Abstract:
A system and method of certifying a check which involves a captured image of the check. An example method includes receiving by a first computer a request from a second computer to certify a check from a payer to a payee, the check serving to withdraw funds from an account of the payer, receiving by the first computer an image file containing an image of the check from the second computer, obtaining an account number and an amount from the image file by the first computer, determining using the account number whether funds equal to the amount are in the account, and when funds equal to the amount are in the account, putting a hold on the funds equal to the amount and issuing a certification number and a password by the first computer.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to check certification and more specifically to a system and method of certifying checks. 
         [0002]    A certified check is a type of check where a bank verifies and certifies that sufficient funds exist in the account of the payer to cover the amount of the check. 
         [0003]    Currently, check certification can only be done at a bank. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method of certifying checks from other locations via personal computer, mobile phone, or at an automated teller machine (ATM). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method of certifying checks is provided. 
         [0006]    An example method includes receiving by a first computer a request from a second computer to certify a check from a payer to a payee, the check serving to withdraw funds from an account of the payer, receiving by the first computer an image file containing an image of the check from the second computer, obtaining an account number and an amount from the image file by the first computer, determining using the account number whether funds equal to the amount are in the account, and when funds equal to the amount are in the account, putting a hold on the funds equal to the amount and issuing a certification number and a password by the first computer. 
         [0007]    An example method of obtaining a certified check includes logging a payer of a check from the payer to a payee into a bank computer, the check serving to withdraw funds from a bank account of the payer, sending a request from the payer to the bank computer to certify the check, sending an image file containing an image of the check to the bank computer, and receiving a certification number and a password from the bank computer following certification by the bank computer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a check certification system; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating a check certification method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , system  10  primarily includes computer  12  and computer  18 . A payer uses computer  12  to obtain a certified check. A payee uses computer  18  to accept the certified check. 
         [0011]    Computers  12  and  18  include a processor, memory, and program and data storage. Computers  12  and  18  may execute an operating system such as a Microsoft operating system. Computers  12  and  18  execute other computer software that may be stored in a computer readable medium, such as a memory. 
         [0012]    Computers  12  and  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), a card reader, a biometric reader, such as a fingerprint reader, and/or a barcode reader. Computer  12  may use such circuitry to connect image capture device  14 . 
         [0013]    Computers  12  and  18  may include, but not be limited to, a personal computer, a smart phone or other portable computing device, or a self-service terminal, such as a kiosk or automated teller machine (ATM). Computers  12  and  18  may be the same or different computers. Each of computers  12  and  18  may include one or more computers in a computer system or network. 
         [0014]    Computers  12  and  18  may communicate with banking system  40  over a network connection, such as one which uses the TCP/IP protocol. Network  30  may include any combination of wireless or wired networks, including a global communication network, also known as the Internet. 
         [0015]    In one example embodiment, computers  12  and  18  execute web browser software to allow the payer and the payee 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. 
         [0016]    Computer  12  is used by a payer to obtain certification for a check  16 . Computer  12  captures an image of check  16  using image capture device  14  and sends a check image file  50  to banking system  40 . 
         [0017]    Computer  12  connects to a web server of banking system  40  which maintains payer bank account  42  through website  48 . Computer  12  downloads web pages from website  48  that allow the payer to login, to upload check image file  50 , to request certification of check  16 , and to complete certification of check  16 . The web pages may also facilitate control of image capture device  14  in order to capture an image of check  16 . 
         [0018]    Computer  12  may alternatively or in addition download application software to facilitate certification. For example, banking system  40  may provide check certification request software  44  for download through website  48 . 
         [0019]    In one example embodiment, check certification request software  44  may be written in a programming language such as the Java programming and be hosted within the browser software. 
         [0020]    As another example, check certification request software  44  may include a script, such as JavaScript, combined with hypertext markup language (HTML) or other suitable web page language. 
         [0021]    If computer  12  is a mobile computing device, such as a smart phone, check certification request software  44  may include a software applet written to be executed within the operating system of the smart phone. 
         [0022]    Check certification request software  44  may operate image capture device  14  to facilitate a request for check certification. For example, check certification request software  44  may communicate directly with a software driver of image capture device  14 . 
         [0023]    As another example, check certification 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. 
         [0024]    Alternatively, check certification request software  44  may prompt the payer for a file containing an image  48  of check  16  previously captured by the customer using a different software application. 
         [0025]    Image capture device  14  captures an image of check  16  and stores the image in image file  50 . Image capture device  14  is coupled to computer  12  and may include a document scanner or camera. 
         [0026]    For example, image capture device  14  may include a built-in camera within a mobile communication device, such as a smart phone. 
         [0027]    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. 
         [0028]    As another example, image capture device  14  may include a check reader module of a kiosk or ATM. 
         [0029]    Image file formats may include “TIF”, “GIF”, “JPG”, “BMP”, “PNG”, or any other format as required by banking system  40 . Banking system  40  may also require that image file  50  have a predetermined color depth and/or resolution. The payer must acquire and operate an image capture device  14  in satisfaction of these requirements. 
         [0030]    Check  16  may include any document which serves as a written order directing a bank where the payer has a checking account to pay money. Check  16  is filled out and signed by the payer. 
         [0031]    The payer maintains a bank account  42 , including a checking account, with banking system  40 . Banking system  40  maintains customer account information containing records of deposits, withdrawals, check and other transactions involving payer. Banking system  40  store login credentials for allowing the payer to access the information in payer bank account  42 . 
