US7197173B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated check processing system with check imaging and accounting
Assignee: Cummins Allison Corp
•
Filing: 2005-03-16
•
Granted: 2007-03-27
•
Expires: 2025-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past an image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the image scanner and the discrimination unit. The image scanner obtains an image of the documents, obtains an image of a selected area of the documents, and obtains information contained in the selected area of the document. The discrimination unit determines the authenticity of the document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Jones
- 👤 Paul A. Jones
- 👤 William J. Jones
- 👤 Ronald M. Gafron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:06
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/06; G07D7/12; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/042; G06Q20/0425; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/105; G06Q20/108; G06Q20/1085; G06Q20/18; G06Q20/20; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/02; G06T; G06T1/00; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/12; G06V30/127; G06V30/26; G06V30/262; G06V30/274; G07D11/00; G07D11/50; G07D7/1205; G07D7/20; G07F; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/202; G07F19/207; G07F7/00; G07F7/04; G07D7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for processing checks, comprising: an image processing device that receives a paper check, scans the received paper check to create a check image of at least one side of the paper check and obtains check information relating to the scanned paper check; a communications link over which the check image and obtained check information is communicated; and an accounting system connected to the communications link and operable to update a funds balance of a financial account associated with the paper check in response to the obtained and communicated check information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for processing checks, comprising: an image processing device that receives a paper check, scans the received paper check to create a check image of at least one side of the paper check and obtains check information relating to the scanned paper check; a communications link over which the check image and obtained check information is communicated; and an accounting system connected to the communications link and operable to update a funds balance of a financial account associated with the paper check in response to the obtained and communicated check information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the image processing device optically recognizes fields within the scanned paper check so as to extract field data as the check information relating to the paper check.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sorting mechanism for sorting the paper check into a bin that is designated for truncation of further processing of the paper check.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the image processing device scans the received paper check on both sides to create the check image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the accounting system stores check images.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein updating the funds balance of a financial account comprises debiting or crediting funds of the account.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the check image comprises an image file including an image portion containing image data and a data portion containing check information relating to the paper check.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the check information comprises at least one of a customer checking account number, bank number, federal reserve region, and a financial institution involved in payment of the paper check.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for sorting the images of checks into images relating to “on-us” checks and “transit” checks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a sorting mechanism to physically sort the paper checks into checks for which bank reconciliation of at least one account associated with the paper check is made based on the communicated check information and checks for which bank reconciliation of at least one account associated with the paper check is made based on the paper check.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 , the checks having a wide edge and a narrow edge, further comprising a transport mechanism operable to convey the checks along a transport path past the image processing device with their wide edges leading.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for check processing, comprising: receiving a paper check; scanning the received paper check to create a check image of at least one side of the paper check; obtaining check information relating to the scanned paper check; communicating the check image and obtained check information; and updating a funds balance of a financial account associated with the paper check in response to the communicated check information.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for check processing, comprising: receiving a paper check; scanning the received paper check to create a check image of at least one side of the paper check; obtaining check information relating to the scanned paper check; communicating the check image and obtained check information; and updating a funds balance of a financial account associated with the paper check in response to the communicated check information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein obtaining comprises optically recognizing fields within the scanned paper check so as to extract field data as the check information relating to the paper check.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising sorting the paper check into a location that is designated for truncation of further processing of the paper check.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein scanning comprises scanning the received paper check on both sides to create the check image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 , further including storing communicated check images.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein updating the funds balance of a financial account comprises debiting or crediting funds of the account.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 12 , further including the check image comprising an image file including an image portion containing image data and a data portion containing check information relating to the paper check.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the check information comprises at least one of a customer checking account number, bank number, federal reserve region, and a financial institution involved in payment of the paper check.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising truncating further processing of the paper check following scanning of the paper check.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising sorting the images of checks into images relating to “on-us” checks and “transit” checks.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising physically sorting the paper checks into checks for which bank reconciliation of at least one account associated with the paper check is made based on the communicated check information and checks for which bank reconciliation of at least one account associated with the paper check is made based on the paper check.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12 , the checks having a wide edge and a narrow edge, further comprising conveying the checks along a transport path past a device where the scanning is performed with their wide edges leading.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
94 words
A check processing network, comprising: a plurality of check imaging devices, each such device receiving paper checks, scanning the received paper checks to create check images of at least one side of the paper checks and obtaining check information relating to the scanned paper checks; a financial institution accounting system operating to receive the check images and update a funds balance of financial accounts associated with the paper checks in response to the obtained check information; and a data communications network interconnecting the plurality of check imaging devices and the financial institution accounting system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
94 words
A check processing network, comprising: a plurality of check imaging devices, each such device receiving paper checks, scanning the received paper checks to create check images of at least one side of the paper checks and obtaining check information relating to the scanned paper checks; a financial institution accounting system operating to receive the check images and update a funds balance of financial accounts associated with the paper checks in response to the obtained check information; and a data communications network interconnecting the plurality of check imaging devices and the financial institution accounting system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network of claim 24 further including a memory associated with the accounting system for storing the check images.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network of claim 24 wherein the data communications network is a local area network (LAN).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The network of claim 26 wherein the LAN utilizes a common bus architecture.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The network of claim 26 wherein the LAN utilizes a ring topology.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The network of claim 26 wherein the LAN utilizes a star topology.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The network of claim 24 further including a cluster controller for interfacing the plurality of check imaging devices and the financial institution accounting system through the data communications network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The network of claim 24 wherein the check information comprises check value.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The network of claim 31 , wherein updating the funds balance of financial accounts comprises debiting or crediting the accounts by the check value.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
