A tabletop box that holds your phone and aligns checks for mobile deposit
A small open-front container that holds a smartphone in a fixed position above a tray with removable stencils sized to the dimensions of common checks, so the phone camera can reliably image a check for mobile deposit apps. It’s aimed at people who struggle to hold a phone steady, older adults or anyone who wants repeatable alignment for check capture. The kit uses an opening in the top for the camera and outline markings to position the phone, plus tray fasteners and changeable stencil inserts sized for different check types.
(57) What the patent covered
The main independent claim covers a container with top, bottom, back and two sides (open front) that supports a tray via fasteners; the tray includes a base, a removable stencil with an opening sized to specific check dimensions; the top has a camera-sized opening and outline markings for phone placement so the mobile device can capture check images for a mobile deposit application.
The distinctive part: Including a tray with interchangeable stencils sized to standard check measurements together with a phone-alignment opening and markings in a single container designed to stabilize camera capture for mobile deposit.
Novelty 3/5. Mobile deposit apps and flat guides for photography existed, but combining a small box, removable stencils sized to multiple check formats, and a phone-position aperture as an all-in-one consumer kit was a practical refinement rather than a wholly new product.
Making it
injection-molded plastic shell, stamped or laser-cut stencil plates, simple fasteners or molded shelf rails, and manual assembly of stencils and decals
Materials: injection-molded plastic (ABS or PP), thin plastic or metal stencil plates, foam or felt pads for non-slip support, adhesive-backed outline markings (or printed top)
Manufacturability 4/5. Simple molded box plus a few stamped or laser-cut stencil pieces and basic fasteners; low tooling cost for a single injection mold and easy hand assembly.
Is anyone buying?
Comparable products are on sale; this exact design wasn't found. Typical retail price: $18. Made-in-USA listing; explicitly mentions use for digitizing checks for deposit; product is a compact copy stand/desk stand that could be used to position a phone over a check, not a bank-provided certified check scanner.
- Cosmo Mini 100 Copy Stand for Digitizing Photos, Documents, Checks... · USA Products Only17.99
This demand check was run with a web search in the week of Oct 5, 2026. Listings change often, so treat it as a starting point for your own research.
Who buys it: older adults, caregivers, small-business owners who deposit checks remotely
Before you make it
We didn't find any related continuation or divisional patents still in force, although that doesn't rule out design patents, trademarks or unrelated patents covering the same product.
Practical risks are limited, market is narrow and consumers often use free app guides or camera stands; check-image quality also depends on phone cameras and bank app acceptance rather than the kit alone. No legal advice.
Owners occasionally revive lapsed patents (about 1.5% are), and this page is a research lead rather than legal advice, so get a freedom-to-operate opinion before you manufacture anything.