Picture checks
AssigneeMoore Business Forms, Inc.
InventorsThomas W. Johnson, John L. Muerle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for composing documents such as bank checks with a picture of an account holder on each check comprising the steps of a) capturing a real time video image of the account holder at a bank site; b) converting the image to a digital image file in a personal computer; c) composing a picture check as a graphics image file in the personal computer; d) merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form a picture check; and e) printing one or more picture checks at the bank site and delivering the picture checks to the customer.
Claims18
A method of composing a personalized document with a picture of a user of the document on each document comprising the steps of:
- a) capturing a real time video image of the user at a first site;
- immediately thereafter,
- b) converting the image to a digital image file using a video image capture board mounted in a personal computer;
- c) composing a portion of the personalized document as a graphics image file in the personal computer and adding personalized identifying data to the graphics image file;
- d) merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form the document;
- e) printing one or more of the personalized documents at the first site;
- and
- f) transferring the digital image file via modem and storing said digital image file in a host computer data base at a second site remote from the first site;
- and
- g) producing additional of the personalized documents at a document manufacturing plant remote from the first and second sites via communication with the host computer data base.
Apparatus for producing a personalized bank check which includes a picture of an account holder comprising:
- an image capture device located at a bank site for capturing a real time video image of the account holder;
- means including a video image capture board for converting the account holder's image to a digital image file and for storing said digital image file in a memory device of a central processing unit located at another site remote from the bank site;
- means for composing the personalized bank check in the form of a graphics image file and for adding personalized text to the graphics image file;
- means for merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form a complete bank check format;
- means located at the bank site for printing the personalized bank check;
- and
- means for permitting said host computer to communicate with a check manufacturing plant located at a third site remote from said bank site and said another site.
Apparatus for producing a personalized identification document which includes a picture of an owner of the document comprising:
- an image capture device located at a first site for capturing an image of the owner;
- means including a video image capture board for converting said image to a digital image file and for storing said digital image file in a memory device of a central processing unit at a second site located remote from said first site;
- means for composing the personalized document in the form of a graphics image file and for adding personalized text to the graphics image file;
- means for merging the digital image file and graphics image file to form a complete document format including personalized text;
- means located at the first site for printing the personalized identification document;
- and
- means for permitting said host computer to communicate with a personalized production apparatus located at a remote manufacturing plant remote from both said first site and said second site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.