Patents Assigned to The Western Union Company
  • Money transfer system and messaging system
    Patent number: 8504473
    Abstract: A system for transferring funds from a sender to a recipient with a recorded message is disclosed. In one step the method includes receiving a request for a fund transfer from the sender. The sender may make the request for a fund transfer at a transaction processing device. In another step a payment is received from the sender for the fund transfer and a payment confirmation is transmitted to the host computer system. An identifier may then be assigned to the fund transfer. A recorded message from the sender may be received and at least a copy of the recorded message may be transmitted to a host computer system. The recorded message may then be associated with the fund transfer. A request, including the identifier, may be received from the recipient to receive the recorded messaged. In another step the recorded message may be sent to the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Scott Paintin, Lance Marr, Michelle Kloosterman, Rebecca Loevenguth, Diane Scott
  • Systems and Methods for Division and Identification of Financial Transfers
    Publication number: 20130191272
    Abstract: According to the invention, a system for dividing and identifying financial transfers is disclosed. The system may include a server configured to receive an indication that an amount of funds has been received. The server may also be configured to associate, in response, a first identifier with the amount of funds. The server may further be configured to receive a first request to release a first portion of the funds, the first request including the first identifier. The server may additionally be configured to associate a first record of release with the first identifier. The server may moreover be configured to associate, in response to receiving the first request, a second identifier with a second portion of the funds. The server may furthermore be configured to receive a second request to release at least a portion of the second portion of the funds, the second request including the second identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: The Western Union Company
  • Internet funds transfer system using ATM pickup
    Patent number: 8494956
    Abstract: One method for transferring funds includes receiving at a web server computer a request to transfer funds from a sender to a receiver. The request includes information identifying the sender and a payment vehicle for providing funds to transfer. The payment vehicle is validated and a transaction identifier is generated or assigned. The transaction identifier may be transmitted from the web server computer to the sender. When ready to receive the funds, the transaction identifier is entered into an ATM. If the transaction identifier is validated, the funds are dispensed from the ATM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Gupta Sesha Raghavendra Tulluri, Mark Thompson, Dean A. Seifert
  • Electronic acknowledgement of receipt of inventory
    Patent number: 8489473
    Abstract: A method for tracking status of an inventory shipment sent to a recipient includes monitoring whether the recipient has transmitted an electronic acknowledgment of the status of the shipment; and automatically transmitting a message to the recipient requesting acknowledgment of receipt of inventory if the electronic acknowledgment is not transmitted by the recipient within a first predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Earney E. Stoutenburg, David R. Baumgartner, Theresa L. Anuszewski, Ross G. Kinney, David A. Owen
  • NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENT ELECTRONIC CLEARANCE MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20130179317
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for analyzing negotiated negotiable instruments are described. A computer system, including a computer readable storage device and a processor may be provided. A plurality of electronic files may be received. Each of these electronic files of the plurality of electronic files may include an electronic image of at least a portion of a negotiable instrument and include a plurality of data fields. The plurality of electronic files may be divided into subsets based on whether data is available in particular data fields of the electronic files. Based upon the subset an electronic file is made a member of, various selection criteria may be applied to determine if the electronic file is a candidate for suspicious and/or illegal activity. Statistics may be calculated about the analysis process to determine the quality and effectiveness of various analysis methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: The Western Union Company
  • REQUESTOR-BASED FUNDS TRANSFER SYSTEM AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20130173462
    Abstract: According to the invention, transferring money using a computer network is disclosed. In one step, information is saved on credit received for a first user (110) in a stored value account on a server computer system (170). At the server computer system (170), a request from the first user (110) to send money to a second user (130) based on the stored value account is received. An electronic notification is sent from the server computer (170) to the second user (130) to notify the second user (130) of the request. A debit in the stored value account of the first user (110) is created. The requested money is sent to the second user (130) upon a receipt of a request at the server computer (170) from the second user (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: The Western Union Company
  • RECEIVER DRIVEN MONEY TRANSFER ALERT SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130166454
    Abstract: A method for performing a money transfer initiated by a receiver of the money transfer, wherein the method includes receiving a money transfer initiation request from the receiver and the money transfer initiation request includes an amount of funds to be transferred, receiver information, and sender information. The method also includes staging a money transfer transaction after receiving the money transfer initiation request, wherein the money transfer transaction is pending an authorization by the sender to fund the money transfer. The method further includes providing the sender with a notification of the money transfer transaction, receiving the authorization to fund the money transfer transaction, and executing the money transfer to transfer the funds from the sender to the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: The Western Union Company
  • Methods and systems for managing government issued entitlements
    Patent number: 8473413
