Patent ID: 7344066

Claim:
Apparatus comprising: a merchant transaction system, wherein the merchant transaction system includes a customer approachable checkout terminal, wherein the checkout terminal includes a terminal computer and at least one communication device, wherein the checkout terminal is operative to determine a purchase amount, wherein the checkout terminal is operative to receive customer payment for the purchase amount, wherein the at least one communication device is operative to wirelessly receive customer checking account data and electronic customer signature data from a hand-held customer device during the customer payment, wherein the merchant transaction system comprises stored merchant information, wherein the merchant information includes a merchant identifier, wherein the merchant transaction system includes an electronic check template, wherein the check template includes software that enables the merchant transaction system to use received customer checking account data, received electronic customer signature data, a determined purchase amount, and the merchant identifier to generate a dated electronic check including a customer checking account number, a customer signature, a purchase amount, and the merchant identifier.