Automatic extraction of filled information from bankchecks

Presents a technique for extracting the filled information from bankchecks. We have analyzed the bankchecks characteristics and propose a model that can be used to locate and extract the filled information of any bankcheck. This model is based on prior knowledge about check layout structure and in check identification through reading the magnetic ink character recognition line. The redundant information, such as the background pattern, and printed lines and characters, is eliminated from the check image. We maintain a sample of the check´s background pattern stored and use it in order to eliminate the original background pattern from digitized checks. Next, the areas where the filled information is supposed to appear are extracted through a template. The baselines are eliminated using an approach based on projection profiles, while the printed characters are eliminated through a subtraction operation. Experimental results from testing real Brazilian bankchecks show that the proposed method is capable of extracting the filled items from bankchecks as an accuracy rate of 88.7-98.3%