FR2722316A1 - Cheque processing using chip-generated individual secret codes - Google Patents

Abstract

Secret codes are produced by an application-specific integrated circuit from a password or supervisory code and the numbers of the accounts held by customers of the bank, to whom the individual codes are communicated. When a cheque is tendered in payment the account number is read from its CMC7 code by the chip and compared with the secret code introduced into the trader's cheque processor by the person tendering.

Description

Device and method for checking and processing bank checks.

 The present invention relates to a device for controlling and processing bank checks or similar payment documents. More specifically, the invention relates to devices for checking and processing bank checks handed over by a customer to a supplier or drawn up by a customer for a supplier. Such devices commonly include: means for introducing and driving checks along a processing path, means for identifying the check allowing their graphic and magnetic code conventionally designated by the code name CMC to be read. ?, means for filling the check comprising a keyboard and a printing head, printing means allowing the back of the check, means allowing the entry of the amounts collected in a memory whose stored data can undergo different treatments and / or sorted, for example to be subsequently printed on an appropriate check delivery slip.

 Such a device is, for example, described in documents FR-A-2,579,345 and FR-A-2,583,341.

 Known checks reading and editing devices of this kind allow checks to be read by identifying their CMC7 code. When the check has been identified, it is possible to query a database, for example the National File of Prohibited Checks (FNCI), via the Minitel (Trademark registered) or by a demodulator modulator system connected to a network of telecommunication (Modem), which can give information on the validity of the check.

 However, if the check has just been stolen or if your FNCI files are not up to date at the time of the questioning, the answer may be incorrect.

 Check processing devices known or offered on the market, still have a number of other drawbacks or inadequacies, such as, for example - their non-scalability: there is a range of devices offered to users, but when the choice a device has been made, its owner can not access new functions or new services, by incorporating options available or under study; - their incomplete coverage of all the services that can be provided for check processing, for example recording transaction amounts, backing the check, reading codes and querying databases, printing CMC7 codes for post-marking , etc., are all functions that are not currently found on a single machine, so that the user must orient his choice on the functions that seem a priori the most useful, or acquire several machines; - the current selling prices of these machines seem better correlated with the manufacturer's brand image and the prestige of the approvals received, than by the technical aspect of their implementation, which leaves room for maneuver or sufficient space for a tachine of new design, without the identified "gaps".

 However, commercial transactions paid by bank checks are steadily increasing in number, despite the use of other means of payment.

 Securing the payment of a check transaction is therefore a real need, and the provision of a high-performance control system can be an effective deterrent.

 The present invention therefore relates in particular to a device and a method making it possible to remedy the drawbacks or inadequacies of known checks processing machines or devices.

 According to a first characteristic arrangement of the invention, it relates to a remarkable process by the fact that individual secret codes are generated by a specialized chip (ASIC) from a password or supervisor code and account numbers accounts of clients of a banking establishment, each secret code thus generated and specific to each client being communicated to it, and by the fact that this secret code is calculated, from the account number read on the check given as payment, under the form of its CMC7 code, by said specialized chip (ASIC) equipping a check processing device owned by a beneficiary, then compared with the secret code introduced into said device by the owner of said check to determine whether it is indeed the real account owner.

 The device for checking and processing bank checks according to the invention comprises means for the introduction of a check and means for reading the account number or CMC7 code appearing on this check, means allowing the introduction of '' a secret code and means for identifying this secret code, this device being characterized in that it comprises a specialized chip (ASIC) making it possible to calculate a secret code from the account number or CMC7 code read on a check bank, to compare the secret code thus generated with the secret code entered by the owner of the check, and to provide an answer on the result of this comparison.

 According to another characteristic arrangement, the specialized chip (ASIC) is shaped so as to self-annihilate after a certain number of attempts to enter the wrong password or supervisor code, for example after three attempts.

 Thanks to the method and device according to the invention set out above, the beneficiary of the check, most often a merchant, can instantly check whether the owner of this check is indeed the true holder of the bank account appearing on said check.

 We understand that this provides important additional security for recipients of checks.

 Another advantage arising from the implementation of this method and of this device is that it does not require any modification of the checks currently issued by the banking organizations.

 According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, the check control and processing device comprises a base plate on which the constituent parts essential to its operation are installed, this plate being provided with connection means allowing positioning and connection at least one and, preferably, several additional modular components making it possible to increase its functions or services.

 In this way, the device according to the invention has in particular the advantages of - evolving properties, by a range of options available at any time in the life of the device; - have a "high-end" image for all of the known check processing functions; - to be opened by programming and connection possibilities to custom service extensions (recorded on P.C., etc.); - great ease of implementation (most of the work on the check is linked automatically) and great ease of installation (number of connections as small as possible); - a price quite comparable to that of the best devices currently offered on the market.

