Image Processing Network

Abstract

An image processing network for processing image files and coupled to an outside data communication network comprising a plurality of remote image capture units, the units scanning documents and creating a plurality of image files of said documents; the image processing means is coupled to said plurality of remote image capture units for processing the image files; the accounting means is coupled to the image processing means for immediately updating accounts associated with said image processing means; and the plurality of remote capture units are coupled to the outside network, the outside data communication network is connected to outside financial institutions, the image processing means transmits said image files to the outside financial institutions via the data communication network and receives image files from the outside financial institutions over the network.

1 . A system for electronically depositing checks comprising:
 a remote scanner adapted to scan and generate an image of a check to be deposited into a customer's financial account associated with a first financial institution, the scanner being located remote from the financial institution;   means for sending the image of the check to the financial institution so that the image is immediately available at the financial institution for settlement purposes; and   an accounting system adapted to provide the customer with immediate credit for the deposited check.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the remote scanner sends an image file to the financial institution, the image file containing an image data and data indicative of the informational content of said image. 
   
   
       3 . A system for electronically depositing checks comprising:
 a remote scanner adapted to scan and generate images of checks to be deposited into a customer's financial account associated with a first financial institution, the scanner being located remote from the financial institution, the scanner being adapted to accept and process a stack of checks;   means for sending the images of the checks to the financial institution so that the images are immediately available at the financial institution for settlement purposes; and   an accounting system adapted to provide the customer with immediate credit for the deposited checks.   
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the remote scanner sends an image file to the financial institution, the image file containing an image data and data indicative of the informational content of said image.