         [0032]    Banking system  40  executes check certification software  46 , which automates certification after the request from the payer is received. Check certification software  46  performs optical character recognition (OCR) on check image file  50  to extract the amount and information identifying account  42 . The information includes at least the account number. The OCR process may also extract the bank routing number and the check number. An example check  16  includes the bank routing number, the bank account number, and the check number as magnetic ink character (MICR) data. 
         [0033]    Assuming that the OCR is successful, check certification software  46  verifies that funds are available in payer bank account  42  in the amount of check  16  and places a “hold” on the funds when sufficient funds are available. The “hold” ensures that sufficient funds continue to be available as the payer withdraws additional funds or writes other checks from account  42 . 
         [0034]    Check certification software  46  also issues a check certification number and a one-time-use password to the payer. 
         [0035]    Banking system  40  includes a processor, memory, and program and data storage. Banking system  40  may execute an operating system such as a Microsoft operating system. 
         [0036]    Banking system  40  may include a web server computer connected to the World Wide Web (WWW or “web”) and provide web content, including web pages with software programs, such as check certification request software  44  and check certification software  46 . 
         [0037]    Web content may include different types of web content for different types of computers  12 . For example, web content may include one type of web content for display screens of mobile devices, such as smart phones, another type of web content for conventional display screens of personal computers, and another type of web content for display screens of self-service terminals, such as kiosks and ATMs. The different types of web content may be accessed by connecting to the same or different web sites. 
         [0038]    The payer provides check  16  to the payee, along with the check certification number and the one-time-use password, using any method or combination of methods of delivery. For example, the payer may use computer  12  to send the check certification number and the one-time-use password to computer  18  operated by the payee via an electronic mail (email) message or a simple message service (SMS) message. Alternatively, the payer may provide the payee with the check certification number and the one-time-use password verbally or in writing. 
         [0039]    Computer  18  connects to website  48  via network  30  and downloads web pages from website  48  that allow the payee to login and to accept certification of check  16 . The payee uses the check certification number and the one-time-use password to login. After the payee logs in, website  48  displays the image of check  16  with verification that check  16  has been certified, including payer funds are available in the amount of check  16 . The payee can select to accept check  16  as certified. 
         [0040]    Banking system  40  updates payer bank account  42  following cashing of check  16  by the payee. 
         [0041]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an example check certification method is illustrated in detail beginning with step  60 . 
         [0042]    In step  60 , banking system  40  receives a payer request to log in. The payer logs in with pre-established credentials associated with payer bank account  42 . 
         [0043]    In one example embodiment, computer  12  may execute web browser software which connects to website  48  to download web content, such as web pages. In another example embodiment, computer  12  may execute check certification request software  44  to connect to banking system  40 . Combinations of the above two methods are also envisioned. 
         [0044]    Banking system  40  may receive payer login information through a keyboard, touch screen, card reader, a biometric reader, or any combination thereof, depending upon the type of computer  12  and available peripherals. 
         [0045]    For example, if computer  12  is a mobile communication device, such as a smart phone, the mobile communication device may receive customer login information through a touch or other keypad. 
         [0046]    As another example, if computer  12  is a self-service terminal, such as a kiosk or ATM, the self-service terminal may receive customer login information through a card reader and a keypad. 
         [0047]    As another example, if computer  12  is a personal computer, such as a home personal computer, the personal computer may receive customer login information through a keyboard. 
         [0048]    In step  62 , banking system  40  verifies the payer login information and establishes a secure connection with computer  12 . 
         [0049]    In step  64 , banking system  40  receives a request to certify a check. 
         [0050]    A payer can select check certification as option in a web page or by executing check certification request software  44 . 
         [0051]    In step  66 , banking system  40  receives check image file  50  from computer  12 . 
         [0052]    A payer may also make a selection to upload a check image file  50 , capture an image of check  16  to produce check image file  50  by operating image capture device  14 , or a combination of both. 
         [0053]    In step  68 - 70 , banking system  40 , using check certification software  46 , performs optical character recognition (OCR) on check image file  50  to extract the amount and information identifying account  42 . 
         [0054]    If the OCR process fails to extract the information, banking system  40  issues an indication to the payer in step  72 . The payer may try to capture another image of check  16  and upload another check image file  50 . Operation returns to step  68 . 
         [0055]    Assuming that the OCR is successful, banking system  40  issues an indication and verifies that funds are available in payer bank account  42  in the amount of check  16  in step  74 - 76 . 
         [0056]    If sufficient funds are not available, banking system  40  issues an indication to the payer in step  78  and the certification request is denied and operation ends at  86 . 
         [0057]    Assuming that sufficient funds are available, banking system  40  issues an indication and places a hold on the funds in step  80 . 
         [0058]    In step  82 , banking system  40  issues a check certification number to the payer and issues a one-time-use password to the payer. 
         [0059]    In step  84 , banking system  40  may optionally modify check image file  50  to include a stamp indicating certification. Operation ends at  86 . 
         [0060]    The payer sends or gives check  16  to the payee with the check certification number and the password. 
         [0061]    In one example embodiment, the payer may enter information, such as address information, for facilitating sending of the certification number and the password to the payee via electronic mail message or text message. Computer  12  or banking system  40  may send the information. 
         [0062]    The payee uses computer  18  to visit website  48 , select a check verification option, and enter the check certification number and password. The payee can login without necessarily have an account managed by banking system  40 . Using the certification number, banking system  40  identifies the check that was certified and provides an indication that check  16  was certified following entry of the password by the payee. 
         [0063]    Banking system  40  may provide an image of check  16  from check image file  50  with one or more indicia of certification, such as the word “certified” or equivalent in the form of a message or stamp. Banking system  40  may modify check image file  50  to include the indicia. The payee can accept that check  16  has been certified. The payee may also print the verification of certification from website  48 . 
         [0064]    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.