IRIS an image recognition and interpretation system for the Dutch Postbank

KPN Research has developed an all-purpose check recognition system for the Dutch Postbank. This image recognition and interpretation system (IRIS) is the result of more than thirty years of research and development and contains four major functionalities: (1) determination of the way a check is filled in; (2) recognition of the amount and account fields; (3) recognition of the postcode; and (4) signature verification. The IRIS system recognizes a large percentage of amount and account fields on checks without any human intervention. The system has a high field and a very low substitution error rate. The recognition results are used as direct input for the financial transaction system. In this respect the system is unique in the world The system has proven itself in operation during the last two years