United States Patent
`[19]
`5,774,879
`[11] Patent Number:
`Custy et al. Jun. 30, 1998 [45] Date of Patent:
`
`
`
`
`
`U8005774879A
`
`[54] AUTOMATED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT
`PROCESSING SYSTEM
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Jeanne M. Custy; Benjamin L. Knoll,
`both of Denver; Shunsaku Suguira,
`Golden; Brian W. Walsh, Northglenn,
`all of C010.
`
`[73 Assignee: First Data Corporation, Omaha, Nebr.
`
`[21 Appl. No.: 732,159
`
`
`
`[22
`
`[63
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 16, 1996
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Continuation of Ser. No. 173,907, Dec. 27, 1993, aban—
`doned.
`
`Int. Cl.6 ................................................... G06F 157/00
`[51
`[52 US. Cl.
`........................ 705/35, 395/110, 395/188.01
`[58
`Field of Search ..................................... 395/235, 218,
`395/110, 117, 491, 186, 188.01; 340/8253,
`825.31, 825.34; 235/379—383; 283/57; 364/9182
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Tucker, Tracey, “Chase Global Disbursement System Uses
`PC Platform”, American Banker; Aug. 23, 1994, p. 12.
`“Text Search Examiner Training Manual for Automated
`Patent System (APS),” Nov. 30, 1990, pp. 1—2, A—2, A—3.
`“Systems Center Announces Print Spooler for Multi—Vendor
`Unix Networks”, News Release, Oct. 30, 1991, Dialog file
`621, Accession No. 00313641.
`“Intuit Enters Windows Market WIHT Quicken for Win-
`dows”, New Release, Menlo Park, CA, Oct. 21, 1991,
`Dialog file 621, Accession No. 00319521.
`“Create a Check: Create—A—Check system saves time and
`money; Corporate solution provides added security and
`flexibility”, Dec. 21, 1993, Dialog file 610, Accesion No.
`0375837.
`
`Gochenouer, “Accounts Payable Goes High Tech: Laser
`Check Printers”, Oct. 1990, CPA, the Journal.
`“New Version of Impact Award Accounting Software Fea-
`tures Fast Dot—Key Capability Between Menus and Program
`Modules”, News Release, Las Vegas, NV Oct. 21, 1991,
`Dialog file 621, Accession No. 00311352.
`“Software Name: Peachtree Accounting for Windows ver-
`sion: 5.0”, Peachtree Sfotware, Inc., 1992, dialog file 237,
`Accession No. 00015320.
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`............................ 235/419
`
`9/1978 Slater et al.
`4,114,027
`3/1980 Abe et al.
`.
`4,195,353
`.
`9/1985 Liedtke et al.
`4,541,334
`2/1988 Savar
`...................................... 235/379
`4,727,243
`3/1988 Borgendale et al.
`.
`4,731,735
`5/1988 Morrell
`..................................... 371/20
`4,745,602
`
`.. 235/380
`2/1989 Bitoh ...................
`4,804,825
`..................... 364/408
`11/1989 Boothroyd et al.
`4,884,199
`3/1990 Grossman et al.
`4,910,696
`5/1990 Hanna.
`4,921,279
`4,980,518 12/1990 Kobayashi et al.
`4,991,983
`2/1991 Graverholt.
`5,053,606
`10/1991 Kimizu .................................... 235/379
`10/1991 Nakagawa
`.. 364/405
`5,060,153
`
`.. 395/575
`5,155,842 10/1992 Rubin
`9/1993 Sun ........... 395/325
`5,247,623
`
`4/1994 Winans .............................. 364/419.01
`5,307,265
`8/1994 Hubble, 111 Ctal..
