Patents Examined by Kirsten Apple
  • Patent number: 8671040
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for developing and implementing a credit risk model using various sources of data, including price data, financial accounting ratios, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) data, and textual data are disclosed. Each source of data provides unique and distinct information about the health of an entity, such as a firm or company. The systems and techniques combine information from disparate sources to create a uniquely powerful signal. The systems and techniques can be used to predict a number of events including, but not limited to, probability of default or bankruptcy, loss given default, probability of rating agency rating change, and probability of equity price moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Reuters Global Resources
    Inventors: Ryan D. Roser, George P. Bonne
  • Patent number: 8666880
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for offering transaction account consumers with payment term options to pay a minimum amount due early, defer payment into the following payment cycle, and pay a standard amount when due. When generating a periodic billing statement, the invention determines a consumer's eligibility to elect early payment, deferred payment, and regular payment. When a consumer is eligible for early payment, a received payment is compared to a discount rate tier, then a discount amount is calculated and credited to the consumer's account. When the consumer is eligible for deferred payment, the system calculates a new current minimum payment due by multiplying the current non-deferred balance by a predetermined percentage amount and adding the result to the deferred balance. When the consumer is not eligible for deferred payment, the system calculates a new current minimum due by summing the current non-deferred balance with the deferred balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ang, Boudhayan Choudhuri, Jessica Kaplan, David Lowy, Gyanesh Narayan, Eric Nielsen, Christine Vega
  • Patent number: 8666857
    Abstract: A computer system for administering a life insurance policy is configured to, responsive to receipt of certification that the insured has either loss of ability to perform two activities of daily living or cognitive impairment, provide instructions to pay an owner of the policy, in periodic payments, an accelerated benefit, the accelerated benefit being in an amount less than the death benefit, a first of the periodic payments being for a time period commencing on a date of receipt of the certification, and continuing until the insured no longer has the loss of ability to perform two activities of daily living or cognitive impairment. The system is further configured to, responsive to each of the periodic payments, determine a reduction of the amount of the death benefit by an amount of each of the periodic payments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Prudential Insurance Company of America
    Inventors: Michael J. Roscoe, Paul M. Fischer, Shawn Hilario, Stephen A. Roche
  • Patent number: 8666891
    Abstract: The specification and drawing figures describe and illustrate a point-of-sale payment system. The point-of-sale payment system includes a mobile wireless communications instrument having at least one data processor. The data processor is capable of automatically selecting a payment instrument for transmitting a payment sum across a mobile wireless communications network and, if necessary, a credit network. The point-of-sale payment system may also include a data transmission subsystem for receipt, storage, processing, and transmittal of data across the wireless communications network and/or the data transmission subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: John Richard Roberts
  • Patent number: 8660923
    Abstract: A system and method of performing a value-advance money transfer comprising: receiving a money transfer request; determining whether an account associated with a sender of funds includes a sufficient amount of funds to cover a money transfer request; providing an amount of funds from a money transfer provider to the account associated with the sender to cover the money transfer request; making the amount of funds available to the sender for use in the money transfer; and executing a money transfer from the account to the control of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Kurt Bulawa, Michele Demark, Michael Michelsen, David A. Owen
  • Patent number: 8650118
    Abstract: A method is provided for supporting processing of a transaction conducted between two parties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: CardinalCommerce Corporation
    Inventors: Chandra S. Balasubramanian, Francis M. Sherwin, Michael A. Keresman
  • Patent number: 8650106
    Abstract: A method of processing overhead imagery of a property includes providing a processor and receiving an insurance claim associated with the property. The method also includes receiving images of the property from one or more overhead image sources, positionally correlating the images using the processor, and detecting structural damage associated with the property using the positionally correlated images. The method further includes processing the insurance claim associated with the property based on detecting the structural damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: United Sevices Automobile Association
    Inventor: John Chandler Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 8650081
    Abstract: Predictive modeling, in which a first simulation model that simulates a first policy for managing a set of data is determined based on a pattern representative of the set of data and first operating variables for the first policy. The first simulation model is optimized and first prediction data that estimates performance of the first policy is computed using the optimized first simulation model. A second simulation model that simulates a second policy for managing the set of data is determined based on the pattern and second operating variables for the second policy. The second simulation model is optimized and second prediction data that estimates performance of the second policy is computed using the optimized second simulation model. The first prediction data is compared with the second prediction data, and a determination of whether the first policy is better than the second policy is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Binyamin Basel, Yizhak Idan
  • Patent number: 8645266
    Abstract: A method of processing of a transaction between a first and second party is provided. The first party accepts payment via a plurality of different payment options selectable by the second party, and the plurality of different payment options are associated with a plurality of different authentication protocols prescribed therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: CardinalCommerce Corporation
    Inventors: Chandra Balasubramanian, Francis M. Sherwin, Michael A. Keresman, III, Adam Ratica
  • Patent number: 8639620
    Abstract: A financial card, also referred to as an evacuation card, may be activated by an institution during an evacuation and may be used in accordance with usage parameters for the purchase of goods and services from merchants during an evacuation. After the evacuation ends, the financial card may be deactivated. The financial card may have a predetermined spending limit or no spending limit as determined by the institution. The spending limit may be modified during an evacuation, such as if the event underlying the evacuation becomes more severe or the duration of the evacuation increases, for example. In an implementation, the financial card may only be used for purchases within a particular geographic location as determined by the institution, may only be used to purchase certain items, and/or may only be used to make purchases at certain merchants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Bradly Jay Billman
  • Patent number: 8635105
