Patent Publication Number: US-7717328-B1

Title: Auto check reorder

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related by subject matter to the inventions disclosed in the following commonly assigned application, the entirety of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/322,184, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/321,561, all filed on Dec. 29, 2005 and all entitled “Auto Check Reorder.” 
     BACKGROUND 
     Checks typically provide a safe and convenient method for an individual to purchase goods and/or services. To use a check, the individual usually must open a checking account, or other similar account, at a financial institution and deposit funds, which are then available for later withdrawal. To pay for goods and/or services with a check, the payor (i.e., the account owner) usually designates a payee (i.e., the merchant or seller) and an amount payable on the check. In addition, the payor often signs the check. Once the check has been signed, it is usually deemed negotiable, meaning the check may be validly transferred to the payee upon delivery. By signing and transferring the check to the payee, the payor authorizes funds to be withdrawn from the payor&#39;s account on behalf of the payee in return for the goods and/or services provided by the payee. 
     Checks have certain advantages over other forms of payment, such as cash. For example, while often considered the most liquid type of asset, cash may also be the least secure. Unlike a check, cash is usually freely transferable and does not have to be endorsed. Thus, the owner and possessor of cash is most often the same individual. Because cash is freely transferable, cash that is lost or stolen typically cannot be recovered. Therefore, the risks associated with cash transactions are often unacceptable, particularly with respect to transactions not conducted in person (e.g., by mail) and/or involving large sums of money. A check, on the other hand, provides a payor with more security because the check usually requires a payor to specify both the person and amount to be paid. Furthermore, as noted above, the check is usually not valid until it is properly signed by the payor. These safeguards help to reduce the risk that money will be lost and/or stolen and ensure that the proper payee receives the proper amount of money. 
     Cash may have other disadvantageous as well. For example, because cash is freely transferable, there may be little or no verifiable transaction history. It is often desirable for a payor and/or payee to have physical proof that a particular transaction took place. This typically requires that the payor receive a receipt. However, receipts may contain errors and can be easily misplaced. In contrast, a bank processing a check will ordinarily create a transaction history, which may include the identity of the payee, the amount to be paid, the date of the payment, and the signature of the payor. This enables both a payor and payee to independently verify the accuracy of most transactions involving a payment by check. 
     While checks may provide an account owner a convenient and secure form of payment, obtaining new checks may also put certain burdens on the account owner, such as the time and effort required to monitor check usage. For example, an account owner usually obtains a finite quantity of checks at one time. Thus, the account owner is typically limited to writing a certain number of checks based on the quantity of unused checks on hand. As checks are written and cashed, fewer checks are available and the account owner may be required to reorder more when the supply of unused checks is insufficient. However, the account owner may not realize how many unused checks are available. This frequently occurs because unused checks are often stored out of sight, maybe in a desk drawer or in a file cabinet. Furthermore, an account may have multiple owners, each writing checks from the same account. Thus, each account owner may not know how many checks have been written and/or how many unused checks remain. If an insufficient number of unused checks are available, the account owner typically must manually reorder new checks and wait for them to arrive and/or resort to another form of payment. This can be problematic when paying bills, for example, because bills are often payable by mail and due on a specific date. 
     In addition to monitoring check usage, an account owner often must manually go through the process of reordering checks, which can be tedious and time consuming. Typically, the reordering process involves calling a customer service representative, mailing in a check reorder form and/or sending a request via a website. Therefore, there is a need for an automated check reorder process that provides new checks to an account owner when new checks are needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The described embodiments contemplate a system, method and computer-readable medium with computer-executable instructions for providing checks to an account owner by comparing a quantity of cleared checks to a quantity of issued checks. The novel method includes receiving a request to register for an automated check reorder service, determining a first quantity of issued checks, determining a second quantity of cleared checks, comparing the second quantity of cleared checks to the first quantity of issued checks, and sending a third quantity of new checks to the account owner. The novel method also may include receiving a request for material to be sent to the account owner, determining the account owner&#39;s last known address, notifying the account owner at the account owner&#39;s last known address, and sending the material to the account owner. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating an example system in which aspects of the invention may be incorporated; 
         FIG. 1B  is a diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of an example system in which aspects of the invention may be incorporated; 
         FIG. 2A  is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of providing new checks to an account owner; 
         FIG. 2B  is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of an example method of providing new checks to an account owner; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of an example method of providing new checks to an account owner. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the term “step” may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates an example system in which the present invention may be employed. Of course, actual network and database environments may be arranged in a variety of configurations; however, the example environment shown here provides a framework for understanding the type of environment in which an embodiment may operate. 
     The example system may include account owner  100 , website  110 , customer service center  115 , server computer  120 , database  125 , and/or check vendor  145 . Account owner  100  may communicate with customer service center  115  by way of communication network  105 , which may include an intranet, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a cellular network, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Network, and the like. Account owner  100  may also communicate with customer service center  115  by way of a common carrier, such as the United States Post Office, FedEx, United Parcel Service and the like. Customer service center  115  typically includes one or more operators (not shown) who are capable of assisting account owner  100 . For example, the operators may answer questions, resolve problems and/or provide any type of service desired by account owner  100 . The operators are usually reachable by phone, facsimile, mail and/or email. Account owner  100  may communicate with website  110  by way of communication network  105 . In addition, website  110  and customer service center  115  may be connected to server computer  120  by way of communication network  105 . 
