Systems and methods for check 21 image replacement document enhancements

Abstract

The present invention provides enhanced processing of Check 21 items using an electronic payment system (EPS) to capture metadata instructions. The metadata includes instructions regarding an intended payment to a payee, and can be generated through a truncation process and optical character recognition, directly from a digitally originated check, and the like. The metadata is stored in a database or the like for further processing instead of printing a paper check. In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a capability to print Image Replacement Documents (IRDs) compliant to Check 21 regulations from the metadata. Further, these IRDs can include enhanced features as described herein.

1 . A Check 21 truncation method, comprising:
 scanning a paper check;   analyzing the scanned paper check to determine data associated with the scanned paper check, wherein the data comprises payment instructions, bank account number, and routing number;   storing the data associated with the scanned paper check as metadata in a digital payment file, wherein the metadata comprises the data and a globally unique identifier; and   providing an image replacement document image compliant to Check 21 based on the metadata;   wherein an output from the metadata is interoperable with both paper and electronic clearing methods associated with Check 21 clearing systems.   
   
   
       2 . The Check 21 truncation method of  claim 1 , wherein the storing step comprises storing the metadata in the digital payment in lieu of storing an image associated with the scanned paper check. 
   
   
       3 . The Check 21 truncation method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing the metadata as an Image and Cash Letter file to a bank. 
   
   
       4 . The Check 21 truncation method of  claim 1 , wherein the image replacement document is generated with zero degrees of skew, and wherein the image replacement document comprises substantially perfect quality as measured by Image Quality tests. 
   
   
       5 . The Check 21 truncation method of  claim 1 , wherein the image replacement document comprises the globally unique identifier, wherein the globally unique identifier is utilized for verification of the image replacement document. 
   
   
       6 . The Check 21 truncation method of  claim 1 , wherein the image replacement document comprises a bar code comprising the metadata. 
   
   
       7 . The Check 21 truncation method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving the image replacement document; and   utilizing the globally unique identifier to electronically receive the metadata associated with the image replacement document, wherein the metadata is received as an image cash letter file without scanning the image replacement document.   
   
   
       8 . An enhanced image replacement document method, comprising:
 receiving metadata associated with a check, wherein the metadata comprises payment instructions from the check, wherein the check comprises one of a paper check and a digitally originated check, and wherein the paper check is truncated and the metadata is generated based on scanning the paper check;   generating an image from the metadata, wherein the image comprises an image replacement document of the check compliant to Check 21, wherein the image comprises virtually no skew and substantially perfect quality as measured by Image Quality tests; and   printing the image.   
   
   
       9 . The enhanced image replacement document method of  claim 8 , wherein the printing step is performed at a computer attached to a printer, wherein the computer comprises a browser configured to receive the image and print the image, and wherein the browser comprises security controls. 
   
   
       10 . The enhanced image replacement document method of  claim 8 , wherein the printing step comprises printing the image on paper comprising a magnetic strip, and wherein the magnetic strip comprises the metadata associated with the check. 
   
   
       11 . The enhanced image replacement document method of  claim 8 , wherein the printed image is compliant to ANSI X9 specifications. 
   
   
       12 . The enhanced image replacement document method of  claim 8 , wherein the printing step comprises printing a back image of the check folded behind a front image of the check to provide a paper check capable of paper processing. 
   
   
       13 . The enhanced image replacement document method of  claim 8 , wherein the image comprises a space for a notary field. 
   
   
       14 . The enhanced image replacement document method of  claim 8 , further comprising generating a barcode in the image, wherein the barcode comprises the metadata. 
   
   
       15 . An image replacement document printing method, comprising:
 receiving metadata associated with a check under Check 21; and   printing the metadata as an image replacement document compliant to X9 specifications, wherein the printed image replacement document is generated with zero degrees of skew, and wherein the image replacement document comprises substantially perfect quality as measured by Image Quality tests.