CA2357005A1 - Method and system for processing cheque statements - Google Patents
Method and system for processing cheque statements Download PDFInfo
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- CA2357005A1 CA2357005A1 CA002357005A CA2357005A CA2357005A1 CA 2357005 A1 CA2357005 A1 CA 2357005A1 CA 002357005 A CA002357005 A CA 002357005A CA 2357005 A CA2357005 A CA 2357005A CA 2357005 A1 CA2357005 A1 CA 2357005A1
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- statement
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- check
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- statements
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Abstract
A method and system for processing check statements has a feeder for feeding statements, a reader for reading information on each fed statement to obtain processing instructions for mailing the statement with associated checks, a feeder for feeding checks to be included in each statement and a reader for reading an MICR line on each check to obtain the account number thereof to confirm that the check is associated with the statement. A collator collates each statement and the associated checks and a controller indicates when there is a mismatch between the collated checks and the information read on the statement.
Description
14320.200 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING CHECK STATEMENTS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invc;ntion relates to a method and system for processing checking account statements, anti in particular, to the matching of checks to the statements.
Checking account statement processing systems are known, however, they have the disadvantage of not having an automatic method of insuring that all of the checks that are associated with a statement will be enclosed with the statement or that all of the checks enclosed with the statement are for the account of that statement.
'rhe current process also requires the placement of a separator page between the checking information account, as a way of indicating account separation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to improve the existing checking account statement processing methods and systems to insure that the correct number of checks associated with the statement are provided to a customer and/or to insure that the checks accompayying the statement are indeed for the statement account.
NY2: 273196.01 Another object is to eliminate the need for separator pages in the processing of checking account statements.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in accordance with the present invention, wherein there is a reading and matching of checks from a feeding device to a customer statement through the use of a camera or a reader. A
mail inserting system is then used as the physical base for the processing of the statements.
In accordance with the invention, a control code, an optical mark recognition code, a bar code, an optical character recognition code, a data matrix or data glyph is read on a statement from a sheet feeder or cutter. This code may be the control code instructing the machine how to process the specific statement or may be a reference to a control file in a file server o~f a computer to achieve what is known as file based processing. The control file contains processing instructions for the mail piece, such as, number of statement pages, number of checks to be matched to statement page, which inserts it to be fed and the final mail piece destination in the system.
After the statement code is read and the checks are fed and matched to the appropriate statement, matching; of statements and checks can be earned out in various ways in accordance with the present invention.
The control code and the correct number of checks is fed according to the instructions in the code. As the checks are fed, the MICR line on each check is read via a
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invc;ntion relates to a method and system for processing checking account statements, anti in particular, to the matching of checks to the statements.
Checking account statement processing systems are known, however, they have the disadvantage of not having an automatic method of insuring that all of the checks that are associated with a statement will be enclosed with the statement or that all of the checks enclosed with the statement are for the account of that statement.
'rhe current process also requires the placement of a separator page between the checking information account, as a way of indicating account separation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to improve the existing checking account statement processing methods and systems to insure that the correct number of checks associated with the statement are provided to a customer and/or to insure that the checks accompayying the statement are indeed for the statement account.
NY2: 273196.01 Another object is to eliminate the need for separator pages in the processing of checking account statements.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in accordance with the present invention, wherein there is a reading and matching of checks from a feeding device to a customer statement through the use of a camera or a reader. A
mail inserting system is then used as the physical base for the processing of the statements.
In accordance with the invention, a control code, an optical mark recognition code, a bar code, an optical character recognition code, a data matrix or data glyph is read on a statement from a sheet feeder or cutter. This code may be the control code instructing the machine how to process the specific statement or may be a reference to a control file in a file server o~f a computer to achieve what is known as file based processing. The control file contains processing instructions for the mail piece, such as, number of statement pages, number of checks to be matched to statement page, which inserts it to be fed and the final mail piece destination in the system.
After the statement code is read and the checks are fed and matched to the appropriate statement, matching; of statements and checks can be earned out in various ways in accordance with the present invention.
The control code and the correct number of checks is fed according to the instructions in the code. As the checks are fed, the MICR line on each check is read via a
2 NY2: 273196.01 camera or MICR reader to verily that each check is from the same account. An account number is read on each check and any number that is different would represent the wrong check for the statement. If a rn:ismatch is found, the entire collation is sent to a divert bin or the machine is stopped.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the control code is read containing the account number. As the checks are fed, the MICR line on each check is read via a camera or MICR reader to actually match the account number from the check with that on the statement. If a mismatch is found, the entire collation is sent to a divert bin or the machine is stopped.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, in a file based processing environment, the control file referenced by the code contains the account number and is matched with the checks via a camera or MICR reader as the checks are fed. If a mismatch is found, the entire collation is sent to a divert bin or the machine is stopped.
