Patents Assigned to AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED
  • Publication number: 20070067206
    Abstract: Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Marketing companies that sell lists compile those lists by searching one or more databases for names and/or businesses that match certain criteria. Those marketing companies can use the CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to show predicted spend and/or revenues for each company on a list. This makes the list more valuable to list buyers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen Haggerty, Charles Lyon, Benedict Okoh, Robert Phelan, Jon Ruterman, Geraldine Turner, Chao Yuan
  • Publication number: 20070067208
    Abstract: Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. A mutual fund rating company can use this CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to predict the performance of funds that invest in a particular industry or sector. In addition, since mutual funds often provide guidelines for selecting stocks, rating companies can use this modeling approach to predict the performance of companies in a fund's portfolio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen Haggerty, Charles Lyon, Benedict Okoh, Robert Phelan, Jon Ruterman, Geraldine Turner, Chao Yuan
  • Publication number: 20070067209
    Abstract: Commercial size of spending wallet (“SoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“SoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. Commercial SoW is a modeling approach that utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. These outputs can be appended to data profiles of customers and prospects and can be utilized to support decisions involving prospecting, new account evaluation, and customer management across the lifecycle. Company financial statements are utilized to identify and calculate total business spend of a company that could be transacted using a commercial credit card. A spend-like regression model may then be developed to estimate annual commercial SoSW value for customers and prospects within a credit network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen Haggerty, Charles Lyon, Robert Phelan, Jon Ruterman, Geraldine Turner, Chao Yuan
  • Patent number: 7191939
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing a transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: offering for sale, in a retail environment, the transaction instrument; selling a selected transaction instrument; communicating with the issuer of the transaction instrument via an internet accessible web site, and enabling the use of the transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. The distribution of the transaction instrument may also include the step of sending a message, through the web site, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid transaction instrument to be funded but not activated until later through an interactive voice response system, for example. In another example, an associated transaction account may be funded and activated at the time of distribution. Furthermore, an issuer system may be suitably configured to leverage existing Travelers Cheque infrastructure for inventory and related processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Beck, Gennye Hannover Feldman, Elizabeth Anne Holt, Sven Miller, Clyde Page, Marc Rubner, John R. Rose, Nicole Milne Vollmer
  • Publication number: 20070057045
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing an open transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: accessibly offering for sale, in a retail environment, the open transaction instrument; selling a selected open transaction instrument; and enabling the use of the open transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. Furthermore, accessibly offering the open pre-paid card for sale, in one exemplary embodiment, is performed by hanging the pre-paid card on a rack. The distribution of the open transaction instrument may also comprise the step of sending a message, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid open transaction instrument to be funded but not activated. Also, in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an issuer system is suitably configured to leverage existing infrastructure for inventory and related processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Randall Beck, Gennye Feldman, Rachel Heitz, Jon Imada, Paula Martinez, Sven Miller, Clyde Page, Steven Keiser
  • Publication number: 20070052517
    Abstract: Facilitating transactions using non-traditional devices and biometric data to activate a transaction device is disclosed. A transaction request is formed at a non-traditional device, and communicated to a reader, wherein the non-traditional device may be configured with an RFID device. The RFID device is not operable until a biometric voice analysis has been executed to verify that the carrier of the RFID equipped non-traditional device is the true owner of account information stored thereon. The non-traditional device provides a conduit between a user and a verification system to perform biometric voice analysis of the user. When the verification system has determined that the user is the true owner of one or more accounts stored at the verification system, a purchase transaction is facilitated between the verification system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Fred Bishop, Peter Saunders
  • Publication number: 20070040020
    Abstract: The invention facilitates the computation of expected approval rates based on historic transaction data relating to transaction classes, approved transactions and declined transactions. The invention provides a system and method by which a program administrator for a company may model varying client-imposed limit scenarios in order to determine one or more optimal monthly and/or transactional spending limits. Further, the present invention provides a means for setting varying monthly and/or transaction spending limits for purchases from any number of industries. Providing card members with information regarding optimal spending limits reduces the occurrences of declined credit transactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC
