Cash letter print streams with audit data

• US 20060191998A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (Federal Reserve System), Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (Federal Reserve System), Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (Federal Reserve System), Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (Federal Reserve System)
• Original Assignee: Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (Federal Reserve System), Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (Federal Reserve System), Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (Federal Reserve System), Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (Federal Reserve System)
• Inventors: Mueller, Randall Lee, Baggett, Diane Marie, Nori, V. Srinivas, Schaadt, Thomas Edwin, Purser, Steven Q.
• Granted Patent: US 7,686,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42

Abstract

Producing print streams for efficiently generating properly formatted and ordered paper cash letters comprises print stream file that includes electronic form definitions for each cash letter document. The cash letter documents can include a cover page, one or more bundles of substitute checks, a bundle summary for each substitute check bundle, and/or a cash letter bundle summary. Information from an electronic image cash letter file can be input in data fields of the electronic form definitions. Printing the information in the print stream file results in a properly formatted and ordered paper cash letter including substitute checks and audit data. Each substitute check can include all of the MICR data provided on a corresponding, original paper check. The audit data includes the cover page, bundle summary(ies), and/or cash letter bundle summary, which can each detail the documents printed concurrently therewith.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for generating a cash letter print stream, comprising the steps of:

creating a substitute check form definition defining at least one data field of information for a substitute check;

creating a bundle summary form definition defining at least one data field of information for a bundle of substitute checks;

inputting information regarding a specific substitute check into the at least one data field of the substitute check form definition to create a specific substitute check record;

repeating the step of inputting information regarding a specific substitute check for each of a plurality of substitute checks to be included in a substitute check bundle, thereby creating a plurality of substitute check records grouped into the substitute check bundle;

inputting bundle summary information regarding the plurality of substitute check records for the substitute check bundle into the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition to create a bundle summary control record; and

storing the substitute check records and the bundle summary control record in the print stream file.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bundle summary information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, a value of each substitute check in the substitute check bundle, and a total value of the substitute checks in the substitute check bundle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inputting the bundle summary information comprises the steps of:

identifying the bundle summary information in an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified bundle summary information into the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inputting the bundle summary information comprises the steps of:

identifying the bundle summary information in a control record of an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified bundle summary information into the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inputting the substitute check information comprises the steps of:

identifying the substitute check information in a financial data file; and

inputting the identified substitute check information in the at least one data field of the substitute check form definition.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

creating a cover page form definition defining at least one data field of a cover page for a cash letter comprising the substitute checks and the bundle summary information;

inputting cover page information related to the substitute check bundle in the cover page form definition to create a cover page control record; and

storing the cover page control record in the print stream file.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the cover page information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, information identifying a bank transmitting the substitute check bundle, and information identifying a bank receiving the substitute check bundle.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of inputting the cover page information comprises the steps of:

identifying the cover page information in a control record of an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified cover page information in the at least one data field of the cover page form definition.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

creating a cash letter bundle summary form definition defining at least one data field of a cash letter bundle summary page for a cash letter comprising the substitute checks and the bundle summary information;

inputting cash letter bundle summary information related to the substitute check bundle in the cash letter bundle summary form definition to create a cash letter bundle summary control record; and

storing the cash letter bundle summary control record in the print stream file.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the cash letter bundle summary information comprises a total value of the substitute check bundle.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of inputting the cash letter bundle summary information comprises the steps of:

identifying the cash letter bundle summary information in a control record of an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified cash letter bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the cash letter bundle summary form definition.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

creating a cover page form definition defining at least one data field of a cover page for a cash letter comprising the substitute checks and the bundle summary information;

creating a cash letter bundle summary form definition defining at least one data field of a cash letter bundle summary page for the cash letter;

inputting cover page information related to the substitute check bundle in the cover page form definition to create a cover page control record;

inputting cash letter bundle summary information related to the substitute check bundle in the cash letter bundle summary form definition to create a cash letter bundle summary control record; and

