WO2007023488A2

WO2007023488A2 - Apparatus for providing secured documents

Info

Publication number: WO2007023488A2
Application number: PCT/IL2006/000956
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gideon Drori; Oleg Golobrodsky
Original assignee: Gideon Drori; Oleg Golobrodsky
Priority date: 2005-08-22
Filing date: 2006-08-17
Publication date: 2007-03-01
Also published as: WO2007023488A3

Abstract

An apparatus for providing an individual being adjacent thereto with one or more certified documents, is disclosed. The apparatus includes an identification device operative to identify the individual; a decision means (4) operative to grant or deny access to that individual in order to interact with the apparatus, based on input received from said identification device; a user interface (6), adapted to be activated by the individual in order to determine the one or more documents which the individual wishes to be dispensed by the apparatus or be deposited thereat; determination means operative to determine the eligibility of said individual to receive/deposit said one or more documents; and printing means (8) operative to print certified documents in response to an affirmative determination made by the determination means, or certified confirmation for a deposit of document(s) by that individual.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SECURED DOCUMENTS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to banking operations, and in particular, to secured banking operations and secured documentation dispensing.

Background of the Invention

Major research and development is done in the field of improving ATM-like machines in order to allow secured cash transactions such as cash withdrawal and money depositing.

USSN 20050167482 describes a self-service automated transaction machine that permits an authorized user to perform transactions therewith based on facial recognition. The transactions permitted by this solution include withdrawing cash, depositing cash, and exchanging cash.

CA 490208 describes a method for automatically verifying a holder of an authorization document. By the solution described in this publication, the system is capable of reading a document provided with machine- readable holder details and establishing whether a person presenting the document has a predetermined right . The document contains a chip comprising biometric data on its holder as well as data with a predetermined relationship to the holder details .

CA patent 234577 describes a system for the safe authentication and management of registered credit instruments and documents, which is based on retrieving data from a personalized document incorporating a microprocessor storing a personal identification code and a numerical information associated to a mathematical expression or algorithm of the parameters related to a fingerprint of a finger of the holder and issuing the registered credit instruments or documents by comparing the information received through direct reading of the fingerprint of the holder and the application of the mathematical expression or algorithm with one stored in the microprocessor of the personalized document.

US 6,941,282 discloses methods and systems for carrying out directory-authenticated electronic transactions including contingency-dependent payments via secure electronic bank drafts. The method includes establishing a secure computer site accessible only by authenticated parties to the transaction and by an authenticated contingency approver. Parties and contingency approvers requesting access to the computer site are authenticated by encrypting identification information provided by the requesting party or contingency approver over a secure channel and matching the encrypted identification information with an encrypted identifier that is stored by a bank, where the encrypted identifier is.

US 6,856,965 describes an automated check-cashing unit that includes an input device configured to generate signals in response to inputs from a customer, a storage device including a database of customer information, a check reader configured to receive and read a check to be processed, a cash dispenser, and an electronic processor. The processor receives the signals from the input device, receive information about the check to be processed from the check reader, access the database of customer information to obtain data about the customer, and determine automatically whether to accept or reject the check based on the input signals, the received information about the check, and the data about the customer. Upon accepting the check, the cash dispenser dispenses cash to the customer. The processor is also configured to confirm the identity of the customer based on biometric information about the customer, such as the customer's fingerprint or an image of the customer's face . US 6,826,537 describes a cardless method for reducing fraud in government healthcare programs includes registering a service provider with a healthcare provider and issuing a service provider identification code. Next, registering a service of the service provider with the government sponsored healthcare provider and identifying a claim code for each registered service. Issuing the code is based on data from a biometric reading, a keypad entry with a PIN code, or an electronic signature pad entry to an individual related to a benefits program of the healthcare provider. The code is used to determine if the individual is eligible for the healthcare program.

