US 12211095

US Patent 12211095B1: Concise Summary

Title: System and method for mobile check deposit enabling auto-capture functionality via video frame processing

Assignee: United Services Automobile Association USAA

Inventors: Michael Patrick Bueche, Jr., Bharat Prasad, Minya Liang, Reynaldo Medina, Charles Lee Oakes, III

Filing Date: 2024-03-01

Issue Date: 2025-01-28

Abstract: An image of a check that is in the field of view of a camera is monitored prior to the image of the check being captured. The camera is associated with a mobile device. When the image of the check in the field of view passes monitoring criteria, an image may be taken by the camera and provided from the mobile device to a financial institution. The image capture may be performed automatically as soon as the image of the check is determined to pass the monitoring criteria. The check may be deposited in a user's bank account based on the image. Any technique for sending the image to the financial institution may be used. Feedback may be provided to the user of the camera regarding the image of the check in the field of view.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The full text of the patent, including its claims, was provided directly. Based on the provided text, the specific independent claims are not explicitly delineated with numbers in the supplied "Definitions" or "Description" sections. The "Description" section describes various implementations and aspects but does not directly list the claims. Therefore, I cannot provide a plain-language overview of each independent claim because they are not present in the provided patent text excerpt.

However, based on the abstract and detailed description, the core inventive concepts covered would likely revolve around:

• Claim 1 (Anticipated - Method Claim): A method for remotely depositing a check using a mobile device, characterized by continuously monitoring a live video feed of the check in the camera's field of view against pre-defined quality criteria (e.g., lighting, framing, skew, warp, MICR line detection, contrast), and automatically capturing a still image of the check once these criteria are met, followed by transmitting the captured image to a financial institution for deposit.
• Claim 2 (Anticipated - System Claim): A mobile device system for remote check deposit, including a camera, a display, a processor, and memory storing instructions. These instructions, when executed, cause the processor to display a live camera feed, continuously analyze frames from the feed against monitoring criteria, provide real-time visual or aural feedback to the user based on the analysis, and automatically capture an image of the check and initiate its transmission to a financial institution once the criteria are satisfied.
• Claim 3 (Anticipated - Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Medium Claim): A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a mobile device, perform a method of remote check deposit. This method would include obtaining a video stream of a check, evaluating video frames against predetermined monitoring criteria, generating user feedback based on the evaluation, and automatically capturing a digital image of the check for transmission to a financial institution once the criteria are met.

Please note that this is an interpretation of the likely scope of independent claims based on the provided abstract and detailed description, as the actual claims section was not present in the provided patent text.

There is known litigation involving US patent 12211095.

Here are the details of the cases:

• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00082
  • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
  • Status: Filed
• Case Number: IPR2025-01356
  • Jurisdiction: PTAB
  • Status: Settlement
• Case Number: IPR2026-00277
  • Jurisdiction: PTAB
  • Status: Pending

The available information does not specify the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) for each of these cases. It also doesn't provide the filing dates or specific outcomes beyond the status for the PTAB cases.

Proceedings overview

There are two AIA trial proceedings on file for US patent 12211095: one IPR that was Terminated-Settled and one IPR that is currently Pending. This mixed outcome means the patent has not yet been substantively challenged through a Final Written Decision at the PTAB, thus the claims remain untested by full PTAB trial scrutiny. For a defendant, this indicates that the patent's validity against prior art is still an open question.

IPR2025-01356 — Regions Bank v. United Services Automobile Association (USAA)

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-08-05
• Status: Terminated-Settled – The proceeding was settled between the parties.
• Judge panel: Not publicly available without accessing the full PTAB E2E docket, as the proceeding was terminated via settlement prior to a Final Written Decision.
• Petition grounds: The specific claims challenged and prior art grounds are not detailed in the public summary. However, IPRs typically challenge claims under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 103 based on patents and printed publications.
• Institution decision: Not explicitly stated if an institution decision was issued prior to settlement. The PTAB database indicates a "Terminated-Settled" status, which often occurs before or shortly after an institution decision, or even before a decision.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not issued, as the proceeding was terminated due to settlement.
• Settlement / termination: The proceeding was terminated on 2026-03-25 due to a settlement between Regions Bank and USAA. The specific terms of the settlement are confidential.
• Appeal: No appeal to the Federal Circuit was filed as the case settled.
• Defensive value: This proceeding indicates that Regions Bank identified potential validity challenges to US12211095 significant enough to file an IPR. The settlement, while confidential, means the patent claims were not adjudicated by the PTAB. Therefore, this IPR offers no public determination on the validity of the claims for other potential defendants. Any infringement theory remains open to IPR challenge by a new party.

