Reading Bank Checks (e.g., Documents Bearing E-13b Type Characters) Patents (Class 382/137)
  • Publication number: 20140233837
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products for capturing elements of a negotiable instrument and generating a thumbnail image of the negotiable instrument for use in image recreation. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving an image of the negotiable instrument, wherein the image of the negotiable instrument comprises one or more elements that are used for processing the negotiable instrument; (b) capturing, using the image capture device, images of one or more elements of the negotiable instrument; (c) generating a thumbnail image of the negotiable instrument based at least partially on an image of the negotiable instrument; and (d) storing the images of the one or more elements of the negotiable instrument and the thumbnail image of the negotiable instrument in the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Scott Sandoz, Deborah N. Bennett, Timmy L. Gauvin, Craig David Palmer, Michael Gerald Smith, Geoffrey Reed Williams, Lisa Gibson, Melvin Gregory Nixon
  • Publication number: 20140233834
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products for providing recreated image documents using image lift data. In this way, an entity may store limited amounts of image data from an original document and subsequently recreate the document image using image lift data. As such, the invention may receive an image document for storage. Upon receiving a document from a transaction for storage, the system may store metadata associated with that document, instead of storing the entire document as a high resolution image file. Furthermore, the system may determine specific unique elements of the document (such as signatures or the like) to capture as an image file. This allows the unique element to be lifted as image data. Using the lifted image data, in combination with the metadata, the system may recreate the image as a system generated image for user recall and reconciliation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Gerald Smith, Geoffrey Reed Williams, Lisa Gibson, Craig David Palmer, Eric Scott Sandoz, Melvin Gregory Nixon
  • Publication number: 20140233830
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products for capturing, processing, storing, and generating images of a check. In some embodiments, a system is configured to: receive an image of a check; generate a thumbnail version of the image, wherein the thumbnail version of the image is generated immediately after receiving the image; link the image with the thumbnail version of the image; store the image and the thumbnail version of the image, wherein the thumbnail version of the image is stored for a longer period of time than the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Deborah N. Bennett, Timmy L. Gauvin, Eric Scott Sandoz
  • Publication number: 20140233833
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products for capturing, processing, storing, and generating images of a check. In some embodiments, a system is configured to: receive, from a second apparatus, at least one request to retrieve an image of a first check and a second check; retrieve a first thumbnail version of the image of the first check; retrieve a second thumbnail version of the image of the second check; generate a document comprising the first thumbnail version and the second thumbnail version; transmit the document to the second apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Deborah N. Bennett, Timmy L. Gauvin, Eric Scott Sandoz
  • Publication number: 20140233836
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products for providing recreated image documents using templates or generic control documents. In this way, an entity may store limited amounts of image data from an original document and subsequently recreate the document image using document templates. As such, the invention may compile templates for image documents. Upon receiving a document from a transaction for storage, the system may store the metadata associated with that document, instead of storing the entire document as a high resolution image file. Using the template, in combination with the metadata, the system may recreate the image as a system generated image for user recall and reconciliation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Gerald Smith, Geoffrey Reed Williams, Lisa Gibson, Craig David Palmer, Eric Scott Sandoz, Melvin Gregory Nixon
  • Publication number: 20140233832
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products for capturing, processing, storing, and generating images of a check. In some embodiments, a system is configured to: receive an unprocessed image of a check; store the unprocessed image, wherein the unprocessed image is accessible to an agent associated with the apparatus and is not accessible to a user of an account associated with the check; process the unprocessed image to create a processed image; store the processed image, wherein the processed image is accessible to the agent and is accessible to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Deborah N. Bennett, Timmy L. Gauvin, Eric Scott Sandoz, James G. Ronca
  • Publication number: 20140233835
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products for capturing and storing elements of a negotiable instrument for use in image recreation. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) receive an image of the negotiable instrument, wherein the image of the negotiable instrument comprises one or more elements that are used for processing the negotiable instrument and non-element portions that are not used in processing the negotiable instrument; (b) capture, using the image capture device, images of one or more elements of the negotiable instrument; (c) store the images of the one or more elements of the negotiable instrument in the database; and (d) store, as white space, the non-element portions of the image of the negotiable instrument in the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Scott Sandoz, Deborah N. Bennett, Timmy L. Gauvin, Craig David Palmer, Michael Gerald Smith, Geoffrey Reed Williams, Lisa Gibson, Melvin Gregory Nixon