However, none of the methoda described in the art provides a solution to the problem of how to issue a certified document (e.g. a cheque) in a secured way by an ATM like machine.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to enable the dispensing of certified documents in a secured way. It is another object of the present invention to provide methods and devices by which customers may receive and/or deposit certified bank documents, which in turn reduce the load on bank tellers and other clerks, which would have otherwise to issue/receive these documents by themselves .

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description of the invention proceeds .

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing an individual adjacent thereto with one or more certified banking documents, or enable the individual to deposit a document thereat and receive a certified confirmation for that deposit, which apparatus comprising: an identification device operative to identify the individual adjacent thereto; a decision means operative to grant or deny access for the individual adjacent to the apparatus to interact with that apparatus, based on input received from the identification device; a user interface, adapted to be activated by the individual in order to determine what are the one or more documents which the individual wishes to receive from that apparatus or deposit thereat; determination means operative to determine the eligibility of the individual to receive/deposit the one or more documents; printing means operative to print certified documents in response to an affirmative determination made by the determination means, or certified confirmation of document (s) deposited by said individual

The apparatus may be in a form of a stand-alone machine, similar to an ATM machine, or attached to an ATM machine . According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the identification device is a member selected from the group consisting of: at least one biometric sensor, at least one camera, voice recognition, magnetic media, identification code, and any combination thereof. By yet another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is further associated with a database which comprises identifying characteristics of individuals . The determination whether to allow or deny access is made based on information retrieved from that database. In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the certified document is a member of the group consisting of: private cheque (including cheques made in the name of governmental agency) , bank guaranteed cheque, banking letter, legal document, pay slip, invoice, and the like.

Preferably, the printed document is secured by any one or more of the following means: a bar-code signature, an algorithm, type of fonts, special paper (e.g. including water marks), and the like.

By another preferred embodiment of the invention the secured document is signed by at least one of the following: a bar-code, an electronic signature, or by any other means being in conjunction with the requirements of the local laws .

According to another embodiment of the invention, the identification device comprises a plurality of cameras, and wherein each camera is operative to capture at least one image of at least one facial appearance feature of the individual being adjacent to the apparatus .

Preferably, the apparatus described above comprises a processor operative to carry out one or more of the following functionalities: - control the operation of identification device; retrieve data which relates to the individual being adjacent to the apparatus; process information obtained from the identification device; - allow interaction with the individual being adjacent to the apparatus; determine the eligibility of the individual's request; control the printing of the certified document. By yet another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises means to allow an individual to deposit a document (e.g. a private cheque) and receive a certified confirmation (e.g. a bank guaranteed cheque) for that deposit issued by the apparatus.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus provided is operative to allow coding of information, e.g. sensitive or private information, by one or more of the following means: bar- code, a cryptography means, a coding algorithm, and the like.

By yet another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus provided further comprises means to enable identification of a banking document being deposited by said individual .

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a network comprising a plurality of apparatus as described above and one or more different servers, each of which is capable of carrying out one or more of the following functionalities: control, supervision, administration, security, inspection and the like.

It should be understood that according to the present invention the secured document might be a document issued by an entity that owns the apparatus of the present invention. In the alternative, the apparatus may be operated by an entity different from the entity on behalf of which the certified document is printed. For example, a network of comprising a plurality of such apparatus may be operated by a service provider who is licensed to print certified documents (e.g. certified cheques) on behalf of one or more other entities. Both these alternatives for operating the apparatus described herein are encompassed by the present invention. Brief description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 - presents a block diagram of a system construed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 - demonstrates a flow chart of an example of carrying out the method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A better understanding of the present invention is obtained when the following non-limiting detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings.

Let us now turn to FIG. 1 which presents in a schematic way the functionalities of several databases which may be used in system 2 construed in accordance with the present invention.

In order to obtain a secured document typically, two databases may be used. Database 4 is a security database at which different identification details of individuals are stored, e.g. biometrics of individuals, voice signature, details of magnetic media (such as smart cared, credit card, etc.) associated with the individuals and the like. The other database, 6, comprises data which is used when the secured document is printed, such as barcode, etc. In order to securely deposit a document databases similar to the above-described databases are used (4' and 6', respectively) together with a further database 8' which is used in generating a secured confirmation to the individual depositing the document, that the document has indeed been deposited.

