Receipt scanning system and method

• US 6,397,194 B1
• Filed: 06/08/1999
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Image Data Corporation, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Inc. (RELX PLC)
• Original Assignee: Image Data Corporation
• Inventors: Hoenisch, Ian P., Houvener, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US09/328,112
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1,16,17,18,50,64,75,400
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/047 using payment protocols involving electronic receipts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/389 Keeping log of transactions for guaranteeing non-repudiation of a transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• 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: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• 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 7/0833 Card having specific functional components
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1075 PIN is checked remotely

Abstract

A transaction data processing system and method is provided, which is especially configured to capture, store and retrieve transaction data, including a digital representation of a signature of a person initiating a transaction. The transaction data processing system includes a scanner located at a point of use location. The scanner is configured to scan a transaction document including the signature of at least one party to the transaction. A transaction data processor is also included for processing the scanned transaction data and for generating a transaction data record. A remote database site having stored therein a database of transaction data records is also provided. A communications link links the remote database site to the transaction data processor, which is located at the point of use location. The method includes the steps of: scanning a document related to a financial transaction, said document at least a signature of at least one party to the transaction; processing the scanned document and generating a transaction data record; linking the transaction data processor to a remote database site; transmitting each generated transaction data record to the remote database site; and storing each transmitted transaction data record in a transaction data record database.

Claims

1. A transaction data processing system, especially configured to capture, store and retrieve transaction data, including a digital representation of a signature of a person initiating a transaction, said data processing system comprising:

a transaction data scanner located at a point of use location, said scanner configured to scan a transaction document, said transaction document including transaction data including at least a signature of said person initiating said transaction;

a transaction data processor for processing said scanned transaction data into a data transaction record;

a remote database site having stored therein a database including said transaction data records;

a communications link, linking said transaction data processor and said remote database site; and

a display device at said point of use location for displaying information scanned by said scanner and information transmitted from said remote database site to said point of use location, wherein said remote database site further includes a database of digital photographic images of authorized users of financial accounts and a database processor for retrieving a financial account number from a transaction data record transmitted to said remote database site, retrieving at least one digital photographic image of at least one authorized user of said retrieved financial account number and for transmitting said at least one retrieved digital photographic image to said display device at said point of sale location.

2. A method of processing transaction data, especially tailored to facilitate the capture, storage and retrieval of transaction data, including a digital representation of a signature of a person initiating a transaction, at a point of use, said method comprising the steps of:

scanning a document related to a transaction, said document including transaction data including a signature of a person initiating said transaction;

processing at least said scanned transaction data and generating a transaction data record;

linking said transaction data processor with at least one remote database site;

transmitting said transaction data record generated by said transaction data processor to said remote database site; and

storing each transaction data record received at said remote database site in a transaction data record database;

storing, at said remote database site a database of digital photographic images of authorized users of financial accounts;

retrieving a financial account number from a transaction data record transmitted to said remote database site;

retrieving at least one digital photographic image of at least one authorized user of said retrieved financial account number;

transmitting said at least one retrieved digital photographic image to said point of sale location; and

displaying said retrieved digital photographic image on a display device at said point of use.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

sending a request for identification information to said transaction data processor if no digital photographic images of at least one authorized user of said financial account number is retrieved;

scanning an identification document using said document scanner;

generating an identification data record at said transaction data processor;

transmitting said identification data record to said remote database site; and

storing said identification data in an identification database.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said identification document includes a digital photographic image of said person initiating said transaction, said method further comprising the steps of:

processing said identification data and storing said digital photographic image in said digital photographic image database; and

mapping said stored image to said financial account number.