    Inventors: Gordon Anderson, Catherine Campanaro, David Connelly, Sanjay Madaan, Kevin Moore, Sangarsh Nigam, Yulona Wong
  • Patent number: 7172112
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a multiple-service card is disclosed. A card member 108 is provided with a single card that serves as both an open transaction instrument and a private retailer transaction instrument. This multiple-service card may have the traditional credit card data on one side of the card, including, for example, the account number, name of the account holder, and the expiration date. The other side of the card may include a magnetic stripe that contains the account information in machine readable form as well as private retailer transaction instrument information. In the system, the primary party and the service partner participants cooperate to complete the processes associated with the provision of the combined card services, including a new account process, card replacement and renewal processes, a service partner cancellation process, and a process for cancellation and/or transfer by a primary party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Bonalle, Aliza Freud, Jason E. Nanton, Mary Ann Fitzmaurice Reilly, Ray Sharp
  • Patent number: 7167470
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for using Local Area Network (LAN) switch information of an internet protocol phone to determine the location of the internet protocol phone. The internet protocol phone communicates with a server and receives a dynamic internet protocol address. The internet protocol phone further communicates with a second server to receive LAN switch information for the internet protocol phone. The internet protocol phone transmits the dynamic internet protocol address and LAN switch information to a phone management module. The phone management module queries a LAN switch in order to gather further LAN switch information for the internet protocol phone. The phone management module transmits the dynamic internet protocol address and LAN switch information to a third party in order to more accurately determine the location of a user using the internet protocol phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bailey, Edward W. Swanson, Fred Bishop
  • Patent number: 7163145
    Abstract: The invention provides consumers with the services of multiple cards or accounts while allowing consumers to carry a single card, transponder, code and/or other access device. Because the card may access combined services such as financial transaction services and transportation services, the system may facilitate charging the financial account for the transportation services. The system may allow the consumer to use loyalty points or geographic based loyalty points to pay for the transportation services. The system may also limit the use of certain loyalty points based upon the geographic area for certain transportation services in certain geographic areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Perry A. Cohagan, Mary Ann Fitzmaurice, Aliza Freud, Birgitta Mayer, Julia Menichilli, Jason Nanton, Ray Sharp, Scott Vosburgh, Penelope Wood-Kulko
  • Patent number: 7156301
    Abstract: Transaction cards having one or more folds therein for compact and easily stored fobs are provided. Moreover, foldable fobs are provided having one or more holes or apertures therein for holding key chains, or other devices for attaching the fobs to other items, such as sets of keys, wallets, or other items. Other embodiments include spring-loaded clips on the foldable fobs and protective sleeves, housings or cases for full-sized and smaller-sized cards. Still further, fob systems are provided comprising a case or housing for holding and/or storing foldable fobs therein, such as foldable fobs having a dimension, such as a length dimension or a width dimension, that is smaller than traditional-sized fobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David S Bonalle, Ellen Lasch, Tracey R. Thomas, Lisa Webb
  • Publication number: 20060293931
    Abstract: A system and method for planning trips and for processing trip requests that utilizes a centralized network for facilitating travel reservations and/or services. The system includes multi-purpose point of service terminals that provide a plurality of modules for various travel related applications such as an integrated e-mail booking module, a computer telephony integration module, a super passenger name record database, a customer database, a trip planning module, a customer relationship management module, a workflow module, and a low fare search module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Matt Fitzgerald, Philip Garcia, Debbie Schultz, Michael Laughlin
  • Publication number: 20060289622
    Abstract: One-to-many comparisons of callers' words and/or voice prints with known words and/or voice prints to identify any substantial matches between them. When a customer communicates with a particular entity, such as a customer service center, the system makes a recording of the real-time call including both the customer's and agent's voices. The system segments the recording to extract different words, such as words of anger. The system may also segment at least a portion of the customer's voice to create a tone profile, and it formats the segmented words and tone profiles for network transmission to a server. The server compares the customer's words and/or tone profiles with multiple known words and/or tone profiles stored on a database to determine any substantial matches. The identification of any matches may be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing representative feedback or customer follow-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Chin Khor, Marcel Leyva, Vernon Marshall
