Abstract:
A system and method of cashing a check which reduces wait times and automates a very manual process. An example method includes capturing an image of the check, sending a request including an image file containing the image of the check to a check approval system, receiving an approval to cash the check from the check approval system, and submitting the image file and the approval during a check cashing transaction at a self-service terminal.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to check cashing and more specifically to a system and method of cashing a check. 
         [0002]    Unbanked and underbanked consumers typically conduct check cashing transactions by visiting a third party check cashing entity. 
         [0003]    It would be desirable to provide a system and method of cashing a check which gives unbanked and underbanked consumers the option of pre-staging a check cashing transaction using a mobile communication device, personal computer, or other computing device (e.g., scanner) to gain approval and complete the transaction by obtaining funds from a self-service terminal, such as an automated teller machine (ATM), Financial Kiosk or similar self service devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method of cashing a check is provided. 
         [0005]    An example method includes capturing an image of the check, sending a request including an image file containing the image of the check to a check approval system, receiving an approval to cash the check from the check approval system, and submitting the image file and the approval during a check cashing transaction at a self-service terminal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a check cashing system; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating a first example check cashing method. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating a second example check cashing method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , system  10  primarily includes computers  12  and self-service terminal (SST)  18 . In an example embodiment, a person with a check  16  to be cashed uses computer  12  to pre-stage a check cashing transaction. The person further uses SST  18  to complete the check cashing transaction. SST  18  may be affiliated with a bank with which the person has a bank account or completely untied to any bank account, but approved through a third party risk provider. 
         [0010]    Computer  12  may include, but not be limited to a smart phone or other portable or computer peripheral. 
         [0011]    Computer  12  may include one or more computers. For example, computer  12  may include a personal computer used to obtain approval to cash check  16  and a portable computing device used to communicate with SST  18  during completion of the check cashing transaction. SST  18  may include, but not be limited to, a kiosk, automated teller machine (ATM) or other SST. 
         [0012]    In an alternative embodiment, computer  12  and SST  18  may be the same computer, the person performing the check cashing transaction at a single kiosk, ATM or other SST. 
         [0013]    Computer  12  and SST  18  include a processor, memory, and program and data storage. Computer  12  and SST  18  may execute an operating system such as a Microsoft operating system. Computer  12  and SST  18  execute other computer software that may be stored in a computer readable medium, such as a memory. 
         [0014]    Computer  12  and SST  18  further include wired or wireless communication circuitry  20  and  22  for directly connecting computer  12  and SST  18 . Wireless communication circuitry  20  and  22  may include standard near field communication (NFC) circuitry. 
         [0015]    Computer  12  and SST  18  further include graphics circuitry for connecting to a display, network circuitry for connecting to network  30 , and other circuitry for connecting to other peripherals, such as a printer, an input device (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard, a touch overlay to the display). Computer  12  may use such circuitry to connect image capture device  14 . SST  18  may include and use such circuitry to connect any one or more of a card reader, a biometric reader, such as a fingerprint reader, a barcode reader, or other peripheral necessary for the purpose of SST  18 . 
         [0016]    Network  30  may include any combination of wireless or wired networks, including a global communication network, also known as the Internet. 
         [0017]    In one example embodiment, computer  12  connects to check approval system  40  to receive approval to cash check  16 . Computer  12  captures an image of check  16  using image capture device  14  and sends a check image file  48  to check approval system  40 . 
         [0018]    Computer  12  executes web browser software to allow computer  12  to display information in a format established by the World Wide Web (WWW or “web”). Web browser software may include commercially available web browser software, such as Microsoft® Internet Explorer web browser software. Computer  12  connects to a web server of check approval system  40  through website  46 . 
         [0019]    Computer  12  downloads web pages from website  46  that allow the person with check  16  to establish an account  42 , to login to account  42 , to upload check image file  48 , to request approval for check  16 , and to obtain approval for check  16 . The web pages may also facilitate control of image capture device  14  in order to capture an image of check  16 . 
