ISO INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 9144 First edition 1991-10-01 ANSl Internat Doc Sec Securities --- Optical character recognition line --- Position and structure Valeurs mobilieres -- Ligne de lecture optique -- Position et structure Reference number ISO 9144:1991(E) No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale ISO 9144:1991(E) 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, govern- mental 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 Draft international Standards adopted by the technica! committees are bodies casting a vote. International Standard IsO 9144 was prepared by Technical Committee ISsO/TC 68, Banking and related financiai services, Sub-Committee SC 4, Securities. Annexes A, B, C and D form an integral part of this International Stan- dard. C1SO1991 or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher. Internationat Organization for Standardization Case Postale 56 - CHf-1211 Geneve 20 - Switzerland Printed in Switzerland if Not for Resale nse fromIHS iSO 9144:1991(E) Introduction The optical reading of securities is an important step towards the further rationalization of securities processing since it results in lower handling costs, faster and more reliable processing, and thus facilitates controls. However, opticat reading does not release the recipient from carrying out customary authenticity checks. The definition of the location and structure of an Optical Character Rec- ognition (OCR) line as contained in this International Standard must satisfy both visual and machine readable requirements. The specific needs of the securities administration, securities printing, and OcR reading techniques are taken into account Benefits of OCR processing can only be achieved when a sufficiently high volume of OCR readable securities has been issued ili nited without license from IHS r networking permi Not for Resale