
Character Encoding: The characters in the MICR line are encoded using a specific font known as the E-13B font. This font consists of a set of characters that are uniquely designed to be recognizable by the MICR readers. The characters include numbers (0-9) and several special symbols.
Magnetic Signal: When the MICR line passes through the scanner, the magnetic read head detects the magnetic signals generated by the iron oxide particles in the ink. Each character in the MICR line produces a specific pattern of magnetic signals.
Character Recognition: The scanner analyzes the magnetic signals and matches them to the corresponding characters in the E-13B font. By comparing the detected magnetic patterns with the expected patterns for each character, the scanner can accurately identify the characters on the MICR line.
Data Extraction: Once the characters are recognized, the scanner extracts the relevant data encoded in the MICR line. In the case of checks, this typically includes the bank's routing number, the account number, and the check number.
Processing and Validation: The extracted data is then processed and validated by banking systems. The routing number helps identify the bank and branch, while the account number specifies the account associated with the check. This information is used for various banking operations, such as depositing or withdrawing funds.
By utilizing the magnetic properties of the ink and the standardized character encoding, MICR technology provides a reliable and efficient method for automated reading and processing of important financial documents.
The MICR code consists of 9-digit and the first three-digit indicate the city code. Further, the next three-digit signifies the bank code. Lastly, the final three-digit represent the branch code. Check this example: The MICR code of one of the Chennai SBI branches may represent 600002025.