Patent Application
20050114264
Certain embodiments of the present invention are generally related to systems and methods of generating instruments, and more particularly to systems and methods for remotely generating financial or other instruments.
People requiring certified funds are, for the most part, currently faced with having to physically travel to a branch of a bank in which they hold a demand deposit account. They are then generally required to fill in a withdrawal slip and present it to the bank teller, who prepares, for example, a certified check or a travelers' check. This requirement to be physically present at the issuing bank can be a significant problem when the certified funds are needed outside of normal banking hours or when the customer lives many miles from the nearest bank branch. Moreover, travelers' checks may only be issued in predetermined denominations, such as $100 amounts. Other problems exist.
The invention solves at least these problems and others in the art by providing systems and methods for remotely generating instruments such as, for example, certified checks, travelers checks and other original documents or instruments.
Certain embodiments of the invention solve at least these problems by providing systems and methods that allow a customer to contact his or her bank via telephone or computer, request, for example, a certified check, and have the certified check print out on a printer at the customer's home or office. Particular embodiments provide for certain security measures to be included in the systems and methods to help prevent unauthorized use of the instrument, once generated.
Although the example of a customer using systems and methods of the invention to print and use certified checks for the purpose of purchasing an automobile is used in the following description, it is noted that many other types of instruments can be generated using the invention. For example, travelers checks can be printed at the home of a user prior to departing on a trip. The travelers checks can be printed in various convenient denominations and quantities. Other documents such as, for example, passports, birth certificates, loan documents, stock certificates, professional Certificates of Good Standing, and other documents requiring some evidence of authenticity can be generated using systems and methods of the invention.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and the following figures, of which:
With the ever present concern regarding authenticity of documents and the growing demand for convenience in today's world, systems and methods according to the invention for allowing a customer of, for example, a financial institution to print instruments having verifiable authenticity in the customer's home or office may offer valuable advantages. The following embodiments of such systems and methods will be described with reference to printing a certified check at the home of a customer of a bank. It is noted, however, that many other types of instruments such as, for example, travelers checks, credit card convenience checks, loan documentation, birth certificates and other such important documents can also be printed remotely from the issuing institution using the systems and methods of the invention. Similarly, issuing institutions other than banks can also use the systems and methods of the invention.
In S200, the customer logs onto the bank system using, for example, his personal computer located at his home. The customer can log onto the bank system in a variety of ways including through the bank's web site using a specific password or other security measures. Once the customer successfully logs onto the bank system, processing proceeds to S300.
In S300, the customer requests a particular instrument, including denomination and quantity, if appropriate. In this example, where the customer is requesting a certified check, his request may include the denomination, or amount, of the check as well as the entity to which the check is to be made payable. If, for example, the customer was unsure of the exact amount to be paid for his new automobile, he could request two or more certified checks to facilitate his negotiations with the automobile dealer. For example, he could request one certified check in the amount of $20,000 and two certified checks in the amount of $2,000 each. In this way, he can have in his possession certified funds totaling $24,000 for use, as needed, without having the entire amount in one check. The request by the customer will also include the source of the funds for purchase of the certified check. This source could be the customer's deposit account, in which case the certified check could be made out to the customer himself. The source could also be a loan, in which case the certified check could be made out to the recipient (in this example, the automobile dealer) or jointly to the customer and the recipient. In other embodiments, the user may choose a selectable currency, such as Euros or others, for travel or other purposes. Once the customer's request is complete and is approved by the bank, processing proceeds to S400.
In S400 an electronic image representing the instrument is prepared by the bank system and sent to the customer's remote location. In this example, an electronic image of the certified check, or checks, is sent to the customer's personal computer at his home. The image may be transmitted, for example, as a computer readable file in JPG, GIF, BMP, TIFF or other formats. In other embodiments, the bank system and customer's personal computer and printer are coordinated such that the electronic image of the instrument is in a format compatible with the customer's equipment. Processing then proceeds to S500.
In S500, the instrument is printed at the customer's remote location. In this example, the customer's personal computer prepares the electronic image for printing on the customer's printer and sends the image to the printer. The instrument, in this example the certified check, or checks, is printed on the customer's printer. Processing then proceeds to S600. Printing may be via laser printer, color laser printer, inkjet, bubble jet, dye sublimation or other printing hardware or media.
In S600, the customer may take the generated instrument and presents it to the recipient. In this example, the customer takes the certified checks to the automobile dealer and presents them to the dealer in exchange for a new automobile. Processing then proceeds to S700.
In S700, the recipient may verify the authenticity of the instrument through a verification process. Some examples of the verification process of S700 are described below. Processing then proceeds to S800.
In S800, it is determined whether the authenticity of the instrument may be verified. If, in S800, the authenticity of the instrument is verified, the recipient honors the instrument. In this example, the automobile dealer accepts the certified checks as if they were cash. If, on the other hand, the authenticity of the instrument is not verified in S800, processing proceeds to S1000 where the recipient refuses to accept the instrument. In this example, the automobile dealer does not accept the certified checks because the dealer has not been able to verify their authenticity.
