Automated Payment Coupon Scanning and OCR Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 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.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows users to scan or photograph payment coupons, extracting information using stored metadata or user-provided layout details, enabling automated processing and batch handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual data entry is used for processing payments from hardcopy bills, then the payment process can be completed, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of payment dataVSAvoidtime required for payment processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical scanning to create digital copies of payment coupons from hardcopy bills. The scanner captures an image of the coupon, and OCR technology converts the visual text into machine-readable data, eliminating manual typing and reducing errors from miskeying information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual data entry with automated optical scanning and OCR technology. The system uses software to automatically extract payment information from scanned images, substituting human manual operations with automated digital processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual setup of biller information is required, then the payment system can process payments, but the complexity and time required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of payment processingVSAvoidcomplexity of payment setup process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts biller information (biller name, address, account number) directly from the scanned payment coupon during the initial scanning process. This preliminary extraction of setup information eliminates the need for separate manual configuration steps before processing payments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scanning and OCR system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures the payment coupon image, extracts payment details, identifies biller information, and prepares data for processing—all in one automated workflow, reducing both time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If electronic bill payment systems are made easier to use, then adoption increases, but manual processes must be replaced with automated solutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of electronic bill paymentVSAvoidlevel of automated processing required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows consumers to simply scan or photograph their payment coupon and upload it to the portal. The automated OCR and extraction processes handle all the complex data processing without requiring the consumer to understand or configure any technical settings, making the service easy to use while maintaining high automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8543501B2Systems and methods for capturing and processing payment coupon information

Publication Date: 2013.09.24 FISERV INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention may provide systems and methods for capturing and processing payment coupon information. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an image representing a payment coupon from a payer and determining an identity of a biller associated with the payment coupon from the image. It may then be determined that no payment coupon metadata for obtaining one or more fields from the payment coupon is stored in association with the biller. The method may then include requesting a respective set of one or more field indicators representing at least an approximate size or an approximate location for one or more fields within the image. Upon receipt, the field indicators for the fields within the image are stored as the payment coupon metadata in association with the biller.