Patents by Inventor Susan Smith Thomas

Susan Smith Thomas 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).

  • Patent number: 8744968
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer programs provide for automated initial and final payment for an activity based on determining the location of an activity participant's mobile communication device. The described embodiments provide for the activity participant to automatically pay for the activity based on their presence at the activity location and agreement to participate. As such, the need to check-in and/or pay for the activity at a conventional payment counter is eliminated. Further, the invention provides for an automatic final payment to be made at the conclusion of the activity as opposed to having to pre-pay for the activity prior to conducting the activity. By remitting final payment at the completion of the activity, activity pricing can be accurately determined based on the amount and/or time of the activity in which the activity participant participated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Susan Smith Thomas, Scott Lee Harkey, Laura Bondesen, Matthew A. Calman
  • Patent number: 8738450
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for assisting a consumer during a transaction with a vendor at a point of sale by providing transaction information to the consumer in an audible format. The system includes a consumer device and a payment terminal located proximate the point of sale. The consumer device, either a mobile device carried by the consumer or an immobile device also located proximate the point of sale, communicates with the payment terminal and receives transaction information such as product identity or amount information. The consumer device then produces sound waves audible to the consumer based on the communicated transaction information using one or more private and/or public listening devices. This audible transaction process can be performed automatically during a transaction or can be implemented based on consumer preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Felix A. Mon, Robert J. MacKenzie, Susan Smith Thomas, Carl Frederick, II, Jason Michael Ackiss, Maile George, Robert Fleetwood Armstrong, Erik Stephen Ross
  • Patent number: 8688594
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system comprises an interface and one or more processors. The interface receives a search request indicating that a buyer requests to search for properties to evaluate. The one or more processors determine one or more buyer preferences that describe preferred characteristics for the properties according to the buyer. The one or more processors also determine whether an available property located proximate to a device associated with the buyer satisfies at least a threshold amount of the buyer preferences. If the available property satisfies at least a threshold amount of buyer preferences, the interface communicates a notification recommending that the buyer evaluate the available property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Susan Smith Thomas, Shane Anthony Johnson, Johnny David Phillips, Lisa D. Curry, Carrie Anne Hanson, Todd Michael Ferrara, Michael P. Toner, Lauren Leigh Dearth, Philip Alan Cravitz
  • Publication number: 20140046854
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing a readable indicia associated with an advertisement associated with a product. The invention decodes the readable indicia to determine product purchase information, wherein the product purchase information is associated with the product, receives authentication credentials associated with a payment account, and processes the authentication credentials to authorize a payment associated with the product purchase information. In some embodiments, the invention extracts a link from the readable indicia or a second readable indicia associated with the advertisement and initiates a user interface associated with the link. In some embodiments, the invention populates some or all the product purchase information into at least one of a user's notes, calendar or budget, and in some, the advertisement is placed proximate the product within a merchant's business.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Peter John Bertanzetti, David M. Grigg, Matthew A. Calman, Susan Smith Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140046752
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing a readable indicia associated with an advertisement associated with a product. The invention presents a readable indicia in association with an advertisement, where the readable indicia includes instructions for triggering a data collection tool. The invention collects data from the data collection tool and analyzes characteristics of the readable indicia and the advertisement in order to determine a customer advertisement impact. The readable indicia may include information indicating at least one of a current date, a time of inception of the advertisement, a placement location of the readable indicia within the advertisement, or a visual characteristic of the readable indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Peter John Bertanzetti, David M. Grigg, Susan Smith Thomas, Matthew A. Calman
  • Publication number: 20140042218
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for collecting product information based on a navigation history of the user, the product information being associated with the product; generating a readable indicia based on the collected product information, wherein, in response to selection of the readable indicia, the readable indicia is configured to provide instructions for purchasing the product based on the collected product information; and presenting the readable indicia to the user for saving for subsequent consideration or distributing to one or more other users. In some embodiments, shipping information indicative of the user's desired destination address for the product is collected from user input and discount information is collected based on the navigation history of the user or user input. In such cases, the readable indicia may be generated based on all of the product information, the shipping information and the discount information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Grossman, David M. Grigg, Susan Smith Thomas, Matthew A. Calman