     Server computer  120  may be in communication with check vendor  145  by way of communication network  105 . Additionally, by way of example, and not limitation, server  120  may provide management of database  125  by way of database server system software. As such, server  120  may act as a storehouse of data from a variety of data sources and provides that data to a variety of data consumers. Database  125  may store various types of account related information, such as account information  130 , quantity of cleared checks  135  and quantity of issued checks  140 . By way of example, and not limitation, account information  130  may include account owner&#39;s  100  name, address, telephone, email address, account number, account balance, and the like. Quantity of issued checks  140  may represent the quantity of checks that were sent to the account owner the last time checks were ordered. Quantity of cleared checks  135  may represent the quantity of checks that have cleared the account (e.g., checks that have been cashed) since checks were last issued to account owner  100 . 
     Server computer  120  may include executable software instructions for performing automated check reorder processing. For example, server computer  120  may contain software modules for determining the quantity of checks last issued to account owner  100 , determining the quantity of checks that cleared the account, comparing the quantity of cleared checks to the quantity of issued checks, and generating a request to send new checks to account owner  100 . In addition, server computer  120  may contain executable software instructions for ensuring that new checks are sent to a proper address. For example, server computer  120  may contain software modules for receiving a request for new checks, retrieving the last known address, generating a request to notify account owner  100  at the last known address and generating a request to send the new checks to account owner  100 . Server computer  120  may update the last known address, prior to sending the new checks, as necessary. 
     In one embodiment, account owner  100  may access website  110  to check an account balance, apply for a loan, and/or register for an automated check reorder service. Information may be passed to and from server computer  120 . For example, account owner  100  may send the registration request to server computer  120  via website  110 . Sever computer  120  may send a confirmation to website  110  notifying account owner  100  that the registration was successful. Once registration is complete, server computer  120  may process the request by accessing information stored in database  125 . For example, server computer  120  may access account information  130  stored in database  125  and verify that account owner  100  has an account for withdrawing funds by way of a check or other similar type of negotiable instrument. Additionally, server computer  120  may compare quantity of cleared checks  135  with quantity of checks issued  140 . If new checks are required, server computer  120  may generate and/or send a request to check vendor  145 . The request may include the account owner&#39;s name, address, telephone number, type of checks, quantity of new checks and the like. Check vendor  145  may process the request by sending new checks  150  to account owner  100  via a common carrier. 
     In another embodiment, account owner  100  may contact customer service center  115  to register for the automated check reorder service. An operator (not shown) at contact customer service center  115  may enter the registration request into a computer system (not shown) that may be in communication with server computer  120 . Once the registration request is received by server computer  120 , the operator may confirm the registration with account owner  100 . Server computer  120  may then process the request in the same manner outlined above. 
     It will be appreciated that the preceding examples are for purposes of illustration and explanation only, and that an embodiment is not limited to such examples. For example, server computer  120  is not limited to database  125  but may be connected to numerous databases, each containing various types of information. Furthermore, server computer  120  may generate and/or send a request for new checks to someone other than check vendor  145 . 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of an example system in which the present invention may be employed. As noted above, account owner  100  may communicate with website  110  by way of a communication network  105 . Website  110  may be connected to server computer  155  by way of a communication network  105 . Server computer  155  may also be connected to server computers  165  and  175  by way of communications network  105 . Server computers  155 ,  165  and  175  may manage databases  160 ,  170  and  180 , respectively. Databases  160 ,  170  and  180  may include various types of account related information. For example, database  160  may store account information  130  while databases  170  and  180  store values representing quantity of issued checks  140  and quantity of cleared checks  135 , respectively. 
     In one embodiment, account owner  100  may register for the automated check reorder service by accessing website  105  via communication network  105 . The registration request may be received and processed by server computer  155 . Server computer  155  may then access account information  130  stored in database  160  and verify that account owner  100  has an account for withdrawing funds by way of a check or other similar negotiable instrument. Once the account has been verified, server computer  155  may send a request to server computer  165  for information indicative of quantity of issued checks  140 . Server computer  155  may also send a request to server computer  175  for information indicative of quantity of cleared checks  135 . Server computer  155  may then compare quantity of cleared checks  135  with quantity of checks issued  140 . If new checks are required, server computer  150  may generate and/or send a request to check vendor  145 . The request may include the account owner&#39;s name, address, telephone number, type of checks, quantity of new checks and the like. Check vendor  145  may process the request by sending new checks  150  to account owner  100  via a common carrier. 