storing the cover page control record and the cash letter bundle summary control record in the print stream file.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of printing the print stream file on perforated paper.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the substitute check information.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bundle summary form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a first color designation designating a first color of paper on which to print the substitute check information, and the bundle summary form definition comprises a second color designation designating a second color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing an exception report page control record in the print stream file, the exception report page control record comprising exception report information related to at least one of an error in the plurality of substitute check control records and an error in the bundle summary control record.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

creating an exception report page form definition defining at least one data field of an exception report page for a cash letter comprising the substitute checks and the bundle summary information; and

inputting the exception report information in the exception report page form definition to create the exception report page control record.

19. A system for generating a cash letter print stream, comprising:

a print stream form database operable to;

store a substitute check form definition defining at least one data field of information for a substitute check, and

store a bundle summary form definition defining at least one data field of information for a bundle of substitute checks; and

a check presentment module operable to;

input information regarding a specific substitute check into the at least one data field of the substitute check form definition to create a specific substitute check record,

repeat the step of inputting information regarding a specific substitute check for each of a plurality of substitute checks to be included in a substitute check bundle, thereby creating a plurality of substitute check records grouped into the substitute check bundle,

input bundle summary information regarding the plurality of substitute check records for the substitute check bundle into the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition to create a bundle summary control record, and

store the substitute check records and the bundle summary control record in the print stream file.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the bundle summary information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, a value of each substitute check in the substitute check bundle, and a total value of the at least one substitute check in the substitute check bundle.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein the print stream form database is further operable to store a cover page form definition defining at least one data field of a cover page for a cash letter comprising the substitute checks and the bundle summary information;

and

wherein the check presentment module is further operable to;

input cover page information related to the substitute check bundle in the cover page form definition to create a cover page control record, and

store the cover page control record in the print stream file.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the cover page information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, information identifying a bank transmitting the substitute check bundle, and information identifying a bank receiving the substitute check bundle.

23. The system according to claim 19, wherein the print stream form database is further operable to store a cash letter bundle summary form definition defining at least one data field of a cash letter bundle summary page for a cash letter comprising the substitute checks and the bundle summary information;

and

wherein the check presentment module is further operable to;

input cash letter bundle summary information related to the substitute check bundle in the cash letter bundle summary form definition to create a cash letter bundle summary control record, and

store the cash letter bundle summary control record in the print stream file.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the cash letter bundle summary information comprises a total value of the substitute check bundle.

25. The system according to claim 19, further comprising a printer operable to print the print stream file on perforated paper.

26. The system according to claim 19, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the substitute check information.

27. The system according to claim 19, wherein the bundle summary form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information.

28. The system according to claim 19, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a first color designation designating a first color of paper on which to print the substitute check information, and the bundle summary form definition comprises a second color designation designating a second color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information.

29. The system according to claim 19, wherein the print stream form database is further operable to store an exception report page form definition defining at least one data field of an exception report page for a cash letter comprising the substitute checks and the bundle summary information;

and

wherein the check presentment module is further operable to;

input exception report information related to at least one of an error in the plurality of substitute check control records and an error in the bundle summary control record to create an exception report page control record, and

store the exception report page control record in the print stream file.

30. A computer-implemented method for generating a cash letter print stream, comprising the steps of:

creating a substitute check form definition defining format and content of a substitute check document of a cash letter;

creating a bundle summary form definition defining format and content of a bundle summary document of the cash letter;

creating a cover page form definition defining format and content of a cover page document of the cash letter;

inputting information regarding a specific substitute check into the substitute check form definition to create a specific substitute check record;

repeating the step of inputting information regarding a specific substitute check for each of a plurality of substitute checks to be included in a substitute check bundle, thereby creating a plurality of substitute check records grouped into the substitute check bundle;

inputting bundle summary information regarding the plurality of substitute check records for the substitute check bundle into the bundle summary form definition to create a bundle summary control record;