         [0020]    Computer  12  may alternatively or in addition download application software to facilitate approval. For example, check approval system  40  may provide check approval request software  44  for download through website  46 . 
         [0021]    In one example embodiment, check approval request software  44  may be written in a programming language such as the Java programming and be hosted within the browser software. 
         [0022]    As another example, check approval request software  44  may include a script, such as JavaScript, combined with hypertext markup language (HTML) or other suitable web page language. 
         [0023]    If computer  12  is a mobile computing device, such as a smart phone, check approval request software  44  may include a software applet written to be executed within the operating system of the smart phone. 
         [0024]    Check approval request software  44  may operate image capture device  14  to facilitate a request for check approval. For example, check approval request software  44  may communicate directly with a software driver of image capture device  14 . 
         [0025]    As another example, check approval request software  44  may communicate indirectly with a software driver of image capture device  14  through a protocol or application programming interface (API), such as a TWAIN standard API. 
         [0026]    Alternatively, check approval request software  44  may prompt the person for a file  48  containing an image of check  16  previously captured by the customer using a different software application. 
         [0027]    In another example embodiment, SST  18  connects to check approval system  40  to receive approval to cash check  16 . SST  18  captures an image of check  16  using image capture device  14  and sends a check image file  48  to check approval system  40 . 
         [0028]    Image capture device  14  captures an image of check  16  and stores the image as image file  48 . Image capture device  14  is coupled to computer  12  and may include a document scanner or camera. 
         [0029]    For example, image capture device  14  may include a built-in camera within a mobile communication device, such as a smart phone. 
         [0030]    As another example, image capture device  14  may include a document scanner attached to a personal computer via a universal serial bus (USB) or other connection. 
         [0031]    As another example, image capture device  14  may include a check reader module of a kiosk, ATM or other SST. 
         [0032]    Image file formats may include “TIF”, “GIF”, “JPG”, “BMP”, “PNG”, or any other format as required by check approval system  40 , such as the X9.37 standard format. Check approval system  40  may also require that image file  48  have a predetermined color depth and/or resolution. The payer must acquire and operate an image capture device  14  in satisfaction of these requirements. 
         [0033]    Check  16  may include any document which serves as a written, legally negotiable order directing a bank where the payer has an account to pay money. For example, check  16  may include a personal check, a money market check, or other type of check. Check  16  is filled out and signed by the payer. 
         [0034]    Check approval system  40  receives check approval requests from computer  12 , and either approves or disapproves the requests. If check approval system  40  approves a request, check approval system  40  may issue one or more indicia of approval, such as an approval number to computer  12 . The indicia may be part of a modified image of check  16 . Computer  12  may display the approval number and the indicia and save or store them locally. 
         [0035]    Check approval system  40  may be operated by a bank where the person wishing to cash check  16  has an account or a third party check verification service. 
         [0036]    The person wishing to cash check  16  uses computer  12  to transfer the indicia of approval and image file  48  to SST  18 . Wireless communication circuitry  20  in computer  12  establishes a connection with wireless communication circuitry  22  in SST  18 . Computer  12  then uploads the indicia of approval and image file  48  to SST  18 . 
         [0037]    SST  18  executes transaction software  24 , which facilitates a plurality of transactions including a check cashing transaction. Transaction software  24  displays one or more screens including a selection to begin the check cashing transaction. 
         [0038]    In an example embodiment in which computer  12  includes a smartphone or other portable computing device, the person pre-stages the transaction before using SST  18 . Transaction software  24  prompts the person to upload the indicia of approval and image file  48  from computer  12 . Transaction software  24  receives the indicia of approval and image file  48 . 
