CLIAMS:I claim:
1. A system for enabling communication of digital copy of physical documents, the system comprising a first device configured to:
receive at least one physical document;
generate at least one digital copy of the physical document;
receive authentication information from a near field communication enabled device; and
communicate at least a part of the digital copy to the near field communication enabled device upon successful authentication.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a communication module configured to communicate with the near field communication enabled device using at least one near field communication channel.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an application module configured to encrypt the digital copy to prevent modification of the digital copy received by the near field communication enabled device.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an application module configured to encrypt the digital copy such that the digital copy can be decrypted by the near field communication enabled device, thereby preventing accessing of the digital copy by an unauthorized entity by snooping while the digital copy is being communicated by the first device to the near field communication enabled device.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the near field communication enabled device is a mobile communication device, wherein the authentication information comprises at least one of the mobile communication device’s identification code or the mobile communication device’s identification number.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the authentication information further comprises information corresponding to a user.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprises a remote server configured to authenticate the near field communication enabled device based on the authentication information, wherein the authentication information is communicated to the remote server by the first device.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the physical document is a financial instrument.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first device is stationary.

10. A system for enabling communication of digital copy of physical documents, the system comprising:
an electronic kiosk configured to:
receive at least one financial instrument in physical form;
generate at least one digital copy of the financial instrument;
receive authentication information from a mobile communication device;
verify the authentication information; and
communicate at least a part of the digital copy to the mobile communication device upon successful authentication using at least one near field communication channel; and
a remote server configured to authenticate the mobile communication device based on the authentication information, wherein the authentication information is communicated to the remote server by the first device. ,TagSPECI:Complete specification:
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

BACKGROUND
Field
[0001] The disclosed subject matter relates to the kiosk systems, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to digitally communicating acknowledge of receipt of physical documents submitted at the kiosk.
Discussion of related field
[0002] Kiosks are self service terminals or interactive terminals that are configured to provide information. Some kiosks are used by entities, such as banks to provide financial information to users. Kiosks are also used as drop boxes, which are configured to accept documents, such as cheques.
[0003] Conventional kiosks are configured to facilitate transaction between a user and an entity, such as, a bank. Conventionally, kiosks accept cheques from users, and in turn provide an acknowledgement to the users. The acknowledgement may be a printed copy comprising the transaction details.
[0004] In conventional kiosks or drop boxes, a dropped cheque may be stolen or counterfeited. Further, the cheque may be tampered with even before it is dropped at the kiosk, which may be the case when an associate is dropping the cheque for a user. Furthermore, printed acknowledge delivered by the kiosk may also be tampered. Additionally, collecting and storing such printed acknowledgement for records may be a tedious task, which may require physical space, planning and organisation skills. Additionally, conventional kiosks may use thermal printers that might provide low-resolution images as receipts. Further, the ink on the printed acknowledgement may fade eventually, thereby making the acknowledgement illegible. Hence, after a certain period, the user may not be left with legible records, which may be used to identify tampering or modification of the dropped cheques.
[0005] In light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need for a system that may enable secured communication of acknowledgement of receipt of physical documents dropped at kiosks, which may not only serve as a long standing record, but can also enable identification of tampering, if any, and mitigate risks of fraud.

SUMMARY

[0006] An embodiment provides a system for enabling communication of digital copy of physical documents. The system includes a first device. The first device may be configured to receive at least one physical document from a user and generate at least one digital copy of the physical document. The first device may further be configured to receive authentication information from a near field communication enabled device. The authentication information may be used to verify whether the near field communication enabled device belongs to a registered user. Upon successful authentication, the first device may communicate at least a part of the digital copy to the near field communication enabled device.
[0007] Another embodiment provides a system for enabling communication of digital copy of physical documents. The system includes an electronic kiosk and a remote server. The electronic kiosk may be configured to receive at least one financial instrument in physical form and generate at least one digital copy of the financial instrument. The kiosk may further receive authentication information from a mobile communication device. The authentication information may be communicated to the remote server by the kiosk. The remote server may be configured to verify and authenticate the mobile communication device based on the authentication information. Upon successful authentication, the kiosk may communicate at least a part of the digital copy to the mobile communication device. At least one near field communication channel may be used by the kiosk for communicating the digital copy to the mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the exemplary system 100 for enabling communication of digital data, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 1A is an illustration of the first device 102 communicating with the near field communication enabled device 114, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 1B is an illustration of communication of information between the first device 102 and the remote server 116, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary communication of digital copy of a physical document, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating communication of authentication information to the remote server 116 by the first device 102, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. OVERVIEW
II. FIRST EXEMPLARY SYSTEM
III. EXEMPLARY COMMUNICATION OF DIGITAL COPY OF PHYSICAL DOCUMENT
IV. SECOND EXEMPLARY SYSTEM
V. CONCLUSION

