Expenditure tracking check
AssigneeOntrack Management Systems, Inc.
InventorTodd M. Kunkler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved system and method is provided for automatically tracking check transactions and generating an expenditure statement thereof using printed bank checks having a plurality of graphic icons disposed thereon. The customer marks the icon which describes the particular expense for which the check payment is being made. The payor bank or a check processing center scans each check to determine which icon(s) have been marked for each particular check transaction. Recorded expenditures are then automatically recorded in a cumulative transaction record. Periodically, this information is organized into a detailed expenditure statement that can be provided to the bank customer.
Claims30
A printed bank check comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of printed lines, spaces and/or boxes disposed on at least one side of said substrate defining the front of said bank check, said plurality of lines, spaces or boxes being adapted to record customary check-transaction information;
- and
- an array of machine-readable graphic icons disposed on said substrate in a regular pattern, each of said graphic icons comprising a pictorial representation corresponding to a predetermined expenditure category, said graphic icons being adapted to receive a mark directly thereon such that one or more selected expenditure categories may be permanently recorded on said bank check substantially contemporaneously with a particular check transaction.
A printed icon for tracking check expenditures, said icon comprising an outer portion generally surrounding a lighter inner portion, said outer portion comprising no more than about 25% of the total surface area of said icon, said light inner portion comprising no more than about 25% shading, the remaining portion thereof being substantially free of any printing.
A check for transacting financial transactions wherein the improvement comprises:
- an array of markable icons, symbols or text images thereon representative of expenditure categories, said icons, symbols or text images having a PCS of less than about 0.40 measured over a spectral range having a peak spectral response of about 555 nanometers and a one-half peak spectral response of about 510 to 610 nanometers;
- said icons, symbols or text images being sized and arranged on said check so as to receive a mark directly thereon over each said icon, symbol or text image to indicate the appropriate expenditure category representing said financial transaction, said mark having a PCS of greater than about 0.40 measured over a spectral range having a peak spectral response of about 555 nanometers and a one-half peak spectral response of about 510 to 610 nanometers;
- whereby the presence and/or location of said mark can be detected using a scanner and applying threshold imaging.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.