Abstract:
A system that includes computer hardware, computer software, apparatus, and methodology that enables individuals, businesses, and all types of organizations (both for profit and non-profit) to capture and securely transmit check images (including, but not limited to, personal checks, business checks, travelers checks, money orders, merchant coupons, food coupons, line of credit checks, etc.), deposit information, and other information from remote locations (i.e., locations that could include the financial institution&#39;s remote locations, other financial institution&#39;s locations, businesses, private residences, etc.), for the purpose of having those checks credited to the depositing individual&#39;s or organization&#39;s bank account(s) and having the check images (and/or physical checks) entered into the bank check clearing channels for ultimate delivery to the maker bank for payment out of the maker&#39;s account.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/914,151, filed Aug. 10, 2004, which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/560,779, filed Apr. 28, 2000. The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to physical financial instrument processing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for remotely processing checks through electronic interaction between the physical location of the instrument and a financial institution. 
     2. Related Applications 
     The act of depositing or otherwise converting a financial instrument such as a check, draft, or other instrument has generally required the physical presentment of the instrument by the bearer to a financial institution such as a bank, credit union, or other institution authorized to accept and process monetary instruments. Indeed, the depositing and clearing of checks has heretofore involved individuals or organizations physically taking their deposit, such as in the form of a check, to financial institutions or trusted remote institutional branches, otherwise known as the bank of first deposit, where the deposit may be accepted, and credited to the bank customer&#39;s account, of course, subject to the check “clearing” with the maker financial institution. 
     Financial institutions have developed methods for reducing the amount of paper flow associated with checks within their organizations, however, their target has not been to reduce processing costs, improve the timeliness of the money collection from other financial institutions, and reduce costs associated with handling, storing and returning paper checks to the maker. Therefore, it would be an advancement to provide a new system centered on electronic information that does not require the use of paper items for any purpose. 
     Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an electronic processing system and method that could provide a bearer of a check the convenience to “deposit” a check at a facility, such as a home or office, that is not a traditional bank or bank branch facility. 
     It would also be advantageous to provide a method and system for allowing the remote depositing and processing a check that does not require the physical routing of the actual check in order to accomplish the various post-deposit processing of a check. It would yet be a further advantage to provide a method and system for improving the collection time involved with the funds represented by the check (i.e., reduce credit “float”). 
     It would be a benefit to provide a method and system for reducing expenses associated with the transportation costs involved in sending the checks from the bank of first deposit to the maker financial institution. 
     It would also be a benefit to provide a method and system for reducing the check storage expenses incurred by the bank of first deposit. 
     It would be a further benefit to enable the bank of first deposit to reduce the staffing, facilities (i.e., physical buildings), and equipment required to accept and process physical checks. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been designed to reduce the issues associated with the physical handling of paper items by financial institutions and to improve the collections of associated funds by processing electronic images of checks as opposed to the slower method of sending paper checks through the traditional check clearing routes. Not withstanding the premise for the inventive processes to use electronic images of items to facilitate processing and clearing of items, it would also be desirable for the present invention to accommodate the current use of paper items and all other commonly accepted methods for clearing checks until such time as the use of electronic images becomes a common accepted practice for clearing checks. 
     This new process involves inventive computer-based software that can be used at financial institution locations and locations remote from financial institution offices for capturing deposits, together herein referred to as remote locations. The remote capture system can be used by individuals and businesses (including the financial institution) to capture deposit information and images of the monetary items, such as checks, required for depositing the checks into their deposit accounts at the financial institution. Once this information is captured and validated at the remote site, it is transferred to the financial institution over telecommunications lines (leased lines, switched lines, Internet, etc.) to a receiving computer at the financial institution. The financial institution computer verifies the information received, stores the image of the items, and passes back to the remote site computer information that is used by the remote site computer to endorse, cancel, and item number, and otherwise mark, void, and identify the check. Another image of the check is then created at the remote location showing the endorsements information. This image is then sent to the central site of the financial institution for storage and to be used for research and re-depositing of the check if this becomes necessary. The depositor retains the deposit slips and monetary item(s) at the remote site. 
     As an alternative to the interactive process of passing voiding, endorsing, unique number information back and forth between the central site and the remote site, it will be possible (based on parameters set in the inventive software) to do most of the decision-making on the remote site processor before transmitting the check information to the central site. This can be done by pre-loading the endorsement, voiding, and item numbering information on the remote site processor and/or updating on a regular basis. This allows for checks to be endorsed, voided and item numbered and the image(s) associated with a check deposit to be created and passed to the central site without the need for interactive validation of data between the remote and central sites. 
     In addition to deposits, decisions based on remote site information, the present invention also allows deposits of any number, combination, and dollar amounts of deposit, and checks based upon decisions made regarding the customer by information stored at the central site. This information can be loaded onto the central site and communicated to the remote processor as part of the interactive exchange of data during the process of validating the deposit. Additionally, this information while being pre-loaded on the remote processor can also be updated on a regular basis. 
