Improved check reader

The present invention is an improved check reader which, in addition to having magnetic ink character recognition capabilities, includes image sensing capabilities. A compact housing is provided which receives a document. Mounted on the housing are an imaging assembly, and a magnetic ink character reader, which form an indicia-determining unit, and a transport mechanism for transporting the indicia-determining unit and a received document relative to one another. The check reader further includes a data format engine in communication with the indicia-determining unit. When a document and the indicia-determining unit are transported relative to one another, the data-format engine captures a first electronic representation of indicia formed on the received document, and a second electronic representation of magnetic ink indicia on the received document.