System and method for gathering customer information for completing check cashing transactions

• US 20020113122A1
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Secure Check Cashing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ghassan Brikho
• Inventors: Brikho, Ghassan
• Granted Patent: US 6,592,029 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0425 the cheque being electronic only
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs

Abstract

A system and method for assisting a commercial retailer in gathering customer information necessary to complete a check-cashing transaction. A computer readable and writeable media includes a program operating platform and a software program loaded into the operating platform. The program includes a main menu screen and a plurality of individual customer information screens containing records of each customer within the system. In the absence of an existing customer record, a new record can be created utilizing a variety of multi-media components including a keyboard, digital camera, digital scanner, and digital fingerprint unit. The system further includes the ability to display and to print out information particular to checks presented by customers, such information including paid/refused status and additional check history information. An additional feature of the system and method is the ability to network connect a plurality of the individual and retail located systems in order for any one retailer to share information, such as pertaining to bad checks, with all of the participating systems.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a commercial retailer in gathering customer information necessary to complete a check cashing transaction, said method comprising the steps of:

searching for an existing computerized record of the customer on a localized database established at the commercial retail location;

creating, in the absence of an existing record, a new record for the customer, said step of creating further including inputting an identification number particular to the customer;

inputting into said new record information selected from the group including the customer'"'"'s name and date of birth;

scanning additional customer information into said new record, said additional information comprising biometric information drawn from the group including at least one photograph and at least one fingerprint;

scanning into said record at least one check; and

cataloging said check by history and pay status.

2. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of establishing a network connection between a plurality of individual and localized databases, said network connection further comprising permitting a selected retailer to transfer bad check information to other retailers subscribed to said network.

3. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of printing a check cashing identification card for the customer, said identification card drawing upon said inputted and scanned information.

4. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of printing said customer identification, said biometric information, and said checks and check history.

5. The method as described in claim 1, said step of searching for an existing record further comprising the customer scanning a fingerprint.

6. The method as described in claim 1, said step of searching for an existing record further comprising keyboard entering the customer'"'"'s name.

7. The method as described in claim 1, said step of searching for an existing record further comprising scanning a list of existing customer records.

8. The method as described in claim 1, said step of inputting an identification number to create a new record further comprising inputting information selected from the group including federal social security numbers and stated driver'"'"'s license numbers.

9. The method as described in claim 1, said step of cataloging said check history further comprising listing scanned checks with information drawn from the group including pay/refused status, name upon which the check is drawn, and customer/presenter name.

10. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of scanning, to a specified check catalog history and pay status, additional checks.

11. A system for assisting a commercial retailer in gathering customer information necessary to complete a check cashing transaction, said system comprising:

a computer readable and writeable media having a program operating platform, within which a software program is installed, and establishing a localized database at the commercial retail location;

said program including a main menu screen and at least one customer information screen accessible from said main screen and comprising an existing customer record;

input means accessible from said main menu screen for creating, in the absence of an existing customer information screen, a record of a new customer, said input means drawing from multi-media components selected from the group including a keyboard and digital camera, scanner, and fingerprint units;

presentation means, in cooperation with said input means, for cataloging and listing a plurality of checks by history and pay status; and

a network connection established between a plurality of individual and retail located systems for exchanging check information.

12. The system as described in claim 11, said computer readable and writeable media further comprising a personal computer with a hard drive, memory, monitor display and input ports accessed by said multi-media components.

13. The system as described in claim 12, said personal computer further comprising at least one output port connected to a printer for outputting a tangible record of the customer drawn from said input means and said presentation means.

14. The system as described in claim 11, said customer record further comprising a name, an address, an identification number, a photograph, at least one fingerprint, and a subset plurality of checks associated with said customer.

15. The system as described in claim 14, said customer identification number further comprising a social security number.

16. The system as described in claim 14, said customer identification number further comprising a driver'"'"'s license number.

17. The system as described in claim 11, said presentation means further comprising listing checks by pay/refused status, name upon which check is drawn, and customer/presenter name.

19. The program according to claim 18, further comprising a fourth subroutine for transmitting check information with additional and remotely located systems throughout an established network.

20. The program according to claim 18, said program being installed upon a CD Rom.

18. A software program embodying a computer code for use with a computer readable and writeable media for assisting a commercial retailer in gathering customer information necessary to complete a check cashing transaction, said program comprising:

a first subroutine for establishing a listing of existing customers and customer profile records;

a second subroutine which, in the absence of an existing customer listed in said first subroutine, utilizes a plurality of multi-media components to establish a record of a new customer, said components selected from a group including a keyboard, a digital camera, a digital camera and digital fingerprint unit; and

a third subroutine incorporating presentation means for illustrating a catalog of checks by history and pay status.