     Once complete deposit data is received by the central site processor at the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site, it is passed to the central site&#39;s check processing, deposit, and cash management, etc., systems for processing. As an alternative, if the remote site or central site is being used as a collection center for deposits from other institutions, the deposit information can be passed to the other institutions check processing, deposit, and cash management, etc., systems for processing. The image of the checks can be used to either print the customer statements (for items drawn on the bank of first deposit or routed through the normal check clearing paths (i.e. directly to clearing and correspondent banks or through the FRB electronic clearing process). If the maker or maker bank(s) require physical checks for their internal purposes, a duplicate check is printed by either the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site, or the maker bank or by the maker banks FRB. 
     Once received by the maker bank, the check image or duplicate printed check is processed by the maker bank through their computer systems and included as per their policies in their customer statements. Checks returned to the depositor for any reason will take the reverse path back to the depositor. Any re-depositing of items by the original depositor is done using the either the printed duplicate paper item (if there is one) or the original endorsed image created and stored at the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site. 
     All transmission of data preferably undergoes digital signature verification and certification and data encryption to ensure privacy and confidentiality of the data being transmitted. In addition, the check images will be stored on a document storage database at the remote site or bank of first deposit as well as Internet enabled and accessible database(s). The information on these database(s) will be available to the depositor and research personnel at the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site under security control through remote access such as Internet access. 
     The system includes computer hardware, computer software, apparatus, and methodology that enables individuals, businesses, and all types of organizations (both for profit and non-profit) to capture and securely transmit check images (including, but not limited to, personal checks, business checks, travelers checks, money orders, merchant coupons, food coupons, line of credit checks, etc.), deposit information, and other information from remote locations (i.e., locations that could include the financial institution&#39;s remote locations, other financial institution&#39;s locations, businesses, private residences, etc.), for the purpose of having those checks credited to the depositing individual&#39;s or organization&#39;s bank account(s) and having the check images (and/or physical checks) entered into the bank check clearing channels for ultimate delivery to the maker bank for payment out of the maker&#39;s account. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more extensive description of the present invention, including the above-recited features, advantages, and objects, will be rendered with reference to the specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Because these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments, the drawings should not be construed as imposing any limitation on the present invention&#39;s scope. As such, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an overview of a process of capturing and processing deposits from financial institutions and their branches which can be adapted to incorporate some of the features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an overview of remotely capturing and processing deposits remote from a financial branch or bank, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a more detailed block diagram showing the capturing and processing at the remote site or point of check presentment, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates central site processing of image data as captured at the remote site, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates processing at the maker or payor institution site, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a processing diagram of the interaction between entities of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 7   a - 7   i  are a process flowchart of check processing of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention is described below with reference to drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing, on the invention, any limitations that may be present in the drawings. The present invention contemplates both methods and systems for remotely accepting a check for deposit and electronically processing the deposit without physically routing the physical paper copy of the check. The embodiments of the present invention may comprise a special purpose or general purpose computer including various computer hardware, the execution unit portion of which may also be known herein as a “processor.” 
     Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also include computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon and also known as software. Such computer-readable media can be any available media which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Computer-executable instructions may also be properly termed “software” as known by those of skill in the art. 
     Although not required, the invention will be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by computers in network environments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of the program code means for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represent examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by local and remote processing devices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, or by a combination of hardwired or wireless links) through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. 
     An exemplary system for implementing the portions of the invention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a conventional computer, including a processing unit, a system memory, and a system bus that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit. The system memory may include read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The computer may also include a magnetic hard disk drive for reading from and writing to a magnetic hard disk, a magnetic disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk, and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to removable optical disk such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer-executable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer. 
     Program code or software means comprising one or more program modules may be stored on the hard disk, magnetic disk, optical disk, ROM or RAM, including an operating system, one or more application or software programs, other program modules, and program data. 
     The computer may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers having processors. Logical connections may include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN) that are presented here by way of example and not limitation. Such networking environments are commonplace in office-wide or enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet. 
     It should also be pointed out that while the term “check” may be generically used herein, it is contemplated by the inventors that other financial instruments are also contemplated within this meaning and therefore, the use of the term “check” is assumed to have the broader meaning, both in the specification and the claims. 
     Additionally, the term “bank of first deposit” means the financial institution sponsoring the remote site and which owns or employs a central site for processing financial transactions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a bank of first deposit  101  receives a check from the bearer to begin processing the instrument. Bank of first deposit  101  actually forwards, in step  113 , the physical check(s) to a central site  102  for additional physical processing of the actual check. The physical check is processed at central site  102  using a reader/sorter (not separately shown but included in  102 ) to acquire information such as the information stored on the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) line. This information includes the maker bank number, the account number, a check serial number, etc. The information from the check is then sent to an in-house computer system (included in  102 ) for posting in steps  114 ,  115  to the appropriate bearer account(s)  103 ,  104  in the bank of first deposit  101 . If the check is an on us item (i.e. an item that is drawn on the bank that is processing it), the check is retained in a step  117  at storage  105  at bank of first deposit  101 , otherwise the check is sent in steps  116  and  119  or, alternatively in step  118  into a maker bank  108  for collection of funds. The check(s) are either sent physically in step  118  directly to maker bank  108  or routed in steps  116  and  119  through a Federal Reserve Banks (FRB)  106  and  107  check clearing processes to a maker bank  108 . 
