Method for electronically endorsing check images
First Claim
1. A method of electronically endorsing a check utilizing a computer, comprising:
- obtaining at said computer an electronic image of said check;
creating an endorsement data element for said check, said endorsement data element including at least a first information element identifying a party endorsing said check;
superimposing electronically at said computer said endorsement data element on said electronic image of said check in a manner such that the electronic data element is human readable when viewing the electronic image and optically recognized via OCR/ICR processing; and
utilizing said computer to cryptographically protect, a message data file that includes at least said electronic image of said check and said endorsement data element, in a manner that permits the integrity of and origin of said message data file to be authenticated.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of electronically endorsing a check includes obtaining an electronic image of the check and composing an endorsement data element for the check that includes at least first information identifying a party endorsing the check. The method further includes creating a message data file including the electronic image and the endorsement data element, and creating a signed message data file that includes the message data file and a digital signature of the message data file creating using a private key. The private key may be specific to the party endorsing the check or to an electronic device with which the method is implemented. Also, a method of performing an inquiry relating to a check that was endorsed as described above using the endorsement data element.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of electronically endorsing a check utilizing a computer, comprising:
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obtaining at said computer an electronic image of said check; creating an endorsement data element for said check, said endorsement data element including at least a first information element identifying a party endorsing said check; superimposing electronically at said computer said endorsement data element on said electronic image of said check in a manner such that the electronic data element is human readable when viewing the electronic image and optically recognized via OCR/ICR processing; and utilizing said computer to cryptographically protect, a message data file that includes at least said electronic image of said check and said endorsement data element, in a manner that permits the integrity of and origin of said message data file to be authenticated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method utilizing a computer for performing an inquiry relating to a check, comprising:
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obtaining a signed message data file by the computer for said check, said signed message data file including a message data file and a digital signature of said message data file created using a private key, said message data file including an electronic image of said check and an endorsement data element including at least a first information element identifying a party endorsing said check; obtaining and verifying a public key corresponding to said private key; determining whether said signed message data file can be authenticated using said digital signature and said public key; if said signed message data file can be authenticated, retrieving said endorsement data element from said message data file for use in said inquiry; and wherein said endorsement data element is electronically superimposed on said electronic image of said check and can be obtained therefrom through an OCR/ICR process. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus comprising:
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a scanner for scanning a check to create an electronic image of said check; a computer in operative communication with said scanner whereby the computer is programmed to obtain from said scanner said electronic image of said check; obtain an endorsement data element for said check, said endorsement data element including at least a first information element identifying a party endorsing said check; superimpose electronically said endorsement data element on said electronic image of said check in a manner such that the electronic data element is human readable when viewing the electronic image and optically recognizable via OCR/ICR processing; create a message data file that includes at least said electronic image of said check and said endorsement data element; and cryptographically protect said message data file in a manner that permits the integrity of and origin of said message data file to be authenticated.
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Specification