Methods of processing a check in an automatic signature verification system

• US 20080140552A1
• Filed: 12/06/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Blaikie, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/634,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20080140552A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• 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: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/2033 Matching unique patterns, i.e. patterns that are unique to each individual paper

Abstract

A method is provided of a bank processing a check in an automatic signature verification system. The method comprises receiving a check image having a payor'"'"'s signature, extracting the payor'"'"'s signature from the check image, comparing the extracted payor'"'"'s signature with a reference signature, providing a confidence value based upon the comparison of the extracted payor'"'"'s signature with the reference signature, selecting one of a plurality of confidence threshold values based upon amount of the check, and comparing the confidence value with the selected confidence threshold value to determine if payment of the check amount is approved.

Claims

1. A method of a bank processing a check in an automatic signature verification system, the method comprising:

receiving a check image having a payor'"'"'s signature;

extracting the payor'"'"'s signature from the check image;

comparing the extracted payor'"'"'s signature with a reference signature;

providing a confidence value based upon the comparison of the extracted payor'"'"'s signature with the reference signature;

selecting one of a plurality of confidence threshold values based upon amount of the check; and

comparing the confidence value with the selected confidence threshold value to determine if payment of the check amount is approved.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

alerting a bank operator for manual review of the check if the determination is made that the payment of the check amount is not approved.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the check image comprises an image of a check which is an on-us check received from a customer of the bank.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the check image comprises an image of a check which is an in-clearing check received from another bank.

5. A method of a bank processing a check in an automatic signature verification system, the method comprising:

receiving the check;

extracting a payor'"'"'s signature from the check;

retrieving a reference signature;

obtaining a check amount associated with the check;

comparing the extracted payor'"'"'s signature with the retrieved reference signature;

providing a confidence value based upon the comparison of the extracted payor'"'"'s signature with the retrieved reference signature;

selecting a first confidence threshold value if the check amount is below a first predetermined amount;

selecting a second confidence threshold value which is different from the first confidence threshold value if the check amount is above a second predetermined amount;

comparing the confidence value with the selected confidence threshold value;

determining if payment of the check amount is approved based upon the comparison of the confidence value with the selected confidence threshold value.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:

alerting a bank operator for manual review of the check if a determination is made that the payment of the check amount is not approved.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the first predetermined amount is less than the second predetermined amount.

8. A method according to claim 5, wherein the first predetermined amount and the second predetermined amount are the same.

9. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:

selecting a third confidence threshold value if the check amount is between the first predetermined amount and the second predetermined amount.

10. A method according to claim 5, wherein the check comprises a check which is an on-us check received from a customer of the bank.

11. A method according to claim 5, wherein the check comprises a check which is an in-clearing check received from another bank.

12. A method of a bank processing an on-us check, the method comprising:

receiving the on-us check from a bank customer;

scanning the on-us check to provide an image of the check;

extracting a payor'"'"'s signature from the check image;

retrieving a reference signature;

obtaining a check amount associated with the on-us check;

comparing the extracted payor'"'"'s signature with the retrieved reference signature;

providing a confidence value based upon the comparison of the extracted payor'"'"'s signature with the retrieved reference signature;

selecting one of a plurality of confidence threshold values based upon the check amount;

comparing the confidence value with the selected confidence threshold value; and

determining if payment of the check amount is approved based upon the comparison of the confidence value with the selected confidence threshold value.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the check is presented to a bank operator for manual review of the on-us check when payment of the check amount is not approved.