Processing apparatus, system and method for processing checks in communication with a host computer and a host computer for controlling the check processing apparatus

• US 20050127160A1
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Fujikawa, Masashi
• Granted Patent: US 7,341,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/04 by paper currency

Abstract

Processing apparatus, system and method for processing checks in communication with a host computer for accurately detecting check multifeeding. The check processing system includes a check processing apparatus and a host computer in communication with the check processing apparatus. The check processing apparatus acquires and sends check information from a check S to the host computer, and then pauses check processing. Based on the received check information, the host computer confirms whether checks are multifeeding in the check processing apparatus. If multifeeding is detected, a print command is sent to the check processing apparatus to print to the check S. The check processing apparatus prints an endorsement or a transaction record on the back of the check S only after this print command is received.

Claims

1. Processing apparatus for processing checks in communication with a host computer, comprising:

a paper supply unit for feeding checks individually to a paper transportation path;

an information reading sensor for acquiring check information from the check(s) disposed on said paper transportation path; and

a unit for transmitting check information acquired by said information reading sensor to the host computer;

wherein the information reading sensor comprises;

an image scanning sensor disposed to the paper transportation path for acquiring check image information as the check information;

an MICR disposed to the paper transportation path for acquiring magnetic ink character information from magnetic ink characters printed on the check as the check information; and

a multifeed detection device for detecting thickness information from check(s) conveyed on the paper transportation path; and

wherein said processing apparatus further comprises a controller for transmitting the detected thickness information from said multifeed detection device to said host computer and for receiving either print command or an error message for interrupting check processing based upon said check information acquired by said information reading sensor.

2. The processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a printing unit for printing information to the check upon receipt of said print command from the host computer.

3. A host computer for controlling a check processing apparatus including a paper supply unit for feeding checks individually to a paper transportation path;

an image scanning sensor disposed to the paper transportation path for acquiring check image information as check information;

an MICR disposed to the paper transportation path for acquiring magnetic ink character information from magnetic ink characters printed on the check as check information;

a multifeed detection device for detecting thickness information from the check(s) as conveyed on the paper transportation path, and a printer for printing to said checks, said host computer comprising;

a transmission unit for sending an acquisition command to the check processing apparatus to acquire said check information and for sending a print command to said printer in response to an analysis of said check information for the existence of multifeeding;

a receiving unit for receiving the check information from the check processing apparatus; and

a control unit comprising a CPU for analyzing the check information received from the receiving unit including the thickness information received from the multifeed detection device;

the image information received from the image scanning sensor, and the magnetic ink character information acquired from magnetic ink characters printed on the check

wherein either a print command is generated for transmission by said transmission unit to the check processing apparatus to print a transaction record to the check when multifeeding is not detected or an error message is generated when multifeeding is detected.

4. The host computer as described in claim 3, further comprising:

a display device for displaying the thickness information, the image information, and the magnetic ink character information received from the check processing apparatus; and

an input device to enable a determination of whether the thickness information, the image information, and the magnetic ink character information displayed on the display device is correct or not.

5. The host computer as described in claim 3, wherein the image information includes check front image information and check back image information;

and

wherein the CPU in said control unit compares the check front image information with said check back image information to detect the presence of multifeeding.

6. The host computer as described in claim 3, wherein the CPU in said control unit for confirming if the magnetic ink character information is accurate.

7. A system for processing checks comprising a check processing apparatus and a host computer connected to communicate with the check processing apparatus, wherein:

(a) the check processing apparatus comprises

a paper supply unit for feeding checks individually to a paper transportation path;

an information reading sensor for acquiring check information from the check(s) disposed to said paper transportation path;

a transmission unit for sending the check information acquired from the information reading sensor to the host computer;

a communication control unit for receiving a print command from the host computer after sending the check information; and

a printing unit for printing to the check according to the print command;

(b) the host computer comprises

a transmission unit for sending a check information acquisition command to the check processing apparatus;

a reception unit for receiving the check information from the check processing apparatus; and

a control unit for confirming the presence or absence of check multifeeding in the check processing apparatus based on the check information acquired from the information reading sensor with the control unit generating an error message when multifeeding is detected and sending a print command to the check processing apparatus when multifeeding is not detected;

wherein the information reading sensor comprises

an image scanning sensor disposed to the paper transportation path for acquiring check image information as the check information;

an MICR disposed to the paper transportation path for acquiring magnetic ink character information from magnetic ink characters printed on the check as the check information; and

a multifeed detection device for detecting thickness information from the check(s) conveyed on the paper transportation path.

8. The system as described in claim 7, wherein:

the host computer further comprises;

a display device for displaying the thickness information, the image information, and the magnetic ink character information received from the check processing apparatus; and

an input device to enable a determination of whether the thickness information, the image information, and the magnetic ink character information displayed on the display device is correct or not.

9. A method for processing checks in a check processing system including a check processing apparatus having an information reading sensor and a host computer connected to communicate with the check processing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

feeding checks individually along a paper transportation path;

using said information reading sensor to acquire check information from the check(s) disposed to said paper transportation path with said check information including image information for the check, magnetic ink character information acquired from magnetic ink characters printed on the check, and thickness information for the check;

sending the check information to the host computer;

displaying the image information, the magnetic ink character information, and the thickness information as received from the check processing apparatus;

receiving confirmation of the image information, the magnetic ink character information, and the thickness information displayed on the display device;

determining if more than one check is being multifed to said information reading sensor, and;

commanding the check processing apparatus to print a transaction record on the check, based on said determination when multifeeding of checks has not occurred.