     The path taken by the check is determined by the working agreement that bank of first deposit  101  has with maker bank  108 . If maker bank  108  is a member of the local clearing-house association (thereby being a clearing bank), the checks can be exchanged directly with maker bank  108 . If the maker bank  108  is a correspondent bank (a bank that has agreed to exchange checks directly with the bank of first deposit) the checks can be sent directly to maker bank  108 . All other checks are forwarded in steps  116  and  119  to the FRBS,  106  and  107  for exchange with maker bank  108 . If a check is not paid by maker bank  108  for any reason (i.e. it is a forgery, there are not sufficient funds in the makers account to cover the amount of the check, etc.) the check is returned to the depositor using the reverse path. Once the check is received by maker bank  108 , the check is processed in step  121  through the maker bank&#39;s check capture system  109 . Information from the check is then sent in steps  122  and  123  to the maker bank&#39;s accounting systems  110  and  111  and the checks are either stored in step  124  at the maker bank&#39;s check storage  112 , or sent directly to the maker with their check statement. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a high-level processing diagram of the various entities involved in the overall financial processing of the present invention, in accordance with the preferred embodiment. The present invention comprises three primary processing entities: (i) a remote site  197 , (ii) a central site  198 , and (iii) a maker bank site  199 . Each of these sites enlists specific processing techniques which furthers the novel financial instrument processing technique of the present invention. 
     In the present invention, a remote site processor  201  (further detailed in  FIG. 3 ) either autonomously, or under operator/depositor control initially remotely “processes” a check into electronic check data both in the form of image data and informational data which can be further processed and approved at subsequent portions of the overall process. In essence, the remote site provides a processing front-end that electronically interacts via interface  202  with central site  198  through the transfer of electronic check data for review and processing by electronic means at a central site. Remote site  197  performs functions relating to the physical check including scanning, reading, and printing on the checks. Remote site  197  also exchanges image and/or authorization data with the other entities as further described below. 
     Central site  198  of  FIG. 2  interacts via interfaces  207 ,  208  with maker bank site  199  for completing the clearing process relating to the check or related instrument. Central site  198  is comprised of a central site processor  203  which coordinates verification and account interaction. Central site  198  also provides both electronic storage of image and information data as well as providing an interface to maker bank site  199 . Central site  198  provides image conversion technology for converting check data from electronic form back to a hard copy check format for processing, printing, and archiving when required by more traditional banking processes. Otherwise, a system  205  may process the image of the check in image format. System  205  prevents the need to reprint the check and send the duplicate check through the check reader sorters. 
     Maker bank site  199  performs more traditional account processing of information received from central site  198  such as from central site Federal Reserve Bank  106 . Maker bank site  199  is further comprised of maker bank FRB  107  and maker bank  108  and engages in account processing and statement generation. 
       FIG. 3  depicts the remote site as well as the interaction by a depositor or operator, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The present invention commences with the presentation of a physical instrument such as a check by a bearer to remote site  197 . A remote scanner/reader/printer  309  provides the interface to the bearer for presentment of the check. Remote scanner/reader/printer  309 , in the preferred embodiment, is a multifunction device capable of independently performing each of the functions of scanning, reading, and printing upon the check or physical financial instrument. It is also contemplated that individual devices for performing each of these functions, scanning-reading-printing, may be integrated, whether automatically or manually, to perform the combination of functions upon the check. 
     Remote scanner/reader/printer  309  is connected via an interface  310  to remote processor  201 . Remote site processor  201 , like each of the other processor elements in the present invention, may be comprised of execution-capable devices, and is preferably comprised of a computer, such as a personal, network, or general purpose computer. Remote processor  201  is further coupled to central site processor  203  via an interface transmission or network media  202 , which may take the form of one or more of wired or wireless media such as public switched lines, Internet or wide-area network connection, microwave, satellite, digital phone, private leased lines, or any other current or future acceptable communications facility and may further employ include encryption over the interface. 
     Remote site processor  201  executes according to executable instructions such as computer-executable instructions which are figuratively depicted in  FIG. 3  as software  313 . Software  313  is loaded or interfaces with remote processor  201  via a bus or other physical interface depicted as interface  312 . Generally, software  313  is comprised of executable instructions for (i) causing remote site processor  201  to instruct and execute the necessary steps for capturing the check or financial instrument both physically and electronically, (ii) performing requisite data processing on the electronic data from the capturing step, and (iii) exchanging the captured data over interface or media  202  to central site processor  203  when appropriate. 
     While details relating to the processing and method steps executed by remote site processor  201  via software  313  are described below, remote site processor  201  further determines if remote processing decisional information such as comparison information for making decisions on the number of deposits, dollar amount of deposits or dollar amount of monetary items is available on remote site processor  201 . If such decisional information is not available at remote site  197 , then central site check processing may require additional steps. Remote site processor  201  also determines if the remote processing information needed to void, endorse and itemize number each check  303  is available to remote processor  201  for processing of check  303 , according to the method of the present invention. If such remote processing information is available but not current, the remote processing information may be updated by either having the updated information manually entered, for example by way of an operator via a keyboard at terminal  301  attached to remote processor  201 , or the updated information may be retrieved by remote processor  201 , under the direction of software  313 , from central site processor  203 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the updated information may be housed in a data set at central site processor  203  and updated by the bank of first deposit, affiliated with remote site  197  prior to loading to remote site processor  201 . Remote site processor  201 , executing software  313 , then determines if all of the decisions concerning voiding, endorsing, item numbering, number of deposits, number of checks or dollar sizes of deposits or items can be made by remote site processor  201  by checking the remote processing information as pre-defined in remote site processor  201 . 