    Abstract: A system assesses consumer experience portrayal effectiveness by evaluating neuro-response measurements for a consumer directly experiencing stimulus and/or indirectly experiencing stimulus through observation of another. Neuro-response measurements are collected using multiple modalities to evaluate personal and observed experiences of products, services, offerings, and stimulus. Examples of neuro-response measurements include Electroencephalography (EEG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Electrocardiograms (EKG), Electrooculography (EOG), eye tracking, and facial emotion encoding measurements. In many instances, neuro-response data is combined with other data and analyzed to assess total consumer experience portrayal effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Anantha Pradeep, Robert T. Knight, Ramachandran Gurumoorthy
  • Patent number: 8635133
    Abstract: A system comprising a processor configured to calculate a location for a server along a communication link between a first trading center and a second trading center based at least in part on a property of the communication link. The server may be configured to send first trade instructions for trading a first financial instrument to the first trading center and send second trade instructions for trading a second financial instrument to the second trading center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Cameron E. Freer, Alexander D. Wissner-Gross
  • Patent number: 8635140
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an approach to constructing and implementing risk rating products that provides a number of advantages. Instead of hard-coding attributes of a risk rating scheme, which requires the assistance of a trained programming specialist for any modifications, adjustments, or new products, the present invention provides a set of modular tools that assist non-specialists in on-the-fly generation and implementation of risk rating products. The modularity of this approach facilitates the modification and/or updating of a system component without affecting the operation of other components. Described herein are embodiments of system tools configured to read a risk rating scheme data-structure and generate a user interface whereby a user may enter information characteristic of an insurable risk and receive a quote indicative of a price for binding an insurance policy to the candidate risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Insight Catastrophe Group, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Ziade, Terrence McLean
  • Patent number: 8635138
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method determines determine an adequacy of a process to sell an entity responsive to competition, fairness, thoroughness, and good faith. A computer evaluates a sale of an entity by rating solicitation efforts associated with potential buyers of the entity (audience), by rating information about the entity prepared for potential buyers, by rating time frames surrounding the sale (timing), by rating circumstances associated with a transfer of the entity, and by rating a negotiation and execution efforts associated with the sale of the entity. Each criteria investigated is provided a weighting factor, where the weighting factor for the audience and transfer is around 0.25, the factor for the information and negotiation and execution is around 0.20, and the weighting factor for the timing is around 0.10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Steven R. Strom
    Inventor: Steven R. Strom
  • Patent number: 8626631
    Abstract: An adaptive closed loop decision engine outputs actionable alerts regarding asset holdings and allocations to reduce investment volatility and improve returns over market and sector cycles without unnecessary trading activity. The decision engine performs a statistical analysis on pricing trends that generates threshold decision points for investing in or avoiding assets and for determining asset allocation weightings within a portfolio. The engine operates in a way that yields higher returns, dramatically reduces maximum drawdown and lower volatility over market cycles. It identifies conditional probabilities, when they exist, to establish decision parameters that are applied to individual investment vehicles or to portfolios of investments. If asset pricing were a purely random event, then no conditional probability advantage would exist to yield a statistical benefit. However, historical data and empirical evidence indicate that for broad market indices and many investable assets (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Harbor East Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Neal Tompkins
  • Patent number: 8626652
    Abstract: A method implemented in an electronic communication system associated with a settlement house for settling an electronic transaction between a customer and a merchant. The communication system receives through a first electronic communication path a first account identifier of a first account associated with the customer and a transaction amount from the merchant, contacts the customer through a second electronic communication path to allow the customer to select a payment method, and sends through a third electronic communication path the transaction amount and a second account identifier of a second account associated with the customer to a financial services provider associated with the payment method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Advent IP LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Shaw-Yau Chang, Matthew Chiang, David Holmes-Kinsella
  • Patent number: 8620807
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for processing bills for a customer. A request for master data of the customer is received from a first processing module by means of a second processing module having access to the master data of the customer and the master data comprising bill format information. The second processing module sends the requested master data to the first processing module and receives a bill in a format specified in the master data of the customer from the first processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: SAP Ag
    Inventors: Beat Meier, Peter Goedtler
  • Patent number: 8612322
    Abstract: A method and related system obtains consent from a user for electronic delivery of sensitive information. The user operating a first computer accesses a web page on a server system to input the consent. The web page prompts for the consent from the user. Once the consent is received at the server system, the consent is stored and sensitive information is delivered electronically to an e-mail address specified by the user. Once consent is indicated, it is communicated from the individual's computer to another computer such as a server over, for example, a modem connection. Having secured the individual's consent, the additional sensitive information may be delivered to the individual's computer as, for example, a URL attachment to an email message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Broadridge Content Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen V. Burakoff, Sergiu S. Simmel, Robert A. Fein, Alex Magary, Leonard Driscoll, Garett Wiley
  • Patent number: 8606693
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for facilitating financing of a product transaction. A method may include determining a maximum available back-end product for the product transaction as a function of one or more of a target payment limit or a total advance limit. The method may also include determining a maximum available back-end spread for the product transaction as a function of the target payment limit. The method may further include presenting the maximum available back-end product and the maximum available back-end spread. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Great Direct Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Blackburn, Jarrette Brathwaite, James Bumgarner, John M. Butler, Timothy Hackett, Jason Jones, Matt Lucas, Scott Lukse, Timothy K. Shea
  • Patent number: 8606686
    Abstract: The invention encompasses data analytics, and more specifically, encompasses the efficient gathering and management of data, and the execution of data analysis solutions on complex power and pricing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Versify Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ippolito, David Kucharczuk