After either of then above-mentioned embodiments, the then matched statement and check proceed down the inserting line, additional inserts made be added, the material is inserted into an ermelope, sealed and sent to an output section where postage is applied.
'These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
In another embodiment of the present invention, the control code is read containing the account number. As the checks are fed, the MICR line on each check is read via a camera or MICR reader to actually match the account number from the check with that on the statement. If a mismatch is found, the entire collation is sent to a divert bin or the machine is stopped.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, in a file based processing environment, the control file referenced by the code contains the account number and is matched with the checks via a camera or MICR reader as the checks are fed. If a mismatch is found, the entire collation is sent to a divert bin or the machine is stopped.
After either of then above-mentioned embodiments, the then matched statement and check proceed down the inserting line, additional inserts made be added, the material is inserted into an ermelope, sealed and sent to an output section where postage is applied.
'These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
3 NY2: 273196.01 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the system according to the present invention for carrying out the method according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the elements of the check feeder and reader and the controller of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the check feeder and reader according to Fig. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 shows the system for processing check statements according to the present invention. With the exception of the check feeder and reader and portions of controller 20, each of the elements shown therein are available as part of the Kern 2500 Processing System available from Kern International, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, the assignee of the present application.
'The system includes a continuous form cutter 11 which cuts continuous checking account statement forrr~s and reads a control code on each form which may be an optical mark recognition code;, a bar code, such as 3 of 9, 2 of 5, code 128, etc., an optical character recognition code, a data matrix or a data glyph. Moreover, this code may be a control code which instructs the system how to process the specific statement or
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the system according to the present invention for carrying out the method according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the elements of the check feeder and reader and the controller of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the check feeder and reader according to Fig. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 shows the system for processing check statements according to the present invention. With the exception of the check feeder and reader and portions of controller 20, each of the elements shown therein are available as part of the Kern 2500 Processing System available from Kern International, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, the assignee of the present application.
'The system includes a continuous form cutter 11 which cuts continuous checking account statement forrr~s and reads a control code on each form which may be an optical mark recognition code;, a bar code, such as 3 of 9, 2 of 5, code 128, etc., an optical character recognition code, a data matrix or a data glyph. Moreover, this code may be a control code which instructs the system how to process the specific statement or
4 N1'2: 273196.01 may be a reference to a control file in a file server computer in the controller 20 to carry out file based processing. This control file will contain processing instructions for the mail piece, such as number of statement pages, number of checks to be matched to the statement page, which inserts it to be fed, and the final piece destination in the system.
'Che cut and read statements from continuous form cutter 11 are fed via a conveyor to the check feeder and reader 12, wherein the MICR line on each check is read, and the checks for each statement are collated therewith. The collated checks and statements are fed to an insert fi~eder 13 via a conveyor, where inserts are added to the collated checks and statements. All of these materials are then fed via a conveyor to the inserter and sealer 14 which inserts the statement, checks and inserts into an envelope and seals the envelope. The statements, which have not been properly processed, are alternatively fed to divert bins 1 S, as will be explained hereinafter, for handling by human operators. The statements from inserter and sealer 14 are passed to a postage meter 16 and to a stacker 17 for output to the post office. All of the elements of the system are operated under the control of controller 20, as will be explained hereinafter.
As shown in Fig. 2, the check feeder and reader 12 has two portions, a check feeder 121 and a reader 122 which can be a camera or a MICR line reader.
The reader 122 feeds into a vision system 21 which is part of the controller 20 which converts the MICR line that is read into digital data which it communicates via computer 22 to the system controller 23 which controls the elements of the system shown in Fig.
1. The NY2: 273196.01 processor 24 cantrols the check feeder 121 which is a portion of the check feeder and reader 12 shown in Fig. l and c;ammunicates information to controller 237.
'The controller 23 controls the operation of each of the elements to keep them operating continuously arid acts to either stop the system when a mismatch is determined from information sent by the check feeder processor or to divert a mismatched statement to the divert bins.
'The check feeder and camera 121, 122 are shown in more detail in Fig. 3 and includes a stacking mechanism 124, a conveyor 125 and a holder 126 for the camera.
'The check feeder 24 can be a microprocessor and controls the way the checks are fed and sends information to controller 23 to determine a match with the appropriate statement.
In a first embadiment, the control code is read and the processor 24 receives the account number and the number of checks to be fed according to instructions in the code. As the checks are fed, the MICR line on each check is read via the camera to verify that each check is of the same amount. This information is fed via the vision system to computer 22 and processor 24 to controller 23. Any number that is different from the check statement account represents the wrong check for that statement. If a mismatch is found, this information is used by the controller 23 to stop the system or send the entire collation to a divert bin.
NY2: 273196.01 In a second embodiment of the present invention, the control code is read containing the account number. 'This information is fed to the processor 24.