  • Publication number: 20140025574
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing readable indicia for a payment claim. An exemplary system is configured to: receive information associated with readable indicia associated with a payment claim; receive authentication credentials associated with the payment claim; and process the readable indicia and the authentication credentials to authorize a payment associated with the payment claim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Glenn Grossman, Matthew A. Calman, Susan Smith Thomas, Peter John Bertanzetti
  • Publication number: 20140025468
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing readable indicia for a rebate request. An exemplary system is configured to: receive information associated with readable indicia associated with a rebate request; and process the readable indicia to issue a rebate associated with a rebate request, wherein the rebate comprises issuance of a credit associated with a purchase previously made from the merchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Grossman, David M. Grigg, Matthew A. Calman, Susan Smith Thomas, Peter John Bertanzetti
  • Publication number: 20140006165
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products for presenting one or more offers to a user during a shopping experience including the steps of receiving an input that the user has entered a store, receiving product identifiers, comparing the product identifiers to the at least one rule, determine the one or more offers for one or more products associated with the product identifiers to the at least one rule, presenting to the user, via a user interface, the one or more offers for the one or more products before the user enters the point of transaction area of the store, receiving an input from the user accepting the one or more offers; and transmitting acceptance of the one or more offers by the user to at least one of a financial institution of the user or the merchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Alicia C. Jones, Matthew A. Calman, Susan Smith Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140006275
    Abstract: In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for electronic identification and notification of banking record discrepancies associated with the use of mobile wallet functionality. For example, in some embodiments, an apparatus is provided that comprises a communication device, and a processing device communicable coupled to the communication device, wherein the processing device is configured to (a) receive mobile wallet information from a mobile computing device of the user, wherein the mobile computing device features mobile wallet functionality; (b) compare the mobile wallet information to bank records of the user; (c) determine, based at least partially on the mobile wallet information, whether there is a discrepancy associated with the user's account; and (e) present an indication of whether there is a discrepancy associated with the user's account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Carrie Anne Hanson, Susan Smith Thomas, David A. Grigg, Peter John Bertanzetti, Matthew A. Calman
  • Publication number: 20140006259
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow a user to use multiple different payment vehicles in a single transaction to purchase a variety of different items wherein the different payment vehicles are chosen because of favorable payment terms associated with a category assigned to the item by receiving information about a transaction, assigning the items in the transaction to at least one category, determining a payment vehicle to use in completing the transaction for each item and using the communication device to transmit to the transaction device the information related to the payment vehicles determined for use in completing the transaction for each item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Matthew A. Calman, Susan Smith Thomas, Elizabeth S. Votaw, Alicia C. Jones, Peter John Bertanzetti
  • Publication number: 20140006175
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for providing a social media offer system to users. The system determines that a primary user is eligible for an offer; identifies a social media site of the primary user; provides the offer to the primary user through the social media site; receives instructions from the primary user to share the offer with at least one secondary user; and shares the offer with the secondary user based on the instructions received from the primary user. The system allows users to establish hierarchies and criteria for whom should receive the offers, how the offers should be provided to the user's social media sites, and whether the offers may be shared with others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID M. GRIGG, Alicia C. Jones, Laura Corinne Bondesen, Susan Smith Thomas, Matthew A. Calman
  • Publication number: 20140006199
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for pre-processing a sales return. The system may initiate a sales return transaction prior to a customer being physically present at a merchant store. To this extent, the system is also capable of transmitting sales return information to a merchant such that the consumer's presence is not necessary in order to process a sales return transaction. Merchants and Consumers may use QR codes to both process payments for sales transactions and initiate sales return transactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Susan Smith Thomas, Peter John Bertanzetti, Matthew A. Calman
