Remote Check Deposit OCR Validation Before Check Image Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote check deposit processes face challenges in capturing clear and precise images of checks, particularly on resource-constrained devices, leading to user frustration and inefficiencies, and existing optical character recognition (OCR) technologies struggle to accurately process check data.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device-based system performs local optical character recognition (OCR) and verification of check images, including manual image capture and dual OCR processes for different fonts, providing feedback and remediating missing data before sending images to a financial institution server for validation, thus ensuring accurate and secure remote deposit processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If remote check deposit is performed using conventional OCR processes, then check data can be extracted, but processing accuracy is insufficient and resource-constrained devices struggle to perform OCR
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the OCR processing task into two distinct parts: (1) a simplified first OCR process that runs locally on the mobile device to extract basic check data, and (2) a more comprehensive second OCR process that runs on the financial institution server to validate and supplement the extracted data. This segmentation allows resource-constrained mobile devices to perform initial processing while maintaining high accuracy through server-based validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification process where the mobile device performs initial OCR extraction, then sends the extracted data to the financial institution server for validation against the original check image. This intermediary step acts as a mediator between the resource-constrained local device and the more powerful server, ensuring accuracy without requiring the mobile device to have full OCR capabilities.
2Reliability
If check images are transmitted to financial institution servers, then validation processing can be performed, but network bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential OCR data (text fields from the check) from the full check image and transmits only this extracted data to the financial institution server for validation, rather than transmitting the entire high-resolution check image. This significantly reduces network bandwidth usage while still enabling effective validation processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary OCR extraction and data preparation on the mobile device before transmission to the server. By pre-processing the check image locally to extract text data, the system reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over the network, thereby conserving bandwidth while maintaining validation accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If users manually review captured check images, then image quality can be verified, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated image quality verification through the dual OCR process, where the system automatically checks whether the extracted check data meets required standards without requiring manual user review. The mobile device and server work together to self-verify image quality by validating the presence and accuracy of extracted text fields, eliminating the time-consuming manual review step.
4Loss of information
If local OCR is performed on mobile devices, then user privacy is enhanced and network usage reduced, but processing accuracy may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing architecture so that only essential text data (OCR results) is processed locally on the mobile device to protect user privacy, while the original check images remain on the user's device. The segmented approach allows local extraction of text fields without transmitting or storing sensitive image data, maintaining privacy while enabling accurate processing through server-based validation of the extracted text.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for remote check deposit are disclosed. A check for deposit is processed without the need for a server to receive any image of the check initially. Instead, optical character recognition (OCR) data is received at the server from a mobile device. Verification processing for the check is then performed using the OCR data. If the verification process is successful, a confirmation notification is sent to the mobile device. Subsequently, after sending the confirmation notification, a check image is received, from which the OCR data was determined. The check is, in turn, processed for deposit using the received check image.