     If the decisions on endorsing, voiding, item numbering, number of deposits, number or dollar amounts of deposits or monetary items can be made by remote site processor  201 , then to ensure proper account processing of check  303 , a depositor at terminal  301  is lead through a series of instructions to gather deposit information required to ensure credits are made to the appropriate deposit accounts(s). In one preferred embodiment, the deposit information is read, interpreted and entered automatically by reader/scanner/printer  309 . In another embodiment, the deposit information is entered manually on, for example, terminal  301  attached to remote site processor  201 . Additionally, during the practice of the invention, scanner/reader/printer  309  encodes check  303  with endorsement and voiding information in order to physically “void” check  303 , thereby keeping check  303  from being re-transmitted, for example over media  202 , or re-deposited at an actual financial institution location for an additional collection. In addition, a unique item identification number may be encoded on check  303  by remote site processor  201  via scanner/reader/printer  309  to aid in tracking data resulting from processing of check  303 . 
     The process of the present invention continues when scanner/reader/printer  309  performs the functions of scanning check  303  to create electronic check data comprised of image data, informational data including MICR encoding (using either MICR, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) or other like techniques). Scanner/reader/printer  309  “voids” check  303  by endorsing check  303  and printing tracking data thereon. The electronic image data and informational data such as MICR information of the voided and endorsed check  303  is transferred over interface  310  to remote site processor  201  for processing which includes image integrity verification. When the image integrity is suspect, the integrity is enhance by either rescanning check  303  or, alternatively, by manual intervention by an operator at terminal  301 . If check  303  is rescanned, scanner/reader/printer  309  does not reprint the endorsement, voiding and item numbering information on check  303 . 
     Once the electronic image data and the MICR encoding for the first check  303  is determined to be readable and accurate, remote site processor  201  determines if this process should be repeated for additional deposits and/or monetary item(s). When remote site processor  201  determines that processing by scanner/reader/printer  309  of individual check(s), under the direction of remote site processor  201  has ended and that the information is complete and ready for transmission via interface/media  202 , remote site processor  201  formats the electronic image data and the MICR encoding and adds any additional control information in preparation for transmission to central site processor  203 . The physical check  305  is stored in file  305  at the remote site. In addition, the check image is stored on the remote site processor (i.e., magnetic disk, cd rom, etc. not shown on drawing.) Communications between remote site processor  201  and central site processor  203  preferably incorporates digital signature verification/certification performed by process  311  and data encryption performed by process  313  to ensure confidentiality. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the central site processor and the various processes and interfaces associated therewith, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. While the accuracy of electronic check data transferred from remote site processor  201  to central site processor  203  will generally retain its integrity through the transmission, when electronic check data received by central site processor  203 , as evaluated and processed by computer-executable instructions or software loaded therein, is incomplete or inaccurate, or if the image data is not readable, central site processor  203  communicates with remote processor  201  giving detailed information to an operator at terminal  301  concerning the need for additional information to restore image information or complete incomplete or inaccurate data. Depending upon the type of missing or otherwise incorrect information, corrected or supplemental information may be supplied by an operator at terminal  301  at remote site  197 . It may even be necessary to re-scan check(s)  303  and re-transmit at least portions of the check data including image and/or MICR data to central site processor  203 . If check  303  is re-scanned, then endorsement, voiding and item number information are not reprinted on check  303 . 
     Once central site processor  203  determines the new check data received for the deposit is accurate and complete, central site processor  203  stores the check image and MICR data of check(s)  303  along with any additional associated information such as time that deposit was captured, who the customer was who captured the deposit, item number, etc. as received from remote site  201 . Central site processor  203  confirms receipt of accurate information by sending a notification reply to remote site processor  201  freeing-up remote site processor  201  for further processing of subsequent remote check deposit interactions. In alternate embodiments, central site processor  203  may store image data on an Internet-enabled check image document storage  405  thereby allowing access by the depositor/operator from a terminal such as terminal  301 , their designee, or the financial institution of first deposit. It should be pointed out that because of present banking processes, the remote site should still be associated with a chartered financial institution that is authorized to accept the checks from the remote site and process them through normal check clearing paths. The remote site may be a branch extension of the financial institution or may be a person, or other entity with or without a legal relationship to the financial institution that provides the access services to the financial institution. Such an affiliated financial institution is still known as the bank of first deposit. The present embodiment does not propose eliminating the bank of first deposit, only replacing the method used to capture deposits. Central site processor  203  maintains authentication and data integrity at check image document storage  405  through the use of digital signature verification and certification, as well as via data encryption as shown in processes  314  and  315 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , in another embodiment, if the decisions of endorsing, voiding, item numbering, number of deposits number or checks or dollar amounts of deposits or monetary items cannot be made by remote site processor  201 , for example, when the telecommunications line goes down and the decision information cannot be updated on the remote site processor, or when the central site processor is inoperable, or the specific remote site is not authorized to make these decisions (i.e. we will determine and pass that information to the remote site processor when the remote site processor contacts the central site processor prior to accepting deposit information at the remote site), then remote site processor  201  leads a depositor at for example terminal  301  through a series of instructions to gather deposit information required to ensure credits are made to the appropriate deposit accounts(s)  104 . This can be done by either using the reader/scanner/printer  309  or by entering the necessary information on the terminal  301  attached to remote processor  201 . 