As the checks are fed, the MICR line on each check is read via the camera to actually match the account number from the check with that on the statement in controller 23. If a mismatch is found, the controller 23 sends the entire collation to a divert bin or stops the system.
In a file based processing environment embodiment of the invention, the control file referenced by the code is accessed by the controller 23 and this contains the account number which is matched to information from the processor 24. The account number is matched with the account number read on the checks by controller 23 as the checks are fed. If a mismatch i;~ found, the entire collation is sent to a divert bin or the system is stopped by controller 23.
The controller 23 then controls the system to have the matched statement and checks proceed down the inserting line, where inserts are added, material is inserted into an envelope, it is sealed and then sent to an output section for postage.
It is understood l:hat the embodiments described hereinabove are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is realized that various changes, alterations, rearrangements and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without substantially departing .from the spirit and scope of the present W vention.
NY2: 273196.01
'Che cut and read statements from continuous form cutter 11 are fed via a conveyor to the check feeder and reader 12, wherein the MICR line on each check is read, and the checks for each statement are collated therewith. The collated checks and statements are fed to an insert fi~eder 13 via a conveyor, where inserts are added to the collated checks and statements. All of these materials are then fed via a conveyor to the inserter and sealer 14 which inserts the statement, checks and inserts into an envelope and seals the envelope. The statements, which have not been properly processed, are alternatively fed to divert bins 1 S, as will be explained hereinafter, for handling by human operators. The statements from inserter and sealer 14 are passed to a postage meter 16 and to a stacker 17 for output to the post office. All of the elements of the system are operated under the control of controller 20, as will be explained hereinafter.
As shown in Fig. 2, the check feeder and reader 12 has two portions, a check feeder 121 and a reader 122 which can be a camera or a MICR line reader.
The reader 122 feeds into a vision system 21 which is part of the controller 20 which converts the MICR line that is read into digital data which it communicates via computer 22 to the system controller 23 which controls the elements of the system shown in Fig.
1. The NY2: 273196.01 processor 24 cantrols the check feeder 121 which is a portion of the check feeder and reader 12 shown in Fig. l and c;ammunicates information to controller 237.
'The controller 23 controls the operation of each of the elements to keep them operating continuously arid acts to either stop the system when a mismatch is determined from information sent by the check feeder processor or to divert a mismatched statement to the divert bins.
'The check feeder and camera 121, 122 are shown in more detail in Fig. 3 and includes a stacking mechanism 124, a conveyor 125 and a holder 126 for the camera.
'The check feeder 24 can be a microprocessor and controls the way the checks are fed and sends information to controller 23 to determine a match with the appropriate statement.
In a first embadiment, the control code is read and the processor 24 receives the account number and the number of checks to be fed according to instructions in the code. As the checks are fed, the MICR line on each check is read via the camera to verify that each check is of the same amount. This information is fed via the vision system to computer 22 and processor 24 to controller 23. Any number that is different from the check statement account represents the wrong check for that statement. If a mismatch is found, this information is used by the controller 23 to stop the system or send the entire collation to a divert bin.
NY2: 273196.01 In a second embodiment of the present invention, the control code is read containing the account number. 'This information is fed to the processor 24.
As the checks are fed, the MICR line on each check is read via the camera to actually match the account number from the check with that on the statement in controller 23. If a mismatch is found, the controller 23 sends the entire collation to a divert bin or stops the system.
In a file based processing environment embodiment of the invention, the control file referenced by the code is accessed by the controller 23 and this contains the account number which is matched to information from the processor 24. The account number is matched with the account number read on the checks by controller 23 as the checks are fed. If a mismatch i;~ found, the entire collation is sent to a divert bin or the system is stopped by controller 23.
The controller 23 then controls the system to have the matched statement and checks proceed down the inserting line, where inserts are added, material is inserted into an envelope, it is sealed and then sent to an output section for postage.
It is understood l:hat the embodiments described hereinabove are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is realized that various changes, alterations, rearrangements and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without substantially departing .from the spirit and scope of the present W vention.
NY2: 273196.01
Claims (25)
1. A method for processing check statements, comprising the steps of:
a. feeding statements and reading information on each statement to obtain processing instructions for mailing the statement with associated checks including the number of checks associated with the statement;
b. feeding checks to be included with each statement and reading an MICR line on each check to obtain the account number thereof to confirm that the check is associated with the statement; and c. collating each statement and the associated checks and indicating when the number of checks collated with the statement does not match the number of checks indicated by the information read on the statement.
a. feeding statements and reading information on each statement to obtain processing instructions for mailing the statement with associated checks including the number of checks associated with the statement;
b. feeding checks to be included with each statement and reading an MICR line on each check to obtain the account number thereof to confirm that the check is associated with the statement; and c. collating each statement and the associated checks and indicating when the number of checks collated with the statement does not match the number of checks indicated by the information read on the statement.