The foregoing objects, features and advantages, and others, will become more apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a block view of the check processing device according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is another block diagram of this device similar to the previous one.

 Figure 3 is a block diagram of the dedicated chip (ASIC).

 FIG. 4 illustrates the various possible options of the check processing device, namely: - connected to a Minitel (registered trademark); - autonomous with a keyboard; - as a slave, connected to a PC, or to a TPE, or to a cash register; - equipped with a device for scanning (photography) checks; - equipped with a character recognition device.

 Figures 5 to 10 illustrate, separately, different possible configurations of the device, namely: - Figure 5: connected to a Minitel (registered trademark); - Figure 6: autonomous; - Figure 7: with fixed prints; - Figure 8: with multiline printing; - Figure 9: with post-marking device; - figure 10: in slave, connected to a PC, or to a TPE, or to a cash register.

 Figure 11 is a perspective view of the shoemaker containing the various components of the device considered on the side of the inlet and outlet of checks.

 Figure 12 is a perspective view of this boot considered on the opposite side.

 FIG. 13 is a plan view of the plate of the apparatus equipped with its basic components.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of this plate on which the modular printing devices have been installed
FIG. 15 is another plan view of the plate to which the modular post-marking device has been connected.

 Reference is made to said drawings to describe advantageous examples, although in no way limitative, of implementation of the method and production of the check control and processing device according to the invention.

 This process is mainly remarkable by the fact that secret codes are generated by a specialized chip (ASIC), from a password or supervisor code allowing to enter this chip and bank account numbers of clients of a banking establishment, each secret code thus generated and specific to each customer being communicated to it when the first checkbook is delivered.

When a check is given to a beneficiary, for example, merchant or service provider, this secret code is calculated, from the account number read, on the check, by said specialized chip (ASIC), equipping a processing device of check owned by the beneficiary. The specialized chip (ASIC) calculates the secret code using an algorithm kept secret and known to anyone, and compares the secret code calculated with the secret code introduced into the check processing device, by the owner of the check delivered. in payment, to instantly determine whether he is the real account holder on the check.

If the secret code indicated by The owner of the check does not correspond to that which is calculated by ASIC of the beneficiary's device, the check is returned to its owner for example with the mention "SECRET CODE NO
PROVIDED ", after three negative responses.

 It goes without saying that the banking establishments which will issue the secret codes to their customers with checkbooks, will hold a chip access code, allowing them to recover the secret codes. For this, cards with the chip for computers will be developed in order to automate the generation of secret codes.

 However, it is specified that the secret codes are calculated by the algorithm of the specialized chip (ASIC) which uses a generator polynomial whose coefficients are randomly generated by a computer at the time of the design of the chip, so that nobody can know the generator polynomial used.

 On the other hand, the specialized chip (ASIC) is reinforced, at the level of the generation of secret codes, so as to self-annihilate after a certain number (for example three) of introduction of erroneous supervisor codes.

 The device for processing bank checks according to the invention comprises (FIGS. 11 and 12), a plate 1 supporting the various components of said device and one or more covers 2 delimiting an enclosed volume inside which are housed or capable of being Houses these components. This or these covers 2 is or are fixed (s) easily removable on said plate 1, so as to allow easy access to the components installed on the latter and / or to the connections with which it is equipped.

 According to the example shown, the shoemaker consisting of the plate 1 and the cover (s) 2, has, on one of its faces or sides, a vertical insertion mouth 3 for the introduction of checks and an exit slot 4 parallel to said mouth. The latter is fairly wide open at the entrance and gradually narrows according to the direction of travel of the checks until it becomes a simple slot authorizing the passage and movement of these.

 The checks are introduced vertically, by their width, into the mouth 3 and remain in their insertion position throughout their journey in the device, until their ejection from the latter by the exit slot 4.

 The movement of the checks is ensured by a drive mechanism comprising a stepping motor 5 installed on the plate 1 and pairs of drive and guide rollers 6 distributed along the trajectory of said checks (Figure 13) .

 The trajectory of checks consists of: - a first straight or approximately straight T1 section; - a second curved, circular or approximately circular part T2; - a third straight or approximately straight part T3.

 A detection device 7 disposed in the mouth 3, controls the operation of the drive mechanism 5-6 as soon as a check is manually inserted into said mouth.

