Negotiable instrument clearing server and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a secure check clearing server. The check clearing server comprises a database for storing payment information associated with an issued check and a status indicator associated with the issued check. A clearing module receiving a clearing request message. The clearing request message includes payment information associated with a purported check. The payment information includes a core digital image of the purported check. The clearing module determines whether the purported check is unaltered and clearable and, if unaltered and clearable initiates clearing of the purported check. The purported check is determined to be unaltered if the payment information associated with the purported check matches the payment information associated with the issued check. The purported check is determined to be clearable if the issued check is not cleared or canceled.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.