Document Processing System Using Full Image Scanning

• US 20100034454A1
• Filed: 08/19/2009
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Mennie, Douglas U., Jones, John E., Jones, William J., Jones, Paul A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,103,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/137
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0185 Product, service or business identity fraud
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0043 using barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0047 using checkcodes, e.g. coded numbers derived from serial number and denomination
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/121 Apparatus characterised by sensor details
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/202 Depositing operations within ATMs depositing in general G07D11/00

Abstract

A system for tracking currency bills comprises a currency scanning device. The scanning device includes a sensor that retrieves currency identification characteristic information of each bill processed. The currency identification characteristic information permits the unique identification of each bill processed. The system further comprises a customer identification means and means for associating each processed bill with the customer depositing the bill. Means for identifying the customer (or customer account) associated with a particular processed bill after the deposit transaction has been completed is also included in the system.

Claims

1-67. -67. (canceled)

68. A system for processing checks comprising:

at least one input receptacle configured to receive checks;

at least one output receptacle configured to receive checks;

an image scanner configured to obtain an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each check and extract one or more of an ABA number, an account number, or a check number from the check image;

a transport mechanism configured to transport each check, one at a time, from the at least one input receptacle, past the image scanner, to the at least one output receptacle;

a memory configured to store one or more of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number;

a processor operable to compare the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number to the flagged ABA number, the flagged account number, and/or the flagged check number stored in the memory, and the processor further configured to identify, as a suspect check, any check that has a match.

69. The system according to claim 68, wherein the processor is operable to create a searchable file for each received check, the searchable file comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number;

and the memory configured to store the searchable file.

70. The system according to claim 68, wherein the checks are related to a transaction and wherein the processor is configured to create a searchable file for the transaction, the searchable file comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check related to the transaction;

and the memory is configured to store the searchable file.

71. A method for processing checks, the method comprising:

obtaining an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each of a plurality of checks;

extracting, from the image of each of the plurality of checks, at least one of an ABA number, an account number, and a check number;

storing at one or more of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number;

comparing the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number to the flagged ABA number, the flagged account number, and/or the flagged check number; and

identifying, as a suspect check, any check with matching information.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising:

creating a searchable file for each of the checks, the searchable file comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number; and

storing the searchable file.

73. The method of claim 71, further comprising:

creating a searchable file for the plurality of checks, wherein the plurality of checks are related to a transaction, the searchable file comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check related to the transaction; and

storing the searchable file.

74. A system for processing checks comprising:

at least one input receptacle configured to receive checks;

at least one output receptacle configured to receive checks;

an image scanner configured to obtain an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each check and extracts, from the check image, one or more of an ABA number, an account number, or a check number;

a discrimination and authentication unit configured to test each check using one or more tests for detecting counterfeit checks;

a transport mechanism configured to transport each check, one at a time, from the at least one input receptacle, past the image scanner and past the discrimination and authentication unit, to the at least one output receptacle;

a memory configured to store one or more of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number;

a processor operable to compare the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number to the flagged ABA number, the flagged account number, and/or the flagged check number and identify, as a suspect check, any check with matching information; and

the processor further operable to update the flagged ABA number, the flagged account number, and/or the flagged check number stored in the memory with the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of any check that fails any of the one or more tests for detecting counterfeit checks.

75. The system according to claim 74, wherein:

the processor is configured to create a searchable file for each received check, the searchable file comprising one or more of the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, or the extracted check number; and

the memory configured to store the searchable file.

76. The system according to claim 74, wherein the checks are related to a transaction and wherein the processor is operable to create a searchable file for the transaction, the searchable file comprising one or more of the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, or the extracted check number of each check related to the transaction;

and the memory configured to store the searchable file.

77. A method for processing checks, the method comprising:

obtaining an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each of a plurality of checks;

extracting, from the image of each of the plurality of checks, one or more of an ABA number, an account number, or a check number;

storing one or more of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number;

comparing the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number to the flagged ABA number, the flagged account number, and/or the flagged check number;

identifying, as a suspect check, any check with matching information; and

testing each of the plurality of checks with one or more tests for detecting counterfeit checks; and

updating the flagged ABA number, the flagged account number, and/or the flagged check number with the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check that fails any of the one or more tests for detecting counterfeit checks.

78. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

creating a searchable file for each of the plurality of checks, the searchable file comprising one or more of the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, or the extracted check number; and

storing the searchable file.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising:

creating a searchable file for the plurality of checks, wherein the plurality of checks are related to a transaction, the searchable file comprising one or more of the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, or the extracted check number of each check related to the transaction; and

storing the searchable file.