  • Publication number: 20140006128
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products for presenting one or more offers to a user during an online shopping experience including the steps of receiving an input that the user has initiated the online shopping experience, receiving one or more product identifiers, comparing the one or more product identifiers to at least one rule, determining the one or more offers for one or more products associated with the one or more product identifiers, presenting to the user, via a user interface, the offer for the product before the consumer enters the point of transaction area of the store, receiving an input from the user accepting the one or more offers; and transmitting acceptance of the one or more offers by the user to at least one of a financial institution of the user or the merchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Alicia C. Jones, Matthew A. Calman, Susan Smith Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140006149
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided provide for notifying customers, post-transaction, of additional payment types accepted by the merchant and, in some embodiments, an option to change the payment type to one of the additional payment types. As such, the present invention serves to make the customer aware of new and emerging payment types, such as specific mobile payment types, that the customer may otherwise be unaware of their acceptance by the merchant. In addition, the merchant may provide and notify the customer of benefits (e.g., discounts, rebates/cash-back or the like) for using one of the additional payment types for a future transaction, thereby, enticing the customer to use the new and emerging payment type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Alicia C. Jones, Matthew A. Calman, Susan Smith Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140006224
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for pre-processing a sales return. The system may initiate a sales return transaction prior to a customer being physically present at a merchant store. To this extent, the system is also capable of transmitting sales return information to a merchant such that the consumer's presence is not necessary in order to process a sales return transaction. Merchants and Consumers may use QR codes to both process payments for sales transactions and initiate sales return transactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Susan Smith Thomas, Peter John Bertanzetti, Matthew A. Calman
  • Publication number: 20140006136
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products for providing an expedited presentment, registration, processing, and using offers and/or loyalty accounts at a point-of-transaction. The system may determine when a user is initiating a transaction at a point-of-transaction associated with a merchant. After the user has initiated the transaction, he/she may be presented with a detectable indicia at the point-of-transaction. An image of the indicia may be captured or scanned by the user via his/her user device. The captured indicia may provide the user with available offers and/or loyalty account or a communication link to receive available offers and/or loyalty accounts. Upon user selection, the available offers and/or loyalty accounts may be applied to the user's current transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Matthew A. Calman, Peter John Bertanzetti, Alicia C. Jones, Susan Smith Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140006272
    Abstract: Devices, methods and computer program are defined that provide for notifying (e.g., alerting) users of mobile devices as to suggested payment types accepted by the merchant at which the user is located. The suggested payment type may be one that is favorable or beneficial to the user in terms of discounts/rebates, transaction fee reduction, rewards points transaction processing security and/or extended warranty coverage for items transacted and/or the like. As a result the user makes informed decisions on which payment type to use for an impending transaction at the merchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, David M. Grigg, Susan Smith Thomas, Alicia C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20140006113
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for providing a social media offer system to users. The system assists users in determining whether the users are eligibly for offers provided through social media. In some situations, the system also facilitates eligibility by assisting the user in qualifying for the offer. The system determines that a primary user shared an offer with a secondary user; determines an identity of the secondary user; and determines whether the secondary user is eligible for the offer based on the identity of the secondary user. If the secondary user is not eligible, the system provides information to the secondary user, such as instructions in how to become eligible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID M. GRIGG, Alicia C. Jones, Laura Corinne Bondesen, Susan Smith Thomas, Matthew A. Calman
  • Publication number: 20140006183
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for automatic activation of mobile payment mechanisms (e.g., software applications, devices/hardware and the like) on a mobile communication device in response to automated determination of the mobile payment types accepted by a merchant at which the user/consumer is located. As such, the present invention serves to automatically make the user/consumer aware of an option for mobile payment. In addition, the mobile payment transaction is made more efficient, in that, the user/consumer does not have to manually configure and/or activate the software or hardware associated with the mobile payment type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Alicia C. Jones, Matthew A. Calman, Susan Smith Thomas