     Then, check  303  is placed into the scanner/reader/printer  309  where the item is scanned, the MICR encoding is read preferably using either MICR or Optical Character Recognition (OCR) techniques, and an electronic image is created of check  303 . The electronic image data and informational data such as MICR information is transferred from scanner/reader/printer  309  onto remote site processor  201  where remote site processor  201  edits and confirms that the electronic check data is readable. If the electronic check data is not readable or correct, the check data is corrected at the direction of remote site processor  201  by either re-scanning check  303  or having a remote site operator manually key the information in using terminal  301  or other interface device attached to remote site processor  201 . 
     Once the check data is determined to be readable and accurate, remote site processor  201  then formats the scanned check data and adds additional control information in preparation for transmission to central site processor  203  and the alternate embodiment approach concludes. 
     Returning to  FIG. 4 , after receipt of valid and accurate check data, if it is determined that the maker bank or maker of the check requires a physical item, the check image is printed in process  401  and then processed through the central site check image capture system  205 . If a physical item is not required, the image is sent to the check image capture system  205 . In either case, the check image capture system  205  interfaces with the central site  198  deposit systems  103 , cash management systems  104 , etc. for posting information. The central site then forwards either the printed duplicate check or check image to the maker bank  108 . This can be done directly through path  208  if the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site  198  has an agreement with maker bank  108  to exchange checks directly, or if the maker bank and the central site bank of first deposit do not have an exchange agreement then through FRBs  106 ,  107  through path  207 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts the various component and processes of the maker bank site, in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     The maker bank  108  receives either images of the original paper items  303  or printed duplicates of the original paper items  303  either directly from the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site through path  208  or from the central site Federal Reserve Bank (FRB)  106  clearing process through path  206  ( FIG. 4 ),  207 ,  120 . 
     Central site FRB  106  will process the check images or paper items through their capture system and forward the images or paper items to the maker bank FRB  107  through path  207 . The maker bank FRB then processes the items or images through their check capture system  504  through path  503  and if necessary, (i.e., when paper duplicate of item has not already been printed by the bank of first deposit), print a duplicate of the original check  303  image if a paper item is required by maker bank  108 . A maker bank FRB  107  will then forward the printed items or images to the maker bank  108  via communications or transportation path depicted as path  120 . Maker bank  108  will then process the image or paper item though their in-house application systems depicted by deposit system  110 , print check image process,  509 , check system process, and customer statement process  506  through paths  122 ,  507 ,  508 ,  121 ,  505 , and  507 . 
     These in house systems are not to be taken as systems that all banks will have or use for this process. They are meant to represent the in house processing by maker banks to post monetary items to their accounting systems and to send the items (either image or printed duplicate of original items) to the check maker. 
       FIG. 6  is an interface diagram depicting a high level description of the interactions between the various components of the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the remote site operator enters deposit information into the remote processor then inserts a draft in a step  601  at the scanner/reader/printer located at the remote site. The scanner/reader/printer reads the item, digitizes and validates the check image information and passes it to the software on the remote site processor in a step  602 . The remote site processor software receives the digitized data from the scanner/reader/printer and validates data to ensure that the check information is readable and valid in a step  603 . When the image is ready for transmission to the central site. The remote site processor contacts the transmission facility and, incorporating digital signature verification and certification and data encryption software to ensure confidentiality, transmits in a step  604  the item image and control information to the central site. The central site receives the transmitted data and edits and in a step  611  verifies the check data for completeness and content. 
     When the central site has determined the check image and other associated data (relating to both the check image and data, and the deposit information) is complete and accurate and meets the deposit and/or item dollar limits, the central site stores the electronic image of the check and any additional associated information received from the remote site, and then confirms in a step  605  receipt of good information by sending to the remote site information needed to endorse the physical check and to void the physical item to keep it from being re-transmitted or deposited at a physical financial institution location for collection. In addition, a unique item identification number can be transmitted to the inventive software on the remote site processor for printing on the physical checks as a tracking and research mechanism. The invention allows for printing of the unique item number if it is determined by the bank employing the present invention that it is desirable to print the unique item number for tracking and research purposes. 
     After the inventive software on the remote processor receives specific information required to void, endorse, and print the unique item number, the remote site processor and the scanner/reader/printer will pass the check again where the remote site will print in a step  606  the information on the physical item at the locations required by the rules governing automated check processing. The item is also scanned in a step  607  again under the direction of the remote site inventive software and the new image (containing endorsement, voiding and item number information), and associated additional information required by the inventive software for tracking and control purposes, is edited in a step  608  for accuracy and completeness and if correct is then transmitted in a step  609  to the central site by the remote site using the transmission facility set up for this purposes. 