Next, let us consider a non-limiting example of an individual who receives "social security" monthly payments, as exemplified in FIG. 2. The individual arrives in front of a credited public official (step 100) who identifies the individual, copies and saves the identification - and preferably also photographs bio-metrically the individual for future automatic ID - "facial recognition" (step 110) . The identification data is then securely transmitted and stored at the appropriate database in the system (step 120) .

Next, the individual who should receive his/her social security payment goes personally to one of the apparatus construed in accordance with the present invention (step 130) , stands in front of the machine and activates it (step 140) by pressing the button. At this point, the machine photographs the individual and processes a facial biometric recognition thereof (step 150) . If the individual is recognized by the system (e.g. after retrieving identification data from the system's database), an answer is displayed (step 160) comprising the individual name :

\Hello Mr. Gideon Drori .

Next, the system informs the individual of the amount of money he/she is eligible to receive at this point of time (step 170) , and asks the individual to confirm the amount (up to the sum which that individual is eligible for) that should be printed. After receiving the individual's confirmation (step 180), a secured cheque for the specified amount is printed in the name of_. the individual (step 190) . The individual can either deposit the cheque in his personal bank account or convert it to money at designated organization where he must once again identify himself to the teller. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the example provided illustrates a way of carrying out a method in accordance with the present invention. However, similar methods may be used to allow printing of secured documents in an ATM-like machine, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the above description only includes some embodiments of the invention and serves for its illustration. Numerous other ways of carrying out the methods provided by the present invention may be devised by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and are thus encompassed by the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing an individual being adjacent thereto with one or more certified documents, or enable said individual to deposit a document and receive a certified confirmation of that deposit, which apparatus comprising: an identification device operative to identify the individual being adjacent thereto; a decision means operative to grant or deny access to said individual to interact with the apparatus, based on input received from said identification device; a user interface, adapted to be activated by the individual in order to determine the one or more documents which the individual wishes to be dispensed by said apparatus or be deposited thereat; determination means operative to determine the eligibility of said individual to receive/deposit said one or more documents; and printing means operative to print certified documents in response to an affirmative determination made by the determination means, or certified confirmation of document (s) deposited by said individual.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said identification device is a member selected from the group consisting of: at least one biometric sensor, at least one camera, voice recognition, magnetic media, identification code and any combination thereof.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further associated with a database which comprises identifying characteristics of individuals.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said certified document is¹ a member of the group consisting of: a private cheque, a bank guaranteed cheque, a banking letter, a legal document, a paycheck and an invoice. Preferably, the printed document is secured by any one or more of the following means: a bar-code signature, an algorithm, type of fonts, special paper (e.g. including water marks), and the like.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said identification device comprises a plurality of cameras, and wherein each camera is operative to capture at least one image of at least one facial appearance feature of the individual being adjacent to the apparatus.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processor operative to carry out one or more of the following functionalities : control the operation of identification device; - retrieve data which relates to the individual being adjacent to the apparatus from a database; process information obtained from the identification device; allow interaction with the individual being adj acent to the apparatus ; determine the eligibility of the individual's request; control the printing of the certified document.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means to allow said individual to deposit a document and receive a certified confirmation of the deposit issued by the apparatus .

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, operative to allow coding of sensitive or private information by one or more of the following means: bar-code, a cryptography means, a coding algorithm.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means to enable identification of a banking document that is being deposited by said individual.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, operative to allow coding of information by one or more means being a member of the group consisted of: bar-code, a cryptography means, and a coding algorithm.

11. A network comprising a plurality of apparatus of claim 1 and one or more different servers, each of which is capable of carrying out one or more of the following functionalities: control, supervision, administration, security and inspection.

12. A method for operating a network comprising a plurality of apparatus of claim 1, by a service provider licensed to print certified documents on behalf of one or more entities different from said service provider.