         [0039]    In another example embodiment in which the person performs the entire check cashing transaction at SST  18 , transaction software  24  prompts the person to provide check  16 . Transaction software  24  controls image capture device  14  to capture an image of check  16 . Transaction software  24  sends image file  48  to check approval system  40  and receives the indicia of approval. SST  18  may connect to check approval system  40  through banking system 
         [0040]    Further processing may include performing a verification process and truncating check  16  in a known way. For example, transaction software  24  may perform an optical character recognition (OCR) process on the image and/or a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) process to identify and verify important information. Following processing of check  16 , transaction software  24  may dispense currency or currency equivalent, such as a stored value card, or top off a stored value card or applied to other options like mobile wallets. Alternatively, transaction software  24  may credit a bank account of the person. 
         [0041]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an example check cashing method is illustrated in detail beginning with step  60 . 
         [0042]    Steps  60 - 66  relate to pre-staging steps using computer  12 . Pre-staging the check cashing transaction reduces wait time and confusion. 
         [0043]    In step  60 , computer  12  captures an image of check  16 . For example, if computer  12  is a smartphone with a camera, the smartphone uses the camera to capture an image of check  16 . 
         [0044]    In step  62 , computer  12  connects to check approval system  40 . The person may login with pre-established credentials. 
         [0045]    In step  64 , computer  12  sends image file  48  to check approval system  40 . 
         [0046]    In step  66 , computer  12  receives an approval, with indicia of approval, or a disapproval from check approval system  40 . The approval or disapproval may come in the form of a text message or e-mail message, for example. 
         [0047]    Steps  68 - 76  relate to check cashing transaction steps at SST  18 . 
         [0048]    In step  68 , transaction software  24  receives a selection entered by the person for a check cashing transaction. 
         [0049]    In step  70 , transaction software  24  prompts the person to upload the indicia of approval and image file  48  from computer  12 . 
         [0050]    In step  72 , transaction software  24  receives the indicia of approval and image file  48 . SST  18  may establish an NFC connection with computer  12  to receive image file  48 . 
         [0051]    In step  74 , transaction software  24  performs a verification process on the check information in the image in image file  48 . 
         [0052]    In step  76 , transaction software  24  provides payment to the person if check  16  passes the verification process. Transaction software  24  may dispense currency or currency equivalent, such as a stored value card, or top off a stored value card or applied to other options like mobile wallets. Alternatively, transaction software  24  may credit a bank account of the person. 
         [0053]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , another example check cashing method is illustrated in detail beginning with step  80 . In this example, the person performs the entire check cashing transaction at SST  18 . 
         [0054]    In step  80 , transaction software  24  receives a selection entered by the person at SST  18  for a check cashing transaction. 
         [0055]    In step  82 , transaction software  24  prompts the person to insert check  16  into a check reader module in SST  18 . 
         [0056]    In step  84 , transaction software  24  operates image capture device  14 , which may include a check reader module, to capture an image of check  16  and store the image as image file  48 . 
         [0057]    In step  86 , transaction software  24  connects to check approval system  40  via network  30 . Transaction software  24  may pass the person&#39;s credentials and image file  48  with a request for approval to check approval system  40 , or display a screen from check approval system  40  to allow the person to login, send image file  48 , and make the request. 
         [0058]    In step  88 , transaction software  24  receives an approval, with indicia of approval, or a disapproval from check approval system  40 . Transaction software  24  may further receive an indication that the request is pending approval or disapproval and may return check  16  and prompt the person to return to SST  18  after a predetermined time period. After the predetermined time period, the person may receive the approval or disapproval in the form of a text message or e-mail message, for example, on a personal computer or mobile communication device. 
         [0059]    If transaction software  24  approves check  16 , transaction software  24  retains check  16 . Other, transaction software  24  returns check  16  if check  16  is disapproved or if approval is pending for the predetermined time period. 
         [0060]    In step  90 , transaction software  24  performs a verification process on the check information in the image in image file  48 . Transaction software  24  may display verification a result. 
         [0061]    In step  92 , transaction software  24  provides payment to the person if check  16  passes the verification process. Transaction software  24  may dispense currency or currency equivalent, such as a stored value card, or top off a stored value card or applied to other options like mobile wallets. Alternatively, transaction software  24  may credit a bank account of the person. 
         [0062]    Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.