inputting cover page information related to the substitute check bundle in the cover page form definition to create a cover page control record; and

storing the plurality of substitute check records, the bundle summary control record, and the cover page control record in the print stream file.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein each of the substitute check form definition, the bundle summary form definition, and the cover page form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the substitute check information comprises the step of inputting the substitute check information in the at least one data field of the substitute check form definition,

wherein the step of inputting the bundle summary information comprises the step of inputting the bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition, and

wherein the step of inputting the cover page information comprises the step of inputting the cover page information in the at least one data field of the cover page form definition.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein the bundle summary information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, a value of each substitute check in the substitute check bundle, and a total value of the substitute checks in the substitute check bundle.

33. The method according to claim 30, wherein the bundle summary form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the bundle summary information comprises the steps of:

identifying the bundle summary information in an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition.

34. The method according to claim 30, wherein the bundle summary form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the bundle summary information comprises the steps of:

identifying the bundle summary information in a control record of an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition.

35. The method according to claim 30, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the substitute check information comprises the steps of:

identifying the substitute check information in a financial data file; and

inputting the identified substitute check information in the at least one data field of the substitute check form definition.

36. The method according to claim 30, wherein the cover page form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the cover page information comprises the steps of:

identifying the cover page information in a control record of an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified cover page information in the at least one data field of the cover page form definition.

37. The method according to claim 30, wherein the cover page information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, information identifying a bank transmitting the substitute check bundle, and information identifying a bank receiving the substitute check bundle.

38. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

creating a cash letter bundle summary form definition defining format and content of a cash letter bundle summary document of the cash letter;

inputting cash letter bundle summary information related to the substitute check bundle into the cash letter bundle summary form definition to create a cash letter bundle summary control record; and

storing the cash letter bundle summary control record in the print stream file.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the cash letter bundle summary information comprises a total value of the substitute check bundle.

40. The method according to claim 38, wherein the cash letter bundle summary form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the cash letter bundle summary information comprises the steps of:

identifying the cash letter bundle summary information in a control record of an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified cash letter bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the cash letter bundle summary form definition.

41. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of printing the print stream file on perforated paper.

42. The method according to claim 30, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the substitute check information.

43. The method according to claim 30, wherein the bundle summary form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information.

44. The method according to claim 30, wherein the cover page form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the cover page information.

45. The method according to claim 30, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a first color designation designating a first color of paper on which to print the substitute check information, the bundle summary form definition comprises a second color designation designating a second color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information, and the cover page form definition comprises a third color designation designating a third color of paper on which to print the cover page information.

46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the second color designation is the same as the third color designation.

47. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of storing an exception report page control record in the print stream file, the exception report page control record comprising exception report information related to at least one of an error in the plurality of substitute check control records, an error in the bundle summary control record, and an error in the cover page control record.

48. The method according to claim 47, further comprising the steps of:

creating an exception report page form definition defining format and content of an exception report page of the cash letter; and

inputting the exception report information in the exception report page form definition to create the exception report page control record.

49. A system for generating a cash letter print stream, comprising:

a print stream form database operable to;

store a substitute check form definition defining format and content of a substitute check document of a cash letter,

store a bundle summary form definition defining format and content of a bundle summary document of the cash letter, and

store a cover page form definition defining format and content of a cover page document of the cash letter; and

a check presentment module operable to;

input information regarding a specific substitute check into the substitute check form definition to create a specific substitute check record,

repeat the step of inputting information regarding a specific substitute check for each of a plurality of substitute checks to be included in a substitute check bundle, thereby creating a plurality of substitute check records grouped into the substitute check bundle,

input bundle summary information regarding the plurality of substitute check records for the substitute check bundle into the bundle summary form definition to create a bundle summary control record

input cover page information related to the substitute check bundle in the cover page form definition to create a cover page control record, and

store the plurality of substitute check records, the bundle summary control record, and the cover page control record in the print stream file.