In S420, the bank system determines the denomination and quantity of the instrument required from the customer request. In this example, the bank system would determine that three certified checks having values of $20,000, $2,000 and $2,000 are required. Processing then proceeds to S430.
In S430, the bank system creates an electronic image of the instrument, absent any security portion. In this example, the bank system creates electronic images of the three certified checks. Processing then proceeds to S440.
In S440, a security portion of the electronic image of each instrument is created. One example of such a security portion is a watermark that is printed along with the instrument embedded within the digital image. The watermark may be readable on the original instrument that is printed, but is not readable on any photocopy of the instrument. An example of such a watermark is one that is embedded directly in the electronic image by modulating the brightness of specific image pixels. This modulation can be unique to that specific image. Using such a security measure may prevent usable photocopies of the instrument from being made. Processing then proceeds to S450.
In S450, a unique identification number may be assigned to each instrument. In this example, each certified check would be assigned a unique identification or serial number. Also, depending on the type of instrument, the unique identification or serial number can become part of the electronic image of the instrument. In addition, a barcode or other computer readable representation of the unique identification or serial number can be included in the electronic image. This computer readable representation of the unique identification number can be scanned as a part of determining the validity of the instrument discussed below). Processing then proceeds to S460.
As an optional security feature, identification of the customer's remote location can be verified. An example of this verification is the customer's personal computer containing a preassigned identification number embedded in its memory. The bank system then verifies that the identification number embedded in the memory of the customer's computer matches the identification number previously assigned to that customer and recorded in the bank system. This optional feature preferably includes a mechanism to allow customers to update their location and add new locations by, for example, properly responding to a security question. Owner verification techniques, such as smart card or other readers, retinal, fingerprint or other biometric scans, or other security methods may be used. With the use of a security feature or check, once identification of the customer's remote location is verified, processing proceeds to S460.
In S460, an electronic image of the instrument is sent to the customer's remote location. The electronic image includes, in this example, images of the three certified checks including the watermarks and the unique identification numbers assigned to the instruments. A mechanism for allowing customers to update, add and delete remote locations can be provided. Such a mechanism would preferably include a security measure, such as the customer answering a security question, that must be satisfied prior to any updating, adding or deleting. After S460, processing continues with S500 as shown in
In S520, printing of the instrument begins on a medium. In this example, the medium may be a paper provided by the bank that contains a security device that helps prevent copying of the instrument. One example of a security device is a paper that may be either light or heat sensitive, such that when the paper is photocopied an image appears on the copy that is not visible on the original. For example, the word “void” could appear on photocopies of the paper due to thermal imprint but not on the paper itself. While the word “void” is used here as an example, it is noted that other words or phrases can be used. It is also noted that other technologies or methods of providing such a security feature on the instrument itself can be used. After printing of the instrument begins, processing proceeds to S530.
In S530, it may be determined whether the instrument was printed in its entirety without error. If it is determined in S530 that the printing was completed without error, processing proceeds to S540, where successful printing is confirmed to the bank system. If, however, printing is not completed without error is S530, processing proceeds to S550, where the print job of the particular instrument is aborted. Processing then proceeds to S560.
In S560, a signal may be sent to the bank system indicating that the print job was aborted. In the case of multiple instruments being printed, each instrument would be treated as a separate print job so that the signal indicating that a print job was aborted would be instrument specific. Processing then proceeds to S570.
In S570, after the bank system has received the signal indicating that the print job of a particular instrument has been aborted, the electronic image of that instrument may be resent to the customer's remote location so that printing of the instrument can be attempted again. Processing then proceeds to S510 and the above procedure may be repeated until the instrument is successfully printed.
An advantage of the verification systems of
While
The customer information referred to in these examples could be any combination of customer name, address, telephone number, social security number, smart card based, biometric or other identifying information. The customer information could also be the name of the entity to which a certified check is made payable, which may or may not be the customer himself.
In S710 of
In S711, the verification system determines instrument information such as denomination, instrument number and recipient name and/or customer information such as customer name and address from the memory of the verification system. Instrument information and customer information may be stored in the memory of the verification system when the customer obtains the instrument (in electronic form) from the bank system. This instrument information and customer information can be indexed by the instrument's unique identification number for quick retrieval upon receiving a request for verification from a recipient of the instrument. Processing then proceeds to S712.
In S712, the verification system may transmit the instrument information or the customer information to the recipient. In this example, the automobile dealer would see on his monitor or other interface that the instrument is a certified check in the amount of $20,000 made out to the dealer and the unique identification number of the check along with, possibly, the customer's name and address. This information can be used by the automobile dealer to confirm that the person presenting the certified check to him is indeed the authorized possessor of the check. As shown in S713, the recipient may compare the instrument information to the instrument and/or compare the customer information to the customer to verify authenticity of the instrument and or the customer. Processing then proceeds to S800.
