Check processing with vendor number overlay system and method

Abstract

A system and method of processing paper checks that divides into two independent paths the processing of a data file representing a check and the digital image of the check. The data files and image files are separated both in time and in space. The digital image files are deposited as an image or substitute check if deemed ACH ineligible through image exchange. WIC checks are handled through image exchange. Vendor identifiers required for WIC processing are added to the check after scanning. The system identifies the state of the check and the particular store accepting the check in order to determine where to place the overlay and which vendor identifier to use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing checks having a requirement that a vendor identifier be added to a front face of the checks before payment is authorized, comprising:
 a) receiving, at a computer, vendor data relating to a transaction undertaken using a paper check;   b) receiving, at the computer, an image of the paper check, the paper check having a vendor identifier location on the front face of the paper check with no vendor identifier at that vendor identifier location;   c) generating at the computer a vendor identifier image based upon the received vendor data;   d) creating, at the computer, a revised image of the check by overlaying the vendor identifier image over the image of the paper check at the vendor identifier location; and   e) submitting the revised image of the check through image exchange.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step d) further comprises determining, at the computer, a position for the vendor identifier location on the paper check based on the vendor data. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining, at the computer, a geographic location for the transaction, and further wherein a position for the vendor identifier location is determined based on the geographic location for the transaction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising receiving vendor data relating to a plurality of transactions undertaken using a plurality of paper checks, and further receiving images of the plurality of paper checks. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of paper checks originate from a plurality of geographic locations, wherein at least two geographic locations are associated with different positions for the vendor identifier location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving vendor data relating to a plurality of transactions undertaken using a plurality of paper checks, and further receiving images of the plurality of paper checks. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 f) identifying at least one of the plurality of paper checks as a non-overlay paper check, the non-overlay paper check containing an existing vendor identifier on the non-overlay paper check; and   g) submitting the image of the non-overlay paper check through image exchange without creating a revised image of the non-overlay check.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of identifying at least one of the plurality of paper checks as the non-overlay paper check further comprises determining whether a vendor that transmitted the vendor data has purchased an overlay service. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining, at the computer, a geographic location for each transaction, and further wherein a position for the vendor identifier locations on each paper check is determined based on the geographic location for the transaction of that paper check. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of identifying at least one of the plurality of WIC checks as the non-overlay paper check further comprises determining whether the geographic location for the transaction undertaken using the non-overlay paper check has not authorized the submission of the revised image. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of paper checks originate from a plurality of geographic locations, wherein at least two geographic locations are associated with different positions for the vendor identifier locations. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vendor identifier is a unique identifier for a store location that received the paper check.