50. The system according to claim 49, wherein the bundle summary information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, a value of each substitute check in the substitute check bundle, and a total value of the substitute checks in the substitute check bundle.

51. The system according to claim 49, wherein the cover page information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, information identifying a bank transmitting the substitute check bundle, and information identifying a bank receiving the substitute check bundle.

52. The system according to claim 49, wherein the print stream form database is further operable to store a cash letter bundle summary form definition defining format and content of a cash letter bundle summary document of the cash letter;

and

wherein the check presentment module is further operable to;

input cash letter bundle summary information related to the substitute check bundle in the cash letter bundle summary form definition to create a cash letter bundle summary control record, and

store the cash letter bundle summary control record in the print stream file.

53. The system according to claim 52, wherein the cash letter bundle summary information comprises a total value of the substitute check bundle.

54. The system according to claim 49, further comprising a printer operable to print the print stream file on perforated paper.

55. The system according to claim 49, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the substitute check information.

56. The system according to claim 49, wherein the bundle summary form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information.

57. The system according to claim 49, wherein the cover page form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the cover page information.

58. The system according to claim 49, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a first color designation designating a first color of paper on which to print the substitute check information, the bundle summary form definition comprises a second color designation designating a second color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information, and the cover page form definition comprises a third color designation designating a third color of paper on which to print the cover page information.

59. The system according to claim 58, wherein the second color designation is the same as the third color designation.

60. The system according to claim 49, wherein the print stream form database is further operable to store an exception report page form definition defining format and content of an exception report page document of the cash letter;

and

wherein the check presentment module is further operable to;

input exception report information related to at least one of an error in the cover page control record, an error in the plurality of substitute check control records, and an error in the bundle summary control record, to create an exception report page control record, and

store the exception report page control record in the print stream file.

61. A computer-implemented method for generating a cash letter print stream, comprising the steps of:

creating a substitute check form definition defining format and content of a substitute check document of a cash letter;

creating a bundle summary form definition defining format and content of a bundle summary document of the cash letter;

creating a cover page form definition defining format and content of a cover page document of the cash letter;

creating a cash letter bundle summary form definition defining format and content of a cash letter bundle summary document of the cash letter;

inputting information regarding a specific substitute check into the substitute check form definition to create a specific substitute check record;

repeating the step of inputting information regarding a specific substitute check for each of a plurality of substitute checks to be included in a substitute check bundle, thereby creating a plurality of substitute check records grouped into the substitute check bundle;

inputting bundle summary information regarding the plurality of substitute check records for the substitute check bundle into the bundle summary form definition to create a bundle summary control record;

inputting cover page information related to the substitute check bundle in the cover page form definition to create a cover page control record;

inputting cash letter bundle summary information related to the substitute check bundle into the cash letter bundle summary form definition to create a cash letter bundle summary control record; and

storing the plurality of substitute check records, the bundle summary control record, the cover page control record, and the cash letter bundle summary control record in the print stream file.

62. The method according to claim 61, wherein each of the substitute check form definition, the bundle summary form definition, the cover page form definition, and the cash letter bundle summary form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the bundle summary information comprises the step of inputting the bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the substitute check form definition,

wherein the step of inputting the substitute check information comprises the step of inputting the substitute check information in the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition,

wherein the step of inputting the cover page information comprises the step of inputting the cover page information in the at least one data field of the cover page form definition, and

wherein the step of inputting the cash letter bundle summary information comprises the step of inputting the cash letter bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the cash letter bundle summary form definition.

63. The method according to claim 61, wherein the bundle summary information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, a value of each substitute check in the substitute check bundle, and a total value of the substitute checks in the substitute check bundle.

64. The method according to claim 61, wherein the bundle summary form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the bundle summary information comprises the steps of:

identifying the bundle summary information in an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition.

65. The method according to claim 61, wherein the bundle summary form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the bundle summary information comprises the steps of:

identifying the bundle summary information in a control record of an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the bundle summary form definition.