     If the data is not readable or correct, the information is corrected at the direction of the remote site by either re-scanning the item or having the remote site operator key the information in using the terminal attached to the remote site processor. If the item is rescanned at this point, the endorsement, voiding and item number information is not reprinted by the scanner/reader/printer. When the image is ready for transmission to the central site, the remote site processor contacts the transmission facility and, incorporating digital signature verification and certification, and data encryption software to ensure confidentiality, transmits in a step  609  the item image and control information to the central site. 
     The central site receives the transmitted updated image data and edits in a step  613  for completeness and content. If the data is incomplete or inaccurate, or if the image data is not readable, the central site communicates, with the remote processor and gives detailed information to the operator concerning the need for additional information to complete the inaccurate data or image information. Based on the specific need, this information can be supplied using the terminal on the remote site processor or by re-scanning the physical item and re-transmitting it to the central site. In either case, this information is supplied under the direction of the remote site processor. Such additional information is transmitted to the central site processor from the remote site processor. If the physical item is rescanned at this point, the endorsement, voiding and item number information is not reprinted by the scanner/reader/printer. 
     Once the central site determines the new data received for the deposit is accurate and complete, the central site stores in a step  618  the updated image of the physical item (on the database(s) maintained by the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site for this purpose) along with any additional associated information received from the remote site, and then confirms receipt in a step  610  of good information by sending a notification to the remote site that the process for that specific deposit is complete unless more items are present in a step  615  and allows for termination of the transmission of information or for the same process to be followed for other items in a step  614  in that deposit or for another deposit in a step  616 . 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the central site stores the check image(s) on an Internet enabled documents storage system allowing access by the depositor, their designee, or the central site processing center of the bank of first deposit. The central site for storing check images and associated information preferably employees incorporating digital signature verification and certification, and data encryption to ensure confidentiality. 
     If the check is removed from the scanner/reader/printer prematurely, at any time during the process of capturing and transmitting data from the remote site, the transaction information associated with that check will be considered invalid and not part of the deposit. The depositor will need to re-scan and re-enter data associated with that check. 
     The remote site operator will have the option at the remote site to release deposit information to the central site for processing. This can be done after either a completion of single deposit in step  615  (containing one or more checks) or after completion of all deposits in step  616  (each containing one or more checks) from the remote site. 
     After the deposit(s) from a specific remote site are complete, the central site formats deposit information for processing in the accounting systems of the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site in a step  619 , including sending the image and other appropriate information for application processing in step  620  (including deposit accounting systems, MICR capture, cash management processing, float processing, etc.). 
     If an item is an “on us” item, the central site determines that a physical check is required by the maker, that information is relayed to the central site and an identical image or facsimile of the original item can be printed by either the central site processor or by the item capture system in step  619 . 
     If the maker bank is a clearing or correspondent bank then the bank of first deposit will determine if the maker bank requires a paper or image item. If the maker bank requires a paper item, then the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site will print an exact duplicate of the paper item and route in step  621  the item to the maker bank. The duplicate printed item will generally be as exact as possible based on the quality of the original image. If the maker bank does not require a paper item then the bank of first deposit will route the check image to the maker bank. 
     If the maker bank is not a clearing or correspondent bank, the check data including image will be forwarded in step  621  using the FRB item clearing processes to route the item image to the FRB affiliated with the maker bank. The maker bank FRB determines if the maker bank will accept check data including an image of the item. If the maker bank requires a paper item, the maker bank FRB prints an identical image of the original item with information showing that it is a duplicate and that the bank of first deposit is central site guarantees the item. This duplicated item is then sent in step  621  to the maker bank for the collections of funds. 
     As an alternative, the check image or a printed reproduction of the check can be sent in step  621  to the maker bank from either the bank of first deposit is central site or the maker bank FRB using any other acceptable clearing method or process. 
     Check items that need to be returned, are done so in steps  624  and  625  to the bank of first deposit to be routed back through the same route that was used to clear the item. If a paper item has been created, that item will be returned along with information showing the reason for return. Otherwise, the image will be used for return item purposes until the return item image is returned to the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site. At that point, if the remote site processor  201  is able to receive an item image, the image along with the return reason will be passed to the remote site processor  201 . If the remote site processor is not capable of receiving check data including an item image, a paper duplicate showing the return reason will be printed either by the central site or by the item capture system under the direction of the central site and sent to the remote site operator  301 . The unique item number assigned at capture time by either the central site or the remote site can a be included in all return images and/or returned paper items to enable complete and accurate tracking of all return items 
     Re-deposit may be performed in steps  626 ,  627 ,  628  of items facilitated by the remote site prompting the remote site operator with instructions on how to scan and transmit the returned paper item or re-deposit the endorsed image previously captured and stored. The unique item number assigned at capture time by either the central site or the remote site facilitates both options. 
       FIG. 7  is a detailed flowchart depicting the specific steps for carrying out the invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
     In a step  700 , the software is loaded or otherwise made available to the remote site processor for execution. Those skilled in the art appreciate the various processes and steps for performing loading of software into a processor such as the remote site processor. It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the software for execution on any of the processors may take the form of embedded executable instructions. 
     Query step  900  determines if deposit processing criteria, (e.g., deposit limit and endorsement information) are present at the remote site processor thereby enabling the initial check deposit processing decisions to be performed locally at the remote site processor or, alternatively, when the deposit processing criteria is not local on the remote site processor, processing passes through path  906  to step  701 . 
     When query step  900  determines that deposit processing criteria is present at the remote site processor, a query step  910  determines if the information required to determine deposit limits and endorse the item is current on the remote site processor. If this information is present and current on the remote site processor, processing passes through path  911  to step  930  where the remote site operator enters deposit information, as well as the endorsement voiding and item numbering information in process step  931  prior to reading the first monetary item in process step  932  and then proceeding to query step  933 . If this information is not present on the remote site processor or if it is not current, then query step  920  determines if this information can be updated by the operator. If the operator cannot update this information, then process step  926  allows for updating the deposit information from the central site processor and then proceeds to process step  930  where the operator begins the remote capture function by entering deposit information. If the operator can update this information, then process step  921  allows for the operator to update the deposit limit and endorsement information and then proceed to process query step  922 . 
     Query step  922  determines if the remote site processor can make deposit limit and/or endorsement decisions. If the decision can be made by the remote site processor, then process step  930  allows for the remote operator to enter deposit information, as well as the endorsement voiding and item numbering information in process step  931  prior to reading the first monetary item in process step  932  and then proceeding to query step  933 . 
     Query step  933  determines if the current item exceeds the item dollar limit or makes the deposit exceed the deposit dollar limit. If the limits are exceed then the process of entering items for the given deposit in process end  934 , and the remote site operator has the option of beginning another deposit or ending the deposit process with the central site processor. If the limits are not exceeded, then process step  935  accounts for the scanned item  932  being edited for accuracy and completeness at the remote location prior to proceeding to query step  936  where it is determined if the data from the scanned item is correct. 
     In query step  936 , if the data is correct, then query step  937  determines if there are more items to scan. If there are more items to scan, then process step  940  passes back to process step  930  to allow the remote operator to begin the item capture process over again. If query step  937  determines that there are no more items or deposits to process, then process step  941  prepares the item image data or check data for transmission prior to encrypting the data in process step  942  and digitally signing the data in process step  943 . Process step  944  transmits the data image to the central site processor for editing in process step  747 . 
     In query step  936 , if the data is not correct, then query step  938  determines if the operator can correct the data using a data terminal connected to the remote site processor. If the operator can correct the data, it is done in process step  946  prior to passing through process step  947  and going back to query step  936  to test data image for correctness. In query step  938 , if the scanned item image is not correct, process step  948  passes through to process  932  where the item is rescanned. 
     Stepping back to query step  922 , if endorsement and deposit limit information cannot be made by the remote site processor, then the remote site operator enters deposit information in process step  701  before scanning the physical monetary item in process step  702  after which the item image is edited in process step  703 . 
     In query step  704 , if the image data is not correct, the check is returned to process step  702  where it is rescanned and re-edited in step  703 . If query step  704  determines the image data is correct, then the data is passed successfully through process step  710  where the image is prepared for transmission to process step  711  where the date is encrypted and step  712  where the digital signature is added in preparation for transmitting the data to the central site in process step  713 . 
     Process step  714  receives the transmitted image data and passes it to query step  715  where it is edited for accuracy and completeness. If the data is not accurate or complete, it is passed to process step  720  where the data is corrected by requesting updated information from the remote site processor. If the remote site operator cannot supply correct date via the terminal attached to the remote site processor in query step  721 , then the check passes through process step  725  to process step  702  where it is scanned again in preparation for editing and transmitting the corrected image to the central site processor. If the remote site operator is able and authorized to correct the data in query step  721 , the data is entered in process step  722  and passed through path  723  to process step  711  where the data is encrypted in preparation for transmitting to the central site processor. 
     If in query step  715  the check image data is complete and accurate, the data is passed to process step  730  where the image is stored in data sets used by the bank for document archival and research as well as in a database that is Internet enabled and available for access and research purposes by the depositing customer and bank of first deposit. After the image is stored, a confirmation of good data receipt is created in process step  731 . This confirmation contains necessary endorsement, item numbering and voiding information, which is added to the confirmation record in process steps  732  and  733  prior to the confirmation being sent to the remote site processor. The confirmation record is then data encrypted in process step  734  and a digital signature is added in process step  735  prior to the record being transmitted to the remote processor in process step  736 . Upon receipt by the remote processor in process step  737 , the endorsement, item numbering and voiding information is printed on the physical check in process step  738  prior to it being re-scanned in process step  739 . 
     After a new check image is created showing the necessary endorsement and voiding information in process step  740 , the new check image is edited to ensure the scanned check data is correct. If in query step  742 , it is determined that the image data is not complete or accurate, the image is passed through process step  750  to process step  739  where the physical check is scanned again. If the check is passed through the reader again at this point, the endorsement information has already been printed and will not be printed again. If in query step  742  it is determined that the check image data is good, the data in prepared for transmission in process step  743  prior to the data being encrypted in process step  743  and digitally signed in process step  745  prior to being transmitted to the central site in process step  746 . 