`5,337,122
`5,347,302
`9/1994 Simonoff.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Primary Examiner—Gail O. Hayes
`Assistant Examiner—Frantzy Poinvil
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sidley & Austin
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An integrated data processing system is described which
`comprises an execution control processor (10) that itself
`comprises a security processor (12) and data base processor
`(14). Bidirectional communication with a printer (30) is
`provided through a print processor (28) to provide for the
`secure printing of financial instruments. Grammar files (24)
`and parameter files (26) are supplied to allow for the
`configuration and customization of the execution control
`processor (10) and a graphical user interface (18). A com-
`munications processor (20) is provided to establish network
`connection with a host computer. Context-sensitive help is
`provided using a help processor (22).
`
`19 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
` ‘5 START A‘PHUHCV
`
`
`we
`[ 4E
` w
`,42
`mm: 6)
`
`(2:1
`Each/2
`
`Q 52
`5,361
`
`
`
` mu AP‘LIOWCN .
`
`
`
`
`m
`1
`
`
`
`’
`CHECK
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 1
`
`

`

`5,774,879
`
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“Systems Union Automates European Communicity
`Accounting Changes to Help Users Easily Comply with
`New Regulations”, News Release, White Plains, NY, Mar.
`15, 1993, Dialog file 621, Accession No. 00353591.
`“Mac leader Layered announce personal finance manager
`for Windows, suuported by AsymetriX’ ToolBook”, News
`
`Release, New York, NY, May 21, 1990, Dialog file 621,
`Accession No. 00261454.
`
`“Eclipse Corporatin Formsplus/400 Forms Software”, News
`Release, Atlanta, GA, Jun. 1, 1993, Dialog file 621, Acce-
`sion No. 0035927.
`
`Mastering WindowsTM 3.1, 1992, Library of Congress Card
`No. 91—68096 pp. 193—197, 902—903.
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 0f 8
`
`5,774,879
`
`FIG.
`
`7
`
`EXECUTION CONTROL
`
`fl
`
`18
`
`
`
`
`
`USER
`
`GRAPHICAL
`USER
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`
`SECURITY PROCESSOR
`12
`
`
`
`- 17
`TRANSACTION
`FILES
`
`24
`
`FILES
`
`
`DATABASE
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`LI
`
`TREE; . 26
`
`
`16
`PARAMETER
`
`—
`
`28
`
`PRINT
`
`FILES ®
`
`A
`
`20
`
`COMMUNICATION
`PROCESSOR
`
`HELP
`PROCESSOR
`
`NETWORK
`
`CONNECTIONS
`
`22
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 0f 8
`
`5,774,879
`
`32
`
`36
`
`START APPLICATION
`
`34
`
`O
`
`SECURITY
`Supervisor Signon
`
`38
`
`FIG 2
`
`SECURITY
`
`Teller Signon
`
`
`
`' MAlNAPPLlCATlON MENU I
`50 H
`
`
`EADMINTSTRATTQNE
`Official Check Fee Table
`
`
`
`0 (
`
`D
`
`(‘ID
`
`
`
`.. MONEY {ORDER
`
`Void or Stop Money Order
`MMMBIIIIIIIII
`
`Eflflflfiflfiflfififil
`Transmit >
`
`
`
`44
`
`0 G
`
`)
`
`a
`
`:orruuAt90HEcxr
`Create Check
`
`
`
`Void or Stop Check
`MEMBEIIIIIIII
`Report Writer
`
`lssued Check Requests)
`iflfiflflilllllll
`
`48
`
`CLOSING ‘
`
`-
`
`Teller Business Day Close
`Teller Shift Close
`
`Branch Business Day Close
`Branch Shift Close
`
`46
`
`@066
`
`6906
`
`Money Order Fee Table
`Grammar File
`(f)ystem Parameters
`Security >
`
`
`
`52
`
`0 G
`
`D
`
`
`1:5: security
`User Profiles
`
`
`
`Object Maintenance
`
` 11-.tn.quiry-, 7: 3'
`View a Money Order
`EBBEBMBHMMMMB
`idflflflaflflflldfll
`Bflflflfifififlflkflfl
`Branch Current Shift Activity
`
`Historical Branch Summary@96666
`
`
`VIEW 0 Check
`'
`
`Teller Business Day Actrvrty
`
`Teller Current Shift Activity
`
`BranchBusiness DoyActrvrty
`
`Branch Current Shift Activity
`
`Historical Branch Summary
`
`eeeeee'
`
`‘lssued Check Requests
`
`0 (
`
`I)
`
`Paid Status lnquiry
`
