Within the world of payment processing is the rapidly changing world of check processing.  We have significant experience designing checkreaders from specification through mechanical validation and software development. 

We are among the leaders in Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, having build algorithms for the Checkmate Electronics line of readers.  Further we knowledgeable and current on the changing regulations involving Check processing, whether it be Check 21 or the NACHA Check Conversion specifications.

We have written software to communicate with many of the nations largest check processors, developed embedded applications to create images necessary to support collections.

Low cost checkreaders actually have very exacting mechanical requirements in terms of speed stability and transport characterization.  Checks come in many states, very rarely are they the nice pristine document torn out of one's checkbook.  Rather most checks at the point of sale are folded, crinkled or torn, many have been carried in wallets for months.  This makes the design of a mechanism critical to its success.

While at Checkmate Electronics, I led the team that redesigned the plastic molds for the industry leading checkmate CM430 checkreader. I then led Checkmates development of the next generation CM2500 checkreader which improved upon Checkmate industry leading read rate while significantly reducing the Bill of Material cost and manufacturing complexity.  I led the electronic design, software and mechanical team while working directly on the recognition system and device interfaces.  The primary market focus of the Checkmate readers was the "integrated" market, devices that connected to and communicated directly with cash registers via a large number of proprietary protocols.

The next check project was a redesign of the mechanism and electronics of the CM3000 (Check Manager 3000), a dial market checkreader designed by IVI prior to the merger of IVI and Checkmate Electronics.  While the product was well received by the market, it was not efficiently manufacturable and many components were near end of life.  As such, we had to identify the manufacturing deficiencies working with the Contract Manufacture and redesign the electronics on a rapid turn to keep the product shipping.

And finally, at 4Access Communications, I was involved in the requirements, design  of all aspects including mechanical, industrial design and hardware design while officially leading the software development team which developed Linux kernel,  embedded dsp applications, root filesystem, user application and support library development for the Orion "All-in-One" imaging checkreader and card terminal which communicates via dial and IP with the processing entities.