  • Patent number: 7154375
    Abstract: A method for facilitating biometric security in a transponder-reader transaction system is provided. The method includes determining if a transaction violates an established rule, such as a preset spending limit. The method also includes notifying a user to proffer a biometric sample in order to verify the identity of said user, and detecting a proffered biometric at a sensor to obtain a proffered biometric sample. The method additionally comprises verifying the proffered biometric sample and authorizing a transaction to continue upon verification of the proffered biometric sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Blayn W. Beenau, David S. Bonalle, Seth W. Fields, William J. Gray, Carl Larkin, Joshua L. Montgomery, Peter D. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20060287881
    Abstract: A system and method for planning trips and for processing trip requests that utilizes a centralized network for facilitating travel reservations and/or services. The system includes multi-purpose point of service terminals that provide a plurality of modules for various travel related applications such as an integrated e-mail booking module, a computer telephony integration module, a super passenger name record database, a customer database, a trip planning module, a customer relationship management module, a workflow module, and a low fare search module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Matt Fitzgerald, Philip Garcia, Debbie Schultz, Michael Laughlin
  • Publication number: 20060287880
    Abstract: A system and method for planning trips and for processing trip requests that utilizes a centralized network for facilitating travel reservations and/or services. The system includes multi-purpose point of service terminals that provide a plurality of modules for various travel related applications such as an integrated e-mail booking module, a computer telephony integration module, a super passenger name record database, a customer database, a trip planning module, a customer relationship management module, a workflow module, and a low fare search module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Matt Fitzgerald, Philip Garcia, Debbie Schultz, Michael Laughlin
  • Publication number: 20060278704
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for enabling payment of transit system fees using a financial transaction instrument. Entry is permitted onto a transit system by recognition of information included in an identification number stored on a financial transaction instrument. The identification number stored on the financial transaction instrument is associated with a transit system fee registered for each use of the transit system. A plurality of transit system fees associated with the same identification number from use of the financial transaction instrument is aggregated, and payment for the aggregated transit system fees is requested from a transaction account associated with the financial transaction instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Co., Inc.
    Inventors: PETER SAUNDERS, LEE PEART, BRIAN BARNES
  • Patent number: 7147151
    Abstract: Transaction cards having one or more folds therein to provide compact and easily stored transaction cards are provided. Moreover, foldable transaction cards are provided having one or more holes or apertures therein for holding key chains, or other devices for attaching the transaction cards to other items, such as sets of keys, wallets, or other items. Other embodiments include spring-loaded clips on the foldable transaction cards and protective sleeves, housings or cases for full-sized and smaller-sized cards. Still further, transaction card systems are provided comprising a case or housing for holding and/or storing foldable transaction cards therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen Lasch, Lisa Ann Morrill Webb, Priscilla Gandel
  • Publication number: 20060277475
    Abstract: The content management application is an intranet application which provides a process for implementing changes to an internet website of a company by providing the company the ability to define and enforce a common style of page layout. The application can be accessed via a desktop browser and multiple users may access the application for multiple reasons at the same time. The application also dynamically generates new page designs and new component design with various people assigned to groups or teams enabling the continuous creation and processing of content. Once the content is created and reviewed, it is then launched onto the company's internet site for viewing by the internet users accessing the company's web page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Andrea Bimson, Jin Chyung, Meena Gopakumar, Lorraine Miranda, Biswajit Sarkar, Shashikant Rao, Kaustubh Kunte
  • Patent number: 7143936
    Abstract: The invention facilitates the computation of expected approval rates based on historic transaction data relating to transaction classes, approved transactions and declined transactions. The invention provides a system and method by which a program administrator for a company may model varying client-imposed limit scenarios in order to determine one or more optimal monthly and/or transactional spending limits. Further, the present invention provides a means for setting varying monthly and/or transaction spending limits for purchases from any number of industries. Providing card members with information regarding optimal spending limits reduces the occurrences of declined credit transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Emory Anderson, Catherine J. Campanaro, David S. Connelly, Sanjay Madaan, Kevin L. Moore, Sangarsh Nigam, Yulona Sue Wong