Systems and methods for generating receipts

Abstract

Systems and methods for electronically processing accounts receivable (AR) check transactions via a location-base device associated with a merchant. The location-base device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, can be configured to perform various functions that facilitate processing of AR checks. Such functions may include improved user interface, an ability to handle a repetitive input parameter, an ability to handle multiple merchant identifiers, an ability to generate multiple receipt types, an ability to edit check transactions, an ability to manage throughput of the device, and an ability to allow scanning of different types of checks so as to allow subsequent processing of the scanned checks to be different based on the type of the check. The location-base device configured in one or more of the foregoing manner facilitates a check authorization process performed by a check processing service.

1 . A system for electronically processing a check transaction involving a merchant, comprising:
 at least one memory for storing computer-executable instructions;   at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions;   a point-of-sale device that receives user input, via the at least one processor, as to a check transaction type and electronically converts a check, wherein the point-of-sale device is capable of generating a receipt and includes a plurality of stored receipt formats stored in the at least one memory, wherein the stored receipt formats correspond to one or more check transaction factors associated with the check transaction type including providing no receipt;   a check processing service linked to the point-of-sale device, via one or more computer networks, to receive information about the converted check from the point-of-sale device and perform an authorization process on the check transaction, via the at least one processor, such that the check processing service notifies the merchant via the point-of-sale device of an authorize or decline decision of the authorization process;   wherein the point-of-sale device automatically determines, based on the check transaction type user input, whether to generate a receipt by selecting a receipt format from the plurality of stored receipt formats corresponding to one or more check transaction factors associated with the check transaction type, wherein the point-of sale device generates a receipt if the check transaction is authorized and involves a face-to-face-type transaction, and wherein the point-of-sale device does not generate a receipt if the check transaction involves an accounts receivable-type check transaction even if the accounts receivable-type check transaction is authorized by the check processing service.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the point-of-sale device converts the check by scanning the check so as to read the check's magnetic ink character recognition line and obtain an image of at least a portion of the check. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the point-of-sale device facilitates the determination of whether the check is an accounts receivable check by having the merchant select an option that allows processing of the accounts receivable check. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorization process includes a risk assessment of the check transaction. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the check processing service performs the authorization process and notifies the merchant of its decision in a manner that depends at least on a level of service subscribed by the merchant wherein the level of service includes the check processing service guaranteeing or purchasing check transactions it authorizes thereby assuming at least some of the risk associated with the check. 
     
     
         6 . A method for processing a check transaction via a point-of-sale device associated with a merchant, the method comprising:
 executing computer-executable instructions by one or more processors configured to execute the computer-executable instructions for:
 receiving user input as to a transaction type; 
 converting a check associated with the check transaction; 
 selecting a receipt format from a plurality of stored receipt formats wherein the plurality of stored receipt formats corresponds to one or more check transaction factors associated with the check transaction type and includes no receipt; 
 determining whether the check is an accounts receivable check based on the user input; 
 communicating with a check processing service that determines whether the check transaction should be authorized or declined based at least on information obtained from conversion of the check; and 
 determining automatically, based on the transaction type user input and the selected receipt format, whether to generate a receipt for the check transaction wherein the receipt is not generated if the check is an accounts receivable check. 
   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein converting the check comprises scanning the check so as to read the check's magnetic ink character recognition line and obtain an image of at least a portion of the check. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining whether the check is an accounts receivable check comprises providing the merchant with an option to process the check as an accounts receivable check such that the merchant selecting the option is indicative that the check is an accounts receivable check. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the check processing service determines whether to authorize or decline the check transaction by performing a risk assessment of the check transaction. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the check processing service performs the authorization process and notifies the merchant of its decision in a manner that depends at least on a level of service subscribed by the merchant wherein the level of service includes the check processing service guaranteeing or purchasing check transactions it authorizes thereby assuming at least some of the risk associated with the check. 
     
     
         11 . A system for conducting a financial transaction involving a merchant, comprising:
 a location-base device that receives user input as to whether the check transaction involves a face-to-face check transaction or an accounts receivable check transaction and processes the financial transaction, wherein the location-base device is capable of selecting a receipt format from a plurality of stored receipt formats corresponding to one or more check transaction factors for the check transaction, wherein the plurality of stored receipt formats includes no receipt and generating a receipt associated with the financial transaction;   a financial transaction processing service linked to the location-base device to receive information about the financial transaction and perform an authorization on the financial transaction;   wherein the location-base device automatically determines not to generate a receipt, based on the user input, if the financial transaction occurs in a non-face-to-face manner even if the financial transaction is authorized.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the financial transaction comprises a check transaction. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the location-base device comprises a point-of-sale device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the point-of-sale device converts the check by scanning the check so as to read the check's magnetic ink character recognition line and obtain an image of at least a portion of the check. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the point-of-sale device facilitates the determination of whether the check transaction occurred in a non-face-to-face manner by having the merchant select an option that allows processing of non-face-to-face check transactions. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the financial transaction processing service comprises a check processing service. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the check processing service's performance of the authorization includes a risk assessment of the check transaction. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the check processing service performs the authorization in a manner that depends at least on a level of service subscribed by the merchant wherein the level of service includes the check processing service guaranteeing or purchasing check transactions it authorizes thereby assuming at least some of the risk associated with the check.