`Check Copy Request
`
`Pay Authorization Request 0
`
`0 0 (
`
`9
`
`
`
`Issued Check: Requests
`
`Paid Status lnquiry
`
`Check Copy Request
`
`Pay Authorization Request
`
`
`
`
`,:"1rm.nsmrt
`
`o
`Selected ClosedBusinessDay 0
`No Daily Report
`a
`
`
`Trarisfrriitf'ji':
`
`
`'
`
`0
`SelectedClosed BusinessDay 0
`0
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 0f 8
`
`5,774,879
`
`. FFICIAL'C'CHECK
`
`56
`
`9 54
`
`O
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Security
`
`58
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Create
`
`62
`
`50
`
`-
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Remitter Information
`
`O
`
`
`
`70
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`
`Memo Voucher: Top Half
`
`72
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Memo Voucher: Bottom Half
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Memo Voucher: Freeform Area
`
`74
`
`
`
`
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Memo Voucher: Freeform
`
`68
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`
`Collection
`
`66
`
`80 O
`
`0
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`
`Security
`
`
`
`
`
`82
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Adjust Fee Reasons
`
`78
`
`FIG. 3
`
`84
`
`OFFIgIAL-CHECK
`
`rintIng
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK ITEM
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 0f 8
`
`5,774,879
`
`FIG 4
`
`FIG. 6
`
`
`
`
`HistoricalBroad-1‘1.Summary1
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`
`Inquiry Details
`
`Inquiry Report
`
`
`
`
`
`
`110
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Historical Branch Summary Details
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`
`Historical Summary Report
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 0f 8
`
`5,774,879
`
`FIG. 9
`
`
`
`_, OFFICIALigCHEC-Ki '
`EIs_‘sued “CheckviReque'sts
`Paid Status Inquiry
`
`
`
`.;
`
`
`
`0
`114
`
`
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Paid Status Inqurry Selection
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Host Pay Status Inquiry\116
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`
`
`Paid Status Inquiry Response
`
`118
`
`
`
`
`
`120
`
`O
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Security
`
`122
`
`
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Check Copy Request Selection
`
`
`
`Host Check Co
`
`Re uest
`W q
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Check Copy Request Response
`
`
`
`\124
`
`126
`
`FIG.
`
`7 7
`
`.i
`' OFFICIAL" CHECK.
`. Issued! Cheek. RequeSts I
`Pay Authorization Request
`
`
`
`
`
`130
`
`
`-
`
`
`
`
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Security
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`132
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Pay Authorization Request Selection
`
`
`
`
`
`Host Pay Authorization Request
`
`OFFICIAL CHECK
`Pay Authorization Request Response
`
`
`
` \134
`
`136
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 0f 8
`
`5,774,879
`
`FIG.
`
`.. OFFICIAL CHECK
`Report Writer
`
`
`72
`
`MONEYORDER
`
`
`
`
`(1')
`
`I40
`
`REPORT WRITER
`Report Selection/Run
`
`
`
`146
`
`I48
`
`REPORT WRITER
`Export File
`
`
`
`REPORT WRITER
`
`Report Header
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I42
`
`
`
`REPORT WRITER
`View
`
`REPORT WRITER
`Print
`
`Paper Report
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`150
`
`REPORT WRITER
`
`Report Field Details
`
`
`
` REPORT WRITER
`
`
`Field Definition
`
`152
`
`
`
`FIG. 74
`
`
`.MONEYORDER f
`OFFICIAL:CHECK"~
`
`.
`, q ."_T_ransmit.._fl-i
`
`
`Selected Closed Business Day
`
`
`
`FIG. 73
`
`
`
`:Il'iMO'NEY’ ORDER
`OFFICIAL: CHECK i
`- " .3.3.‘Triansvrnit_f- ,; :3.
`.
`
`
`All Closed Business Days
`
`*
`
`
`
`0
`
`154
`
`
`
`TRANSMISSION
`All Closed Items
`
`
`Host All Sales Transmission
`156/
`
`FIG. 75
`
`. OFFICIAL CHECK . ' MONEY ORDER
`' Transmit" 7'
`
`
`No Daily Report
`
`
`9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I 64
`
`TRANSMISSION
`
`No Daily Report
`
`
`
`
`
`Host No Daily Report Transmission
`
`\166
`
`
`
`0
`
`158
`
`TRANSMISSION
`Selection
`
`
`
`TRANSMISSION
`Selected Closed Business Day
`
`160
`
`Host Selected Sales Transmission
`\162
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 0f 8
`
`5,774,879
`
`FIG. 76
`
`
`
`
`
`" CLOSING
`
`Teller Business Day Close
`
`170
`
`CLOSE CONFIRMATION
`
`Teller Business Day
`
`.
`Teller Busrness Day Close Report
`
`FIG. 77
` Teller Shift Close
`
`CLOSING
`
`174
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CLOSE CONFIRMATION
`Teller Shift
`
`.
`Teller Shift Close Report
`
`176
`
`172
`
`
`
`
`
`FIC 7 9
`FIG 7 8
`CLOSING
`H
`CLOSING
`
`Branch Business Day Close
`Branch Shift Close
`
`
`
`
`I
`
`178
`
`
`
`
`
`
`184
`
`I80
`
`182
`
`CLOSE CONFIRMATION
`
`Branch Shift
`
`Branch Shift Close Report
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CLOSE CONFIRMATION
`
`Branch Business Day
`
`Branch Business Day Close Report
`
`.FIG~...33
`.ch 37
`,.F[G-_._30...
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HELP
`Table of Contents
`
`HELP
`Detailed Text
`
`Help Detail Report
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 0f 8
`
`5,774,879
`
`FIG. 23
`
`FIG. 24
`
`FIG. 25
`
`
`
`
`ADMINISTRATION
`
`.m
`
`0
`
`202
`
`ADMINISTRATION
`Update Grammar File
`
`ADMINISTRATION
`Update Grammar File Item
`
`
`
`
`0
`198
`
`
`
`ADMINISTRATION
`Official Check—Fee Table
`
`
`
`200
`o
`
`
`
`ADMINISTRATION
`Money Order—Fee Table
`
`
`
`204
`
`FIG. 26
`
`
`
`.1 ADMINISTRATION :-
`'_:
`.
`System Parameters
`
`.
`
`
`
`9
`
`206
`
`ADMINISTRATION
`Update System Parameters
`
`
`
`ADMINISTRATION
`Update System Parameter
`
`
`
`208
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 27
`”-f:i-IADMINISTRATIONA.4:“.
`I
`::I*-
`Security;
`
`
`
`
`
`o
`
`SECURITY
`
`210
`
`SECURITY
`Add User Profile
`
`
`
`
`
`
` SECURITY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SECURITY
`
`User Profile Definition
`
`SECURITY
`Authorize Objects to Users
`
`SECURITY
`Update Object Authority
`
`216
`
`218
`
`FIG. 28
`
`.-ADMIzuISIRAtION-d-.
`:
`
`
`
`m-
`Ob'ect Maintenance
`
`‘3
`
`Security:
`Object Maintenance—Selection
`
`212
`
`222
`
`
`
`SECURITY
`Authorize Users to an Object
`
`SECURITY
`
`Add Object
`
`Update User Authorization
`
`
`224
`228
`
`
`
`SECURITY
`Object Description
`
`
`
`226
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 10
`
`

`

`5,774,879
`
`1
`AUTOMATED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT
`PROCESSING SYSTEM
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`08/173,907,
`filed Dec. 27, 1993, entitled “Automataed
`Financial Instrument Processing System,” by Jeanne M.
`Custy, Benjamin L. Knoll, Shunsaku Suguira and Brian W.
`Walsh, now abandoned.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates in general to data processing sys-
`tems and more particularly to an improved automated finan-
`cial instrument processing system and method of operation.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Automated systems for printing and delivering money
`orders have been developed and used in the past with some
`measure of success by both financial institutions and retail
`outlets. These systems provide the basic systems and meth-
`ods of providing the transaction data to a printer which holds
`blank financial instruments such as money orders. The blank
`money orders are stored in the printer in a secure fashion to
`prevent fraudulent creation of money orders. The presence
`of blank money orders in the printer makes the system very
`vulnerable to the fraudulent creation of money orders and to
`mistakes in the creation of money orders such as the creation
`of duplicate money orders due to printer malfunctions, user
`data entry errors or other system malfunctions.
`The systems that have been developed for creating and
`delivering money orders in the past have been systems with
`dedicated hardware and little, if any, interface with other
`systems such as general accounting systems, other data
`processing facilities or back-up and recovery facilities. Inte-
`gration of the delivery and creation of financial instruments
`is necessary to provide adequate security for these facilities
`and to allow for communication of these subsystems with
`supervisory systems such as host accounting systems.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, a need has arisen for an integrated financial
`instrument processing system that is generally portable to a
`variety of platforms and hardware architectures and provides
`adequate security during the creation and delivery of finan-
`cial instruments. In accordance with the teachings of the
`present invention, an integrated financial instrument pro-
`cessing system is provided that substantially reduces disad-
`vantages associated with prior art systems and methods of
`operation.
`According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
`financial
`instrument processing system is provided that
`comprises a graphical user interface that
`is operable to
`communicate with a data base processing system. The
`graphical user interface and data base processing systems
`are monitored by a security processor which provides secu-
`rity for the system on a user-by-user and object-by-object
`basis. Aprinter is coupled to the print processing system and
`is operable to print financial instruments using information
`sent from the execution control processor. The print proces-
`sor monitors printer messages and communicates with the
`security processing system to prevent unauthorized access to
`the printer. After receiving verification that the financial
`instrument has printed, the print processor passes transaction
`information to the data base processor. The information is
`then written to the transaction file.
`
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a communications processor is included and is
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`operable to communicate with the data base processing
`system to provide information stored in the data base
`processing system to other systems such as host accounting
`systems.
`According to an alternate embodiment of the present
`invention, a grammar file is provided that is operable to
`revise constants in the graphical user interface on a user-
`by-user basis. Aparameter file is also provided to configure
`the general operation of the financial instrument processing
`system.
`According to an alternate embodiment of the present
`invention,
`the software system of the present
`invention
`serves as an open platform to allow for the integration and
`processing of other financial applications or products. For
`example, the modular nature of the system of the present
`invention allows for the efficient integration and manage—
`ment of other products such as money grams, starter checks,
`variable amount coupons, gift checks or gift certificates,
`cashier checks, insta-pay functions, phone cards and the
`like. In addition, the modular nature of the system of the
`present invention allows it to be integrated with other teller
`applications. For example,
`the functions of the present
`system can be accessed through an alternate working envi-
`ronment that would replace the graphical user interface of
`the present invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A more complete understanding of the present invention
`may be acquired by referring to the accompanying FIG-
`UREs in which like reference numbers indicate like features
`and wherein:
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the financial
`instrument processing system constructed according to the
`teachings of the present invention;
`FIGS. 2 through 28 comprise menu and flow chart rep-
`resentations of the financial instrument processing method
`of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The financial instrument processing system of the present
`invention comprises an object-oriented software system that
`is highly portable between various hardware platforms. The
`architecture of the integrated software system is constructed
`such that the system can be easily and conveniently ported
`to a variety of operating systems such as MS DOS,
`Windows, 082, or UNIX. In addition, the system of the
`present invention is highly adaptable to network environ-
`ments such as local area networks, wide area networks,
`mini-LANs and the like where the various components can
`be resident in physically separated servers. The architecture
`of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and com-
`prises an execution control processor 10 which itself com-
`prises a security processor 12 and a data base processor 14.
`The data base processor also comprises a report writer 16
`and accesses data stored in transaction files 17. It should be
`
`understood that the term processor used herein refers to a
`software module operating to perform a particular task or
`group of tasks. A single such module may actually be
`running on a variety of hardware architectures which could
`include single or multiple hardware processors.
`The data base processor 14 manages an ASCII flat file
`data base which uses relative record key accesses to provide
`for efficient storage and maintenance of the data used by the
`integrated system. The ASCII files are stored in transaction
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`5,774,879
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`3
`files 17 and accessed as necessary by the data base processor
`16. In one embodiment of the present invention, ASCII fiat
`files are used to maintain portability between various,
`platforms and their operating systems. ASCII flat files are
`accepted without compatibility concerns by virtually all
`hardware platforms. According to alternate embodiments of
`the present invention, other more sophisticated data base
`systems may be used such as SYBASE or ORACLE pro-
`vided that a particular hardware platform and operating
`environment to be used is compatible with such data base
`systems. More sophisticated data base products provide for
`intrinsic journaling, intrinsic mirroring and intrinsic data
`base recovery which may be advantageously used in the
`architecture of the present invention.
`The data base processor 14 records the transactions per-
`formed by the integrated system in a largely chronological
`order, including audit information such as a teller perform-
`ing the transaction, and the date and time of the transaction.
`The relative record key access system used by the data base
`processor 14 allows for an access to be performed within the
`data base processor 14 by jumping to the date of the
`transaction or record desired and then providing sequential
`access through the group of records associated with that
`date. In order to provide for the fastest access, the records
`are accessed within the date in reverse chronological order.
`This access method is used because, on average, the more
`recent records are the records that will be manipulated more
`frequently.
`The data base processor 14 also communicates with a
`report writer 16 to allow for the compilation and output of
`report information in various formats such as data files,
`printed reports, and report inquiries.
`The security processor 12 provides both user-level and
`object-level security. An object for the integrated system
`may comprise, for example, a particular file, reports created
`by the report writer 16, or a particular program or menu
`item. Under multi-processing platforms such as UNIX-
`based platforms, the security processor 12 may comprise an
`independent process such as a terminate and stay resident
`(TSR) program which functions to monitor the processing
`and accesses of all the remaining processes. Under single
`process platforms, such as MS DOS, the security processor
`12 may be constructed within each object to monitor access
`to that object. Particular security routines relative to par-
`ticular objects will be discussed more fully herein.
`In
`general, however,
`the security processor 12 provides for
`multi-level user and object-based security for the integrated
`system. For example, the security processor 12 provides for
`supervisory and general user security access to various
`objects. The security processor 12 interfaces directly with a
`graphical user interface 18 to monitor attempted accesses to
`various objects within the integrated system made by users
`of the graphical user interface 18.
`The graphical user interface 18 may provide, for example,
`a mouse-driven or keyboard-driven user interface to allow
`for the efficient navigation of the various objects and capa-
`bilities of the integrated system. The graphical user interface
`18 begins with a main application menu which allows the
`user to select a variety of capabilities of the system. The
`operation of the integrated system and the objects that are
`constructed to perform the various functions of the inte-
`grated system can be best understood by examining the
`menus and flow charts associated with the particular objects
`which will be described in more complete detail in FIGS. 2
`through 28 herein. In general, however, the graphical user
`interface 18 interfaces with the security processor 12 in
`order to present the user with the appropriate options for that
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`the security processor 12
`user’s security level. Further,
`requires entry of a password or other security measures
`before the integrated system is allowed to progress through
`a particular object.
`The execution control processor 10 is also coupled to a
`communications processor 20. The communications proces-
`sor 20 allows the integrated system to communicate with
`other systems through network connections. According to
`one embodiment of the present invention, the communica-
`tions processor 20 allows for communication with an inte-
`grated communications platform system to allow for
`session-based communications with a host computer. The
`operation of such a communications platform is fully
`described in US. patent application Ser. No. 08/130,297
`entitled “INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS PLAT-
`
`FORM” filed Oct. 1, 1993 now abandoned, and assigned to
`the Assignee of the present application, the disclosure of
`which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present
`description as if set forth fully herein. The integrated system
`of the present invention allows the user to perform a variety
`of transactions which are logged in the data base of infor-
`mation managed by data base processor 14. Periodically,
`these transactions may be uploaded to a host computer or
`super server through the communications processor 20. In
`addition, a variety of maintenance and supervisory opera-
`tions may be performed on the integrated system from a
`remote location using the communications processor 20. In
`this manner,
`the integrated system is remotely program-
`mable and configurable. The communications processor 20
`is constructed in such a manner to allow for the efficient
`communication with conventional modem-based communi-
`
`cation or dedicated high speed data links. The communica-
`tions processor 20 acts as an interface between the integrated
`system and whatever communication facilities are available
`via network connections. The communications processor 20
`is independent of the communication facility such that the
`operation of the integrated system is not changed or affected
`depending on what sort of communication facilities are
`available to a particular implementation of the integrated
`system.
`The execution control processor 10 is also coupled to a
`help processor 22 which provides chapter-sensitive help to
`a user of the integrated system. According to one embodi-
`ment of the present
`invention,
`the help file is chapter-
`sensitive in that the integrated system provides the appro-
`priate chapter of a help file depending upon where the user
`is during the navigation of the integrated system. Chapter-
`sensitive help is a fast way of providing help that allows for
`easy adaption of the help file to a particular implementation.
`The help file is a text file which can be edited from within
`the execution control processor 10 to provide for specific
`help information for particular implementations. For
`example, the help file can be edited to provide names and
`telephone numbers of particular support personnel specific
`to an installation of the integrated system.
`According to an alternate embodiment of the present
`invention, help processor 22 provides fully context-sensitive
`help based upon the cursor position at the time the user
`requests help. According to this embodiment, the user is
`provided with a portion of a help text file that is specifically
`addressed to the task being attempted by the user at that
`particular time. Fully context-sensitive help is not as fast or
`as easily adapted as chapter-sensitive help, but can provide
`for more specific information available to the user without
`further navigation within the help processor 22.
`The operation of the integrated system is further enhanced
`through the use of grammar files 24 and parameter files 26
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`Petitioner First Data - Exhibit 1005 - Page 12
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`5,774,879
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`5
`shown in FIG. 1. An important technical advantage of the
`integrated system of the present invention inheres in the fact
`that the grammar files 24 allow for user-sensitive program-
`mability of the graphical user interface 18. In operation, a
`user identification is used by the integrated system to select
`an appropriate grammar file from which to provide the data
`for the fields within the screens of the graphical user
`interface 18. This data is taken on a field-by-field basis from
`one of the grammar files 24 applicable to the particular user
`of the integrated system. Accordingly, the fields of text that
`are used by the graphical user interface 18 are not hard-
`coded textual material, but are in fact variables that can be
`changed by manipulating the grammar files 24.
`In this
`manner, the graphical user interface 18 can be customized on
`a user-by-user basis. For example, a standard grammar file
`can be stored within grammar file 24 to provide for English
`textual material to appear within the screens of the graphical
`user interface 18. In addition, a foreign language equivalent
`of the standard grammar file can also be stored in grammar
`files 24 for use by users of the graphical user interface 18
`fluent in that foreign language. In this manner, an English-
`speaking user and a Spanish-speaking user can use the
`identical functionality of the integrated system through
`graphical user interfaces which are customized to their
`particular language preference. In addition, the execution
`control processor 10 provides for editing capability of the
`grammar files to allow for particular installation of the
`integrated system to customize the grammar files to their
`own needs. For example, a particular financial institution
`might not refer to their personnel as “tellers” but might
`prefer
`the term “customer service representatives”.
`Accordingly, the variable associated with the term “teller”
`within the grammar files 24 could be changed by a super-
`visor at that installation to “customer service representa-
`tives”.
`
`The grammar files 24 are linked through the security
`processor 12 to the profiles associated with particular users
`of the integrated system. In this manner, a user is shown the
`textual material within the graphical user interface 18
`according to his preferences and according to his security
`level as monitored by the security processor 12.
`The parameter files 26 provide for additional config—
`urability for the integrated system. The parameter files 26
`include values for variables associated with the operation of
`the integrated system that require more rigorous monitoring
`than those associated with the variable textual material
`
`within the grammar files 24. For example, the parameter
`files 26 may store fee structures, security codes, user iden-
`tification codes, transaction dollar limits and printing param-
`eters. These parameters are not fully variable in the sense
`that the values for the parameters must be within some
`defined range in order for the proper functioning of the
`integrated system. The execution control processor 10 and
`the security processor 12 cooperate to allow the editing of
`the parameters provided that the user attempting to do the
`editing has sufficient security and supervisory authority. The
`security associated with the parameter files 26 may comprise
`many levels. For example, a teller in a financial institution
`may not have access to any of the parameter files 26. A
`supervisor at the financial institution may have access to
`some parameters, but might not have access to identification
`numbers for the financial institution or for parameters which
`disable whole sections of the integrated system that are not
`implemented at
`that particular financial
`institution.
`In
`addition, the financial institution supervisor may not have
`access to particular dollar limits on transactions that have
`been imposed on that financial institution by the operator of
`a super server or host accounting facility.
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`Certain parameters within parameter files 26 can affect the
`operation of the graphical user interface 18. For example, a
`particular parameter might select a check format
`that
`requires a different set of data entry screens to be presented
`to the user.
`
`The execution control processor 10 is also coupled to a
`print processor 28 which serves as an interface between the
`execution control processor 10 and a printer 30. In general,
`the print processor 28 operates to communicate data to be
`printed by the printer 30. The printer 30 serves to print the
`financial
`instruments such as money orders and official
`checks created and documented by the integrated system.
`The printer 30 also functions to print various reports asso-
`ciated with the operation of the integrated system. The
`printer 30 may comprise a laser printer that is capable of
`printing using a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)
`font. The MICR font is used to place encoded characters on
`each of the financial instruments based on a standard as
`
`prescribed by the American Banking Association that can be
`read by magnetic character recognition systems used by the
`financial
`institution cashing the financial
`instrument.
`In
`addition to the ability to access a MICR font, the printer 30
`has a variety of other security features to enable the secure
`operation of the integrated system. The printer 30 is capable
`of bidirectional communication through the print processor
`28 to the execution control processor 10. In this manner, the
`printer 30 can request and receive a password from the
`execution control processor 10 prior to accessing the MICR
`font
`to create a financial
`instrument. This bidirectional
`
`communication further allows the printer to communicate
`error codes created during the printing process to the execu-
`tion control processor 10 to allow the execution control
`processor 10 to establish which financial instruments have
`been created prior to the error condition and which have not
`been created prior to the error condition. These error codes
`may comprise, for example, data indicating that the printer
`is jammed, that the toner is low or out, that the printer is out
`of paper or off-line. The information as to exactly what has
`and has not been printed by the printer 30 is essential to
`proper accounting for the financial instrument. For example,
`if a series of financial instruments such as money orders are
`being printed and a printer jam occurs after two of them have
`printed, the execution control processor 10 must properly
`log the creation of two financial
`instruments and must
`attempt to recreate the third financial instrument. If the
`printer 30 were not able to communicate the error condition
`back to the execution control processor 10, the execution
`control processor 10 might assume erroneously that every
`item that was sent to print actually printed.
`The ability of the printer 30 to access on a secure basis a
`MICR font allows for the creation of the financial instru-
`
`ments to be accomplished within the p