66. The method according to claim 61, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the substitute check information comprises the steps of:

identifying the substitute check information in a financial data file; and

inputting the identified substitute check information in the at least one data field of the substitute check form definition.

67. The method according to claim 61, wherein the cover page form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the cover page information comprises the steps of:

identifying the cover page information in a control record of an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified cover page information in the at least one data field of the cover page form definition.

68. The method according to claim 61, wherein the cover page information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, information identifying a bank transmitting the substitute check bundle, and information identifying a bank receiving the substitute check bundle.

69. The method according to claim 61, wherein the cash letter bundle summary information comprises a total value of the substitute check bundle.

70. The method according to claim 61, wherein the cash letter bundle summary form definition comprises at least one data field, and

wherein the step of inputting the cash letter bundle summary information comprises the steps of:

identifying the cash letter bundle summary information in a control record of an image cash letter file; and

inputting the identified cash letter bundle summary information in the at least one data field of the cash letter bundle summary form definition.

71. The method according to claim 61, further comprising the step of printing the print stream file on perforated paper.

72. The method according to claim 61, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the substitute check information.

73. The method according to claim 61, wherein the bundle summary form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information.

74. The method according to claim 61, wherein the cover page form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the cover page information.

75. The method according to claim 61, wherein the cash letter bundle summary form definition comprises a color designation designating a color of paper on which to print the cash letter bundle summary information.

76. The method according to claim 61, wherein the substitute check form definition comprises a first color designation designating a first color of paper on which to print the substitute check information, the bundle summary form definition comprises a second color designation designating a second color of paper on which to print the bundle summary information, the cover page form definition comprises a third color designation designating a third color of paper on which to print the cover page information, and the cash letter bundle summary form definition comprises a fourth color designation designating a fourth color of paper on which to print the cash letter bundle summary information.

77. The method according to claim 76, wherein the second color designation, the third color designation, and the fourth color designation are all the same.

78. The method according to claim 61, further comprising the step of storing an exception report page control record in the print stream file, the exception report page control record comprising exception report information related to at least one of an error in the cover page control record, an error in the plurality of substitute check control records, an error in the bundle summary control record, and an error in the cash letter bundle summary control record.

79. The method according to claim 78, further comprising the steps of:

creating an exception report page form definition defining format and content of an exception report page of the cash letter; and

inputting the exception report information in the exception report page form definition to create the exception report page control record.

80. A cash letter print stream file, comprising:

a plurality of substitute check records comprising information regarding substitute checks to be included in a substitute check bundle, each substitute check record comprising information regarding a specific substitute check in the substitute check bundle; and

a bundle summary control record comprising bundle summary information regarding the plurality of substitute check records for the substitute check bundle.

81. The cash letter print stream file according to claim 80, wherein the bundle summary information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, a value of each substitute check in the substitute check bundle, and a total value of the substitute checks in the substitute check bundle.

82. The cash letter print stream file according to claim 80, further comprising a cover page control record comprising cover page information related to the substitute check bundle, the cover page information comprising information for a cover page of a cash letter comprising the substitute checks and the bundle summary information.

83. The cash letter print stream file according to claim 82, wherein the cover page information comprises at least one of a total number of substitute checks in the substitute check bundle, information identifying a bank transmitting the substitute check bundle, and information identifying a bank receiving the substitute check bundle.

84. The cash letter print stream file according to claim 80, further comprising a cash letter bundle summary control record comprising cash letter bundle summary information related to the substitute check bundle, the cash letter bundle summary information comprising information for a cash letter bundle summary of a cash letter comprising the substitute checks and the bundle summary information.

85. The cash letter print stream file according to claim 84, wherein the cash letter bundle summary information comprises a total value of the substitute check bundle.

86. The cash letter print stream file according to claim 80, further comprising an exception report page control record comprising exception report information related to at least one of an error in the plurality of substitute check control records and an error in the bundle summary control record.