Automated check processing system and method
First Claim
1. A check processing system comprising:
- an input receptacle for receiving checks;
an image scanner;
a transport mechanism coupled to the input receptacle and transporting the checks past the image scanner at a rate in excess of 800 checks per minute;
an output receptacle for receiving the checks from the transport mechanism after being transported past the image scanner;
the image scanner being adapted to obtain images of the checks, the scanner further being adapted to optically recognize fields within the checks and to automatically extract information from the fields; and
automatic means for dispensing and distributing funds among financial accounts associated with the checks.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
583 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A check processing system comprising:
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an input receptacle for receiving checks;
an image scanner;
a transport mechanism coupled to the input receptacle and transporting the checks past the image scanner at a rate in excess of 800 checks per minute;
an output receptacle for receiving the checks from the transport mechanism after being transported past the image scanner;
the image scanner being adapted to obtain images of the checks, the scanner further being adapted to optically recognize fields within the checks and to automatically extract information from the fields; and
automatic means for dispensing and distributing funds among financial accounts associated with the checks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A check processing system at a financial institution, comprising:
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an input receptacle receiving checks;
an image scanner that scans the checks to generate electronic check image tiles;
a transport mechanism that transports the checks from the input receptacle past the image scanner; and
means for electronically tagging the check image files with endorsement data for the financial institution. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
means for accepting identification from the customer associated with the financial account; and
means for dispensing currency to the customer;
the accounting system updating the balance of the financial account with respect to the dispensed currency.
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28. The system of claim 22 further including a user input device through which unrecognizable field information may be input.
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29. The system of claim 22 further including an interface through which tagged check image files are output to other financial institutions for further processing.
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30. A check processing method comprising the steps of:
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receiving checks;
scanning each check with an image scanner to obtain images of the checks;
transporting the checks past the image scanner at a rate in excess of 800 checks per minute;
receiving the checks after being transported past the image scanner;
optically recognizing fields within the check images in order to automatically extract information from the fields; and
automatically dispensing and distributing funds among financial accounts associated with the checks. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A check processing method performed at a financial institution, comprising the steps of:
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receiving checks;
scanning the checks with an image scanner to generate electronic check image files;
transporting the received checks past the image scanner; and
electronically tagging the check image files with endorsement data for the financial institution. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
accepting identification from the customer associated with the financial account; and
dispensing currency to the customer;
updating the balance of the financial account with respect to the dispensed currency.
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44. The method of claim 38 further including a user input device through which unrecognizable field information may be input.
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45. The method of claim 38 further including the step of outputting tagged check image files to other financial institutions for further processing.
Specification