The control and processing apparatus also comprises - magnetic code reading means allowing the reading of the account number or CMC7 code appearing on the check, which may consist of a fixed magnetic reading head 8, making it possible to read The lower part of the check, on the front; - Means allowing the composition and the introduction of a secret code, for example constituted by a keyboard incorporated in the device or by a keyboard connected to the latter and which can be the keyboard of a terminal of the kind
Minitel (registered trademark); - means of identifying and memorizing this secret code; - A microprocessor, for example constituted by a micro-controller of the 80C51 type regulating the operation of the device.

 According to a first characteristic arrangement, the device according to the invention further comprises means making it possible to calculate a secret code from the account number or CMC7 code read on a bank check, and to compare the secret code thus generated with the code secret introduced by the owner of the check, that is to say by the person who gives this check to a beneficiary with said device.

 Very advantageously, the means of identification of the secret code introduced by the possessor of the check and the means making it possible to calculate a secret code from the account number or CMC7 code read on a bank check, and to compare the secret code as well generated with the secret code entered, are constituted by a specialized chip (ASIC).

 FIG. 3 represents the block diagram of the ASIC which, as indicated previously, is conformed, during the generation of the secret codes, to self-annihilate after a certain number of introduction of incorrect passwords or supervisor codes.

 Depending on its basic version or si.pLified version, the processing device can be connected to a terminal of the Minitel type (Registered trademark) allowing to query a database such as, for example, the National File of Prohibited Checks ( FNCI). In this case, the processing device therefore uses the energy source, the keyboard, the screen and the "Minitel" modem.

 However, according to another characteristic arrangement of the processing device according to the invention, the plate 1 is provided with connection means allowing the positioning and the connection of at least one and, preferably, of several modular components or macrocomponents allowing to make it entirely autonomous and / or to widen the range of its performances or services.

 In particular, according to this characteristic arrangement, the plate is arranged to receive: - a printing module comprising means intended to allow automatic editing of checks, that is to say, for example, the recording of the amount, the name of the beneficiary, the date and place of issue, etc.

- an endorsement module comprising means for backing the check, making it possible to affix the signature of the collecting body on the back of said check; a post-marking module comprising means for post-marking the check, that is to say the addition of the amount of the latter to the standardized coded line (CMC?) of said check; - a modular modulator-demodulator system (Modem) connected to a telecommunications network; a digitization module comprising means for digitizing the checks, making it possible to take photographs of the checks, means for storing these photographs in the processing device, and / or transfer means making it possible to transfer them electronically to a banking organization ; - a 220 V power supply; - the connection of a keyboard with or without screen, etc.

 Only the screen keyboard modifies the external appearance of the control and processing device, in the form of an insert on the basic housing.

 In FIG. 13, we see, for example: - the location E9 provided for the positioning and connection of a modular printing device allowing the editing of the check; - location E10 for mounting and connecting a modular post-marking device; - the Eîî location for the installation and connection of a modular printing device allowing the back of the check to be made; - the location E16 reserved for the positioning and connection of the modular device for digitizing checks.

 The plate and the aforementioned components are provided with complementary connection means, known per se and allowing their rapid connection, for example by simple plugging.

 According to FIG. 14, there is shown the addition: - of a motorized printing head 9 disposed on the approximately rectilinear first part T1 of the trajectory of the checks, intended for the treatment of their front, that is to say editing them; this movable multiline print head coupled to a drive motor 14 can be of the inkjet type and it is driven by a vertical up / down movement, with an amplitude of the order of 80 mm, during operation; - a print head 11 also placed on the first approximately straight part of the path T1, downstream of the multiline print head 9; this print head intended to allow the backing of the checks, may be of the same nature as the previous one, but mechanically fixed, so as to process the back of the documents halfway up the latter.

 According to FIG. 15, there is shown the addition of a magnetic printing system 10 arranged on the terminal portion of the first rectilinear part T1 of the trajectory of the checks and allowing the post-marking of the latter; this printing system can advantageously be in two parts, that is to say the ribbon and the daisy on the front side of the document and the hammer on the back side of said document; it can be driven by the motor 14, by means of a gear 15 or other transmission system.

 The modular scanning device for scanning the entire image of checks (bridging, signature and other inscriptions) mainly comprises a linear CCD (digital sensor), an analog to digital converter and a memory constituted by a card. acquisition of the video signal digitizes, processes and stored in said memory.

 According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, the check control and processing apparatus also comprises means for storing the check image (line CMC7 + check amount) corresponding to each check processed and accepted, these storage means which can, for example, be provided in order to be able to store 500 check images; thanks to these storage means, the control and processing device according to the invention can periodically transfer the check images stored in memory, to an account managed by a banking organization.

