Patent Issued for Virtual check (USPTO 11922379): United Services Automobile Association

2024 MAR 25 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- According to news reporting originating from Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx journalists, a patent by the inventors Thiele, Ross Andrew (Boerne, TX, US), filed on July 8, 2020, was published online on March 5, 2024.

The assignee for this patent, patent number 11922379, is United Services Automobile Association (San Antonio, Texas, United States).

Reporters obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “The public has become more comfortable with electronic banking and its use continues to rise. There are features of the paper check system that some of the banking public and banking entities prefer. However, the use of paper checks creates inefficiencies in the marketplace.”

In addition to obtaining background information on this patent, NewsRx editors also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

“In an example, a computerized method, and system for performing the method, can include creating, in a payor mobile device, a virtual check image that includes data required for a check presentment and tag data; and sending, from a payor mobile device, a virtual check image and tag data directly to a receiving device. In an example, creating the virtual check image includes generating tag data that includes encryption information. In an example, creating the virtual check image includes generating tag data that includes at least one of check creation time, check creation date, and physical location of check creation. In an example, creating the virtual check image includes embedding at least part of the tag data in the virtual check image. In an example, creating the virtual check image includes automatically populating tag data with data stored in the payor device. In an example, creating the virtual check image includes automatically populating check data fields with data stored in the payor device. In an example, sending the virtual check image includes storing cancelled copy of the check image in the payor mobile device and transmitting a copy of the check image and tag data to the payor’s bank.

“In an example, a computerized method creates, in a payor mobile device, a virtual check image that includes data required for a check presentment and tag data; and sends, from a payor mobile device, a virtual check image and tag data directly to a receiving device. In an example, the method generates tag data that includes encryption information. In an example, the method generates tag data that includes at least one of check creation time, check creation date, and physical location of check creation. In an example, the method creates embeds at least part of the tag data in the virtual check image. In an example, the method automatically populates tag data with data stored in the payor device. In an example, the method automatically populates check data fields with data stored in the payor device. In an example, the method stores cancelled copy of the check image in the payor mobile device. In an example, the method transmits a copy of the check image and tag data to the payor’s bank.

“In an example, a computerized method creates, in a payor mobile device, a virtual check image that includes sufficient data required for a check presentment. In an example, the method sends from a payor mobile device, a virtual check image directly to a receiving device. In an example, the method transmits the virtual check image to a receiver. In an example, the method uploads the virtual check image to a bank for deposit. In an example, the method transmits the virtual check image to at least one subsequent receiving device with an endorsement of the prior receiving device. In an example, the method encrypts at least part of the data associated with the virtual check image. In an example, the method applies further security the virtual check image. In an example, the method decrypts the encrypted data associated with the virtual check image in the order of last encrypted, first decrypted. In an example, the method sends a cancelled copy of the virtual check image to a bank on which the check is drawn, and wherein uploading includes reconciling the uploaded check image with the cancelled copy of the check image. In an example, the method checks funds availability.

“In further examples, the above methods steps are stored on a machine-readable medium comprising instructions, which when implemented by one or more processors perform the steps. In yet further examples, subsystems or devices can be adapted to perform the recited steps. Other features, examples, and embodiments are described below.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. A method comprising: creating, in a mobile device associated with a payor, a virtual check, wherein the virtual check is used to transfer funds from the payor to a payee; determining, via a Global Positioning System (GPS) position sensor of the mobile device associated with the payor, a location of the mobile device associated with the payor during sending of the virtual check; embedding the determined location of the mobile device associated with the payor in the virtual check and a method of determining the location, wherein the method of determining the location comprises using the GPS position sensor of the mobile device associated with the payor; and sending the virtual check to a device associated with the payee.

“2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device associated with the payor generates data associated with the virtual check and embeds at least a portion of the data in the virtual check.

“3. The method of claim 2, wherein the data includes at least one of: a date the virtual check was created, a time the virtual check was created, or security information, wherein the security information includes a type of security, a version of security, and a number of times the data associated with the virtual check has been encrypted.

“4. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual check is encrypted, and wherein the method further comprises decrypting encrypted data associated with the virtual check by decrypting the last encrypted data first.

“5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device associated with the payee is an Automated Teller Machine.

“6. The method of claim 1, wherein the device associated with the payee is a personal mobile device.

“7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a check creation location of the mobile device associated with the payor when the virtual check is created; and embedding the determined check creation location in the virtual check.

“8. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more computer processors, direct a machine to: create, in a mobile device associated with a payor, a virtual check, wherein the virtual check is used to transfer funds from the payor to a payee; determine, via a Global Positioning System (GPS) position sensor of the mobile device associated with the payor, a location of the mobile device associated with the payor during sending of the virtual check; embed the determined location of the mobile device associated with the payor in the virtual check and a method of determining the location, wherein the method of determining the location comprises using the GPS position sensor of the mobile device associated with the payor; and send the virtual check to a device associated with the payee.

“9. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the mobile device associated with the payor generates data associated with the virtual check and embeds at least a portion of the data in the virtual check.

“10. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the data includes at least one of: a date the virtual check was created, a time the virtual check was created, or security information, wherein the security information includes a type of security, a version of security, and a number of times the data associated with the virtual check has been encrypted.

“11. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the data includes a number of times the data associated with the virtual check has been encrypted, wherein the number of times the data associated with the virtual check has been encrypted is embedded on the virtual check.

“12. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the data includes a type of security and a version of security, wherein the type of security and the version of security are embedded on the virtual check.

“13. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the virtual check is encrypted, and wherein the computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more computer processors, further direct the machine to decrypt encrypted data associated with the virtual check by decrypting the last encrypted data first.

“14. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the device associated with the payee is an Automated Teller Machine.

“15. A system comprising: a memory containing machine-readable instructions; and a computer processor in communication with the memory and configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to: create, in a mobile device associated with a payor, a virtual check, wherein the virtual check is used to transfer funds from the payor to a payee; determine, via a Global Positioning System (GPS) position sensor of the mobile device associated with the payor, a location of the mobile device associated with the payor during sending of the virtual check; embed the determined location of the mobile device associated with the payor in the virtual check and a method of determining the location, wherein the method of determining the location comprises using the GPS position sensor of the mobile device associated with the payor; and send the virtual check to a device associated with the payee.

“16. The system of claim 15, wherein the virtual check is encrypted, and wherein the computer processor that is configured to execute the machine-readable instructions is further configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to: decrypt encrypted data associated with the virtual check by decrypting the last encrypted data first.

“17. The system of claim 15, wherein the device associated with the payee is one of: an Automated Teller Machine or a personal mobile device.

“18. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile device associated with the payor generates data associated with the virtual check and embeds at least a portion of the data in the virtual check, and wherein the data includes at least one of: a date the virtual check was created, a time the virtual check was created, or security information, wherein the security information includes a type of security, a version of security, and a number of times the data associated with the virtual check has been encrypted.

“19. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile device associated with the payor generates data associated with the virtual check and embeds at least a portion of the data in the virtual check, and wherein the data includes a type of security and a version of security, wherein the type of security and the version of security are embedded on the virtual check.”

For more information, see this patent: Thiele, Ross Andrew. Virtual check. U.S. Patent Number 11922379, filed July 8, 2020, and published online on March 5, 2024. Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(11922379)&db=USPAT&type=ids

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