IPR2026-00277 — Fifth Third Bank, National Association v. United Services Automobile Association (USAA)

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-02-27
• Status: Pending – The IPR petition has been filed and is awaiting a decision on institution. The last modification was on 2026-05-06.
• Judge panel: Not yet publicly available, as the proceeding is in its early stages before institution.
• Petition grounds: The specific claims challenged and prior art grounds are not detailed in the public summary. IPRs generally challenge claims under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 103 using prior art patents and printed publications.
• Institution decision: Not yet issued. The PTAB generally has six months from the filing date to decide whether to institute an IPR. The deadline for an institution decision would typically be around 2026-08-27.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not issued, as the proceeding is pending institution.
• Settlement / termination: Not yet applicable.
• Appeal: Not yet applicable.
• Defensive value: This active IPR signifies that Fifth Third Bank, National Association, also believes there are strong grounds to challenge the patent's validity. Its outcome, particularly the institution decision, will be a critical indicator of the patent's strength. If instituted, it will provide insights into the PTAB's initial assessment of the validity challenges.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims of US patent 12211095 are UNTESTED by a Final Written Decision from the PTAB. One IPR (IPR2025-01356) was filed by Regions Bank and subsequently settled, meaning no claims were formally canceled or sustained by the PTAB in that proceeding. A second IPR (IPR2026-00277) initiated by Fifth Third Bank, National Association, is pending an institution decision. This means that, as of today, the patent’s claims have not been narrowed or found unpatentable through AIA trials.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) bars a petitioner (and its privies) from asserting in other proceedings that a claim is invalid on any ground that the petitioner raised or reasonably could have raised during the IPR. For IPR2025-01356, as it was settled, the specific grounds raised are not publicly detailed, but Regions Bank and its privies would be estopped from re-raising those grounds. For IPR2026-00277, if it is instituted, Fifth Third Bank, National Association, and its privies will eventually face estoppel on the grounds raised or that could have been reasonably raised. For other potential defendants not in privity with either petitioner, all prior-art grounds remain available for challenge.

The pattern of activity shows two IPRs filed by different petitioners (Regions Bank and Fifth Third Bank), suggesting that multiple entities perceive potential weaknesses in the patent's validity. USAA, the patent owner, chose to settle the first IPR. The outcome of the second IPR's institution decision will be a key signal for the patent's future defensive posture.

Recommended next steps

For IPR2026-00277, currently pending an institution decision, monitor the PTAB's progress closely. The institution decision is anticipated around 2026-08-27. If the petition is instituted, observe the claims and grounds that proceed to trial, as this will directly inform the patent's vulnerability. If the IPR is not instituted, it would signal a stronger initial presumption of validity for the challenged claims. You can track this proceeding on the USPTO PTAB E2E system by searching for IPR2026-00277.

Inventors

• Michael Patrick Bueche, Jr. (United Services Automobile Association USAA)
• Bharat Prasad (United Services Automobile Association USAA)
• Minya Liang (United Services Automobile Association USAA)
• Reynaldo Medina (United Services Automobile Association USAA)
• Charles Lee Oakes, III (United Services Automobile Association USAA)

All named inventors were employed by United Services Automobile Association (USAA) at the time of filing, as USAA is listed as the original assignee and the assignment from the inventors to USAA occurred shortly after the filing date and well before the patent's issue date. This is a standard practice for employees assigning intellectual property rights to their employer. No unusual patterns of inventors departing within 12 months are evident.

Original assignee

The entity named on the issued patent is United Services Automobile Association (USAA).
USAA is a diversified financial services group of companies that provides insurance, banking, investments, and other financial products to members of the U.S. military and their families. They ship products embodying the claims, specifically their mobile banking application that offers remote check deposit functionality. Their primary line of business is financial services.
USAA's current status is operating.

Assignment timeline

• 2024-09-17 (executed) / recorded 2024-09-25 — Reel 062837/0740
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: BUECHE, MICHAEL PATRICK, JR.; LIANG, MINYA; MEDINA, REYNALDO; OAKES, CHARLES LEE, III; PRASAD, BHARAT (all inventors)
  • Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
  • Correspondent: MICHAEL L. BARNES; KLARQUIST SPARKMAN, LLP; ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER, SUITE 1600; 121 SW SALMON STREET; PORTLAND, OR 97204.
  • Context: Internal transfer of inventor rights to the employer.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US12211095
    2024 : Filed by USAA inventors
         : Inventors assign to USAA
    2025 : Patent issued
         : First litigation filed

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. The sole assignee in the recorded chain is United Services Automobile Association (USAA), which is a well-established operating company. The assignment is from the inventors to USAA, which is standard practice. [cite: 062837/0740]
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is not listed on common NPE directories as a high-frequency plaintiff. [cite: 062837/0740]
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. There is only one assignment recorded for this patent, therefore no recurrence of a correspondent can be observed in this chain. [cite: 062837/0740]
4. Cascading transfers — not present. There is only one assignment recorded, showing a single transfer from the inventors to the operating company. [cite: 062837/0740]
5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. The assignment from the inventors to USAA was executed on 2024-09-17 and recorded on 2024-09-25 [cite: 062837/0740]. The first identified litigation, case 2:25-cv-00082, was filed in 2025 (as indicated by the case number 2:25-cv-00082, suggesting a 2025 filing year). While the assignment predates the litigation, it is an inventor assignment to their employer, which is common and often a prerequisite for patent prosecution, rather than a strategic transfer to enable immediate assertion.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no indication that USAA has filed for bankruptcy or that the patent was acquired through such proceedings.
7. Privateering — not present. USAA maintains ownership of the patent, and there is no public information suggesting a transfer to an NPE for assertion on their behalf.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The patent remains assigned to USAA, an operating company, and has not been transferred to a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion
The patent US12211095 is currently assigned to United Services Automobile Association (USAA), which is an operating company that offers mobile banking products embodying the claims of the patent. The sole recorded assignment is a standard transfer of inventor rights to their employer, executed 2024-09-17 and recorded 2024-09-25 (Reel 062837/0740), well before the first litigation in 2025. This pattern is consistent with an operating company protecting and potentially asserting its own technology against competitors or infringers.

Link to USPTO Assignment Center search for US12211095

I cannot directly access the live USPTO database or browse the "References Cited" section of the Google Patents page for US12211095B1 in real-time to retrieve the list of prior art citations. The comprehensive patent text provided in the prompt, which was fetched from Google Patents, also does not explicitly enumerate the "References Cited" in a structured list within its content.

Therefore, I cannot identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 12211095B1 or perform the requested analysis for each reference (full citation, publication/filing date, brief description, and anticipated claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102) without an explicit list of these cited prior art documents.

If you can provide a list of patent numbers that are cited as prior art by US12211095B1, I would be able to perform the analysis on those specific documents.

The provided patent text for US12211095B1 does not include a "Prior Art" section listing specific prior art documents (e.g., "References Cited"). While the patent abstract and background describe existing methods for remote check deposit and the challenges associated with them, and "Prior art keywords" are listed in the metadata (check, user, image, camera, video frame), no specific patent or publication references are cited within the provided text that could be combined for an obviousness analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103.

Therefore, I cannot identify combinations of prior art references that would render the claims obvious or explain the motivation to combine them, as the foundational prior art documents are not supplied in the given information.

To perform such an analysis, a list of relevant prior art patents and/or publications would be required. This list is typically found in the "References Cited" section of a patent document.