Ubiquitous imaging device based check image capture

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for remote depositing of a negotiable instrument, the method comprising:
 providing a carrier designed to permit a front image and a back image of the negotiable instrument, when the negotiable instrument is secured to the carrier, to be generated; 
 securing the negotiable instrument to the carrier; 
 creating an identifier on a front side and back side of the carrier, the identifier being unique to the carrier and associated therewith; 
 generating an electronic image of the front and back of the negotiable instrument along with the unique identifier on the carrier while the negotiable instrument is secured to the carrier; 
 transmitting the electronic image of the front and back of the negotiable instrument and the unique identifier to a remote location; and 
 pairing, at the remote location, the front image of the negotiable instrument having the associated unique identifier to a separately received corresponding back image of the negotiable instrument having the associated unique identifier, to provide a complete image of the negotiable instrument. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing, the carrier includes one of: a transparent sealing carrier, transparent non-sealing carrier having pockets, transparent non-sealing carrier without pockets, a non-transparent cut-out carrier, a transparent carrier with an inserted negotiable instrument, a single sided carrier, or two sided carrier. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further including creating a seal between the carrier and the negotiable instrument, marking the negotiable instrument as processed, aligning the negotiable instrument in a specified manner, or marking the negotiable instrument using a pattern. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 verifying the negotiable instrument has a valid endorsement; 
 verifying image quality of the electronic image to ensure compliance with financial industry standards; and 
 validating any received security information. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of securing, the negotiable instrument is a check or deposit slip. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of transmitting includes using one of a fax, a scanner, a device designed to transmit electronic data, other image device compatible with ITU-T recommendations T.30 or T.4, other communications protocols compatible with banking industry standards, or combination thereof. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  further comprising validating a deposit, based on the negotiable instrument, to the financial institution. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  further including providing the image of the negotiable instrument with a marking to prevent re-processing of the negotiable instrument. 
     
     
       9. A method for remote depositing of a negotiable instrument, the method comprising:
 providing a carrier, designed to permit a front image and a back image of the negotiable instrument, when the negotiable instrument is secured to the carrier, to be generated; 
 generating an identifier unique to the carrier and associated therewith; 
 providing an area on the surface of the carrier to provide for deposit information; 
 securing a the negotiable instrument to the carrier; 
 transmitting the electronic image of the front and back of the carrier along with the negotiable instrument and at least the unique identifier associated with the carrier to a remote location; and 
 pairing, at the remote location, the front image of the negotiable instrument having the associated unique identifier to a separately received corresponding back image of the negotiable instrument having the associated unique identifier to provide a complete image of the negotiable instrument. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein, in the step of providing, the carrier includes one of: a transparent sealing carrier, transparent non-sealing carrier having pockets, transparent non-sealing carrier without pockets, a non-transparent cut-out carrier, a transparent carrier with an inserted negotiable instrument, a single sided carrier, or two sided carrier. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , prior to the step of transmitting, further including creating a seal between the carrier and the negotiable instrument, marking the negotiable instrument as processed, aligning the negotiable instrument in a specified manner, or marking the negotiable instrument with a pattern. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 verifying the negotiable instrument has a valid endorsement; 
 verifying image quality of the electronic image to ensure compliance with financial industry standards; and 
 validating any received security information. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9  wherein, in the step of securing, the negotiable instrument is a check or deposit slip. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of transmitting includes using one of a fax, a scanner, a device designed to transmit electronic data, other image device compatible with ITU-T recommendations T.30 or T.4, other communications protocols compatible with banking industry standards, or combination thereof. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 9  further comprising validating a deposit, based on the negotiable instrument, to the financial institution.