Security check method and apparatus

• US 5,838,814 A
• Filed: 01/02/1996
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven Jerome Moore
• Original Assignee: Steven Jerome Moore
• Inventors: Moore, Steven Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancuso, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US08/581,808
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 382/735, 382/137, 382/144, 382/115, 382/145, 382/149, 340/825.31, 340/825.33, 340/825.34, 340/825.35, 235/379, 235/380, 235/381
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0047 using checkcodes, e.g. coded numbers derived from serial number and denomination
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/125 Offline card verification

Abstract

A check permitting confirmation that a check was drawn by an authorized maker at the time of transaction is disclosed. Such check includes a picture of the authorized maker and an electronically-scannable means for informing the bank whether the check was transacted with the authorized maker present. The picture may include stenganographic identification coding which may be computationally-correlatable with an invisible, but photostatically-incompetent, bank mark. Confirmation of endorsement by the person or entity to whom the draft is drawn is effectuated by providing for a plurality of unique codes associated with the identity of an endorser. Such unique codes preferably include a "made payable to code" and an "endorsement code". Preferably the present invention provides for means for the drawee of the draft to confirm that sufficient funds are available in the account upon which the draft is drawn. Such means may include incorporation onto the draft itself of electronically-readable information correlatable with the account from which the draft is drawn.

Claims

1. A security method for authenticating the validity of a draft comprising:

(i) providing the authorized maker of a draft requiring a signature for transaction of said draft with an electronically-readable means for identifying the account from which said draft is to be drawn;

(ii) obtaining said electronically-readable means from a person transacting a signed draft;

(iii) electronically reading said electronically-readable identification means and converting the same into an electronic data stream;

(iv) electronically inputting the amount for which said signed draft is drawn and coupling such with said electronic data stream relating to said identification;

(v) exporting said coupled data to a data processing means having access to account information concerning fund availability in said account at the time of transaction of the draft;

(vi) providing the inputter of said signed draft amount with confirmation that said account has sufficient funds to cover said draft;

(vii) segregating said inputted amount from other funds in the account and debiting the same upon receipt of said signed draft if said draft is determined to have been signed by said authorized maker.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of incorporating said electronically-readable means onto said draft.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of incorporating said electronically-readable means onto a substrate separate form said draft.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing the authorized maker of draft with an electronically-readable means for identifying the authorized maker of said draft.

5. A security draft with incorporated means for authenticating the validity of the signed draft, comprising:

(i) a substrate having a face portion and a back portion, said face portion having imprinted thereon a maker signature delineation area, and said back portion having imprinted thereon an endorser signature delineation area;

(ii) a digital picture of the authorized maker imprinted on said face portion or said back portion of said substrate, said digital picture having encoded therein data with respect to the characteristics of the verified signature of the authorized maker;

(iii) an identification code correlatable with encoded data within said digital picture printed on said face portion or said back portion of said substrate at a position outside of said digital picture.

6. The security draft of claim 5 wherein said identification code is printed in a concealed manner.

7. The security draft of claim 6 wherein said concealed identification code is printed in an ink undetectable in the visible spectrum.