US6282523B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for processing checks to reserve funds
Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1998-06-29
•
Granted: 2001-08-28
•
Expires: 2018-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A bank device communicates with an account holder device, such as a telephone or computer operated by the account holder. The bank device receives therefrom check data that includes an account identifier, a check identifier, and an amount of funds. The account identifier indicates a financial account and the check identifier indicates a check drawn on the financial account. The amount of funds represents an amount to reserve for payment with the check. The bank device in turn makes the amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account so the account holder may not withdraw or otherwise remove the amount of funds. The bank device generates a code that indicates the check, and transmits the code to the account holder device. Subsequently, a payee, such as a merchant presented with the specified check, may verify that the check does indeed have an amount of funds reserved for payment therewith. The bank device receives the code from the payee, and determines the amount of funds that are reserved for payment with the check. An appropriate message that indicates the reserved amount of funds is transmitted to the payee.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel E. Tedesco
- 👤 James A. Jorasch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:53
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/042; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/108; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/12; G06Q40/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving check data that includes an account identifier, a check identifier, and an amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; making the amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account by transferring the amount of funds from the financial account; generating a code that indicates the check, wherein the code is generated by encrypting at least one of the account identifier, the check identifier, and the amount of funds; and transmitting the code.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving check data that includes an account identifier, a check identifier, and an amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; making the amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account by transferring the amount of funds from the financial account; generating a code that indicates the check, wherein the code is generated by encrypting at least one of the account identifier, the check identifier, and the amount of funds; and transmitting the code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , in which transferring the amount of funds from the financial account comprises: transferring the amount of funds from the financial account to an inaccessible account.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including an amount of funds that is unavailable for use in a financial account, the amount of funds reserved for payment with a check; and transmitting a message that indicates the amount of funds.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including an amount of funds that is unavailable for use in a financial account, the amount of funds reserved for payment with a check; and transmitting a message that indicates the amount of funds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: receiving a signal representing a request to ascertain whether the check has been claimed; determining whether the check has been claimed; and transmitting a message indicating whether the check has been claimed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising: if the check has not been claimed, storing an indication that the check has been claimed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 3 , in which the check data further includes: an account identifier that indicates the financial account, and a check identifier that indicates the check, the check being drawn on the financial account.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 , in which the message further indicates at least one of the financial account and the check.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: determining supplementary check data based on the code, the supplementary check data including an indication of at least one of an expiration date, a presentment period within which the check should be presented for payment, a payee, a bank maintaining the financial account, a time the code was generated, and whether the check was cashed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 , in which the message further indicates the supplementary check data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: receiving a request indicating a requested amount; and in which transmitting a message comprises: transmitting a message indicating whether the requested amount is greater than the amount of funds.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a signal indicating a request to pay on a check, the signal further representing a check identifier, an account identifier and a first amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; and making the first amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a signal indicating a request to pay on a check, the signal further representing a check identifier, an account identifier and a first amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; and making the first amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a code that is encrypted with an amount of funds, the amount of funds reserved for payment with a predetermined check; decrypting the code to determine the amount of funds; receiving a request indicating a requested amount and transmitting a message indicating whether the requested amount is greater than the amount of funds.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a code that is encrypted with an amount of funds, the amount of funds reserved for payment with a predetermined check; decrypting the code to determine the amount of funds; receiving a request indicating a requested amount and transmitting a message indicating whether the requested amount is greater than the amount of funds.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 12 , in which the code is further encrypted with an account identifier indicating a financial account and a check identifier indicating the predetermined check which is drawn on the financial account; and in which decrypting comprises: decrypting the code to determine the financial account and the check identifier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 12 , in which the code is further encrypted with an indication of at least one of: an expiration date, a presentment period within which a check should be presented for payment, a payee, a bank, and a time the code was generated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 12 , in which decrypting comprises: decrypting the code to determine at least one of: the expiration date, the presentment period within which the check should be presented for payment, the payee, the bank, and the time the code was generated.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving check data that include an account identifier indicating a financial account and a check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; determining whether the check data indicate an amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; determining whether the check has expired; and making the amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the check has expired.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving check data that include an account identifier indicating a financial account and a check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; determining whether the check data indicate an amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; determining whether the check has expired; and making the amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the check has expired.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 16 , in which determining whether the check has expired comprises: determining an expiration date based on the check data; determining a current date; and determining whether the current date is after the expiration date.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of a first amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the first amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receiving an indication of a second amount of funds; receiving an authorization identifier; determining whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, making unavailable for use in the financial account an amount of funds that is based on the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of a first amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the first amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receiving an indication of a second amount of funds; receiving an authorization identifier; determining whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, making unavailable for use in the financial account an amount of funds that is based on the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of an amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receiving a signal representing a request to make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account; receiving an authorization identifier; determining whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, making the amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of an amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receiving a signal representing a request to make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account; receiving an authorization identifier; determining whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, making the amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 19 , in which making the amount of funds available comprises: determining a current date; determining an authorization date based on the code; determining whether the current date is after the authorization date; and making the amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the current date is after the authorization date.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving check data that include an account identifier, a check identifier, and an amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; making the amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; generating a code that indicates the check; transmitting the code; receiving a signal indicating clearance of a check, the signal further representing the check identifier, the account identifier and a first amount of funds; determining, based on the account identifier and the check identifier, a second amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account; determining whether the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds; and making the second amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving check data that include an account identifier, a check identifier, and an amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; making the amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; generating a code that indicates the check; transmitting the code; receiving a signal indicating clearance of a check, the signal further representing the check identifier, the account identifier and a first amount of funds; determining, based on the account identifier and the check identifier, a second amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account; determining whether the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds; and making the second amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account; determining whether the check has been claimed; and transmitting a message indicating whether the check has been claimed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising: if the check has not been claimed, storing an indication that the check has been claimed.