     As the central site receives the transmitted image data in process step  747 , the image is edited by the central site software in process step  748  to ensure completeness and accuracy of data. Query step  756  determines quality of data and if the data is not complete or accurate, it is sent to query step  791  where it is determined if the deposit limit and or endorsement information is available on the remote site processor. If this information is available on the remote site processor then the central site processor communicates with the remote site processor through path  794  to determine if the remote site operator can supply the correct image data in query step  938 . The process involved in query step  938  was discussed above. If query step  791  determines that the deposit limit and endorsement information is not on the remote processor then query step  795  determines if the remote operator can supply the correct image information. If the operator can supply the correct image information, it is entered in process step  796  and the check image is prepared for transmission in process step  797  and passed to process step  744  (previously discussed) for digital signature and transmission. If in query step  795  the operator cannot correct/update the image information, the check is processed through path  798  to process step  739  (previously discussed) where it is scanned again in preparation for transmitting to central site processor. 
     Stepping back to query step  756 , if the data image is complete and accurate the endorsed image of the check is stored in process step  760  in datasets used by the bank for document archival and research as well as in a database in process step  762  that is Internet enabled and available for the depositing customer and bank of first deposit to be able to access for research purposes. 
     The central processor site then sends confirmation of good receipt of data in process step  762  to the remote processor in process step  763 . At this point query step  764  at the remote processor determines if the deposit currently being worked on is complete. If the deposit is not complete, then process step  780  returns control to the previously discussed process step  702  where the next item is scanned. If the deposit is complete query step  764  asks the operator in query step  765  if there is another deposit. If there is another deposit to be processed, process step  766  passes through to previously discussed process step  701  where the new deposit process is initiated. If there is not another deposit as determined in query step  765 , the remote entry process is completed and the captured deposit and image information is entered into application processing for the bank of first deposit&#39;s central site item capture system in process step  771 , the deposit systems in process step  772  and the cash management systems in process step  773 . 
     In the course of processing a deposit, it is integral to the decision making to understand which banks the deposited items are drawn (i.e. who is the maker bank). Query step  774  determines if the monetary items in the deposit are “on us” items (i.e. items drawn on the bank of first deposit). If the items are “on us,” the system determines, in query step  850 , if the check maker requires a paper check. If they do, then a duplicate of the original check is printed in process step  851  and the paper item is sent to the maker of the check. In addition, the image of the item is sent to process step  860  (discussed below) for processing on internal computer accounting systems. In query step  850 , if the maker of the check does not require a paper duplicate of the original item, process step  860  passes the checks image through the internal accounting systems to query step  861  where it is determined if the item is payable (i.e., does the check maker have sufficient funds in their account to cover the check, is the maker account still open, etc.). 
     If query step  861  determines the item is payable, the check data is posted to the maker&#39;s account and the process ends for that check item in step  863 . If query step  861  determines the item is not payable, then process step  870  returns either the printed duplicate of the check or the check image to the original depositor at the remote location. In query step  871 , a remote site operator determines if they want to re-deposit the item or return it. If they decide to return the item, this is done in process step  880  and path  881  sends control to previously discussed process end step  863 . If query step  871  determines that the item should be re-deposited for collection, query step  872  determines if this is to be done using the duplicate paper item or the original check image. 
     If the return from query step  872  is to be done using the duplicate paper item, then this is done in path  873  where control is sent back to previously discussed process step  764  where the item is deposited using the scanner/reader/printer. If the check return from query step  872  is to be done using the original captured check image for the item, process step  875  allows for the remote operator to initiate this process in a step  875  by entering the unique number assigned to the original check at capture time. This information is sent to the central site processor via process step  876  and control is then passed through path  877  to process step  764  where the item is deposited using the check original check image. 
     Stepping back to query step  774  where it is determined if the item is an on us item, if query step  774  determines that the item in not an “on us” item then query step  800  determines if the maker bank is a clearing bank or a correspondent bank. If the maker bank is a clearing bank or a correspondent bank, then query step  801  determines if the maker bank requires a paper copy of the original check item. If they require a paper duplicate, then a paper duplicate of the original item is printed in process step  802  and sent to the maker bank in path  803  which passes control to process step  805  discussed below. If query step  801  determines that the maker bank does not require a printed duplicate check, the image of the original item drawn on the maker bank is sent to the maker bank in process step  805  and the maker bank sends the item through path  806  to previously discussed process step  861  to determine if the item is payable at the maker bank. 
     Stepping back to query step  800 , if the payee bank is not a clearing bank or correspondent bank, process step  810  sends the check image to the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) serving as the clearing entity for the bank of first deposit. That branch of the Federal Reserve Bank forwards the check image to the Federal Reserve Bank serving as the clearing agent for the maker bank. That Federal Reserve Bank determines in query step  811  if the maker bank requires a paper duplicate of the original paper check. If the maker bank requires a paper item, the FRB prints the paper item in process step  812 , incorporates the duplicate check in their processing systems as depicted in process step  813  where the item is sent in path  814  to process step  815  where the maker bank receives the paper item. If in query step  811  the maker bank does not require a paper check, the FRB sends the image to the maker bank that receives the image in process step  815  and passes, via path  816 , either the check image or printed duplicate of the original check to previously discussed query step  861  to determine if the item is payable by the maker. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. As properly understood, the preceding description of specific embodiments is illustrative only and in no way restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated solely by the appended claims as follows.