80. A system for processing currency bills and checks, the system comprising:

at least one input receptacle configured to receive currency bills and checks;

at least one output receptacle configured to receive currency bills and checks;

an image scanner configured to obtain an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each currency bill and each check;

the image scanner configured to extract a serial number from each currency bill image;

the image scanner configured to extract one or more of an ABA number, an account number, or a check number from each check image;

a transport mechanism configured to transport each currency bill and each check, one at a time, from the at least one input receptacle, past the image scanner, to the at least one output receptacle;

a memory configured to store at least one counterfeit currency bill serial number and one or more of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number;

a processor operable to compare the extracted serial number of each currency bill to the at least one counterfeit currency bill serial number stored in the memory, and to identify, as a suspect currency bill, any currency bill having a serial number that matches the at least one counterfeit currency bill serial number; and

the processor further operable to compare the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check to the flagged ABA number, the flagged account number, and/or the flagged check number stored in the memory, and to identify, as a suspect check, any check that has a match.

81. The system according to claim 80, wherein the processor is operable to create a searchable file for each check and each currency bill, the searchable file, for checks, comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number, the searchable file, for currency bills, comprising the extracted currency bill serial number;

and the memory stores the searchable file.

82. The system according to claim 80, wherein the checks and the currency bills are related to a transaction and wherein the processor is operable to create a searchable file for the transaction, the searchable file comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check related to the transaction, the searchable file further comprising the extracted currency bill serial number of each currency bill related to the transaction;

and the memory stores the searchable file.

83. A method for processing currency bills and checks, the method comprising:

obtaining an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each of a plurality of currency bills;

obtaining an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each of a plurality of checks;

extracting, from the image of each of the plurality of currency bills, a serial number;

extracting, from the image of each of the plurality of checks, one or more of an ABA number, an account number, or a check number;

storing at least one counterfeit currency bill serial number;

storing one or more of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number;

comparing the extracted serial number to the at least one stored counterfeit currency bill serial number;

comparing the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each of the plurality of checks to the at least one flagged ABA number, the at least one flagged account number, and/or the at least one flagged check number;

identifying, as a suspect currency bill, the currency bills with the extracted serial numbers that match the at least one stored counterfeit currency bill serial number; and

identifying, as a suspect check, the checks with the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number that match the flagged ABA number, the flagged account number, and/or the flagged check number.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

creating a searchable file for each check and each currency bill, the searchable file, for each check, comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number, the searchable file, for each currency bill, comprising the extracted currency bill serial number; and

storing the searchable file.

85. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

creating a searchable file for the checks and the currency bills, wherein the checks and the currency bills are related to a transaction, the searchable file comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check related to the transaction and the extracted currency bill serial number of each currency bill related to the transaction; and

storing the searchable file.

86. A system for processing currency bills and checks, the system comprising:

at least one input receptacle configured to receive currency bills and checks;

at least one output receptacle configured to receive currency bills and checks;

an image scanner operable to obtain an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each currency bill and each check;

the image scanner operable to extract a serial number from each currency bill image;

the image scanner operable to extract at least one of an ABA number, an account number, or a check number from each check image;

a discrimination and authentication unit linked to the controller operable to test each of the currency bills using one or more tests for detecting counterfeit currency bills;

the discrimination and authentication unit further operable to test each of the checks using one or more tests for detecting counterfeit checks;

a transport mechanism configured to transport each currency bill and each check, one at a time, from the at least one input receptacle, past the image scanner and past the discrimination and authentication unit, to the at least one output receptacle;

a memory operable to store at least one counterfeit currency bill serial number and at least one of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number;

a processor operable to compare the extracted serial number of each currency bill to the at least one counterfeit currency bill serial number stored in the memory, and to identify, as a suspect currency bill, any currency bill having a serial number that matches the at least one counterfeit currency bill serial number;

the processor further operable to compare the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check to the at least one flagged ABA number, the at least one flagged account number, and/or the at least one flagged check number stored in the memory, and to identify, as a suspect check, any check that has a match;

the processor further operable to update the memory to store as a counterfeit currency bill serial number the extracted serial number of each currency bill failing any of the one or more tests for detecting counterfeit currency bills; and

the processor further operable to update the memory to store as a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, and a flagged check number the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check failing any of the one or more tests for detecting counterfeit checks.

87. The system according to claim 86, wherein:

the processor is operable to create a searchable file for each currency bill and each check, the searchable file, for currency bills, comprising the extracted currency bill serial number, the searchable file, for checks, comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number; and

the memory is operable to store the searchable file.

88. The system according to claim 86, wherein the currency bills and checks are related to a transaction and wherein the processor is operable to create a searchable file for the transaction, the searchable file comprising the extracted currency bill serial number of each currency bill related to the transaction and the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check related to the transaction;

and the memory is operable to store the searchable file.