  • Patent number: 8811711
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, apparatus systems and computer program products that provide for using real-time video analysis for recognizing financial document images by capturing a real-time video stream using a mobile device, wherein the video stream features one or more financial documents, analyzing and correlating the images in the real-time video stream to the images necessary to process the financial document, providing notice to a user of additional images needed to process the financial document and communicating the information associated with the financial document to a financial institution to complete a transaction once sufficient images of the financial document have been captured to process the financial document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, Erik Stephen Ross
  • Patent number: 8811710
    Abstract: A bank-note processing apparatus includes a debanding station and an image capturing device by which first and second information items applied to the band can be optically captured and digitally stored. The image capturing device includes at least one mirror, preferably two symmetrically arranged mirrors, in order for information items on the band that lie on different sides of the bank-note stack on the banded bank-note stack to be able to be optically captured simultaneously. The image capture can be effected before or after the removal of the band from the bank-note stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Demmeler, Peter Dopfer
  • Publication number: 20140219540
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for OCR detection of valuable documents in a cash dispenser in the case of which an image of the valuable document is detected by means of a digital video or matrix camera. A Hough transformation is used to calculate edge lines of the valuable document and a rotation angle is calculated therefrom such that the edges of the valuable document are aligned with the image edges. The detected image is homogenized to compensate an inhomogeneous image background. This is followed by OCR detection of alphanumeric information on the valuable document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: WINCOR NIXDORF INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Drichel, Steffen Priesterjahn
  • Patent number: 8798354
    Abstract: An optical image of a check submitted to a business as part a check-based financial transaction is obtained and the optical image of the check is scanned using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to obtain optical image-based financial transaction data. The optical image-based financial transaction data is then used to automatically match, or correlate, the check to a customer account and/or invoice and, pending user review and/or approval, a payment entry is automatically generated and the check-based payment represented by the check is automatically credited to the customer account and the customer account balance is transformed to reflect the check-based payment, and/or the status of an associated invoice is transformed to reflect the check-based payment, e.g., the invoice is marked as paid, or partially paid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Breeana D. Bunzel, Akbar A. Rangara, Kai Chun Chan
  • Patent number: 8792751
    Abstract: Embodiments of a computer system, a method and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for use with the computer system are described. These embodiments allow a user to provide an image of a document for use with software, such as an image of a financial document for use with financial software. In particular, the user can provide the image of the document, for example, by taking a picture of the document using a cellular telephone. This image may be converted into an electronic format that is suitable for text and numerical processing using a character-recognition technique, such as optical character recognition or intelligent character recognition. Errors in the electronic version of the document, if present, may be identified and corrected by comparing the electronic version to information maintained by a third party. This information may be accessed based at least on one or more items in the electronic version of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Eftekhari, Erikheath A. Thomas, Carol Ann Howe, George Thomas Ericksen, Gerald B. Huff, Gang Wang
  • Publication number: 20140198968
    Abstract: A system and method for comparing digital images, such as checks images used by banks, includes receiving and processing the images to be compared, including scaling the images to a common resolution, as well as filtering them to remove spot noise, background pels, and other non-information carrying elements. One or more regions of each image are selected for comparison. The selected regions are compared to one another by subtracting the pels of one image from the other's pels. A determination is made of whether the two or more images are duplicates of one another, or depict a substantially identical subject, based on the results of the subtractions. Furthermore, the amount of filtering and scaling may be adjusted to enhance the effects of the system to take advantage of common characteristics that may be known or detected in a particular set of images to be compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney G. Moon, Gerald C. Rector, Philip Ridgway
  • Publication number: 20140193063
    Abstract: A system and method for comparing digital images, such as checks images used by banks, includes receiving and processing the images to be compared, including scaling the images to a common resolution, as well as filtering them to remove spot noise, background pels, and other non-information carrying elements. One or more regions of each image are selected for comparison. The selected regions are compared to one another by subtracting the pels of one image from the other's pels. A determination is made of whether the two or more images are duplicates of one another, or depict a substantially identical subject, based on the results of the subtractions. Furthermore, the amount of filtering and scaling may be adjusted to enhance the effects of the system to take advantage of common characteristics that may be known or detected in a particular set of images to be compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney G. Moon, Gerald C. Rector, Philip Ridgway
  • Patent number: 8768840
    Abstract: A Universal Positive Pay Database (UPPD) method, system and/or computer useable medium to reduce financial transaction fraud. A UPPD database is configured to store thereon transaction records associated with financial transactions corresponding to customers of the UPPD database. A particular financial transaction is initiated between a payer and a payee by providing parameters associated with the financial transaction to the UPPD database. An issue File is provided to the UPPD database that includes parameters associated with the particular financial transaction. A correspondence determination is made between the financial transaction parameters from the Issue File and the financial transaction parameters provided to the UPPD database at every point along the financial transaction clearing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: William O. Bozeman
  • Patent number: 8750593
    Abstract: A method includes scanning a check to generate image data representative of an image of the check. The method further includes detecting at least one security feature of the check. The method also includes transforming the image data to include at least one encoded indication of the detected at least one security feature of the check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Judith D. Auslander, Matthew J. Campagna, Robert A. Cordery, Cindy Mangiameli
  • Patent number: 8744932
    Abstract: Herein described is a computer based system, a computer-readable storage media, and a method for optimizing the amount of currency transferred to a custodial inventory vault of a depository institution. The currency comprises ten and twenty dollar bills. For example, the method comprises determining a first amount of ten and twenty dollar bills, subtracting a second amount corresponding to a minimum vault holding requirement from the first amount to yield a third amount. The third amount is transferred along with a predetermined fourth amount to the custodial inventory vault of the depository institution. The predetermined fourth amount may be chosen to minimize or obviate an occurrence of an ending cash balance of ten and twenty dollar bills being less than the second amount. The third and fourth amounts of ten and twenty dollars bills are held in the custodial inventory vault and provide a monetary benefit for the depository institution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Fernanda Andrade Ramos Propeck, Justin Reed John Morgan Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8743425
    Abstract: A method for using void pantographs involves generating a test sheet including multiple void pantographs, where each of the multiple void pantographs includes a pantograph foreground and a pantograph background. The test sheet is printed, and from the printed test sheet, at least one of the multiple void pantographs having a covert or semi-covert pantograph foreground and background is identified. The printed test sheet is scanned, and from the scanned test sheet, at least one of the multiple void pantographs having an overt pantograph foreground is identified. A workflow is developed for the at least one of the multiple void pantographs having both i) the covert or semi-covert pantograph foreground and background after printing, and ii) the overt pantograph foreground after scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven J. Simske, Malgorzata M. Sturgill, Jason S. Aronoff
  • Patent number: 8714336
    Abstract: An input receptacle receives currency bills and checks. A transport mechanism transports the bills and checks along a transport path to an output receptacle. An image scanner, adjacent the transport path, is configured to generate one or more electrical signals from which image data can be derived. The image data is reproducible as a visually readable image of at least a portion of each of the plurality of documents. A controller is configured to determine a denomination of each of the currency bills. In response to the controller not determining a denomination of one of the currency bills, the controller flags the currency bill as a no-call document by causing at least a portion of the image data to be displayed as a visually readable image of the flagged currency bill on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Frank M. Csulits, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Matthew L. Anderson, Robert J. Klein, Ralf H. Jaeger, David R. Badalamenti
  • Patent number: 8712143
    Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for processing financial documents are presented. Image data associated with a first financial document, such as a check to be deposited, may be received. A first multivariate vector may be determined based on the received image data, and the first multivariate vector may include a plurality of vector components. Each vector component may represent a distance from an edge of the first financial document to a feature of the first financial document, and each vector component may be a ratio of distances. The determined first multivariate vector may be compared with a second multivariate vector associated with a second financial document. Based on the comparing, a confidence score for the first financial document may be determined. A transaction involving the first financial document may be authorized in response to the confidence score exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventor: Sylvan Tran
  • Publication number: 20140112570
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a media item. The apparatus includes a module for receiving media items and capturing an image of a received media item. The method involves ascertaining external dimensions of the media item from the captured image; creating a monochromatic image based on high contrast boundaries within the captured image; matching the monochromatic image to one of a plurality of templates of media items of approximately the same external dimensions as the media item; and providing details of the matched template, including type and orientation of the media item corresponding to the matched template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: NCR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary A. Ross, Chao He
  • Patent number: 8705835
    Abstract: A paper sheet processing apparatus that performs a recognizing process of a paper sheet includes: a paper sheet recognition sensor (11) that reads an image of a paper sheet; a number-attribute information memory (131) that stores number attribute information including number recognition conditions for recognizing a number given to a paper sheet; and an image processing unit (134) and a character recognizing unit (135) that recognize a number of a paper sheet from an image read by the paper sheet recognition sensor (11), based on number recognition conditions stored in the number-attribute information memory (131).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Glory Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroki Hamasaki, Tomohiko Kasuya, Kazuhiro Ohmatsu
  • Patent number: 8705836
    Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure use a mobile device equipped with a camera to capture and preprocess images of objects including financial documents, financial cards, and identification cards, and to recognize information in the images of the objects. The methods include detecting quadrangles in images of an object in an image data stream generated by the camera, capturing a first image, transforming the first image, binarizing the transformed image, recognizing information in the binarized image, and determining the validity of the recognized information. The method also includes communicating with a server of a financial institution or other organization to determine the validity of the recognized information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: A2iA S.A.
    Inventors: Nikolai D. Gorski, Andrey V. Semenov, Valery Anisimov, Sergey K. Maksimov, Sergey N. Sashov
  • Patent number: 8699779
    Abstract: An alignment guide may be provided in the field of view of a camera associated with a mobile device used to capture an image of a check. When the image of the check is within the alignment guide in the field of view, an image may be taken by the camera and provided from the mobile device to a financial institution. The alignment guide may be adjustable at the mobile device. The image capture may be performed automatically by the camera or the mobile device as soon as the image of the check is determined to be within the alignment guide. The check may be deposited in a user's bank account based on the image. Any technique for sending the image to the financial institution may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bharat Prasad, Minya Liang, Reynaldo Medina
  • Patent number: 8699780
    Abstract: The Arabic bank check analysis and zone extraction method for courtesy amount, legal amount, and the date fields uses available information and performs adaptive local processing using projections and connected component analysis. The method performs skew correction and connected component analysis on the check image and removes components smaller than average size before identifying the regions using projection profiles. This leads to a highly effective and robust technique. The method is based on prior knowledge of the check zone structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Irfan Ahmad, Sabri Abdullah Mahmoud Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20140093156
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving from a first data source first recognition results which are associated with the first data source, and receiving from a second data source second recognition results which are associated with the second data source. The method further comprises electronically by a processor, processing a first set of confidence levels associated with the first recognition results to provide a first set of normalized confidence levels associated with the first data source, and electronically by a processor, processing a second set of confidence levels associated with the second recognition results to provide a second set of normalized confidence levels associated with the second data source. The method also comprises storing the first set of normalized confidence levels associated with the first data source in a first table of normalized confidence levels and the second set of normalized confidence levels associated with the second data source in a second table of normalized confidence levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen C. Gawne
  • Publication number: 20140086473
    Abstract: An image processing device may include an image scanning unit; an image memory; a sample area designating unit; a binarization unit for implementing a filtering process on a scanned multi-valued image, to produce the compensated image data and for binarizing the compensated image data; a correlation operation unit for acquiring each of the correlations between the binary image data and the scanned multi-valued image data; and an optimal binarization information selecting unit for selecting the optimal parameter value or binary image data based on the correlations. The binarization unit may include a parameter value setting section, a filtering process section, and a binarization process section for binarizing each of the compensated image data based on a predetermined binary threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8682057
    Abstract: Method, computer program product, and apparatus are provided for identifying a graphic symbol within an image obtained by optical scanning. An image intensity is measured for each of a plurality of columns of the image, wherein each column has a length that extends across the graphic symbol in a first direction, and wherein the plurality of columns collectively extend across the graphic symbol in a second direction. The graphic symbol is then identified by matching a profile of the image intensity to a predetermined image intensity profile associated with a given graphic symbol. Optionally, the image is a digital image and the image intensity for each column is the sum of the image intensity for each pixel in that individual column. An image intensity differential between adjacent columns may be calculated for matching with a predetermined differential profile or comparison with an electronic profile generated by a magnetic scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy W. Crockett
  • Patent number: 8675923
    Abstract: A technique for providing feedback about an image of a financial document to a user is described. During this feedback technique, the user provides the image of a financial document, such as W-2 form. For example, the user may take a picture of or may scan the financial document. This image may be analyzed using predefined information in a set of financial documents (such as different types of income-tax documents), and a quality metric for the image may be determined using the analysis. Moreover, the feedback, which is based on the determined quality metric, may be provided to the user. For example, the user may be instructed to retake the image, and the instructions may include an image of the desired orientation and content. In this way, the user may be advised as to how to improve the quality metric in the revised image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Snow, Brian W. Farwell, Amir Eftekhari, Carol A. Howe
  • Patent number: 8660984
    Abstract: An optical image of a check is obtained at the approximate time of a check-based financial transaction and the approximate time of the check-based financial transaction is recorded. Geographical position/location data and/or voice memo data is then obtained at, or about, the time the optical image of the check is obtained. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology is then used to extract image-based financial transaction data from the optical image of the check and the geographical position/location data, and/or voice memo data, is also transformed into financial transaction data associated with the check and the check-based financial transaction. The extracted and/or transformed financial transaction data is then used, at least in part, to automatically assign a financial category to the check-based financial transaction and/or transform the category status of the check-based financial transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Indraneel Bhattacharyya, David Lish, Christopher H. J. Whittam, Ryan Pfeffer
  • Publication number: 20140044338
    Abstract: A method of automatically capturing images with precision uses an intelligent mobile device having a camera loaded with an appropriate image capture application. When a user initializes the application, the camera starts taking images of the object. Each image is qualified to determine whether it is in focus and entirely within the field of view of the camera. Two or more qualified images are captured and stored for subsequent processing. The qualified images are aligned with each other by an appropriate perspective transformation so they each fill a common frame. Averaging of the aligned images reduces noise and a sharpening filter enhances edges, which produces a sharper image. The processed image is then converted into a two-level, black and white image, which may be presented to the user for approval prior to submission via wireless or WiFi to a remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: iParse, LLC
    Inventor: Mike Reddick Coleman
  • Publication number: 20140044337
    Abstract: A method for checking the genuineness of a security feature (3), particularly on a security document (1) is disclosed. The appearance of the security feature exhibits an alteration in the visible range when excited by a flash of light. The method is distinguished by the following steps: I. at least one first image of the unexcited security feature (3a) is taken using a mobile telephone (4) which simultaneously has a camera (8) with an integrated flash function (9); II. at least one second image of the security feature (3b) excited using the flash function (9) is taken using the same mobile telephone; and optionally III. a wireless link is set up using the telephone function or an Internet function on the mobile telephone (4), and at least one or both of the images or an authentication function derived from the difference between the two images is/are transmitted to a receiver having a database (12), the authentication is evaluated and/or the authentication is logged with the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: U-NICA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rutz, Alexander Ruegg
  • Patent number: 8649026
    Abstract: A first identification number obtained by performing character recognition of each of a plurality of digits of an identification number and allocating predetermined characters to digits where characters cannot be determined and a second identification number representing an identification number that is the target of character recognition processing or search processing are compared with each other by calculating a matching ratio between the two numbers. When the matching ratio is lower than a predetermined reference value, a shifted identification number obtained by shifting each character forming the first identification number one digit in a predetermined direction and the second identification number are compared with each other by calculating a matching ratio between the two numbers. If this matching ratio is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference value, subsequent processing is continued, so that the shifted identification number is treated as the first identification number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yamaguchi, Ryosuke Minami
  • Publication number: 20140037184
    Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure use a mobile device equipped with a camera to capture and preprocess images of objects including financial documents, financial cards, and identification cards, and to recognize information in the images of the objects. The methods include detecting quadrangles in images of an object in an image data stream generated by the camera, capturing a first image, transforming the first image, binarizing the transformed image, recognizing information in the binarized image, and determining the validity of the recognized information. The method also includes communicating with a server of a financial institution or other organization to determine the validity of the recognized information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: A2iA S.A.
    Inventors: Nikolai D. Gorski, Andrey V. Semenov, Valery Anisimov, Sergey K. Maksimov, Sergey N. Sashov
  • Publication number: 20140037182
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and media for deriving a transaction record based on handwritten check content. The apparatus may include, and the methods and media may involve, a receiver device that is configured to receive a check image. The apparatus may include, and the methods and media may involve, a processor device. The processor device may be configured to define a check segment within the check image; translate content from the segment from handwriting to estimated block text; and store the block text in a transaction record in machine readable memory. The apparatus may include, and the methods and media may involve, a transmitter that is configured to transmit the block text to a financial institution product engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Williams, Timmy L. Gauvin, Eric S. Sandoz, Kerry M. Cantley, Leslie M. LaRock, James F. Barrett, II, James G. Ronca, Deborah N. Bennett, Joshua A. Beaudry
  • Publication number: 20140037183
    Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure use a mobile device equipped with a camera to capture and preprocess images of financial documents, and to recognize information in the images of financial documents. The methods include detecting quadrangles in images of a financial document in an image data stream generated by the camera, capturing a first image, transforming the first image, binarizing the transformed image, recognizing information in the binarized image, and determining the validity of the recognized information. The method also includes communicating with a server of the financial institution to determine the validity of the recognized information. The mobile device may include a camera, a display to display an image data stream and captured images, a memory to store a configuration file including parameters for the preprocessing and recognition functions, captured images, and software, and a communication unit to communicate with a server of the financial institution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Nikolai D. Gorski, Andrey V. Semenov, Sergey N. Sashov
  • Patent number: 8643489
    Abstract: A history management apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores history information of image processing which contains set-membership information containing pieces of document identification information of an input document and an output document, and an image of at least one of the input document and the output document as history information; and a notification unit that, when history information in which a surveillance target element is contained in an image of an input document or an image of an output document is detected from the storage unit, notifies a notified party of such as the detected history information. When the surveillance target element is not contained in both of the images in the history information, and it is identified that at least one of ancestral documents of the input document has the surveillance target element, the notification unit notifies the notified party of the history information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 8639017
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting duplicate checks during processing. The duplicate detection may be performed by a financial institution, such as a bank. The method may be implemented on a computer based system. The duplicate detection method may be automated. The method may be applied to incoming check files prior to processing of the check data to prevent processing of duplicate checks. The system and method may use a function, such as a hash function, to perform the duplicate detection. Other functions, such as a Bloom filter which may use multiple hash functions, may be used to perform the duplicate detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
    Inventor: Milton M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8639016
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for mobile communication-based verification of the validity of negotiable checks. By verifying the validity of checks on a mobile communication device, the systems and methods provide for on-the-fly check verification regardless of where and/or at what time the check-related transaction occurs. The systems and methods validate the check in terms of insuring that the check is not fraudulent and, in some instances, providing certainty to the payee that the requisite funds currently exist in the related checking account. Additionally, the systems and methods provide for an efficient and readily identifiable means of conveying the outcome of the check verification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventor: David Todd Frew
  • Patent number: 8625877
    Abstract: A method is provided of operating an image-based check processing system to detect a double feed condition of carrier envelopes. An example method includes attempting to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from a first predefined area of an image of a document item, determining if the document item is a carrier envelope, concluding that the document item is not a double-fed item when a determination is made that the document item is a carrier envelope, and concluding that the document item is potentially a double-fed item when a determination is made that the document item is not a carrier envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl S. O'Neill, Michael Ancell
  • Patent number: 8620058
    Abstract: The present invention relates to automated document processing and more particularly, to methods and systems for document image capture and processing using mobile devices. In accordance with various embodiments, methods and systems for document image capture on a mobile communication device are provided such that the image is optimized and enhanced for data extraction from the document as depicted. These methods and systems may comprise capturing an image of a document using a mobile communication device; transmitting the image to a server; and processing the image to create a bi-tonal image of the document for data extraction. Additionally, these methods and systems may comprise capturing a first image of a document using the mobile communication device; automatically detecting the document within the image; geometrically correcting the image; binarizing the image; correcting the orientation of the image; correcting the size of the image; and outputting the resulting image of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mitek Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Grigori Nepomniachtchi, James DeBello
  • Patent number: 8620057
    Abstract: Systems for processing digital check image files include an image classification module programmed to review a plurality of attributes associated with a digital check image file including at least one check image, and to categorize the digital check image file into at least one category of a plurality of categories, and a decision module programmed to decide how to process the digital check image file based on the category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: Robert Scot Thomas, Alan W. Hecht, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8615123
    Abstract: A coin identification method and apparatus capable of reliably acquiring stable two-dimensional images of both surfaces of coins 217, and using the acquired two-dimensional images to perform identification and discrimination, reliably and at high speed, between coin denomination, types, dates and origins of mint. In a coin pathway, imaging devices 207a,b are positioned at an image-capture position such that images above and below the surface of passing coins are captured under illumination. The coin denomination is identified by geometric measurements of enhanced images, the coin type is identified by matching templates to enhanced images, and the coin date and mint are identified using template matching to segmented sub-images. In one embodiment, the coin identification information is used for the promotion of a coin counting service. The results are displayed in an entertaining and engaging manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: IdentiCoin, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Dabic
  • Patent number: 8606013
    Abstract: A paper sheet identification device that detects a stain on a paper sheet and identifies the stained condition of the paper sheet includes an area memory (12) that stores therein in advance an area where a stain is to be detected on the paper sheet as a target detection area, a pixel number memory (11) that stores therein in advance the number of pixels of an image printed on the target detection area as the reference number of pixels used as a reference value when being compared, an image reading unit (13) that, based on the target detection area stored in the area memory, reads an image on the target detection area from the paper sheet, a pixel-number detection unit (14) that detects the number of pixels in the image read by the image reading unit as the number of read pixels, and a calculation unit (15) that calculates a stain value that indicates a stained condition on the target detection area of the paper sheet, by comparing the number of read pixels detected by the pixel-number detection unit with the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Hamasaki, Tomohiko Kasuya, Kazuhiro Ohmatsu
