Authentication framework for real-time document processing

A computer implemented method for real-time check processing and reconciliation at a merchant point-of-sale system within a dynamic authentication framework, the method comprising:

• receiving, via an image capturing device associated with a point-of-sale system of a merchant, a digital image of a payment instrument, wherein the payment instrument is associated with a user;
• extracting, using optical character recognition, payment instrument data from the payment instrument, wherein the payment instrument data comprises at least a payment amount;
• receiving one or more authentication credentials from the user to endorse the payment instrument;
• determining an authentication level of the user based on at least receiving the one or more authentication credentials from the user;
• determining that the authentication level of the user does not meet an authentication requirement level associated with the processing of the payment instrument based on at least the payment instrument data;
• determining that a financial institution account of the user and a financial institution account of the merchant are associated with the same financial institution;
• downgrading the authentication requirement level associated with the processing of the payment instrument from a first level to a second level, wherein meeting the second level of the authentication requirement level comprises requiring at least a reduced number of the one or more authentication credentials from the user compared to the first level of the authentication requirement level;
• determining that the one or more authentication credentials meets the second level of the authentication requirement level but does not meet the first level of the authentication requirement level;
• and
• processing, in real-time, the payment instrument based on at least determining that the one or more authentication credentials meet the second level of authentication requirement, wherein processing further comprises transferring the payment amount from a financial institution account associated with the user to a financial institution account associated with the merchant.

A computer program product for real-time check processing and reconciliation at a merchant point-of-sale system within a dynamic authentication framework, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code causing a first apparatus to:

• receive, via an image capturing device associated with a point-of-sale system of a merchant, a digital image of a payment instrument, wherein the payment instrument is associated with a user;
• extract, using optical character recognition, payment instrument data from the payment instrument, wherein the payment instrument data comprises at least a payment amount;
• receive one or more authentication credentials from the user to endorse the payment instrument;
• determine an authentication level of the user based on at least receiving the one or more authentication credentials from the user;
• determine that the authentication level of the user does not meet an authentication requirement level associated with the processing of the payment instrument based on at least the payment instrument data;
• determine that a financial institution account of the user and a financial institution account of the merchant are associated with the same financial institution;
• downgrade the authentication requirement level associated with the processing of the payment instrument from a first level to a second level, wherein meeting the second level of the authentication requirement level comprises requiring at least a reduced number of the one or more authentication credentials from the user compared to the first level of the authentication requirement level;
• determine that the one or more authentication credentials meets the second level of the authentication requirement level but does not meet the first level of the authentication requirement level;
• and
• process, in real-time, the payment instrument based on at least determining that the one or more authentication credentials meet the second level of authentication requirement, wherein processing further comprises transferring the payment amount from a financial institution account associated with the user to a financial institution account associated with the merchant.