I. OVERVIEW

[0014] An embodiment provides a system for enabling communication of digital documents. The system includes an electronic kiosk. The kiosk may be configured to receive physical documents from users. Physical documents may be financial instruments, such as, cheques, loan applications and share purchase forms, among others. The kiosk may generate a digital copy of the physical document. The kiosk may be further configured to receive authentication information from a near field communication enabled device, such as a mobile phone, which may be in possession of the user who is depositing the physical document. The phone or device may be registered with an entity associated with the kiosk. The authentication information may include the device’s identification code or identification number. The system may further include a remote server configured to authenticate the near field communication enabled device based on the authentication information. The authentication information may be communicated to the remote server by the kiosk. Upon successful authentication, the kiosk may communicate at least a part of the digital copy to the near field communication enabled device. The system may also include an application module configured to encrypt the digital document to prevent modification of the digital document received by the near field communication enabled device. The application module may encrypt the digital document, such that, it can be decrypted only by the near field communication enabled device, thereby preventing accessing the digital information by an unauthorized entity.
[0015] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized or structural, logical, and electrical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as a limiting sense.
[0016] In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated.

II. FIRST EXEMPLARY SYSTEM

[0017] An embodiment discloses a system 100 for enabling communication of digital copy of physical documents. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the exemplary system 100 for enabling communication of digital data, in accordance with an embodiment. The system 100 may include a first device 102. The first device 102 may include a communication module 104, a processing unit 106, a user interface unit 108, a scanning unit 110 and a printing unit 112.
[0018] In an embodiment, the first device 102 may be a self service terminal or interactive terminal. The first device 102, for example, may be a kiosk that is configured to receive cheques. The first device 102 may be a stationary device.
[0019] In an embodiment, the first device 102 may be configured to communicate with a near field communication enabled device 114. The first device 102 may communicate with the near field communication enabled device 114 through the communication module 104. FIG. 1A is an illustration of the first device 102 communicating with the near field communication enabled device 114, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0020] In an embodiment, the communication module 104 may be configured to communicate via radio frequency waves. The communication module 104 may be configured to identify any similar communication module in its proximity. The communication module 104 may be a Bluetooth module that may communicate data using radio frequency over shorter distances.
[0021] In an embodiment, the first device, 102 may be configured to receive physical documents from users. The physical documents may include financial instruments. Financial instruments may include cheques, cash deposit forms, loan agreement forms, receipts, credit cards, debit cards and drafts, among others.
[0022] In an embodiment, the processing unit 106 may be configured to operate the first device 102 to accept the physical documents from users. The processing unit 106 may further instruct the first device to communicate at least a part of the information that may be present in the physical document, to a remote server 116.
[0023] In an embodiment, the processing unit 106 may be configured to operate the first device 102 to receive authentication information from the near field communication enabled device 114, such as a mobile phone. Further, the processing unit 106 may provide instructions to communicate at least a part of the authentication information to the remote server 116. Another part of the authentication information may be stored in the memory of the first device 102. The processing unit 108 may receive a response from the remote server 116.
[0024] In an embodiment, the user interface unit 108 may be configured to receive input from users. The user interface unit 108 may be the screen of a computer or any other monitor. The user interface unit 108 may be a touch enabled interface or may be configured to receive input through other input devices, such as, keyboard, microphone or camera, among others. The user interface unit 108 may be a display unit configured to display information to users.
[0025] In an embodiment, the scanning unit 110 is configured to scan a physical document that is received by the first device 102, and generate digital copy of the physical document. The digital copy generated by the scanning unit 110 may be communicated electronically to receiving devices, including the near field communication enabled device 114.
[0026] In an embodiment, digital copy may be an image of the physical document.
[0027] In an embodiment, the printing unit 112 may be configured to print a copy of the digital copy of the physical document (financial instrument). The printed copy of the financial instrument may be compared with the digital copy to check correctness. The printed copy may be collected by the user at the system 102. These printed copies of physical documents may be used by the user for future reference.
[0028] The user interface unit 108, scanning unit 110 and the printing unit 112 may be peripheral devices connected to the first device 102 by means of wired network or wireless network. Alternatively, the user interface unit 108, scanning unit 110 and the printing unit 112 may be parts of the first device 102.
[0029] In an embodiment, the near field communication enabled device 114 may be any device equipped with near field communication module or equipped with RFID module. The near field communication enabled device 114 may be configured to communicate via radio frequencies with any similar device in its proximity. The near field communication enabled device 114 may be configured to communicate with the first device 102 via radio frequency waves when the devices are in close proximity.
[0030] In an embodiment, the near field communication enabled device 114 may be a mobile communication device 104, such as, a mobile phone. The mobile communication device 114 may be configured to communicate authentication information to the first device 102. The authentication information may include details corresponding to the mobile communication device 114. The details corresponding to the mobile communication device 114 may include a device identification code, such as, an IMEI code or a device identification number, such as, a phone number. The near field communication enabled device 114 may be authenticated based on the authentication information and may be authorized to send information to and receive information from the first device 102.
[0031] In an embodiment, the near field communication enabled device 114 may include a storage unit to store authentication information corresponding to the near field communication enabled device 114.
[0032] In an embodiment, the near field communication enabled device 114 may be further configured to communicate authentication information corresponding to a user, to the first device 102. The authentication information corresponding to the user may include user’s name, user’s phone number and/or user’s financial account details, among others. In an embodiment, the near field communication enabled device’s identification number may be the user’s phone number.
[0033] In another embodiment, the near field communication enabled device 114 may be an RFID module.
[0034] In an embodiment, the system 100 may include an application module 118. The application module may be configured encrypt information communicated between the first device 102 and the near field communication enabled device 114. The application module may be hosted on either the first device 102 or the near field communication enabled device 114, or on both.
[0035] In an embodiment, the application module may be configured to encrypt the authentication information communicated by the near field communication enabled device 114 to the first device 102. The authentication information may be encrypted and communicated via predetermined frequencies to prevent access of data by any unauthorized entity.
[0036] In another embodiment, the application module may be configured to encrypt digital copy to be communicated to the near field communication enabled device 114 by the first device 102. The encryption of digital document may prevent modification or tampering of the digital document received by the near field communication enabled device 114.
[0037] In an embodiment, the encrypted digital document may only be accessed by the application module 118. The application module may encrypt the digital document, such that, decryption is possible only by the near field communication enabled device 114. The application module may prevent data from being accessed by any unauthorized entity, which may snoop while the digital data is being communicated. The application module may further prevent data from being modified or tampered by unauthorized entity while the digital data is being communicated from the first device 102 to the near field communication enabled device 114.
[0038] In an embodiment, the remote server 116 may be configured to store information corresponding to users. The remote server 116 may be configured to receive information from the first device 102. The remote server 116 may further receive authentication information corresponding to the near field communication enabled device 114 (held by the user submitting the physical document and wishes to have a digital copy of the same communicated to the device) from the first device 102. The remote server 116 may authenticate the near field communication enabled device 114, based on the authentication information. The remote server 116 may further be configured to communicate to the first device 102 the authentication results. The first device 102, upon successful authentication, may communicate the digital copy to the near field communication enabled device 114. FIG. 1B is an illustration of communication of information between the first device 102 and the remote server 116, in accordance with an embodiment. It shall be noted that, the remote server 116 may be the processing unit 106.

