Check processing method, check processing program medium, and check processing apparatus

• US 7,219,831 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Murata, Sadao
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, UYEN CHAU N
• Application Number:
  US11/116,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20050252960A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/449, 235/375, 235/382, 902/8, 902/9, 902/14, 902/18, 705/43, 705/45
• US Class Current: 235/379
• 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 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/2253 Recognition of characters printed with magnetic ink G06V30/2247 takes precedence

Abstract

A check processing method, a program medium, and a check processing apparatus store image data equivalent to the image data captured from the back of a printed check with a single check insertion operation using a compact, easily controlled apparatus. A back image scanning step scans the back of a check C. An authorization data generating step generates authorization data d indicating that processing a check C payment has been completed by a bank. A merged image data generating step generates merged image data g3 combining the back image data g2 captured in the back image scanning step with the generated authorization data d. A merged image data storing step stores the merged image data g3.

Claims

1. A check processing method comprising:

scanning a back of a check;

generating authorization data indicating that processing a check payment has been completed by a bank;

generating merged image data by combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with the generated authorization data; and

storing the merged image data; and

wherein the steps of scanning the back of the check, generating authorization data, and generating merged image data are performed in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus; and

printing the authorization data on the back of the check after scanning the back of the cheek, and wherein the step of printing the authorization data is performed in the single pass of the check in one direction through the transportation path of the check processing apparatus.

2. A check processing method as described in claim 1, wherein generating the merged image data comprises pasting the authorization data in a portion of the back image data.

3. A check processing method as described in claim 2, wherein the check includes an endorsement area where information is written or printed by a payee of the check;

and

the authorization data is pasted in an area outside the endorsement area.

4. A medium readable by a machine embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a check processing method, the method comprising:

scanning a back of a check;

generating authorization data indicating that processing a check payment has been completed by a bank;

generating merged image data by combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with the generated authorization data; and

storing the merged image data; and

wherein the steps of scanning the back of the check, generating authorization data, and generating merged image data are performed in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus; and

printing the authorization data on the back of the check after scanning the back of the check, and wherein the step of printing the authorization data is performed in the single pass of the check in one direction through the transportation path of the check processing apparatus.

5. The medium of claim 4, wherein generating the merged image data comprises pasting the authorization data in a portion of the back image data.

6. The medium of claim 4, wherein the check includes an endorsement area where information is written or printed by a payee of the check;

and

the authorization data is pasted in an area outside the endorsement area.

7. A check processing apparatus comprising a transportation path for conveying a check inserted from a check insertion opening to an exit opening;

a transportation mechanism that conveys the check through the transportation path;

a back image scanning mechanism that captures a back image of the check conveyed through the transportation path;

an authorization data generating mechanism that generates authorization data indicating that processing a check payment has been completed by a bank;

a merged image data generating mechanism that generates merged image data by combining the back image data captured by the back image scanning mechanism with the generated authorization data; and

a merged image data storage mechanism that stores the merged image data;

wherein the back image is captured, the authorization data is generated, and the merged image data is generated in a single pass of the check in one direction through the transportation path; and

a printing mechanism that prints the authorization data on the back of the check, the printing mechanism positioned in the transportation path downstream in the transportation direction from the back image scanning mechanism, wherein the authorization data is printed on the back of the check in the single pass of the check in one direction through the transportation path.

8. A check processing apparatus as described in claim 7, further comprising:

a magnetic ink character reading mechanism that reads magnetic ink characters preprinted on the check at a position along the transportation path upstream of the printing mechanism in the check transportation direction; and

an evaluation mechanism that determines if the check is valid or invalid based on reading results from the magnetic ink character reading mechanism; and

wherein

the authorization data generating mechanism generates the authorization data when the evaluation mechanism determines that the check is valid.