Abstract:
A mobile deposit kit for use with a mobile deposit application of a mobile device provides a container having (1) a top, a bottom, and a back, and further includes two sides each adjoining to the top, the bottom, and the back, (2) at least one series of fasteners along back and the two sides at a specified distance from the bottom, (3) a tray supported by the fasteners, and including (a) a base, (b) a stencil, and (c) an opening within the stencil corresponding to specified check measurements, (4) an opening in the top sufficiently sized to correspond to a camera lens of a mobile device, and wherein the top includes outline markings for placement of the mobile device, whereby the mobile device is utilized for securing at least one check image for use in a mobile deposit application.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention pertains to banking via mobile communication devices. More particularly, this invention pertains to acquiring check images necessary for remote deposit via smart phones and other mobile communication devices. 
         [0002]    Banks are encouraging customers to take advantage of depositing checks remotely via computer. Such a deposit requires a digital image of the check be captured via digital camera, smart phones, and such like. In particular, many banks have developed applications that can be downloaded to a user&#39;s (customer) smart phone for securely capturing an image of the check and then depositing the funds into the user&#39;s account. 
         [0003]    However, capturing a clean image of a check is not always a simple process. Many individuals can have problems maintaining enough steadiness to take a clean picture. For example, the elderly, individuals with Alzheimer&#39;s disease, Parkinson&#39;s, and other conditions that cause shakes and tremors, may have difficulty holding a smart phone steady at least part of the time. Others may just have difficulty holding a camera or smart phone steady enough to capture a clear image. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a deposit kit for use with mobile computing devices is provided. The deposit kit includes a container having (1) a top, a bottom, and a back, and further includes two sides each adjoining to the top, the bottom, and the back, (2) at least one series of fasteners along back and the two sides at a specified distance from the bottom, (3) a tray supported by the fasteners, and including (a) a base, (b) a stencil, and (c) an opening within the stencil corresponding to specified check measurements, (4) an opening in the top sufficiently sized to correspond to a camera lens of a mobile device, and wherein the top includes outline markings for placement of the mobile device, whereby the mobile device is utilized for securing at least one check image for use in a mobile deposit application. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment the mobile deposit application corresponds to a specified banking institution. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the deposit kit includes a plurality of stencils for use with the tray. The plurality of stencils include an opening for at least one of a standard size personal check, a standard size business check and an oversized check. 
         [0007]    The plurality of stencils include openings measuring at least: 6 inches by 2⅞ inches, 8⅝ inches by 3½ inches, and 8¾ inches by 3 3/10 inches. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the mobile device is a smart phone. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the deposit kit includes interconnection between the top, the bottom, the back, and the two sides so that the deposit kit unfolds into a flat assembly. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the deposit kit includes an open front for inserting the tray. 
         [0011]    Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The above-mentioned features will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description read together with the drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile deposit kit; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternative mobile deposit kit; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3-A  is a top view of the mobile deposit kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3-B  is a top view of an alternative mobile deposit kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a tray for placement of checks within the mobile deposit kit; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a base for use with a stencil to form the tray of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6-A  is a stencil for placement of checks within the tray of the mobile deposit kit; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6-B  is another embodiment of a stencil for placement of checks within the tray of the mobile deposit kit; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6-C  is another embodiment of a stencil for placement of checks within the tray of the mobile deposit kit; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7-A  is a front view illustrating the use of the mobile deposit kit with a smart phone; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7-B  is a front view illustrating a smart phone in place for the use of the mobile deposit kit; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8-A  is a front view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a mobile deposit kit; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8-B  is a side view of the alternative embodiment mobile deposit kit of  FIG. 8-A ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8-C  is a front view illustrating another alternative embodiment of a mobile deposit kit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    A mobile deposit assistance kit, for acquiring check images via smart phones and other mobile communication devices for remote deposit into a user&#39;s (customer) bank account, is disclosed. 
