Patent ID: 7389913

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for processing an online payment from a user, the online payment being for an item that is purchasable through a website of a merchant, the method comprising: receiving information from the user corresponding to the online payment for the item, the information from the user being received through a graphical user interface associated with the website of the merchant, the information from the user including a name of the user, bank data associated with the user, and an authorization to pay for the item using an electronic check; creating an electronic image of an authorized demand draft based on the authorization received from the user, the electronic image of the authorized demand draft being created directly from the information provided by the user through the graphical user interface associated with the website of the merchant, the electronic image of the authorized demand draft including the name of the user, the bank data associated with the user; transmitting the electronic image of the authorized demand draft to a financial institution corresponding to the bank data associated with the user; and receiving funds from the financial institution based on the electronic image of the authorized demand draft to provide payment for the items, wherein creating an electronic image of an authorized demand draft, transmitting the electronic image of the authorized demand draft to the financial institution, and receiving funds from the financial institution based on the electronic image of the authorized demand draft are rerformed in substantially real-time.