Patent ID: 7344064

Claim:
A method of processing a check prior to electronically depositing the check, comprising: (a) receiving said check; (b) determining a number of existing check submission indicating marks that are present on said check; (c) determining whether said number is less than a pre-set maximum number; (d) discontinuing the processing of said check if it is determined that said number is not less than said pre-set maximum number; and (e) printing a new check submission indicating mark onto said check and continuing the processing of said check if it is determined that said number is less than said pre-set maximum number, wherein said existing check submission indicating marks, if any, are printed with an energy emitting ink, wherein said step of determining a number of existing check submission indicating marks comprises (i) radiating first energy toward said check, (ii) receiving second energy, if any, emitted from said check as a result of said radiated first energy impinging upon said existing check submission indicating marks, if any, present on said check, said second energy, if any, indicating the presence of one or more existing check submission indicating marks, and (iii) determining said number based upon said second energy or lack thereof, and wherein said printing step comprises printing the new check submission indicating mark with said energy emitting ink.