ISO 1004-1:2013
(Main)Information processing — Magnetic ink character recognition — Part 1: Print specifications for E13B
Information processing — Magnetic ink character recognition — Part 1: Print specifications for E13B
ISO 1004-1:2013 specifies the shape, dimensions, magnetic signal level, and tolerances for the E-13B characters which include 10 numerals and four special symbols printed in magnetic ink and used for the purpose of character recognition. It describes the various known types of printing defects and other printing considerations, together with the tolerances permitted.
Traitement de l'information — Reconnaissance des caractères à encre magnétique — Partie 1: Spécifications d'impression E13B
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 1004-1
First edition
2013-06-01
Information processing — Magnetic
ink character recognition —
Part 1:
Print specifications for E13B
Traitement de l’information — Reconnaissance des caractères à
encre magnétique —
Partie 1: Spécifications d’impression E13B
Reference number
©
ISO 2013
© ISO 2013
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ii © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Character configuration . 1
2.1 Designation . 1
2.2 Dimensions . 2
3 Character spacing and alignment . 2
3.1 Spacing . 2
3.2 Alignment . 2
4 Character skew . 2
5 Character tolerances . 3
5.1 Dimensions . 3
5.2 Average edge definition . 3
5.3 Average edge tolerance . 3
5.4 Edge irregularity tolerance . 3
5.5 Extraneous ink — attached .12
5.6 Minimum width of horizontal bars .13
6 Voids .13
6.1 Maximum allowable single voids .13
6.2 Maximum allowable combined voids .13
7 Uniformity of ink distribution .13
8 Extraneous ink .15
8.1 Magnetic .15
8.2 Nonmagnetic .15
8.3 Extraneous ink front .17
8.4 Extraneous magnetic ink back.17
9 Debossment .17
10 Embossment .17
11 Signal level .18
11.1 Definition of signal level .18
11.2 Nominal signal level .18
11.3 Relative signal level .18
12 Paper .19
13 Format .19
13.1 Reference edges .19
13.2 Clear band (MICR) .33
13.3 Optical clear band .33
14 Optical clear band background .34
14.1 General .34
14.2 Background reflectance .34
14.3 Print contrast signal (PCS) — Magnetic ink printed character .34
14.4 Print contrast signal (PCS) — Within the background . .34
15 Permanence of MICR printing .34
15.1 Permanence specification.34
Annex A (informative) Debossment of E-13B font .35
Annex B (informative) MICR Document Sampling References .36
Annex C (informative) Paper Characteristics for MICR .37
Annex D (informative) Unit conversion tables .43
Bibliography .45
iv © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2. www.iso.org/directives
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received. www.iso.org/patents
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 68, Financial services, Subcommittee SC 7,
Core banking.
This first edition of ISO 1004-1, together with ISO 1004-2, cancels and replaces ISO 1004:1995, which
has been technically revised.
ISO 1004 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information processing — Magnetic ink
character recognition:
— Part 1: Print specifications for E13B
— Part 2: Print specifications for CMC7
Annexes A to D of this International Standard are for information only.
Introduction
The characters specified in this part of ISO 1004 were developed initially for use in banks to permit
automatic document handling for financial institution data processing, but they have application to
other automatic handling systems as well.
vi © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 1004-1:2013(E)
Information processing — Magnetic ink character
recognition —
Part 1:
Print specifications for E13B
1 Scope
This part of ISO 1004 specifies the shape, dimensions, magnetic signal level, and tolerances for the E-13B
characters which include 10 numerals and four special symbols printed in magnetic ink and used for the
purpose of character recognition. It describes the various known types of printing defects and other
printing considerations, together with the tolerances permitted.
2 Character configuration
2.1 Designation
The series of standard magnetic ink characters shall consist of 10 numerals and four special symbols.
They shall be identified as follows:
Name Character appearance
One (1)
Two (2)
Three (3)
Four (4)
Five (5)
Six (6)
Seven (7)
Eight (8)
Nine (9)
Zero (0)
Symbol 1 (Transit)
Symbol 2 (Amount)
Symbol 3 (On-us)
Symbol 4 (Dash)
2.2 Dimensions
Detailed dimensions and the reference centre-lines of the printed characters for the 10 numerals and
four special symbols shall be as shown in Figure 1 to Figure 14.
Figure 15 illustrates the character design matrix. All radii are 0,16
...
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