US5748755A — Picture checks

Claim 1

Independent Claim 171 words

A method of composing a personalized document with a picture of a user of the document on each document comprising the steps of: a) capturing a real time video image of the user at a first site; immediately thereafter, b) converting the image to a digital image file using a video image capture board mounted in a personal computer; c) composing a portion of the personalized document as a graphics image file in the personal computer and adding personalized identifying data to the graphics image file; d) merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form the document; e) printing one or more of the personalized documents at the first site; and f) transferring the digital image file via modem and storing said digital image file in a host computer data base at a second site remote from the first site; and g) producing additional of the personalized documents at a document manufacturing plant remote from the first and second sites via communication with the host computer data base.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 171 words

A method of composing a personalized document with a picture of a user of the document on each document comprising the steps of: a) capturing a real time video image of the user at a first site; immediately thereafter, b) converting the image to a digital image file using a video image capture board mounted in a personal computer; c) composing a portion of the personalized document as a graphics image file in the personal computer and adding personalized identifying data to the graphics image file; d) merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form the document; e) printing one or more of the personalized documents at the first site; and f) transferring the digital image file via modem and storing said digital image file in a host computer data base at a second site remote from the first site; and g) producing additional of the personalized documents at a document manufacturing plant remote from the first and second sites via communication with the host computer data base.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the document is a bank check and the site is a bank.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 12 words

A bank check produced in accordance with the method of claim 2.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 1 wherein step a) is carried out utilizing a still video camera.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 wherein step c) is carried out utilizing a graphics input tablet or graphics display system and a check composition software package.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 1 wherein step e) is carried out utilizing a laser printer.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 1 wherein, for joint users, a real time video image is captured for each user.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the digital image file created in step b) is cropped and scaled to a required size and converted to an image file format.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 9 words

The document produced by the method of claim 1.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 162 words

Apparatus for producing a personalized bank check which includes a picture of an account holder comprising: an image capture device located at a bank site for capturing a real time video image of the account holder; means including a video image capture board for converting the account holder's image to a digital image file and for storing said digital image file in a memory device of a central processing unit located at another site remote from the bank site; means for composing the personalized bank check in the form of a graphics image file and for adding personalized text to the graphics image file; means for merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form a complete bank check format; means located at the bank site for printing the personalized bank check; and means for permitting said host computer to communicate with a check manufacturing plant located at a third site remote from said bank site and said another site.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 162 words

Apparatus for producing a personalized bank check which includes a picture of an account holder comprising: an image capture device located at a bank site for capturing a real time video image of the account holder; means including a video image capture board for converting the account holder's image to a digital image file and for storing said digital image file in a memory device of a central processing unit located at another site remote from the bank site; means for composing the personalized bank check in the form of a graphics image file and for adding personalized text to the graphics image file; means for merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form a complete bank check format; means located at the bank site for printing the personalized bank check; and means for permitting said host computer to communicate with a check manufacturing plant located at a third site remote from said bank site and said another site.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said central processing unit comprises a personal computer.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 11 and including a main host computer in communication with said personal computer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said image capture device comprises a VCR.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said image capture device comprises a camera.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said image capture device comprises a camcorder.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said printing means includes a laser printer.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said composing means includes a graphic input tablet and a graphics display system.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 162 words

Apparatus for producing a personalized identification document which includes a picture of an owner of the document comprising: an image capture device located at a first site for capturing an image of the owner; means including a video image capture board for converting said image to a digital image file and for storing said digital image file in a memory device of a central processing unit at a second site located remote from said first site; means for composing the personalized document in the form of a graphics image file and for adding personalized text to the graphics image file; means for merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form a complete document format including personalized text; means located at the first site for printing the personalized identification document; and means for permitting said host computer to communicate with a personalized production apparatus located at a remote manufacturing plant remote from both said first site and said second site.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 162 words

Apparatus for producing a personalized identification document which includes a picture of an owner of the document comprising: an image capture device located at a first site for capturing an image of the owner; means including a video image capture board for converting said image to a digital image file and for storing said digital image file in a memory device of a central processing unit at a second site located remote from said first site; means for composing the personalized document in the form of a graphics image file and for adding personalized text to the graphics image file; means for merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form a complete document format including personalized text; means located at the first site for printing the personalized identification document; and means for permitting said host computer to communicate with a personalized production apparatus located at a remote manufacturing plant remote from both said first site and said second site.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-05-04	2001-11-03	2002-05-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-05-04	2005-11-03	2006-05-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-05-04	2009-11-03	2010-05-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Picture checks

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