         [0028]    Banks are encouraging customers to take advantage of depositing checks remotely via computer. Such a deposit requires a digital image of the check be captured via digital camera, smart phones, and such like. In particular, many banks have developed applications that can be downloaded to a user&#39;s (customer) smart phone for securely capturing an image of the check and then depositing the funds into the user&#39;s account. 
         [0029]    However, capturing a clean image of a check is not always a simple process. Many individuals can have problems maintaining the smart phone steady enough to take a clean picture. For example, the elderly, individuals with Alzheimer&#39;s disease, Parkinson&#39;s, and other conditions that affect steadiness of hand, may sometimes have difficulty holding a smart phone steady at least part of the time. Other&#39;s may just have difficulty holding a camera or smart phone steady enough for capturing a good image. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile deposit kit  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile deposit kit  100  is a box type container that includes a top  110 , a bottom  120 , opposing sides  130   a ,  130   b  each attached to the top  110 , to the bottom  120 , and to a back  140 . Multiple type trays  150  are available for placement of a check within the mobile deposit kit  100 . Once a tray  150  enclosing a check is placed within the mobile deposit kit  100 , a smart phone is used to capture an image of the check. Each tray  150  includes an area for placement of the check so that the check is properly positioned within the viewfinder of the smart phone camera. 
         [0031]    The mobile deposit kit  100  has the general shape of a box with an open front so as to create a drawer or closet type effect. In this way, the lighting is controlled primarily by the flash (or lack thereof) of the smart phone being utilized for capturing images. In one embodiment, the mobile deposit kit  100  is assembled from a lightweight plastic type material. The top  110 , bottom  120 , sides  130   a ,  130   b , and back  140  are adjoined such that the back connects to both sides  130   a ,  130   b , the top  110 , and the bottom. In the illustrated embodiment, the back  140  is the only piece that connects to each of the remaining portions (top  110 , bottom  120 , sides  130   a ,  130   b , and back  140 ). The pieces are interconnected in a manner that provides for folding the mobile deposit kit  100  into a flat assemblage for ease of transport. It should be appreciated that the pieces of the mobile deposit kit  100  may be made from varying types of plastic, cardboard, lightweight wood, and varying lightweight metals and alloys. The top  110 , bottom  120 , sides  130   a ,  130   b , and back  140  of the mobile deposit kit  100  may constructed from a single interconnected piece adjoined so that the mobile deposit kit  100  may be disassembled by folding. The mobile deposit kit  100 , may also be constructed from multiple pieces (top  110 , bottom  120 , sides  130   a ,  130   b , and back  140 ) interconnected via various fastener and or hinge devices such as are know in the art. 
         [0032]    The top  110  includes a pair of outlines  112   a ,  112   b  for placement of a smart phone, and an opening  114  for the camera lens of the smart phone. The opening is situated to accommodate a wide variety of smart phones, including iPhone ®, Motorola ®, Samsung ®, and LG ®, among many other available models. With the lens of a smart phone facing toward the opening  114 , the opening is situated near the center of the top  110 . 
