Automatic check cashing using biometric identification verification

• US 6,149,056 A
• Filed: 05/12/1997
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ATC Realty Fifteen Incorporated (Wells Fargo & Company)
• Original Assignee: Mr. Payroll Corp. (FirstCash Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Clower, Dyron, Templer, John W. Jr., Stinson, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Diane I.
• Application Number:
  US08/854,326
• Time in Patent Office: 1,289 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380, 235/375, 235/376, 235/381
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/00 Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
• 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
• 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 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data

Abstract

An automated check-cashing unit includes an input device configured to generate input signals in response to inputs from a customer, a storage device including a database of customer information, a check reader configured to receive and read a check to be processed, a cash dispenser, and an electronic processor. The processor is configured to receive the input signals from the input device, receive information about the check to be processed from the check reader, access the database of customer information to obtain data about the customer, and determine automatically whether to accept or reject the check based on the input signals, the received information about the check, and the data about the customer. Upon accepting the check, the processor signals the cash dispenser to dispense cash to the customer. The processor may be further configured to confirm the identity of the customer based on biometric information about the customer. Examples of suitable biometric information include the customer'"'"'s fingerprint or an image of the customer'"'"'s face.

Claims

1. An automated check-cashing apparatus, comprising:

an input device configured to generate input signals in response to inputs from a customer presenting a check to be processed;

a storage device including a database of customer information;

a check reader configured to receive and read the check to be processed;

a cash dispenser; and

an electronic processor connected to the input device, the storage device, the check reader, and the cash dispenser, and configured to;

receive the input signals from the input device, the input signals identifying the customer presenting the check to be processed,

receive information about the check to be processed from the check reader, the information identifying the payor of the check to be processed,

use the input signals to access the database of customer information to obtain data about the customer,

determine automatically whether to accept or reject the check to be processed based on the received information about the check to be processed, the data about the customer, and acceptance criteria, and

upon accepting the check to be processed, signal the cash dispenser to dispense cash to the customer,

wherein the acceptance criteria are defined generally to permit the processor to accept the check to be processed if the customer has used the apparatus previously to cash a previous check for a similar amount from the payor of the check to be processed.

2. A method for automatically dispensing cash in exchange for a financial instrument, comprising the steps of:

a local apparatus receiving a user identification entered by a user;

in response to entry of the user identification, accessing information about the user in a local database;

the local apparatus receiving a financial instrument entered by the user;

in response to the entry of financial instrument, reading information from the financial instrument;

the local apparatus collecting biometric data about the user;

the local apparatus comparing the collected biometric data with the information about the user to perform a determination of a user identity; and

the local apparatus determining whether to dispense cash to the user using the outcome of the comparison, the information from the financial instrument, and acceptance criteria, wherein the acceptance criteria permit cash to be dispensed if the customer has previously requested a similar amount of cash in exchange for a similar financial instrument.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the financial instrument is a check, and wherein the similar financial instrument is a check having a same payor and a similar dollar amount as a check previously presented by the user.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

if at least one of the acceptance criteria is not met, determining that the financial instrument is not acceptable for at least one referral reason, wherein a referral reason indicates which of the acceptance criteria was not met;

connecting to a remote server including a remote database;

transmitting a request to the remote server, the request including;

the biometric data about the user;

the information from the financial instrument; and

the at least one referral reason, wherein the remote server uses the request to make a separate determination of whether to dispense cash to the user.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of, during the connection to the remote server, transmitting data regarding a plurality of past financial transactions from the local database to the remote database.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein making a separate determination of whether to dispense cash to the user includes taking a particular action based upon which of the at least one referral reasons was received.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein making a separate determination of whether to dispense cash to the user includes comparing the biometric data about the user to data in the remote database to verify the identity of the user.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of, if a seperate determination is made to dispense cash to the user, the remote server sending a massage to the local apparatus to dispense the cash.

9. An apparatus for providing cash to a user in exchange for a financial instrument, comprising:

an input device that receives a user identifier entered by the user;

a biometric device that collects biometric data about the user;

a processor that performs a validation of the user'"'"'s identity using the user identifier, the collected biometric data and stored biometric data, wherein the processor provides cash to the user if the user'"'"'s identity is validated and the user has previously requested a similar amount of cash in exchange for a similar financial instrument.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a financial instrument is similar to another financial instrument when a payor of the financial instrument the same as a payor of the other financial instrument.