METHODS OF OPERATING AN IMAGE-BASED SELF-SERVICE CHECK DEPOSITING TERMINAL TO PROVIDE ENHANCED CHECK IMAGES AND AN APPARATUS THEREFOR

A method of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal having an optical character recognition (OCR) reader comprises the steps of (a) receiving from a self-service depositor a check to be deposited, (b) illuminating the check with infrared radiation, (c) capturing a first image of the check while the check is illuminated with infrared radiation, (d) processing the first check image to provide an enhanced image of the check, and (e) applying OCR techniques to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from the enhanced check image.