Patents by Inventor Eric L. Hopper

Eric L. Hopper has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fraud prevention system and method
    Publication number: 20030174823
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing fraud. The method typically includes identifying one or more fraud indicators and examining past transactions and/or a pending transaction associated with the account for the presence of the fraud indicators. The method also includes, by said examining, detecting at least one of the fraud indicators. The method also includes calculating a cumulative fraud risk level associated with the pending transaction based on the detected fraud indicators. The method may also include determining whether the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, verifying the request for the transaction with an owner of the account. The method may further include assigning a weighted value to each of the fraud indicators. The account is typically a telephone calling account, such as a calling card account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Scott C. Justice, Eric L. Hopper, Ken C. Obrist
  • Telephone calling account system and method
    Publication number: 20030048888
    Abstract: A telephone calling account system, method, and card. The method typically includes determining a preexisting account designator of a preexisting account, creating a telephone calling account on a calling platform, and assigning to the telephone calling account the preexisting account designator of the preexisting account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Eric L. Hopper, Keith E. Steele, Douglas M. Fieldhouse
  • Fraud prevention system and method
    Patent number: 6516056
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing fraud. The method typically includes identifying one or more fraud indicators and examining past transactions and/or a pending transaction associated with the account for the presence of the fraud indicators. The method also includes, by said examining, detecting at least one of the fraud indicators. The method also includes calculating a cumulative fraud risk level associated with the pending transaction based on the detected fraud indicators. The method may also include determining whether the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, verifying the request for the transaction with an owner of the account. The method may further include assigning a weighted value to each of the fraud indicators. The account is typically a telephone calling account, such as a calling card account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Vesta Corporation
    Inventors: Scott C. Justice, Eric L. Hopper, Ken C. Obrist
  • Telephone calling account system and method
    Patent number: 6404866
    Abstract: A telephone calling account system, method, and card. The method typically includes determining a preexisting account designator of a preexisting account, creating a telephone calling account on a calling platform, and assigning to the telephone calling account the preexisting account designator of the preexisting account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Vesta Corporation
    Inventors: Eric L. Hopper, Keith E. Steele, Douglas M. Fieldhouse