'Digital Cheques'

This article is very short, so first, please listen to the news article: Click here to listen

Questions:
1) What would be the benefit of this system, as opposed to traditional cheques?
2) Is this UK bank plan an original idea?
3) Cheques (known as 'checks' in USA) are not familiar in Japan. Do you know how they work?

If you couldn't catch everything from listening, then please see the article here.
You can see the full BBC article here.

Example answers:
1) It would be faster and more convenient. With regular cheques, one has to go to the bank after receiving a cheque in order to cash it.
2) No. The article states that this system is already being used in the US.
3) Your bank issues you with a book of cheques. Each page has your bank account details on it, and you write the name of the person to whom you are paying, and the amount of money you wish to pay, then the date, and then you sign it. There is a card accompanying the cheque which shows a sample of your signature. When the payee cashes the cheque, the amount of money is taken directly from your bank account; there is no credit. It is useful because you can pay money to anyone; not only shops, without having to carry cash.