Ubiquitous imaging device based check image capture

• US 20070156438A1
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighthouse Consulting Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Lighthouse Consulting Group LLC
• Inventors: Lipoff, Stuart, Popadic, John, Popadic, Robert, Gazda, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,950,698 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 229/71
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0425 the cheque being electronic only
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• 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

Abstract

A method or corresponding apparatus for remote transmission of a negotiable instrument. In an example embodiment, the process provides a carrier that secures a negotiable instrument. Next, the process creates a unique identifier, associated with the carrier, and generates an electronic image of the negotiable instrument. After generating the electronic image, the process transmits the electronic image of the negotiable instrument and the unique identifier to a remote location. The negotiable instrument may be transmitted via a fax, a scanner, a device designed to transmit electronic data, other image device compatible with ITU-T recommendations T.30 or T.4, or combination thereof. The process may also verify the negotiable instrument has a valid endorsement, verify image quality of the electronic image to ensure compliance with financial industry standards, or validate any received security information.

Claims

1. A method for remote transmission of a negotiable instrument, the method comprising:

providing a carrier;

securing a negotiable instrument to the carrier;

creating a unique identifier associated with the carrier;

generating an electronic image of the negotiable instrument; and

transmitting the electronic image of the negotiable instrument and the unique identifier to a remote location.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing, the carrier includes one of:

a transparent sealing carrier, transparent non-sealing carrier having pockets, transparent non-sealing carrier without pockets, a non-transparent cut-out carrier, a transparent carrier with an inserted negotiable instrument, a single sided carrier, or two sided carrier.

3. The method of claim 1, prior to the step of creating, further including creating a seal between the carrier and the negotiable instrument, marking the negotiable instrument as processed, aligning the negotiable instrument in a specified manner, or marking the negotiable instrument using a pattern.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

verifying the negotiable instrument has a valid endorsement;

verifying image quality of the electronic image to ensure compliance with financial industry standards; and

validating any received security information.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of securing, the negotiable instrument is a check or deposit slip.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting includes using one of a fax, a scanner, a device designed to transmit electronic data, other image device compatible with ITU-T recommendations T.30 or T.4, or combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising validating a deposit, based on the negotiable instrument, to the financial institution.

8. A system for remote transmission of a negotiable instrument, comprising:

a carrier for receiving a negotiable instrument, the carrier having a unique identifier associated therewith;

an image device configured to generate and transmit the electronic image of the negotiable instrument and the unique identifier; and

a link configured to permit the image device to be in communication with a network for directing the electronic image to a remote location.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the carrier further includes one of:

a transparent sealing carrier, transparent non-sealing carrier having pockets, transparent non-sealing carrier without pockets, a non-transparent cut-out carrier, a transparent carrier with an inserted negotiable instrument, a single sided carrier, and two sided carrier.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the carrier further includes one of:

a seal to retain the negotiable instrument therewith, an identifier to indicate the negotiable instrument as processed, or a feature to permit alignment of the negotiable instrument in a specified manner.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the negotiable instrument is a check or deposit slip.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the image device includes one of a fax, a scanner, a device designed to transmit electronic data, other image device compatible with ITU-T recommendations T.30 or T.4, or combination thereof.

13. A carrier for a negotiable instrument, the carrier comprising:

a body portion for receiving;

a unique identifier associated with the carrier; and

a surface on the body portion designed in such a way as to allow transmission of an electronic image of the negotiable instrument and the unique identifier.

14. The carrier of claim 13 wherein the surface is capable of providing deposit or endorsement information.

15. The carrier of claim 13 wherein the body portion includes a second surface capable of providing deposit or endorsement information.

16. The carrier of claim 13 wherein the body portion includes one of a seal or pocket.

17. The carrier of claim 13 wherein the surface is transparent.

18. The carrier of claim 13 wherein the surface is not transparent.

19. The carrier of claim 13 wherein the surface includes one of:

a pattern, half tone markings, a sequence number, a bar code, a cryptography bar code, or an invisible marking.

20. The carrier of claim 13 wherein the body portion allows the negotiable instrument to be stored in a permanent manner.