Electronic checking account apparatus and method having a digitizer to receive information as a check is being written
First Claim
1. An electronic checking account apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
a check booklet associated with said base; and
a digitizer attached to said base and adapted to be placed in operative relation to a check when the check is being written to receive information as the check is written.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic checkbook and method for using it. The checkbook comprises upper and lower parts which fold together when not in use. The lower part receives on its upper surface a booklet of checks. A digitizer is hingedly connected or fixed to the remainder of the lower part and operates as a keyboard in one mode when placed above the check booklet, and can be placed beneath the top check of the booklet and used in a second mode as a means for inputting signals to the remainder of the device representing information written on the check. The lower part of the checkbook also includes other elements of the device including a microprocessor, a power supply and a smart card reader/writer. The upper part includes a display screen upon which checking account information appears during use of the electronic checkbook. The method of use of the checkbook provides maintenance of a record of transactions in the account, including addition of deposits and subtraction of checks drawn on the account.
222 Citations
54 Claims
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1. An electronic checking account apparatus, comprising:
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a base; a check booklet associated with said base; and a digitizer attached to said base and adapted to be placed in operative relation to a check when the check is being written to receive information as the check is written. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic checking account apparatus, comprising:
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a microprocessor for controlling the functioning and operation of the checking account apparatus; memory means coupled to said microprocessor and including checking account information and program means for converting handwritten information into digital information for use by the microprocessor; a display screen coupled to said microprocessor for displaying information related to a checking account; and a digitizer coupled to said microprocessor and adapted to be placed in operative relation to a check when the check is being written to receive information as it is written and to transmit it to said microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An electronic checking account apparatus, comprising:
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a microprocessor for controlling the functioning and operation of the checking account record apparatus; memory means coupled to said microprocessor and including checking account information and program means for converting handwritten information into digital information for use by the microprocessor; a display screen coupled to said microprocessor for displaying information related to a checking account; a digitizer coupled to said microprocessor and adapted to be placed in operative relation to a check when the check is being written to receive information as it is written and to transfer it to said microprocessor; a smart card reader/writer coupled to said microprocessor for reading checking account information from and writing checking account information into a smart card inserted therein; battery means for providing power for said apparatus and coupled thereto; and a housing comprising hinged upper and lower parts which can be moved together for security and separated for use, said upper part holding the display screen, and said lower part holding the microprocessor, the memory means, the digitizer, the smart card reader and the battery means. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for maintaining a checking account register, using a device which includes a data processor, a digitizer, a memory and a check booklet, comprising the following steps:
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(a) activating said device; (b) placing the digitizer beneath a check from the booklet; (c) writing appropriate information on the check, sensing said written information by the digitizer and decoding said sensed information; and (d) storing the decoded handwritten information in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 44, 45)
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40. A method for preparing checks and updating a checking account register, using a checking account device which includes a data processor, a display screen, a digitizer, a memory and a check booklet, comprising the following steps:
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(a) activating a check register mode of operation of said device; (b) displaying a check register on the display screen; (c) placing the digitizer beneath a check from the booklet; (d) writing appropriate information on the check, sensing said written information by the digitizer and decoding said sensed information; (e) storing the decoded handwritten information in memory; (f) updating the check register information; and (g) displaying the updated information on the display screen. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43)
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46. A method for preparing checks and updating a checking account register, using a checking account device which includes a display screen, a digitizer, a data processor and a memory, comprising the following steps:
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(a) activating said device; (b) applying diagnostic tests to the device; (c) applying check register display information to the display screen; (d) conditioning digitizer keys for operation; (e) placing a check to be written over the digitizer so that writing impressions made on the check will be sensed by the digitizer; (f) writing appropriate information on the check, sensing said information by the digitizer and decoding said information sensed by the digitizer; (g) storing the decoded handwritten information in memory; (h) updating the check register information; and (i) displaying the updated information on the display screen. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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50. A method for preparing checks and updating a checking account register, using a checking account device which includes a display screen, a digitizer, a data processor, a memory and a check booklet, comprising the following steps:
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(a) activating the device for operation; (b) applying diagnostic tests to the device; (c) providing visible data on the display screen; (d) operating a key on the digitizer to change the data on the display screen to a showing of a check register; (e) placing the digitizer beneath a check from the check booklet; (f) changing the digitizer mode from a keyboard mode to a data entry mode by entering a date on the check which is positioned above the digitizer; (g) writing check data including amount and payee; (h) sensing said written information by the digitizer; (i) decoding the sensed information; (j) storing the decoded information in memory and displaying it on the check register display screen together with a new total obtained by subtracting the amount of the check from a previous total; (k) terminating the check writing operation. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification