Electronic Check

Abstract

An electronic check that is created by a secure electronic transmission which can be printed as a paper check by the payee. The electronic check is created by a software program that makes a digital image of the check, securely encrypts the digital image and transmits the digital image to the payee. The payee then uses special software to decrypt the transmitted check image, which is then capable of being printed as a paper check by the payee. The payee can deposit the paper check to the bank. Optionally, the payee can electronically transmit the check image to the payee's bank.

1 . A method for transmitting a payment using an electronic check comprising the steps of: 
 preparation by a payor using software on a machine readable medium of an electronic check which is an encrypted electronically generated digital image of a negotiable paper check when converted to a paper check;    transmission of said electronic check from said payor to a payee via one of e-mail and a secure web-based application;    receipt and decryption of said electronic check by payee; and    conversion of said electronic check to a negotiable paper check by the payee.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said program includes in the electronic check a visible background that repeats unencrypted information from said electronic check, wherein said unencrypted information is selected from the group consisting of payor's details, payee's details, bank information, check details, payor's name, a payor's account number, a payee's name, a check dollar amount, a check date, a check number, a bank ach routing number and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the digital image and a digital signature in the digital image are encrypted using public key infrastructure.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transmission of said electronic check to the payee is through a non-financial payment gateway which decrypts the electronic check and makes it available to the payee in a re-encrypted form or un-encrypted form.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , including notifying the payee that said electronic check has been received by said payment gateway; and transmitting said electronic check by the payment gateway upon request by payee.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said program includes in the electronic check a bar code containing a digital signature and information selected from the group consisting of payor's details, bank information, check amount and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the digital signature is created using a payor's private key and at least a portion of the bar code information, wherein said bar code information is selected from the group consisting of payor details, payee details, bank information, check details, a payor name, a payor account number, a payee name, a check amount, a check date, a check number, a bank ach routing number and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said software communicates with and updates said payor's accounting software.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conversion of said electronic check to a negotiable paper check by the payee is one of printing the negotiable paper check or displaying the negotiable paper check.  
     
     
         10 . A device for transmitting a payment electronically according to  claim 1  comprising: 
 means for the payor to prepare the electronic check by inputting a payment amount, and payee's name into a payor software program wherein said software program generates the digital image of a negotiable paper check when converted to a paper check as said electronic check including a bar code containing a digital signature and information selected from the group consisting of payor's details bank information, check amount and combinations thereof;    means for encryption of the electronic check; and    means for transmission of the electronic check by said payor via one of e-mail and a secure web-based application.    
     
     
         11 . A system for transmitting a payment electronically according to  claim 1  comprising: 
 means for a payor to prepare the electronic check by inputting a payment amount, payee name and payee address into a payor software program wherein the software program generates the digital image of a negotiable paper check when converted to a paper check and encrypts the electronic check digital image utilizing payee's public key;    means for transmission of the electronic check digital image by the payor to a payee;    means for receipt of the electronic check digital image by the payee;    means for decryption of the electronic check digital image using the payee's private key; and    means for printing of a paper check from the electronic check digital image.    
     
     
         12 . A system for transmitting a payment electronically according to  claim 1  comprising: 
 means for a payor to prepare an electronic check by inputting a payment amount, payee name and payee address into a payor software program wherein the software program generates the digital image of a negotiable paper check when converted to a paper check and encrypts the electronic check digital image utilizing a gateway's public key;    means for transmission of the electronic check digital image mail from the payor to a corresponding gateway;    means for decryption of the electronic check digital image by the gateway utilizing the gateway's private key;    means for encryption of the electronic check digital image utilizing the payee's public key;    means for transmission of the electronic check digital image mail from the gateway to said payee;    means for receipt of the electronic check digital image by the payee; and    means for decryption of the electronic check digital image using the payee's private key    
     
     
         13 . A system for transmitting a payment electronically according to  claim 1  comprising: 
 means for a payor to prepare an electronic check by inputting a payment amount, payee name and payee address into a payor software program wherein the software program generates the digital image of a negotiable paper check when converted to a paper check and encrypts the electronic check digital image utilizing a gateway's public key;    means for transmission of the electronic check digital image from the payor to the gateway;    means for notification of receipt by the gateway of the electronic check digital image sent to the payee; and    means for delivery of the electronic check digital image to said payee upon request of the payee.