The network of claim 24 , wherein each of the check imaging devices forms the check image to include an image portion storing image data and a data portion storing the check information relating to the paper check.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The network of claim 33 wherein the check information comprises information selected from the group consisting of check value, bank identification information, and checking account number.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The network of claim 24 , further comprising a sorting mechanism for sorting the paper checks into a bin that is designated for truncation of further processing of the paper checks.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network of claim 24 wherein the check information comprises check value, bank identification information, and checking account number.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The network of claim 24 wherein the data communications network comprises the Internet.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The network of claim 24 further comprising means for sorting the images of checks into images relating to “on-us” checks and “transit” checks.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
62 words
The network of claim 24 further comprising a sorting mechanism to physically sort the paper checks into checks for which bank reconciliation of at least one account associated with the paper check is made based on communicated check information and checks for which bank reconciliation of at least one account associated with the paper check is made based on the paper check.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
The network of claim 24 , the checks having a wide edge and a narrow edge, further comprising at each check imaging device a transport mechanism operable to convey the checks along a transport path past a device performing the scanning with their wide edges leading.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: scanning, at a first location, a paper check to create an electronic check image; truncating further processing of the paper check after scanning; obtaining information relating to the scanned paper check; electronically transmitting the electronic image and obtained check information to a second location; and reconciling at least one funds balance of an account associated with the paper check based on the electronically transmitted check information.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for processing checks, comprising: scanning, at a first location, a paper check to create an electronic check image; truncating further processing of the paper check after scanning; obtaining information relating to the scanned paper check; electronically transmitting the electronic image and obtained check information to a second location; and reconciling at least one funds balance of an account associated with the paper check based on the electronically transmitted check information.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the check information comprises check amount and reconciling the funds balance of the account comprises debiting or crediting the account by the check value.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the check information comprises bank identification information.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the check information comprises account number.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 41 further including electronically storing the electronic image and obtained check information.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 41 further comprising sorting the electronic images of checks into images relating to “on-us” checks and “transit” checks.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 41 further comprising physically sorting the paper checks into checks for which bank reconciliation of at least one account associated with the paper check is made based on the electronically transmitted check information and checks for which bank reconciliation of at least one account associated with the paper check is made based on the paper check.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 41 further comprising sorting the electronic images of checks into different image categories.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
67 words
A check processing system, comprising: an input receptacle receiving checks; an image scanner that scans the checks to generate electronic check image files containing an image portion storing image data and a data portion; a transport mechanism that transports the checks from the input receptacle past the image scanner; and a device to electronically tag the check image files with endorsement data stored in the data portion.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
67 words
A check processing system, comprising: an input receptacle receiving checks; an image scanner that scans the checks to generate electronic check image files containing an image portion storing image data and a data portion; a transport mechanism that transports the checks from the input receptacle past the image scanner; and a device to electronically tag the check image files with endorsement data stored in the data portion.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 49 wherein the transport mechanism transports the checks past the image scanner at a rate in excess of 800 checks per minute.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 49 wherein the image scanner further obtains information from fields within the checks and stores that information in the data portion of the image file.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 49 wherein the endorsement data tagged to the check image file comprises check account number and bank information stored in the data portion of the image file.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 49 further including an accounting system that receives the tagged check image files and updates a funds balance of a financial account associated with a customer depositing the checks by an amount of funds of the deposited checks.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 53 , further including: means for accepting identification from the customer associated with the financial account; and means for dispensing currency to the customer; the accounting system updating the funds balance of the financial account with respect to the dispensed currency.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 49 further including a user input device through which unrecognizable field information may be input for storage in the data portion of the image file.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 49 further including an interface through which tagged check image files are output to other financial institutions for further processing.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
54 words
A check processing method, comprising: receiving checks; scanning the checks with an image scanner to generate electronic check image files containing an image portion storing image data and a data portion; transporting the received checks past the image scanner; and electronically tagging the check image files with endorsement data stored in the data portion.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
54 words
A check processing method, comprising: receiving checks; scanning the checks with an image scanner to generate electronic check image files containing an image portion storing image data and a data portion; transporting the received checks past the image scanner; and electronically tagging the check image files with endorsement data stored in the data portion.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 57 wherein transporting comprises transporting the checks past the image scanner at a rate in excess of 800 checks per minute.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 57 further including optically recognizing information from fields within the checks and storing that information in the data portion of the image file.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 57 wherein the endorsement data tagged to the check image file comprises check account number and bank information stored in the data portion of the image file.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 57 further including updating, based on the tagged check image files, a funds balance of a financial account associated with a customer depositing the checks by an amount of the funds of the deposited checks.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 57 , further including: accepting identification from the customer associated with the financial account; and dispensing currency to the customer; updating the funds balance of the financial account with respect to the dispensed currency.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 57 further including a user input device through which unrecognizable field information may be input for storage in the data portion of the image file.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 57 further including outputting tagged check image files to other financial institutions for further processing.
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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) | 2010-03-26 | 2010-09-25 | 2011-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-03-26 | 2014-09-25 | 2015-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-03-26 | 2018-09-25 | 2019-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |