Check accepting and cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method

1. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a check in an automated banking machine including at least one cash dispenser, at least one input device adapted to receive at least one identifying input from each user of the machine, at least one check reading device and at least one computer;

(b) reading optical indicia and magnetic indicia from the check through operation of the at least one reading device to produce image data;

(c) determining through operation of the at least one computer responsive to the optical indicia read from the check, a location of a micr line in image data corresponding to the optical indicia read from the check;

(d) determining through operation of the at least one computer responsive to the magnetic indicia read from the check that the magnetic indicia corresponds to the micr line in the image data.

2. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:

responsive to the determination in step (d),

(e) cancelling the check through operation of the machine;

(f) dispensing cash from the machine through operation of the at least one cash dispenser.

3. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising, prior to (f) receiving at least one identifying input from a user providing the check in (a), and at least one of:

(g) determining through operation of the at least one computer, amount data included in the image data, and determining that the amount data is below a limit, wherein data corresponding to the limit is stored in at least one data store in association with the user;

(h) determining through operation of the at least one computer, a maker associated with data included in the micr line, and determining if data associating the user with the maker is included in at least one data store;

(i) determining through operation of the at least one computer responsive to data stored in at least one data store, if a delay period has passed since the user last received cash for a check presented at an automated banking machine in operative connection with the at least one computer; and

(j) determining through operation of the at least one computer if the user is entitled to receive an incentive based on data stored in at least one data store.

4. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising

(e) determining through operation of the at least one computer whether substantial magnetic indicia read from the check through operation of the at least one reading device, is in at least one area of the image data other than the location of the micr line.

5. The method according to claim 4 and further comprising;

(f) responsive to the determination in (e), operating the at least one computer to cause cash to be dispensed.

6. The method according to claim 4 and further comprising:

(f) responsive to the determination in (e), operating at least one computer not to dispense cash from the machine in exchange for the check.

7. The method according to claim 4 wherein in (e) the at least one area corresponds to an area having preprinted indicia on the check located outside of the micr line.

8. The method according to claim 4 wherein (e) includes imposing at least one electronic template on the image data through operation of the at least one computer.

9. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:

(e) determining through operation of the at least one computer at least one monetary amount included in the image data;

(f) responsive to the determinations in (d) and (e), operating the at least one computer to cause cash value to be dispensed from the machine responsive to the at least one monetary amount.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein (e) comprises determining at least two monetary amounts corresponding to data included in the image data, and further comprising, prior to (f) analyzing through operation of the at least one computer the amounts for a relationship, wherein in (f) cash value is dispensed responsive to the at least two monetary amounts having the relationship.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein (c) comprises imposing at least one electronic template on the image data through operation of the at least one computer, the at least one template including at least one area, and analyzing data within the at least one area.

12. The method according to claim 11 and prior to (c) further comprising, through operation of the at least one computer adjusting the image data for skew of the check during reading in (b).

13. An article bearing computer executable instructions operative to cause at least one computer in an automated banking machine to carry out the method steps recited in claim 1 .

14. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:

(e) analyzing the magnetic indicia through operation of the at least one computer to determine if magnetic indicia is present in areas of the check other than areas where magnetic indicia is appropriate on a genuine check.

15. The method according to claim 14 and further comprising:

(f) responsive to the analysis in (e) resulting in a determination that magnetic indicia is not present in areas not appropriate on a genuine check, operating the at least one computer to cause cash to be dispensed from the machine.

16. The method according to claim 15 and further comprising:

(g) operating the at least one computer to cause the machine to cancel the check.

17. The method according to claim 16 and further comprising:

(h) determining through operation of the at least one computer, at least one monetary amount included in the image data, wherein in (f) an amount of cash is dispensed from the machine that is associated with the at least one monetary amount.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein in (h) a legal amount and a courtesy amount is determined from the image data.

19. The method according to claim 18 and further comprising:

(i) prior to (f) determining through operation of the at least one computer if the legal amount corresponds to the courtesy amount, wherein (f) is carried out responsive to correspondence between the legal amount and the courtesy amount.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein (c) includes electronically imposing at least one template on the image data through operation of the at least one computer.

21. The method according to claim 20 and further comprising:

(j) adjusting image data for skew of the check during reading in (b) through operation of the at least one computer.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein in (j) the image data is transposed into a rectangular coordinate system.

23. The method according to claim 22 and further comprising, prior to (f) receiving at least one identifying input from a user providing the check in (a), and at least one of:

(k) determining through operation of the at least one computer, amount data included in the image data, and determining that the amount data is below a limit stored in a data store in association with the user;

(l) determining through operation of the at least one computer, a maker associated with data included in the micr line, and determining if data associating the user with the maker is included in at least one data store;

(m) determining through operation of the at least one computer responsive to data stored in at least one data store, if a delay period has passed since the user last received cash for a check presented at an automated banking machine in operative connection with the at least one computer; and

(n) determining through operation of the at least one computer if the user is entitled to receive an incentive based on data stored in at least one data store.

24. The method according to claim 23 and further comprising:

(o) operating the at least one computer to send image data corresponding to an image of at least one side of the check, from the machine to a remote computer.

25. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:

(e) operating the at least one computer to send image data corresponding to an image of at least one side of the check, from the machine to a remote computer.