 Preferably, taking into account the aforementioned modular characteristics of the device, the basic version of the latter comprises a display unit 12 with light-emitting diodes or liquid crystals, visible through a window in the cover 2.

 On the other hand, in a curved vertical surface of the cover 2 enveloping the curvilinear portion T2 of the trajectory of the check, a large transparent window or area 13 is formed through which the owner of the check can read the amount printed on the check by La print head 9 and the other inscriptions appearing on said check.

 There are shown schematically in Figures 5 to 10, different possible configurations of the check processing apparatus described above.

Figure 5 illustrates a basic device connected to a
Minitel (registered trademark) or similar terminal, allowing the interrogation of one or more servers such as FNCI, and of which it uses the keyboard, the screen and the Modem; in this case, the device allows the reading of the CMC7 code, the calculation of the secret code from this code and its comparison with the secret code introduced by the owner of the check.

 FIG. 6 illustrates a basic autonomous device having its own modem and supplemented by a keyboard; the interrogation of the server or servers being carried out using a conventional telephone line.

 FIG. 7 shows a configuration of an autonomous apparatus provided with fixed printing means making it possible to edit and endorse checks on a fixed line.

 FIG. 8 represents a configuration of a stand-alone device provided with multiline printing means allowing printing over the entire surface of the check.

 FIG. 9 illustrates the configuration of an autonomous device equipped with means giving the possibility of post-marking the check with the amount, as well as the check delivery slip.

 Figure 10 shows the configuration of a stand-alone device used as a slave to a PC, or a TPE (to make check image) or a cash register.

 The apparatus for checking and processing bank or other checks according to the invention can also be configured so as to be able to be connected to a digital telecommunication network with service integration, of the Numéris (registered trademark) type.

Claims (9)

1. - Method for checking and processing bank checks, characterized in that individual secret codes are generated by a specialized chip (ASIC) from a password or supervisor code and bank account numbers of customers of a banking establishment, each secret code thus generated and specific to each holder of a bank account being communicated to it, and by The fact that this secret code is calculated, from the account number read on the check given as payment, under the strength of its CMC7 code, by said specialized chip (ASIC) equipping a check processing device owned by a beneficiary, then compared with the secret code introduced into said device by the owner of said check to determine whether it is indeed the real account holder. 2. - Device for checking and processing bank checks, comprising means for the introduction of a check and means for reading the account number or CMC7 code appearing on this check, means allowing the introduction of a secret code and means for identifying this secret code, this device being characterized in that it comprises a specialized chip (ASIC) making it possible to calculate a secret code from the account number or CMC7 code read on a bank check , to compare the secret code thus generated with the secret code introduced by the owner of the check and to provide an answer on the result of this comparison. 3. - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the specialized chip (ASIC) is shaped as a den to self-annihilate after a certain number of attempts to introduce incorrect passwords or supervisor codes, for example after three attempts. 4. - Device for checking and processing bank checks according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a base plate (1) on which are installed the constituent parts essential to its operation (5, 6, 7, 8), this plate being shaped and provided with connection means allowing the positioning and connection of at least one and, preferably, of several additional modular components (9, 10, 11) making it possible to increase its functions or services. 5. - Device for checking and processing bank checks according to any one of claims 2 to, comprising at least one cover (2) having at least one curved vertical surface and covering the functional components of said device, cover inside. which is formed a path for moving and guiding the checks introduced by their width in a vertical insertion mouth (3) formed in said cover and then moving along this path parallel to their length, characterized in that a large window or transparent area (13) is provided in said curved vertical surface, for the presentation of the edited check to the drawer. 6. - Check control and processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 inside which is provided a movement path and dc guiding checks introduced in said device, characterized in that said guide path consists of - a first rectilinear or approximately rectilinear part (T1); - a second curved part, circular or approximately circular (T2); - a third straight or approximately straight part (T3). 7. - Device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the plate (1) is shaped and arranged to receive one or more of the following modular components - a printing module (9) comprising means intended to allow automatic editing of checks; - an endorsement module (11) comprising means for the backing of checks; - a post-marking module (10) comprising means for post-marking checks; - a modular modulator-demodulator system (Modem) connected to a telecommunications network; a scanning module comprising means for scanning checks. 8. - Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the digitization module making it possible to digitize the image of the checks in its entirety comprises principal.ent a linear CCD sensor (digital sensor), an analog digital converter and a memory constituted by a digital video signal acquisition card, processed and stored in said memory. 9. - Device according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4 or 7, characterized in that it comprises means for storing check images corresponding to the checks processed and accepted by the device.