Remote Capture Device Image Quality Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Financial institution customers face burdensome and time-consuming processes when depositing checks and other items, requiring visits to traditional deposit locations like banking centers or ATMs.
Innovation Solution
A remote capture device, such as a mobile phone with a digital camera or flatbed scanner, generates images of deposit items, automatically determines image quality, and performs actions like capturing or adjusting the image to ensure readability, allowing for deposit transactions without physical visits to traditional locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If customers visit traditional deposit locations (banking centers, ATMs), then deposit transactions can be completed with reliable equipment, but customers incur loss of time and travel burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a remote capture device (camera or scanner) to create an image copy of the deposit item instead of requiring the physical item to be transported to a traditional deposit location. This image copy is then processed through the deposit system, eliminating the need for customers to travel to banking centers or ATMs while maintaining the reliability of the deposit transaction process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image as an intermediary between the customer and the deposit processing system. Instead of directly depositing the physical item at a traditional location, the customer captures an image which serves as a mediator that can be transmitted and processed remotely, thereby eliminating travel time while preserving transaction reliability
2Measurement precision
If customers visit traditional deposit locations, then deposit transactions can be processed accurately, but the process becomes burdensome and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital image copy of the deposit item that preserves all necessary information for accurate processing. The image capture device records the deposit item's details, and this digital copy is then used for identification and processing, maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation by allowing deposits from any location
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically transporting deposit items to traditional locations with an optical/electronic system. A camera or scanner captures images of the deposit items, and these images are transmitted electronically for processing, substituting the mechanical travel and handling process with a more convenient electronic system that maintains information accuracy
3Ease of operation
If remote capture devices are used to generate images of deposit items, then customer convenience is improved, but image quality may be insufficient for reading deposit item information
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processing system evaluates the quality of captured images and communicates back to the customer whether the image is sufficient for processing. If the image quality is inadequate, the system provides feedback requesting the customer to recapture the image with proper positioning and lighting, thereby ensuring measurement precision while maintaining the ease of remote operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary actions by providing customers with instructions and guidance before they capture images of their deposit items. The system prepares the customer with information about proper capture techniques, positioning, and lighting conditions, ensuring that the resulting images meet the quality requirements for accurate information reading while maintaining remote convenience
Data Source
AI summary
In general terms, some embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for automatically analyzing and/or capturing an image of a deposit item for use in a deposit transaction. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) generating, by a remote capture device, an image of a deposit item, where the generating the image is based at least partially on the deposit item being exposed to the remote capture device; (b) determining, automatically by the remote capture device, that the image is satisfactory for reading deposit item information from the image, where the deposit item information is associated with the deposit item; and (c) performing, automatically by the remote capture device, a predetermined action, where the performing the predetermined action is based at least partially on the determining that the image is satisfactory for reading deposit item information from the image. In some embodiments, the performing the predetermined action includes capturing, automatically by the remote capture device, the image of the deposit item. In other embodiments, the performing the predetermined action includes prompting, automatically by the remote capture device, a user of the remote capture device to capture the image. In some embodiments, the method occurs in substantially real-time and/or while the deposit item is being exposed to the remote capture device.