     It should be appreciated that account information  130 , quantity of issued checks  140  and quantity of cleared checks  135  may be stored in different server computers than what is depicted in  FIG. 1B . For example, server computer  155  may store quantity of issued checks  140  and server computer  165  may store account information  130 . Also, it should be appreciated that the number of server computers may vary depending upon the particular application and that server computers  155 ,  165  and  175  each may be capable of comparing quantity of cleared checks  135  to quantity of issued checks  140  and generating and/or sending a request to check vendor  145 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of providing new checks to an account owner by calculating a ratio of a quantity of cleared checks to the quantity of issued checks and comparing the ratio to a predetermined value. As shown in  FIG. 2A , at  205 , an account owner is given the option of registering for the automated check reorder service. At  210 , it is determined whether the account owner registered for the service. If the account owner did not register for the service, the process proceeds to  215 . At  215 , new checks may be sent to the account owner upon request. If it is determined at  210  that the account owner registered for the service, the process proceeds to  220 . At  220 , a quantity of issued checks from the last check order may be determined. At  225 , a quantity of cleared checks since the last check order may be determined. At  230 , a ratio of the quantity of cleared checks to the quantity of issued checks may be calculated. At  235 , the ratio may be compared to a predetermined value. If the ratio is less than the predetermined value the process proceeds to  240 . At  240 , new checks are not sent to the account owner and  210  through  235  may be repeated. If the ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined value the process proceeds to  305 . 
       FIG. 2B  is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of an example method of providing new checks to an account owner by calculating the difference between the quantity of issued checks and the quantity of cleared checks and comparing the difference to a predetermined value. At  250 , an account owner is given the option of registering for the automated check reorder service. At  255 , it may be determined whether the account owner registered for the service. If the account owner did not register, the process proceeds to  260 . At  260 , new checks may be sent to the account owner upon request. If it is determined at  255  that the account owner registered for the service, the process proceeds to  265 . At  265 , a quantity of issued checks from the last check order may be determined. At  270 , a quantity of cleared checks since the last check order may be determined. At  275 , the difference between the quantity of issued checks and the quantity of cleared checks may be calculated. At  280 , the difference between the quantity of issued checks and the quantity of cleared checks may be compared to a predetermined value. If the difference is less than or equal to the predetermined value, then the process proceeds to  305 . Otherwise, the process proceeds to  285 . At  285 , new checks are not sent to the account owner and  255  through  280  may be repeated. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of an example method of providing new checks to an account owner. At  305 , a notification is sent to the account owner&#39;s last known address, which often corresponds to the last address provided by the account owner. The notification may include an announcement that that the account owner is running low on checks, that new checks will be mailed to the last known address and/or that new checks will be sent on a specific date. The notification may be provided in various formats, such by an automated voice message, manual voice message, mail, email, instant messaging and/or facsimile. It should be appreciated that the notification may be sent prior to sending various types of material to the account owner. 
     For example, a financial institution may wish to notify the account owner that a loan document, account statement, credit card, credit card offer, tax document, proceeds from a loan and/or proceeds from the sale of an asset or any other type of sensitive financial information will be sent to the account owner&#39;s last known address. By sending a notification prior to actually sending material to the account owner, the financial institution may reduce the likelihood of fraud and/or theft by ensuring that the material is delivered to the account owner&#39;s proper address, which typically corresponds to the account owner&#39;s current place of residence. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , at  310 , it may be determined whether the account owner has a negative balance. If the account has a negative balance, the process proceeds to  315  where the account owner is removed from the automated check reorder service. Otherwise, the process proceeds to  320 . At  320 , it may be determined whether a return-to-sender response has been received. A return-to-sender response is typically received if the carrier responsible for delivering a letter, for example, is unable to perform the delivery. This may occur if the address on the letter is incorrect and/or if the intended recipient has changed residences. If a return-to-sender response has been received, the process proceeds to  315  where the account owner is removed from the automated check reorder service. Otherwise, the process proceeds to  325 . 
     At  325 , it may be determined whether a response has been received from the account owner. If a response has not been received from the account owner, the process proceeds to  345  and new checks are sent to the account owner. If a response has been received from the account owner, the process proceeds to  330 . At  330 , it may be determined whether the account owner has requested to be removed from the service. If the account owner has requested to be removed from the service, the process proceeds to  315  where the account owner is removed from the automated check reorder service. Otherwise, the process proceeds to  335 . At  335 , the account information may be updated as necessary. At  340 , it is determined if the account owner wishes to receive the new checks and/or a different quantity of new checks. If the account owner is in need of the new checks, then the process proceeds to  345  where the new checks are sent to the account owner. Otherwise, the process proceeds to  220  in  FIG. 2A  or step  265  in  FIG. 2B . It will appreciated that  305 - 340  may be performed to enhance the functionality of the automated check reorder service. 
     The various techniques described herein may be implemented with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods and apparatus of the present invention, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computer will generally include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device and at least one output device. One or more programs are preferably implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations. 
     The described methods and apparatus may also be embodied in the form of program code that is transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as an EPROM, a gate array, a programmable logic device (PLD), a client computer, a video recorder or the like, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates to perform the processing of the present invention. 
     While the present invention has been described in connection with the embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. For example, any method that uses a quantity of issued checks and a quantity of cleared checks as criteria for sending new checks to an account owner is consistent with the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.