         [0033]    In the illustrated embodiment, the inside of both sides  130   a ,  130   b  are black or a suitably dark color. The inside of the top  110 , bottom  120 , and the back  140  are white or a suitable light color. It is expected that experimentation may produce other color combinations that provide good or desirable results for capturing the check images. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternative mobile deposit kit  100  that makes use of alternative type trays  158   a ,  158   b ,  158   c . The alternative trays  158   a ,  158   b ,  158   c  of  FIG. 2  have varying thicknesses and may be stacked in varying locations within the mobile deposit kit  100  to achieve the best results for clear focus and desired size of the image obtained. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3-A  is a view of the top  110  of the mobile deposit kit  100  and  FIG. 3-B  is a view of the top  110 ′ of an alternative mobile deposit kit  100 . The top  110  illustrated in  FIG. 3-A  includes a pair of outlines  112   a ,  112   b  for placement of a smart phone, and an opening  114  for the camera lens of the smart phone. The top  110 ′ illustrated in  FIG. 3-B  includes a pair of outlines  112   a ′,  112   b ′ for placement of a smart phone, and an opening  114 ′ for the camera lens of the respective smart phone. Both tops  110 ,  110 ′ have an opening that is situated to accommodate a wide variety of smart phones, including iPhone ®, Motorola ®, Samsung ®, and LG ®, among many other available models. With the lens of a smart phone facing toward the respective opening  114 ,  114 ′ the opening  114 ,  114 ′ is situated near the center of the respective top  110 ′. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 3-A , the outlines  112   a ,  112   b , correspond roughly to the size of an iPhone 5 and other similarly sized smart phones.  FIG. 3-B  includes outlines  112   a ′,  112   b ′ that correspond roughly to the size of an iPhone 6 and other similarly sized smart phones that have a larger footprint. It should be appreciated that the size of the respective outlines  112   a ,  112   b , and outlines  112   a ′,  112   b ′ are suggestive of the location for placing a smart phone to achieve an optimal image of a respective check. Larger or smaller smart phones may also be used with the mobile deposit kit  100 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a tray  150  for placement of checks within the mobile deposit kit  100  and  FIG. 5  is a base  156  for use with respective stencils to assemble the tray  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tray  150  includes a base  156  and one stencil (template)  152  ( 152   a ,  152   b , or  152   c  below). The respective stencil  152  rests on the base  156  for insertion into the mobile deposit kit  100 . As with the above pieces of the mobile deposit kit  100 , the base  156  in the illustrated embodiment is made from lightweight plastic, though other lightweight materials will also serve the purpose. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6-A  is a stencil  152   a  for placement of checks within the tray of the mobile deposit kit  100 ,  FIG. 6-B  is another embodiment of a stencil  152   b  for placement of checks within the tray of the mobile deposit kit  100 , and  FIG. 6-C  is another embodiment of a stencil  152   c  for placement of checks within the tray of the mobile deposit kit  100 . 
         [0039]    The stencils  152   a ,  152   b ,  152   c  (collectively  152  as noted above and in  FIG. 4 ), represent varying size checks for which an image may be captured. In the illustrated embodiments, the stencil is black for best results. As noted above, it is expected that experimentation may produce other color combinations that provide good or desirable results for capturing the check images. Utilizing a stencil  152  provides for stabilizing the check with respect to the smart phone  10 , and also eliminates the need for moving the smart phone  10  back and forth toward and away from the check in an attempt to garner the entire check image at a desired size and focus. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the stencil  152   a  provides a check opening  154   a  measuring 6″×2⅞″. Such an opening provides for sufficient space for most standard size personal checks used by individuals. The stencil  152   a  is placed atop the base  156  to form a tray  150 , and so that a check within these measurements fits within the stencil and rests on the base. Utilizing a single base with each of the stencils  152  reduces cost of production and reduces the weight of the mobile deposit kit  100 . The assembled tray  150  is placed within the mobile deposit kit  100  at a desired height above the bottom  120  to provide for a clear image for capture by the smart phone  10 . It is generally expected that placing the tray  150  with the personal or standard stencil  152   a  nearer the top  110  of the mobile deposit kit  100  will provide a better image of the check. However, the tray  150  may, of course, be placed at any available height according to the desired results. 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, the stencil  152   b  provides a check opening  154   b  measuring 8⅝″×3½″. Such an opening provides for sufficient space for most business size checks. The stencil  152   b  is placed atop the base  156  to form a tray  150 , and so that a check within these measurements fits within the stencil and rests on the base. The assembled tray  150  is placed within the mobile deposit kit  100  at a desired height above the bottom  120  to provide for a clear image for capture by the smart phone  10 . It is generally expected that placing the tray  150  with the business stencil  152   b  nearer the middle or bottom  120  of the mobile deposit kit  100  will provide a better image of the check. However, the tray  150  may, of course, be placed at any available height according to the desired results. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment, the stencil  152   c  provides a check opening  154   c  measuring 8¾″×3 3/10″. Such an opening provides for sufficient space for most remaining large or oversized checks. The stencil  152   c  is placed atop the base  156  to form a tray  150 , and so that a check within these measurements fits within the stencil and rests on the base. The assembled tray  150  is placed within the mobile deposit kit  100  at a desired height above the bottom  120  to provide for a clear image for capture by the smart phone  10 . It is generally expected that placing the tray  150  with the oversized business stencil  152   c  nearer the bottom  110  of the mobile deposit kit  100  will provide a better image of the check. However, the tray  150  may, of course, be placed at any available height according to the desired results. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7-A  is a front view illustrating the use of the mobile deposit kit  100  with a smart phone  10 , and  FIG. 7-B  is a front view illustrating the smart phone  10  in place for the use of the mobile deposit kit  100 . An endorsed check is placed with the stencil  152  of the tray  150 , and the assembled tray  150  is placed within the mobile deposit kit  100  at the desired distance above the bottom  120  and in view of the opening  114 . In some embodiments, it is desirous to capture images of both sides of the endorsed check. This is accomplished by simply turning the check over after capturing the image of the first side. The smart phone  10  is placed on the top  110  of the mobile deposit kit  100  according to one of the outlines  112   a ,  112   b  and with the camera lens aligned over the opening  114 . Once the tray  150  is in place with the check, the smart phone  10  mobile deposit application is utilized to capture the image or images necessary for deposit with the respective banking institution. The operation of the particular smart phone  10  mobile deposit application may vary according to the respective banking institution. 
         [0044]    In the illustrated embodiment, the tray  150  rests on a series of brackets  132  extending around the sides  130   a ,  130   b , and back  140  of the mobile deposit kit  100 . It should be appreciated that many type brackets, pegs, grooves, and other fasteners may be utilized for supporting the tray  150  within the mobile deposit kit  100 . Brackets  132  and other such fasteners are installed at various heights according to the desired results. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two levels of brackets  132  in addition to the bottom  120  of the mobile deposit kit  100  that may be used as available heights for the tray  150 . 
         [0045]    After the tray  150  is situated within the mobile deposit kit  100 , the smart phone  10  application is opened and then utilized to enter the required information, capture the images of the check, and finalize the deposit. Of course, multiple check images may be captured in the same manner according to the situation. As above, the operation of the particular smart phone mobile deposit application may vary according to the respective banking institution. The user should consult with their respective banking institution for instructions regarding their particular mobile deposit application. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8-A  is a front view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a mobile deposit kit  100  and  FIG. 8-B  is a side view of the same alternative embodiment mobile deposit kit  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tray  150  is securable within grooves  160   a ,  160   b ,  160   c  and grooves  162   a ,  162   b ,  162   c  around the back  140  and respective sides  130   a ,  130   b  of the mobile deposit kit  100 . The tray  150  easily slides within the respective groove  160   a ,  160   b ,  160   c  or  162   a ,  162   b ,  162   c . In this manner, the tray  150  is secure within the mobile deposit kit  100  and the chances for bumping the tray  150  out of the mobile deposit kit  100  while capturing the check images is reduced. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8-C  is a front view illustrating another alternative embodiment of a mobile deposit kit  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tray  150  is secured by bracket pegs  170 . The pegs  170  are inserted into holes at the desired tray elevations within the mobile deposit kit  100  and the tray rests upon the pegs  170  much like shelves within a cabiner. 
         [0048]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that many type fasteners and brackets can be used to support the tray  150  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0049]    From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a mobile deposit kit  100  for securing a check within a tray  150  at a desired and stable height above the bottom  120  and below the opening  114  within the top  110 , and for securing a clear and in-focus image of the check image via a smart phone  10  mobile deposit application has been provided. 
         [0050]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.