S800, S900 and S1000 are similar to those shown in
Another example of the process of S700 shown in
S720 and S721 are identical to S710 and S711, respectively, of
In S722, unlike S712 of
In S723, the recipient may enter the information requested by the verification system in S722. In this example, the automobile dealer may enter the instrument type as a certified check and the instrument denomination as $20,000. The automobile dealer also enters the customer's name and address. Processing then proceeds to S724.
In S724, the verification system compares the instrument information or customer information entered by the recipient with the corresponding information stored in the memory of the verification system to verify authenticity of the instrument or the customer. In this example, the verification may compare the information entered by the automobile dealer with the information stored in the memory of the verification system that was stored when the customer received the electronic image of the certified check from the bank. Processing then proceeds to S800.
In S800, the authenticity of the instrument or the customer may be verified by the verification system. If the authenticity is verified in S800, processing proceeds to S920, where the recipient is advised by the verification system that the instrument is authentic. On the other hand, if the authenticity is not verified in S800, processing proceeds to S1020, where the recipient may be directed by the verification system to refuse to accept the instrument.
In S731, the automated verification system may determine the instrument information such as denomination and or customer information such as the customer's name and address that corresponds to the unique instrument identification number entered by the recipient in S730. Processing then proceeds to S732.
In S732, the automated verification system may transmit instrument information or customer information to the recipient over the telephone. In this example, the automobile dealer would hear over the telephone the type of instrument (certified check), the denomination of the instrument ($20,000) and the customer's name and address. Processing then proceeds to S733.
In S733, the recipient compares the instrument information to the instrument and/or compares the customer information to the customer to verify authenticity of the instrument and/or the customer. In this example, the automobile dealer would compare the instrument information and customer information heard over the telephone from the automated verification system to the instrument in his possession and the customer that presented the instrument to him. Processing then proceeds to S800.
In S800, the authenticity of the instrument and or customer is verified by the recipient. If the authenticity of the instrument and/or customer are verified in S800, processing proceeds to S900, where the recipient honors the instrument. If, however, authenticity is not verified in S800, processing proceeds to S1000, where the recipient refuses to accept the instrument.
In S742, the automated verification system requests instrument information and/or customer information from the recipient of the instrument over the telephone. Processing then proceeds to S743.
In S743, the recipient provides the instrument information and/or customer information over the telephone to the automated verification system. In this example, the automobile dealer would state over the telephone that the instrument received is a certified check in the amount of $20,000 and may also state, for example, the customer's name, address, account number and/or social security number. Processing then proceeds to S744.
In S744, the automated verification system compares the instrument information or customer information received from the recipient with corresponding information stored in the memory of the automated verification system at the time of creation of the instrument. In an embodiment of the invention, this comparison is done through a VRU (voice recognition unit) in order to compare information stated by the recipient in spoken words to the information in the memory of the automated verification system.
If the information stated by the recipient matches or nearly matches the information in memory, the information in memory can be transmitted over the telephone in a computer generated voice for confirmation by the recipient. If, however, the information stated by the recipient does not match the information in memory, a human operator can intervene and complete the verification process. Additional safeguards can also be employed, such as, for example, requiring the customer to speak to the verification system over the telephone and using voice recognition software to compare the customer's voice to a stored speech pattern previously entered into the system by the customer. Such additional safeguards could be required in situations involving large sums of money or sensitive security issues. Processing then proceeds to S800.
In S800, if the authenticity of the instrument or customer are verified, the recipient may be advised in S940 by the verification system that the instrument is authentic. If, however, the authenticity of the instrument or customer are not verified in S800, processing proceeds to S1040, where the recipient may be directed by the verification system to refuse to accept the instrument.
Another embodiment of the invention allows customers to print credit card convenience checks at, for example, their home or office. Allowing remote printing of convenience checks by customers can save significant marketing dollars on direct mail costs, reduce fraud risk and exposure from US Postal delivery process, and provide greater customer flexibility in utilizing their available credit balance. Currently, direct mail is used to distribute millions of convenience checks annually to current credit card customers to promote additional transactions. A special, limited time, low-rate offer often applies to the convenience checks, with an expiration date placed on the actual checks. The convenience checks usually come in a batch of three or four with a cover letter that highlights benefits.
While customers can currently request convenience checks at anytime by calling the issuing bank's customer service department, it often takes 7 to 10 business days for delivery. Printing convenience checks at a customer-designated location can be almost immediate and can utilize security mechanisms such as those described above to prevent duplication.
An example of a system for printing convenience checks includes a customer logging in to their credit card account online and typing in the number of checks wanted, the system generating the correct routing, account and check numbers for the checks, and the individual checks being printed out at the customer-designated location.
While the foregoing description includes many details and specificities, it is to be understood that these have been included for purposes of explanation only, and are not to be interpreted as limitations of the present invention. Modifications to the embodiments described above can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as is intended to be encompassed by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/250,127, filed Dec. 1, 2000.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60250127 | Dec 2000 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 09800997 | Mar 2001 | US |
| Child | 11034175 | Jan 2005 | US |
