Payment Coupon Image Processing Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for processing payments from hardcopy bills are cumbersome, requiring manual data entry and setup, leading to user errors and low adoption of electronic bill payment methods, as consumers often find it easier to write and mail paper checks due to the complexity of electronic payment processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for capturing and processing payment coupon information by scanning or photographing the payment coupon image, using a payment service provider system that extracts field values and allows for batch processing, reducing the need for manual data entry and simplifying the payment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data entry is used to process payment coupons, then users can complete the payment process, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry with automated optical scanning and image processing systems. The system captures images of payment coupons using scanners or mobile devices, then automatically extracts data through image processing algorithms, eliminating the need for manual typing and reducing both time and errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service payment processing by automatically extracting all necessary payment information from the coupon image without requiring user intervention for data entry. The automated system performs extraction, validation, and processing independently, allowing users to simply upload the coupon image.
2Ease of operation
If multiple manual setup steps are required for electronic payment, then payment can be processed, but user complexity increases and adoption decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex manual setup steps from the payment process. By using automated image recognition and data extraction, the system removes the need for users to manually enter biller information, account details, and payment parameters, simplifying the user interface to just image upload and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a universal solution that handles multiple payment processing tasks through a single image capture and extraction process. One image upload simultaneously extracts all necessary data including biller information, account details, and payment amounts, eliminating the need for multiple separate setup operations.
3Productivity
If automated image processing is implemented, then processing speed increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary image processing layer that sits between the simple user interface and the complex payment processing system. This intermediary layer handles all the complexity of image capture, optimization, data extraction, and validation, translating complex payment requirements into simple image processing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention may provide systems and methods for processing a payment coupon image. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an image representing a payment coupon from a payer, determining an identity of a biller associated with the payment coupon based at least in part on information displayed by the image, and extracting data from the image based at least in part on payment coupon metadata associated with the biller indicating a layout of the payment coupon. The method may further include performing at least one of: (a) processing a payment associated with the payment coupon to the biller based at least in part on the data extracted from the image; (b) adding the biller to a list of billers for a payer associated with the payment coupon; or (c) activating the biller as an electronic biller for the payer associated with the payment coupon.