2. A method for processing check statements, comprising the steps of:
a. feeding statements and reading information on each statement to obtain processing instructions for mailing the statement with associated checks including the account number associated with the statement;
b. feeding checks to be included with each statement and reading an MICR line on each check to obtain the account number thereof to confirm that the check is associated with the statement; and c. collating each statement and the associated checks and indicating when the account number of a check collated with the statement does not match the account number indicated by the information read on the statement.
a. feeding statements and reading information on each statement to obtain processing instructions for mailing the statement with associated checks including the account number associated with the statement;
b. feeding checks to be included with each statement and reading an MICR line on each check to obtain the account number thereof to confirm that the check is associated with the statement; and c. collating each statement and the associated checks and indicating when the account number of a check collated with the statement does not match the account number indicated by the information read on the statement.
3. A method for processing check statements, comprising the steps of:
a. feeding statements and reading information on each statement to obtain a control file in a file server including processing instructions for mailing the statement with associated checks including the account number associated with the statement;
b. feeding checks to be included with each statement and reading an MICR line on each check to obtain the account number thereof to confirm that the check is associated with the statement; and c. collating each statement and the associated checks and indicating when the account number of a check collated with the statement does not match the account number indicated by the information read on the statement.
a. feeding statements and reading information on each statement to obtain a control file in a file server including processing instructions for mailing the statement with associated checks including the account number associated with the statement;
b. feeding checks to be included with each statement and reading an MICR line on each check to obtain the account number thereof to confirm that the check is associated with the statement; and c. collating each statement and the associated checks and indicating when the account number of a check collated with the statement does not match the account number indicated by the information read on the statement.
4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the information on the statement comprises an optical mark recognition code.
5. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the information on the statement comprises a bar code.
6. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the information on the statement comprises an optical character recognition code.
7. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the information on the statement comprises a matrix code.
8. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the information on the statement comprises a data glyph code.
9. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the MICR line is read by a camera or an MICR reader.
10. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the step of indicating comprises diverting the statement and checks to a divert bin.
11. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the step of indicating comprises stopping the collating.
12. The method according to claim 3, wherein the control file comprises at least one of the number of pages in the statement, the number of checks associated with the statement and the number of inserts to be included with the statement.
13. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising inserting the collated statements and checks in envelopes, sealing the envelopes and outputting the sealed envelopes.
14. A system for processing check statements, comprising:
a. a feeder for feeding statements;
b. a reader for reading information on each fed statement to obtain processing instructions for mailing the statement with associated checks;
c. a feeder for feeding checks to be included in each statement;
d. a reader for reading an MICR line on each check to obtain the account number thereof to confirm that the check is associated with the statement;
e. a collator for collating each statement and the associated checks; and f. a controller for indicating when there is a mismatch between the collated checks and the information read on the statement.
a. a feeder for feeding statements;
b. a reader for reading information on each fed statement to obtain processing instructions for mailing the statement with associated checks;
c. a feeder for feeding checks to be included in each statement;
d. a reader for reading an MICR line on each check to obtain the account number thereof to confirm that the check is associated with the statement;
e. a collator for collating each statement and the associated checks; and f. a controller for indicating when there is a mismatch between the collated checks and the information read on the statement.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the information on the statement comprises an optical mark recognition code.
16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the information on the statement comprises a bar code.
17. The system according to claim 14, wherein the information on the statement comprises an optical character recognition code.
18. The system according to claim 14, wherein the information on the statement comprises a matrix code.
19. The system according to claim 14, wherein the information on the statement comprises a data glyph code.
20. The system according to claim 14, wherein the reader for reading the MICR line comprises a camera or an MICR reader.
21. The system according to claim 14, wherein the controller indicates a mismatch by diverting the statement and checks to a divert bin.
22. The system according to claim 14, wherein the controller indicates a mismatch by stopping the collating.
23. The system according to claim 14, further comprising a file server and wherein the information on the statement directs the system to a control file on the file server.
24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the control file comprises at least one of the number of pages in the statement, the number of checks associated with the statement and the number of inserts to be included with the statement.
25. The system according to claim 14, further comprising an inserter for inserting the collated statements and check in envelopes, a sealer for sealing the envelope and a feeder for outputting the sealed envelopes.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US65696201A | 2001-09-07 | 2001-09-07 | |
| US09/656,962 | 2001-09-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2357005A1 true CA2357005A1 (en) | 2003-03-07 |
Family
ID=24635309
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002357005A Abandoned CA2357005A1 (en) | 2001-09-07 | 2001-09-07 | Method and system for processing cheque statements |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2357005A1 (en) |
-
2001
- 2001-09-07 CA CA002357005A patent/CA2357005A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |