CheckWizard, a non-practicing entity, has launched an aggressive litigation campaign involving Patent US10140514B1. This patent is currently at the center of seven active lawsuits against major financial institutions, including Bank of America, H&R Block, Regions Bank, and others. With a total of 27 related parties in this dispute, it’s clear that CheckWizard is making bold moves in the financial technology space.
So, what exactly is this patent about? US10140514B1 covers a system for processing and verifying check deposits using digital image recognition and fraud detection techniques. Essentially, it aims to streamline check verification by analyzing scanned check images for authenticity before processing transactions. Given the rise of mobile banking and remote deposit capture (RDC), this technology plays a crucial role in preventing fraud and ensuring secure financial transactions.
Why is CheckWizard targeting these companies? The patent likely aligns with core banking practices, and major banks rely on similar technology for check processing. If CheckWizard successfully enforces its patent, financial institutions could face significant licensing fees or operational changes.
That is where Global Patent Search (GPS) becomes an essential tool. By identifying related patents, GPS enables legal teams to evaluate whether the patented invention was truly novel at the time of filing. In this article, we will break down the US10140514B1 patent, examine five potential prior art references, and explore whether CheckWizard’s claims hold up against existing technologies.
Understanding Patent US10140514B1
The US10140514B1 patent, owned by CheckWizard, focuses on image-based communication using mobile devices and servers. It describes a system that allows users to capture, transmit, and share images within virtual networks for a limited time. The core idea is to enable secure, dynamic, and time-sensitive image sharing, making it useful for social, professional, and enterprise networks.
This patent builds on existing mobile imaging and communication technologies but adds structured relationships between images, encryption, and profile-based access. It also incorporates RFID and biometric security features, making it more than just a simple photo-sharing system.
Source: Google Patents
Its four key features are:
#1. Time-limited image sharing – The patent enables images to be available for a set period before disappearing, similar to ephemeral messaging systems.
#2. Virtual image networks – Users can create connected image networks, linking images together based on predefined relationships or automated system learning.
#3. Image profiles with metadata – Each image has an attached profile containing audio, text, encryption details, timestamps, and relationships to other images.
#4. Secure image distribution – The system integrates encryption, access control, and biometric authentication to ensure that only authorized users can view or share images.
CheckWizard is targeting major financial institutions because check processing and fraud detection heavily rely on image-based technologies. Banks use remote deposit capture (RDC) and image recognition to verify checks, which could overlap with the claims in this patent. If CheckWizard successfully enforces this patent, banks may be required to pay licensing fees or modify their systems to avoid infringement.
Related Patent Reference for US10140514B1
#1. US20010001865A1
This patent, filed on October 27, 1998, describes a system for capturing, sharing, and displaying images using an internet access appliance with telephony and image capture capabilities. It enables users to upload images to a network server and selectively share them with specific individuals such as family members, friends, and business associates. While it does not explicitly disclose a mobile device linked to a virtual network, it provides a framework for digital image transmission and access control, making it partially relevant to US10140514B1.
Source: Google Patents
Key Features of this Related Patent
- Image sharing through network appliances – Describes a system for sharing images through a web-based platform, allowing users to store and distribute digital images.
- Camera-enabled devices for image capture – Discusses digital cameras and camcorders as tools for acquiring images before uploading them to a server.
- Image transmission and storage on a server – Explains how images are uploaded and stored on network servers for later access.
- Access control for image entities – Mentions that selected individuals (e.g., family or business contacts) can view uploaded images, similar to controlled access in a virtual network.
Which features of US10140514B1 are disclosed by US20010001865A1?
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| A mobile device is associated with a user affiliated with a virtual network | Partially Disclosed |
| The mobile device has cameras configured to acquire an image | Fully Disclosed |
| One or more processors are configured to construct an image entity using the acquired image | Partially Disclosed |
| A transmit unit sends the image entity to servers | Fully Disclosed |
| The sent image entity is accessible to recognized users of the virtual network | Partially Disclosed |
| The image entity is accessible via user devices and/or applications in communication with the servers | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from US20010001865A1
“According to an example embodiment, digital images are captured, downloaded to an internet access appliance with internet telephony and image capture capability, or downloaded directly to network storage through the network application.”
#2. GB2403099A
This patent, filed on June 20, 2003, describes a system for capturing, storing, and sharing image items using a mobile device. It allows a user to capture an image with a mobile camera, assign access codes, and transmit the image to a networked service system, where selected individuals can retrieve and view it. The system also enables restricted access through predefined viewer sets, making it relevant to the access control and sharing functionalities described in US10140514B1.
Key Features of this Related Patent
- Mobile device association with networked services – Describes a mobile entity linked to a service system, allowing image storage and sharing.
- Camera functionality for image capture – Mentions built-in cameras for capturing image items and transferring them to a network.
- Image transmission to a service system – Covers sending images to network servers for remote access and storage.
- Restricted access to selected users – Discusses viewer sets, where only specified individuals can access stored images, similar to controlled sharing within a virtual network.
Which features of US10140514B1 are disclosed by GB2403099A?
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| A mobile device is associated with a user affiliated with a virtual network | Fully Disclosed |
| The mobile device has cameras configured to acquire an image | Fully Disclosed |
| One or more processors are configured to construct an image entity using the acquired image | Partially Disclosed |
| A transmit unit sends the image entity to servers | Fully Disclosed |
| The sent image entity is accessible to recognized users of the virtual network | Fully Disclosed |
| The image entity is accessible via user devices and/or applications in communication with the servers | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from GB2403099A
“With reference to Figure 1, a user has a mobile entity by means of which the user can capture an image item and send it over a communications infrastructure to an image-item storage service system with which the user is registered.”
#3. WO0158160A1
This patent, filed on February 1, 2000, describes a system for distributing image objects over a mobile communication network. It allows users to transmit image objects to a media center, where the system processes, stores, and selectively distributes images based on user profiles. The system also delivers images to communication-enabled terminals, ensuring controlled accessibility based on user preferences. While it does not explicitly mention an image entity or a virtual network, it presents concepts of image transmission, access control, and processing, making it partially relevant to US10140514B1.
Key Features of this Related Patent
- Mobile device association with communication networks – Describes mobile devices linked to a media center, allowing image storage and controlled distribution.
- Processing and interest-based distribution of images – Mentions a system that identifies user preferences and delivers relevant image objects accordingly.
- Transmission of images within a mobile network – Explains how images are transferred through a communication network and made accessible to designated users.
- User-based accessibility of images – Discusses user-specific access to image objects, similar to controlled sharing within a virtual network.
Here’s how the mapping from the tool for this particular patent looks like:
Source: GPS
Which features of US10140514B1 are disclosed by WO0158160A1?
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| A mobile device is associated with a user affiliated with a virtual network | Partially Disclosed |
| The mobile device has cameras configured to acquire an image | Partially Disclosed |
| One or more processors are configured to construct an image entity using the acquired image | Partially Disclosed |
| A transmit unit sends the image entity to servers | Partially Disclosed |
| The sent image entity is accessible to recognized users of the virtual network | Partially Disclosed |
| The image entity is accessible via user devices and/or applications in communication with the servers | Partially Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from WO0158160A1
“As part of the system for the distribution of picture objects, a communication network allows communication-enabled terminals to interact with a media center, where image objects are stored, processed, and selectively distributed based on user preferences.”
#4. FR2833129A1
This patent, filed on November 30, 2001, describes a system for capturing and organizing digital images based on contextual parameters, such as location data, time stamps, and user preferences. The system allows portable devices to communicate with servers, enabling users to retrieve and view images recorded by others within a network. While it does not explicitly mention an image entity or a virtual network, it introduces server-based image access and metadata-based organization, making it partially relevant to US10140514B1.
Key Features of this Related Patent
- Portable terminal with network connectivity – Describes a portable device (e.g., mobile phone or digital camera) that connects to servers via a gateway for image retrieval and sharing.
- Camera-equipped devices for capturing images – Mentions that the portable terminal can be a digital camera or a device capable of recording still and animated images.
- Contextual metadata association with images – Explains how images are associated with metadata, such as location and time, to allow context-based retrieval.
- User selection and server-based image access – Users can select and retrieve images stored on a server, similar to access-controlled image networks.
Which features of US10140514B1 are disclosed by FR2833129A1?
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| A mobile device is associated with a user affiliated with a virtual network | Partially Disclosed |
| The mobile device has cameras configured to acquire an image | Fully Disclosed |
| One or more processors are configured to construct an image entity using the acquired image | Partially Disclosed |
| A transmit unit sends the image entity to servers | Partially Disclosed |
| The sent image entity is accessible to recognized users of the virtual network | Partially Disclosed |
| The image entity is accessible via user devices and/or applications in communication with the servers | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from FR2833129A1
“A portable terminal provided with a display screen is connected to a first server via a gateway, allowing digital data communication over a network for image retrieval and sharing.”
#5. KR20010093075A
This patent, filed on March 26, 2001, describes a communication system that allows the transmission of image data between a mobile device and a service provider system. It enables users to capture images with a camera-equipped terminal, process the data using onboard processors, and transmit the images to a server for storage and sharing. While it does not explicitly mention constructing an image entity using an image profile, it presents a networked image-sharing system, making it relevant to US10140514B1.
Key Features of this Related Patent
- Mobile device integration with a virtual network – Describes a user terminal device connected to a communication service provider, aligning with virtual network affiliation.
- Camera-equipped mobile device for image capture – Mentions a built-in camera (103) for capturing images within the communication network.
- Transmission of image data to a server – Describes sending images from a user terminal to a server via a communication interface.
- User device accessibility to transmitted images – Explains how connected devices retrieve and view image data, similar to image sharing in a virtual network.
Which features of US10140514B1 are disclosed by KR20010093075A?
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| A mobile device is associated with a user affiliated with a virtual network | Fully Disclosed |
| The mobile device has cameras configured to acquire an image | Fully Disclosed |
| One or more processors are configured to construct an image entity using the acquired image | Partially Disclosed |
| A transmit unit sends the image entity to servers | Fully Disclosed |
| The sent image entity is accessible to recognized users of the virtual network | Partially Disclosed |
| The image entity is accessible via user devices and/or applications in communication with the servers | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from KR20010093075A
“The user terminal device transmits image data to a server apparatus via a communication interface, making it accessible to other connected user terminal devices within the system.”
Feature Comparison Table
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | US20010001865A1 | GB2403099A | WO0158160A1 | FR2833129A1 | KR20010093075A |
| A mobile device is associated with a user affiliated with a virtual network | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed |
| The mobile device has cameras configured to acquire an image | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed |
| One or more processors are configured to construct an image entity using the acquired image | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| The image entity is constructed using an image profile of the acquired image | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| A transmit unit sends the image entity to servers | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed |
| The sent image entity is accessible to recognized users of the virtual network | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| The image entity is accessible via user devices and/or applications in communication with the servers | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed |
How to Find Related Patents Using Global Patent Search?
Finding related patents is essential when evaluating the validity of a patent, especially in cases of litigation or licensing disputes. The Global Patent Search (GPS) tool simplifies this process by providing comprehensive, data-driven insights to identify relevant related patent references. Here’s how you use it:
Search by patent number or description – Quickly retrieve relevant patents, published applications, and non-patent literature by entering a patent number (e.g., US10140514B1) or using descriptive keywords related to the technology.
Source: GPS
Leverage feature mapping – The GPS tool automatically compares key features of the target patent against existing patents, providing a structured feature-by-feature analysis to identify potential overlaps.
Review matching results – View a curated list of related patent references, categorized by degree of similarity, disclosure level, and technological relevance.
Analyze detailed reports – The GPS tool generates in-depth reports, showing how related patent references align with specific claims of the patent in question. These reports are crucial for legal professionals assessing patent validity and infringement risks.
Make confident decisions – With data-backed insights, users can refine legal strategies, determine potential invalidity arguments, and strengthen their case using solid related patent evidence.
By using Global Patent Search, patent professionals and legal teams can streamline their related patent research process and gain a competitive edge in litigation and patent disputes.
Take the Guesswork Out of Patent Research with Global Patent Search
Patent disputes can be complex, but identifying related patents doesn’t have to be. The Global Patent Search (GPS) tool provides a fast, reliable, and data-driven approach to analyzing patent claims and finding relevant references that could impact a patent’s validity.
With GPS, you get:
- Instant results – Quickly uncover related patents and technical disclosures without manual searching.
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Ensure you have the best patent references at your fingertips. Start your search with Global Patent Search today.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The related patent references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search (GPS) tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive related patent analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.