III. EXEMPLARY COMMUNICATION OF DIGITAL COPY OF PHYSICAL DOCUMENT
[0039] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary communication of digital copy of a physical document, in accordance with an embodiment. At step 200, the first device 102, such as a kiosk, receives a physical document, such as a cheque, from a user. At step 202, the first device 102 generates a digital copy of the physical document. The user submitting the document may wish to have a digital copy of the same communicated to his device/phone. In such a scenario, the user may use an application that may be specifically configured to communicate with first device(s) (kiosk) corresponding to an entity (example: bank), to initiate an authentication session. At step 204, the first device 102 may receive authentication information from the near field communication enabled device 114. At step 206, the first device 102 may communicate the digital copy to the near field communication enabled device 114, upon successful authentication.
[0040] In an embodiment, the first device 102 may be configured to interact with a user, to receive physical documents. The physical documents may be fed to the scanning unit 110, by the user. In an embodiment, the scanning unit 110, upon receiving physical documents, may scan the document and generate a digital copy of the physical document (step 202). The first device 102 may store the digital copy in its memory for a predefined period. The first device 102 may even communicate the digital data to one or more remote servers.
[0041] As mentioned earlier, the user submitting the document may wish to have a digital copy of the same communicated to his device/phone. In such a scenario, the user may use an application that may be specifically configured to communicate with first device(s) (kiosk) corresponding to an entity (example: bank), to initiate an authentication session. Upon initiation of the session, the first device 102 may receive authentication information from the near field communication enabled device 114, at step 204. The authentication information may correspond to the near field communication enabled device 114. It may be noted that, an authorized user may have registered the device 114 along with the authentication information with an entity to whom the device or kiosk 102 may correspond. The authentication information may include a device identification code, such as, an IMEI code or a device identification number, such as, a phone number. The first device 102 may further receive information corresponding to the user, such as, user’s name and account number.
[0042] In an embodiment, the authentication information may be communicated to the remote server 116 for authentication. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating communication of authentication information to the remote server 116 by the first device 102, in accordance with an embodiment. After receiving the authentication information from the near field communication enabled device 114, at step 204, the first device 102 may communicate that information to the remote server, at step 302.
[0043] In an embodiment, a part of the authentication information may be received through user interface unit 108, which may be provided in the first device 102.
[0044] In an embodiment, the application module may be configured to access the authentication information corresponding to the near field communication enabled device 114. The application module may further encrypt the authentication information to be communicated to the first device 102. The first device 102 may transfer the authentication information to the remote server 116. Subsequently, the first device 102 may receive response from the server 116.
[0045] In an embodiment, the first device 102 may extract information from the digital copy of the physical document that may be available in the first device 102 to communicate to the remote server 116, which could also form part of the authentication process.
[0046] In an embodiment, the server 116 may request for additional authentication information, which may include an SMS with a code being sent to the near field communication enabled device 114, or biometric information, such as, fingerprint or face recognition.
[0047] In an embodiment, the server 116 may search whether the information received from the first device 102 is already available in its database. Further, the server 116 may compare information corresponding to the user with the information corresponding to the near field communication enabled device 114. The server 116 may respond with either success or failure in authentication based on the result of comparison.
[0048] In an embodiment, the first device 102 may, upon successful authentication, communicate the digital copy of the physical document to the near field communication enabled device 114. The digital copy may be an image file. The digital copy may be communicated to the near field communication enabled device 114 using the communication module 104 via radio waves.
[0049] In an embodiment, the digital copy may be encrypted by the application module while communicating the digital copy to the near field communication enabled device 114. The encrypted digital copy may be accessed only by the application module of the device 114. Further, the digital copy may be encrypted such that it can be decrypted only by the near field communication enabled device 114.
[0050] Additionally, the printing unit 112 may print a copy of the digital copy. The user waiting near the first device 102 may collect the printed copy from the printing unit 112, as well. The printed copy may be used by the user to compare with the digital copy. The printed copy may be useful, as it may serve as an additional mode of record keeping, and may be used as a substitute in case the digital copy is not communicated to the near field communication enabled device 114 due to failure of networks.

