Method for processing checks prior to electronic deposit

• US 7,609,873 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Foth, Thomas J., Pierce, Jeffrey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): BHATNAGAR, ANAND P
• Application Number:
  US11/295,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20070127805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,420 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/135, 382/136, 382/137, 382/138, 382/139, 382/140, 194/210, 235/17, 705/50, 705/51, 705/80, 283/57, 283/58, 283/59
• US Class Current: 382/138
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 Character recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/127 with the intervention of an operator
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/274 Syntactic or semantic context, e.g. balancing

Abstract

A method of processing checks includes obtaining first information relating to the checks that is compiled by an operator using a calculator, such as by scanning a calculator tape, wherein the first information includes a first number of first dollar amounts, each of which corresponds to a respective one of the checks. The method further includes scanning the checks to create a plurality of check images, obtaining from the check images a second number of second dollar amounts, each corresponding to a respective one of the check images, determining whether the first number is equal to the second number, and providing an error indication if the first number does not equal the second number (which is an indication that a misfeed has occurred).

Claims

1. A method of processing a plurality of checks,

comprising:

using a server to perform the steps of;

obtaining first information relating to said checks, said first information being compiled by an operator using a calculator and including a first number of first dollar amounts, each of said first dollar amounts corresponding to a respective one of said checks;

scanning said checks to create a plurality of check images;

obtaining from said check images a second number of second dollar amounts, each of said second dollar amounts corresponding to a respective one of said check images;

determining whether said first number is equal to said second number, wherein if said first number is equal said second number said method further comprises determining whether each of said first dollar amounts matches a respective one of said second dollar amounts, and

if it is determined that each of said first dollar amounts does not match a respective one of said second dollar amounts said method further comprises;

using character recognition to read a first recognized dollar amount from each of said check images and assign a confidence level to each of said first recognized dollar amounts;

determining whether it is not possible, using character recognition with one of said first dollar amounts acting as a hint, to read a second recognized dollar amount having a confidence level that is greater than or equal to a predetermined level from any one the check images having a confidence level assigned thereto that is below said predetermined level;

providing a second error indication if it is determined that it is not possible, using character recognition with one of said first dollar amounts acting as a hint, to read a second recognized dollar amount having a confidence level that is greater than or equal to said predetermined level from any one the check images having a confidence level assigned thereto that is below a predetermined level; and

providing an error indication if said first number does not equal said second number.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising segregating the check images having a confidence level assigned thereto that is above the predetermined level and matching ones of said first dollar amounts prior to said step of determining whether it is not possible, using character recognition with one of said first dollar amounts acting as a hint, to read a second recognized dollar amount having a confidence level that is greater than or equal to the predetermined level from any one the check images having a confidence level assigned thereto that is below the predetermined level, wherein said matching ones of said first dollar amounts are not used as hints.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining first information relating to said checks includes:

receiving a calculator tape including said first information;

scanning said calculator tape to generate a calculator tape image; and

using character recognition to read said first information from said calendar tape image.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining from said check images a second number of second dollar amounts includes using character recognition to read said second dollar amounts from said check images.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sorting said first dollar amounts and said second dollar amounts prior to said determining step.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said sorting includes placing said first dollar amounts in ascending order and said second dollar amounts in ascending order.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining first information relating to said checks includes electronically receiving said first information from said calculator.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein said first information includes at least a portion of an account number associated with each of said first dollar amounts.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising sorting said first dollar amounts and said second dollar amounts prior to said determining step, said first dollar amounts being sorted according to the at least a portion of an account number associated with each.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining first information relating to said checks includes:

receiving a calculator tape including a barcode, said barcode including said first information;

scanning said calculator tape to generate a calendar tape image; and

reading said first information from said barcode.