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

• US 7,997,478 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2010
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• 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): Lee; Seung H
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNSON, SONJI N
• Application Number:
  US12/824,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20100258622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/449, 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

Check processing involves scanning a back of a check having no authorization data printed thereon and also scanning a front of the check having preprinted magnetic ink characters, electronically generating authorization data indicating that processing payment of the check has been completed and the check is valid based on a reading of the magnetic characters and a response from an external analysis source, generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with generated authorization data, and storing the electronic merged image with the front image data captured during the scanning of the front of the check. Moreover, these operations are performed in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus. No printing of any data is required. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.

Claims

1. A check processing method comprising:

scanning a back of a check having no authorization data printed thereon;

scanning a front of the check to capture a front image of the check, the front of the check being preprinted with magnetic ink characters;

generating authorization data indicating that processing payment of the check has been completed and that the check is valid based on a reading of the magnetic ink characters and a response from an external analysis source, the authorization data being generated electronically and not being printed on the check;

generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with the generated authorization data, the electronic merged image being generated without printing any data; and

storing the electronic merged image with the front image;

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

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

instructions for scanning a back of a check having no authorization data printed thereon;

instructions for scanning a front of the check to capture a front image of the check, the front of the check being preprinted with magnetic ink characters;

instructions for generating authorization data indicating that processing payment of the check has been completed and that the check is valid based on a reading of the magnetic ink characters and a response from an external analysis source, the authorization data being generated electronically and not being printed on the check;

instructions for generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with the generated authorization data, the electronic merged image being generated without printing any data;

instructions for storing the electronic merged image with the front image; and

instructions for performing the operations of scanning the back and front of the check, generating authorization data, and generating the electronic merged image in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus.

3. A check processing apparatus configured to communicate with a host device, the check processing apparatus comprising:

a transportation path for conveying a check from a check insertion opening to an exit opening;

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

a scanning component that captures both a back image of the check and a front image of the check conveyed through the transportation path;

an authorization data component that sends a request to the host device for electronic authorization data indicating that processing payment of the check has been completed and that the check is valid based on a reading of magnetic ink characters preprinted on the check and a response from an external analysis source, wherein the authorization data component receives the requested electronic authorization data from the host device if the check is determined to be valid;

a merged image generating component that generates an electronic merged image by combining back image data captured during the capturing of the back image with the received electronic authorization data; and

a memory that stores the electronic merged image with the front image;

wherein the back and front images are captured, the authorization data is requested, and the electronic merged image is generated in a single pass of the check in one direction through the transportation path.