Check Image Capture System Using Customer Scanners

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing check presentment process is inefficient as it requires physical transmission of paper checks, and existing technologies do not effectively utilize customer scanning equipment for electronic image collection and verification, leading to complexities in format, resolution, and security certifications for various operating environments.

Innovation Solution

A system where customers use their scanning equipment to capture images of checks, which are then uploaded to their bank's server for processing, guided by bank-provided software that handles format and resolution standards, and performs verification checks, focusing on Windows environments due to cost-benefit considerations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If physical transmission of paper checks is used, then check presentment can be completed, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecheck presentment efficiencyVSAvoidtime for physical transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates electronic image copies of checks that can be transmitted and processed digitally, replacing the need for physical paper check transmission. The system captures images of the front and back of checks, converts them to digital format, and processes these images through automated clearing houses, thereby eliminating time-consuming physical mailing while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the check presentment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If customer scanning equipment is utilized, then image collection becomes more accessible, but format and resolution standards become complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer scanning equipment compatibilityVSAvoidformat and resolution standards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a software intermediary that acts as a bridge between diverse customer scanning equipment and the bank's processing system. This software automatically detects the scanner type, configures appropriate format and resolution settings, and converts images to the required standard (such as 300 DPI TIFF format). This intermediary layer absorbs the complexity of supporting multiple scanner types while presenting a simple, unified interface to customers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts image parameters such as resolution, file format, and color depth based on the detected scanner type and the specific requirements of the check image. The software automatically modifies these parameters to ensure compliance with banking standards regardless of the source equipment, thereby simplifying the customer experience while maintaining quality requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operating environments are supported, then system accessibility increases, but security certification requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating environment compatibilityVSAvoidsecurity certifications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a universal software solution that functions across multiple operating environments (Windows, macOS, Linux) through the use of platform-independent technologies such as Java applets or web-based interfaces. This universal approach allows the system to maintain consistent security protocols and certification standards across all platforms, rather than requiring separate security certifications for each operating system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If manual verification processes are used, then check accuracy can be confirmed, but the process becomes labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecheck verification accuracyVSAvoidverification process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical verification processes with automated optical and digital verification systems. The system uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to extract and verify check amounts, routing numbers, and account information. It automatically compares these extracted data points against the image data and banking records, providing reliable verification without human intervention. The system also automatically detects anomalies such as altered checks or improper endorsements, maintaining high accuracy while eliminating labor-intensive manual review.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10460381B1Systems and methods for obtaining an image of a check to be deposited

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)

AI summary

An image of a check may be presented for payment in a banking system in place of the physical paper check. The check to be deposited can be collected from a depositor using a scanner. A web site, accessed through a depositor's web browser, can be used to drive the process of collecting the check, but in some contexts (e.g., in less popular computing environments, such as those that do not run the most popular operating systems), it is economically infeasible to obtain the certificates that would be used to allow a program executing in the web browser to control the scanner. Thus, a depositor can be instructed to capture and upload images of the check in the form of files, where the image files are then presented for payment through a banking system.