  • Publication number: 20130322732
    Abstract: A self-service check cashing system and method which performs preliminary tests on a check to reduce queue length at attendant check cashing stations. An example method includes obtaining an amount of a check from a customer by the self-service terminal, obtaining information from an image of a check by the self-service terminal, performing a plurality of tests by the self-service terminal, including tests using the information from the image to determine whether the check was properly completed; and displaying instructions to the customer by the self-service terminal to go to an attendant terminal to complete a second phase of the check cashing transaction when the self-service terminal determines that the test results were positive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NCR CORPORATION
    Inventors: John C. Goodwin, Harris Roth
  • Publication number: 20130322731
    Abstract: A system for making commercial transactions through a paper document includes: a device (3) for reading and scanning the paper document containing information useful for a commercial transaction, the reading and scanning device (3) having an IP address; a user device (5); an interface (7), in particular a connection, between the reading and scanning device (3) and the user device (5), wherein the reading and scanning device (3) includes a software interface adapted to exchange data and/or the information with the user device (5) through the interface (7) and via the HTTP protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: PANINI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marco Fassiotto, Mirko Zanotel
  • Patent number: 8600145
    Abstract: The method may be used in the devices for banknote detecting, counting or sorting; it may be used to determine the banknote main characteristics: its currency type and denomination. The method is based on a computational processing of the banknote digital image formed in the device during scanning. Increase in the banknote processing speed is the technical result. The first variant of the method envisages a preliminary classification and further checking of correspondence to selected possible classes according to several criteria typical for each particular class. For checking of correspondence, an admissibility of the value of interrelation characteristic for two areas is validated. According to the second variant, there is made classification on the base of a banknote digital image and for each possible class the measure of the banknote correspondence to the image is calculated and used for ranking, the banknote is referred to the class closest to it by the measure of correspondence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Obshhestvo S Organichennoj Otvetstvennost′Ju ″Konstruktorskoe Bjuro ″Dors″ (OOO ″KB ″Dors″)
    Inventors: Petr Valer'evich Minin, Vladislav Igorevich Korotenko, Dmitry Evgen'evich Sheshukov, Dmitry Gennadievich Pis'Menny
  • Patent number: 8600146
    Abstract: The invention group relates to the banknote detecting means. The technical result is increase in the banknote identification accuracy. The method is based on a computational processing of the banknote scan formed in the device during scanning. The banknote digital image is separated into areas; for each area a function is calculated and a feature vector is composed with further calculation of the distance to the known classes represented by the parameters available beforehand. Moreover, the calculated function of the banknote digital image allows calculation of its signature in a form of binary number that is compared with the classes known beforehand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Obshhestvo S Ogranichennoj Otvetstvennost'Ju ''Konstruktorskoe Bjuro ''Dors'' (OOO ''KB ''Dors'')
    Inventors: Petr Valer'evich Minin, Vladislav Igorevich Korotenko, Dmitry Evgen'evich Sheshukov
  • Patent number: 8590940
    Abstract: A method or corresponding apparatus for remote transmission of a negotiable instrument. In an example embodiment, the process provides a carrier that secures a negotiable instrument. Next, the process creates a unique identifier, associated with the carrier, and generates an electronic image of the negotiable instrument. After generating the electronic image, the process transmits the electronic image of the negotiable instrument and the unique identifier to a remote location. The negotiable instrument may be transmitted via a fax, a scanner, a device designed to transmit electronic data, other image device compatible with ITU-T recommendations T.30 or T.4, or combination thereof. The process may also verify the negotiable instrument has a valid endorsement, verify image quality of the electronic image to ensure compliance with financial industry standards, or validate any received security information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lighthouse Consulting Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert P. Popadic, John R. Popadic, Thomas E. Gazda, Stuart J. Lipoff
  • Patent number: 8593698
    Abstract: A void pantograph and a method for generating the same are disclosed herein. The void pantograph includes a foreground portion based on a region of an image that is defined using a predetermined filter, and a background portion based on another region of the image that is defined using the predetermined filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven J. Simske, Jason S. Aronoff, Malgorzata M. Sturgill