Receipt Verification System Using OCR for Fraud Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for verifying proof-of-performance for promotional rewards are inefficient, requiring manual submission of receipts and individual coupons, prone to fraud, and lack retailer-agnostic rebates, limiting user flexibility and increasing processing costs for reward sponsors.

Innovation Solution

A proof-of-performance verification system that uses image processing and OCR technology to convert receipt images to text, matches product descriptions with a terminology database, and facilitates electronic redemption of rewards through a secure digital receipt system, allowing users to redeem offers from any retailer and reducing fraud by using unalterable digital marks and biometric verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual submission of receipts and individual coupons is used, then users can redeem promotional rewards, but processing costs increase and fraud susceptibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefraud preventionVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital copies of receipts (photographs or scanned images) instead of physical receipts. The optical character recognition (OCR) technology creates digital text copies from image copies, enabling automated verification. This copying approach reduces fraud by creating verifiable digital records while lowering processing costs through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processing of physical receipts and coupons with automated optical and digital systems. OCR technology automatically extracts text from receipt images, and computer algorithms automatically match products against promotional offers, eliminating manual verification steps and reducing fraud susceptibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If individual coupons from specific retailers are required, then reward redemption is possible, but user flexibility is limited and retailer-agnostic rebates are not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretailer flexibilityVSAvoidtime to verify and match offers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal system that accepts receipts from any retailer through standardized OCR processing. The system extracts product information from receipt images using retailer-agnostic methods and matches against a database of promotional offers from multiple retailers, enabling users to redeem rewards regardless of where they purchased the product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic self-service by using OCR technology to extract product information from receipt images and automatically matching it against promotional offers in the database. This eliminates the need for manual offer selection and verification by users, saving time while maintaining flexibility across multiple retailers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If manual verification of proof-of-performance is used, then reward redemption can be processed, but processing efficiency is low and time consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereward processing speedVSAvoidtime for receipt verification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual verification processes with automated optical character recognition (OCR) technology and computer-based matching algorithms. The system automatically extracts text from receipt images, identifies products, and matches them against promotional offers, dramatically increasing processing speed and productivity while eliminating manual time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous automated processing of reward redemptions through OCR technology and database matching. Multiple receipts can be processed sequentially without interruption, and the automated nature of the system allows for rapid, continuous verification of proof-of-performance, significantly improving productivity compared to manual batch processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10402847B2System and method of electronically verifying required proof-of-performance to secure promotional rewards

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 MOBISAVE LLC

AI summary

A proof-of-performance verification system may include a receipt processing facility that receives a receipt image, wherein the receipt processing facility optionally enhances the receipt, converts the receipt image to text, and matches the text to a product or service description in accordance with a terminology database, a proof processor that electronically matches a user-selected reward offer against the product or service description to facilitate offer redemption, and at least one of a payment facility that distributes the offer redemption funds and a rewards facility that communicates incentive rewards to a central location. Related user interfaces, applications, and computer program products are disclosed.