89. A method for processing currency bills and checks, the method comprising:

obtaining an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each of a plurality of currency bills;

obtaining an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each of a plurality of checks;

extracting, from the image of each of the plurality of currency bills, a serial number;

extracting, from the image of each of the plurality of checks, at least one of an ABA number, an account number, or a check number;

storing at least one counterfeit currency bill serial number;

storing at least one of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number;

comparing the extracted serial number to the at least one stored counterfeit currency bill serial number;

comparing the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each of the plurality of checks to the at least one flagged ABA number, the at least one flagged account number, and/or the at least one flagged check number;

identifying, as a suspect currency bill, the currency bills with the extracted serial numbers that match the at least one stored counterfeit currency bill serial number;

identifying, as a suspect check, the checks with the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number that match the at least one flagged ABA number, the at least one flagged account number, and/or the at least one flagged check number.

testing each of the plurality of currency bills with one or more tests for detecting counterfeit currency bills;

testing each of the plurality of checks with one or more tests for detecting counterfeit checks;

updating the at least one stored counterfeit currency bill serial number with the extracted serial number of each of the currency bills that fail any of the one or more tests for detecting counterfeit currency bills; and

updating the at least one flagged ABA number, the at least one flagged account number, and/or the at least one flagged check number with the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each of the checks that fail any of the one or more tests for detecting counterfeit checks.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising:

creating a searchable file for each currency bill and each check, the searchable file, for currency bills, comprising the extracted currency bill serial number, the searchable file, for checks, comprising the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number; and

storing the searchable file.

91. The method of claim 89, further comprising:

creating a searchable file for the currency bills and the checks, wherein the currency bills and the checks are related to a transaction, the searchable file comprising the extracted currency bill serial number of each currency bill related to the transaction and the extracted ABA number, the extracted account number, and/or the extracted check number of each check related to the transaction; and

storing the searchable file.

92. A system for processing documents, comprising:

at least one input receptacle configured to receive documents;

at least one output receptacle configured to receive documents;

an image scanning system configured to obtain an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each document and extract, from the document image, an amount of information which uniquely identifies the document, at least a portion of the documents including checks;

a validation unit configured to test each of the documents using one or more tests for detecting counterfeit documents;

a transport mechanism configured to transport each of the documents, one at a time, from the at least one input receptacle, past the image scanning system and validation unit, to the at least one output receptacle;

a memory configured to store an amount of information which identifies at least one counterfeit document; and

a processor operable to compare the extracted amount of information which uniquely identifies each document to the stored amount of information which identifies at least one counterfeit document so as to identify, as a suspect document, any document with matching information, the processor further operable to update the counterfeit document information stored in the memory with the extracted amount of information which uniquely identifies each document that fails one or more tests for detecting counterfeit documents.

93. The system according to claim 92, wherein the amount of information which uniquely identifies each document is a predetermined field of a document image, and wherein the amount of information which identifies a counterfeit document is a predetermined field of a counterfeit document image.

94. The system according to claim 92, wherein the amount of information which uniquely identifies each document is an encoded data field of a document image, and wherein the amount of information which identifies a counterfeit document is an encoded field of a counterfeit document image.

95. The system according to claim 92, wherein the transport mechanism is configured to transport the documents in a direction that is perpendicular to a longer edge of the document.

96. The system according to claim 92, wherein:

the amount of information which uniquely identifies the documents is at least one of an ABA number, an account number, or a check number; and

the amount of information which identifies at least one counterfeit document is at least one of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number.

97. The system according to claim 92, wherein the validation unit is operable to test document images to detect counterfeit documents.

98. A method for processing documents, comprising the acts of:

obtaining an image of at least a portion of at least one side of each document, at least a portion of the documents including checks;

extracting, from the document image, an amount of information which uniquely identifies the document;

testing each of the documents using one or more tests for detecting counterfeit documents;

transports each of the documents, one at a time, from an input receptacle to an output receptacle past a scanning system which performs the steps of obtaining, extracting and testing;

storing an amount of information which identifies at least one counterfeit document;

comparing the extracted amount of information which uniquely identifies each document to the stored amount of information which identifies at least one counterfeit document so as to identify, as a suspect document, any document with matching information; and

updating the counterfeit document information stored in the memory with the extracted amount of information which uniquely identifies each document that fails one or more tests for detecting counterfeit documents.

99. The method according to claim 98, wherein the amount of information which uniquely identifies each document is a predetermined field of a document image, and wherein the amount of information which identifies a counterfeit document is a predetermined field of a counterfeit document image.

100. The method according to claim 98, wherein the amount of information which uniquely identifies each document is an encoded data field of a document image, and wherein the amount of information which identifies a counterfeit document is an encoded field of a counterfeit document image.

101. The method according to claim 98, wherein transporting comprises transporting the documents in a direction that is perpendicular to a longer edge of the document.

102. The method according to claim 98, wherein:

the amount of information which uniquely identifies the documents is at least one of an ABA number, an account number, or a check number; and

the amount of information which identifies at least one counterfeit document is at least one of a flagged ABA number, a flagged account number, or a flagged check number.

103. The method according to claim 98 wherein testing comprises testing document images to detect counterfeit documents.