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive a signal indicating a request to pay on a check, the signal further representing a check identifier, an account identifier and a first amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; and make the first amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive a signal indicating a request to pay on a check, the signal further representing a check identifier, an account identifier and a first amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; and make the first amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving a signal indicating a request to pay on a check, the signal further representing a check identifier, an account identifier and a first amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; and making the first amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving a signal indicating a request to pay on a check, the signal further representing a check identifier, an account identifier and a first amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; and making the first amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive check data that include an account identifier indicating a financial account and a check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; determine whether the check data indicate an amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; determine whether the check has expired; and make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the check has expired.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive check data that include an account identifier indicating a financial account and a check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; determine whether the check data indicate an amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; determine whether the check has expired; and make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the check has expired.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving check data that include an account identifier indicating a financial account and a check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; determining whether the check data indicate an amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; determining whether the check has expired; and making the amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the check has expired.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving check data that include an account identifier indicating a financial account and a check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; determining whether the check data indicate an amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; determining whether the check has expired; and making the amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the check has expired.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive a code; determine check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of a first amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the first amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; receive an indication of a second amount of funds; receive an authorization identifier; determine whether the authorization identifier is valid; and if the authorization identifier is valid, make unavailable for use in the financial account an amount of funds that is based on the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive a code; determine check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of a first amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the first amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; receive an indication of a second amount of funds; receive an authorization identifier; determine whether the authorization identifier is valid; and if the authorization identifier is valid, make unavailable for use in the financial account an amount of funds that is based on the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
127 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of a first amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the first amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receiving an indication of a second amount of funds; receiving an authorization identifier; determining whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, making unavailable for use in the financial account an amount of funds that is based on the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
127 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of a first amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the first amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receiving an indication of a second amount of funds; receiving an authorization identifier; determining whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, making unavailable for use in the financial account an amount of funds that is based on the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive a code; determine check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of an amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receive a signal representing a request to make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account; receive an authorization identifier; determine whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive a code; determine check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of an amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receive a signal representing a request to make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account; receive an authorization identifier; determine whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
120 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of an amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receiving a signal representing a request to make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account; receiving an authorization identifier; determining whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, making the amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
120 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account, and an indication of an amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account, the amount of funds reserved for payment with the check; and receiving a signal representing a request to make the amount of funds available for use in the financial account; receiving an authorization identifier; determining whether the authorization identifier is valid; if the authorization identifier is valid, making the amount of funds available for use in the financial account.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
185 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive check data that include an account identifier, a check identifier, and an amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; make the amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; generate a code that indicates the check; transmit the code; receive a signal indicating clearance of a check, the signal further representing the check identifier, the account identifier and a first amount of funds; determine, based on the account identifier and the check identifier, a second amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account; determine whether the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds; and make the second amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
185 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive check data that include an account identifier, a check identifier, and an amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; make the amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; generate a code that indicates the check; transmit the code; receive a signal indicating clearance of a check, the signal further representing the check identifier, the account identifier and a first amount of funds; determine, based on the account identifier and the check identifier, a second amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account; determine whether the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds; and make the second amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving check data that include an account identifier, a check identifier, and an amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; making the amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; generating a code that indicates the check; transmitting the code; receiving a signal indicating clearance of a check, the signal further representing the check identifier, the account identifier and a first amount of funds; determining, based on the account identifier and the check identifier, a second amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account; determining whether the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds; and making the second amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving check data that include an account identifier, a check identifier, and an amount of funds, the account identifier indicating a financial account and the check identifier indicating a check drawn on the financial account; making the amount of funds unavailable for use in the financial account; generating a code that indicates the check; transmitting the code; receiving a signal indicating clearance of a check, the signal further representing the check identifier, the account identifier and a first amount of funds; determining, based on the account identifier and the check identifier, a second amount of funds that is unavailable for use in the financial account; determining whether the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds; and making the second amount of funds available for use in the financial account if the first amount of funds is not greater than the second amount of funds.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for processing checks, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: receive a code; determine check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account; determine whether the check has been claimed; and transmit a message indicating whether the check has been claimed.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing checks, the method comprising: receiving a code; determining check data based on the code, the check data including a check identifier that indicates a check drawn on a financial account; determining whether the check has been claimed; and transmitting a message indicating whether the check has been claimed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-02-26 | 2005-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2009-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-27 | 2013-02-26 | 2013-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |