Check processing apparatus, program, electronic payment system, and check processing method

• US 20050033695A1
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Minowa, Masahiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,644,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/45
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/04 by paper currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A check processing apparatus and method acquire and save data verifying the identity of a person using a check, and output this information in an effective manner to prevent improper use of the check. A check scanner 140 images all or part of the presented check C. A photo ID scanner 110 scans personal identification 71 presented as proof of identity by the person using the check, and a controller 160 converts the scanner output to generate personal identification image data. A merge file generating means 170 merges the image data from the check scanner with the personal identification image data to produce a merged file. The merged file is stored in merged file storage means 180 and output to a display 33.

Claims

1. A check processing apparatus for processing payments by check, comprising:

a check image scanning unit for generating check image data of all or part of a check;

an identity verification information acquisition unit for capturing identity verification information used to identify an individual using the check;

an identity verification data generating unit for generating identity verification data as an image of the captured identity verification information;

a merge file generating unit for merging the check image data with the identity verification data to generate an identification merged file;

a merged file storage unit for storing the identification merged file; and

a merged file output unit for outputting the identification merged file.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the check image scanning unit scans and images both sides of the check;

and

the merge file generating unit generates the identification merged file by merging image data of both sides of the check with the identity verification data.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the merge file generating unit produces a first merged file by merging the identity verification data with image data for a complete image of one side of the check, and produces a second merged file by merging the first merged file with the image data for a complete image of a second side of the check;

and

the merged file storage unit stores the second merged file as said identification merge file.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first merge file generating unit produces the first merged file by superimposing the identity verification data into an area outside an endorsement printing area in the image data of the back of the check.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the merged file output unit displays the second merged file on a display;

and

the second merged file is displayed so that the entire image is viewable on the display at the same time without a need for scrolling or moving the displayed content.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a check identification information reader for reading check identification information preprinted on the check;

a check type detection unit for determining if the check is a personal check based on the read check identification information; and

an identity verification data acquisition detection unit for determining, when the check is determined to be a personal check, if identity verification data for a previous check user associated with read check identification information was acquired in the past and used in the creation of a previous identification merged file;

wherein the merged file output unit outputs the previous identification merged file when the identity verification data acquisition detection unit determines that identity verification data for the previous check user was acquired in the past.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a specific information detection unit for determining if specific information is contained in the check identification information;

a payment amount evaluation unit for determining if the payment amount of the check is greater than or equal to a specified amount; and

an identity verification data acquisition control unit for determining whether to acquire identity verification data according to the decision made by the specific information detection unit and/or the payment amount evaluation unit;

wherein the identity verification information acquisition unit captures identity verification information based on the decision of the identity verification data acquisition control unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identity verification information is personal identification of the user or information items recorded on a personal identification item.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identity verification information includes biometric data of the user.

10. A computer-readable program for achieving the operation of the apparatus of claim 1.

11. An electronic payment system comprising a check processing apparatus of claim 1, and a payment processing server connected to the check processing apparatus through a network for determining check validity;

wherein the payment processing server determines check validity based on information on said identification merged file sent from the check processing apparatus.

12. A check processing method comprising the steps of:

(a) imaging all or part of a check presented by a person using the check;

(b) capturing identity verification information used to identify the person using the check;

(c) generating identity verification data as an image of the captured identity verification information;

(d) merging the image data captured in step (a) and the identity verification data to generate an identification merged file; and

(e) outputting the identification merged file.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

step (a) scans and images both sides of the check; and

step (d) merges the image data of both sides of the check with the identity verification data.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein step (d) includes:

(d1) producing a first merged file by merging the identity verification data with image data of a complete image of one side of the check, and

(d2) producing a second merged file by merging the first merged file with image data of a complete image of a second side of the check.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein step (d1) produces the first merged file by superimposing the identity verification data onto an area outside an endorsement printing area in the image data of the back of the check.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein step (e) outputs the second merged file as said identification merged file so that the image of the identification merged file is viewable in its entirety on a display.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

(f) reading check identification information preprinted on the check;

(g) determining if the check is a personal check based on the read check identification information; and

(h) determining, when the check is determined to be a personal check, if identity verification data for a previous check user associated with read check identification information was acquired in the past and used in the creation of a previous identification merged file;

wherein step (e) outputs the previous identification merged file when step (h) determines that identity verification data for the previous check user was acquired in the past.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

(i) determining if specific information is contained in the check identification information;

(j) determining if the payment amount of the check is greater than or equal to a specified amount; and

(k) determining whether to acquire identity verification data according to the decision made by step (i) and/or step (j);

wherein step (b) captures identity verification information based on the decision of step (k).

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the identity verification information is personal identification of the person using the check or information items recorded on a personal identification item.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the identity verification information includes biometric data of the user.