IV. SECOND EXEMPLARY SYSTEM
[0051] An embodiment provides a system for enabling communication of digital copy of physical documents. The system may include an electronic kiosk and a remote server. The electronic kiosk may include a communication module. The communication module may be configured to communicate data via radio frequency waves. The communication module of the electronic kiosk may be configured to communicate with mobile communication devices. The communication module may include a Bluetooth module that may be used to transfer data using radio frequency over shorter distances. The electronic kiosk may be configured to receive financial instruments from users. The financial instruments may include credit cards, debit cards, drafts, cheques, cash deposit forms, loan agreement forms and/or receipts among others. The electronic kiosk may be configured to generate digital copies of financial instruments received from users. The digital copy generated by the electronic kiosk may be communicated to the mobile communication device, upon successful authentication.
[0052] In an embodiment, the electronic kiosk may be configured to receive authentication information from the mobile communication device through the communication module via radio waves. Further, the electronic kiosk may communicate the authentication information to the remote server. The authentication information may include a device identification code, such as, an IMEI code or a device identification number, such as, a phone number. The mobile communication device may be authenticated based on the authentication information and may be authorized to receive information from the electronic kiosk. The mobile communication device may be further configured to communicate authentication information corresponding to a user (to whom the device may correspond). The authentication information corresponding to the user may include user’s name, user’s phone number (which may be the mobile communication device’s identification number) and user’s financial account details, among others.
[0053] The remote server may receive authentication information corresponding to the mobile communication device from the electronic kiosk. Based on the authentication information, the remote server may authenticate the mobile communication device. Upon successful authentication the digital copy may be communicated to the mobile device by the kiosk.

V. CONCLUSION
[0054] Embodiments provide a system for enabling communication of digital copy of physical documents that are submitted at a kiosk.
[0055] Such digital copies of financial instruments that are submitted at kiosk may be used as a record of documents submitted.
[0056] Further, such communication of digital copy ensures that financial instruments were not tampered with before it was submitted at the kiosk.
[0057] Further, ensuring against tampering of the digital copies even after it is received by the mobile device adds to the authenticity of the records.
[0058] The system may enable users to have financial instruments submitted by their associates (whose mobile device may be registered as being connected to the user) without worrying about such instruments being tampered with before submission.
[0059] It shall be noted that the processes described above is described as sequence of steps, this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, or some steps may be performed simultaneously.
[0060] The example embodiments described herein may be implemented in an operating environment comprising software installed on a computer, in hardware, or in a combination of software and hardware.
[0061] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
[0062] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.