    Abstract: A method for designating accounts for funds from a check to be deposited is described. The method includes receiving, at a processing center having a processor, a direct deposit government entitlement check from a government entity to be deposited. The check may include an identifier. The method further includes comparing the identifier with a customer database to determine that funds from the check have been designated to be divided into sub-amounts and deposited into a plurality of accounts. Each of the plurality of accounts has account type and an associated expenditure designation. The method then receives a report of a total amount deposited from the check for each type of associated expenditure designation and each account type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Dianna Lyons, Kellie Norden
  • Consumer due diligence for money transfer systems and methods
    Patent number: 8473352
    Abstract: A method of transferring money from a sender to a recipient using a third party money transfer service a point of sale device receiving transaction details for a requested money transfer; determining whether the requested transaction is an allowable transaction; and either aborting the transaction; attempting to identify the sender as an existing customer using the transaction details; using the sender's transaction history and the transaction details to determine whether to allow the requested transaction to proceed. If the requested transaction is allowed to proceed, the method includes creating a money transfer record for the requested transaction; associating a money transfer control number to the money transfer record; and using the transaction details to determine whether to monitor the requested transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Kristine Diehl
  • Money Transfers for Tax Refunds
    Publication number: 20130159171
    Abstract: Tax refunds are provided via a money transfer service. Merely by way of example, a taxpayer (or a tax preparer) might provide to the IRS an account number at a bank, as a target for a direct deposit refund related to a tax return. In an aspect, the account number might have a specific format that informs the bank that the refund is to be processed by the money transfer service, and in another aspect, the account number might include data that identifies the taxpayer to the money transfer service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Patricia M. McKernan, Ramona Johnson, Christian J. Trujillo
  • LOCATION-BASED MONEY TRANSFER
    Publication number: 20130159190
    Abstract: The invention provides various systems and methods for performing money transfers using location information. The method includes staging, at computer system, a money transfer transaction from a sender to a receiver. The method further includes providing the receiver's mobile number to the computer system, and tracking the receivers location using a location tracking computer system. Further, the method includes determining if the receiver is within a proximity threshold to an agent location. The agent location is configured to distribute foods from the money transfer. The method then, in response to the receiver being within the proximity threshold to the agent location, notifies the receiver of the agent location's address, and dispenses the funds from the agent location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: The Western Union Company
  • In-lane money transfer systems and methods
    Patent number: 8464935
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to initiate, facilitate, process and/or perform money transfers. One such method includes receiving a request for a transfer pair verification from a vendor location (360), and verifying that the transfer pair is associated with a valid transfer pair record (362). The method includes sending the transfer pair verification to the vendor location (368), receiving a money transfer request (370) associated with the transfer pair from the vendor location, and authorizing a money transfer (372) to at least one of a first and second customers associated with the transfer pair. In this manner, a vendor location, which may include a point-of-sale device and may be a retail outlet (e.g., grocery store, gas station, or the like), can be used to facilitate a money transfer between two customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Kurt Hansen, Thomas Sayor
  • Systems and methods for verifying identities
    Patent number: 8468096
    Abstract: A method for verifying the identity of one party on behalf of another party is provided. The method includes providing a money-transfer system and a communication system that communicates with the money-transfer system; receiving at the money-transfer system from the first party certain verification criteria for confirming the identity of a second party; and storing the verification criteria in the host computer system of the money-transfer system. When an ID is received from the second party at a money-transfer location; the verification criteria is retrieved from the host computer system; and the acceptability of the ID is determined in accordance with the verification criteria. If the identification device is acceptable, identification information is obtained from the identification device; and the identification information is processed to verify the identity of the second party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Dean Seifert, Matt Bixler, Dave Owen, Elizabeth Petri
  • Money transfer smart phone methods and systems
    Patent number: 8458088
    Abstract: A method includes establishing a first funds transfer account associated with a first device and a second funds transfer account with a second device, funding at least the first fund account, and selecting the second device as the recipient of a funds transfer from the first device. The method further includes sending a communications link request from the first device to the second device and receiving acceptance of the communications link request from the second device. The method then establishes a communications link between the first device and the second device, initiates a funds transfer from the first device to the second device, wherein the amount is designated at the first device, and verifies the funds transfer amount, the first funds transfer account, and the second funds transfer account. Then, the method transfers the amount to the second funds transfer account associated with second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Kimberly Dunwoody
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VERIFYING IDENTITIES IN TRANSACTIONS
    Publication number: 20130138567
    Abstract: A computerized method of verifying the identity of an attendant operating a money transfer transaction device includes receiving at the money transfer transaction device a user identification and password from the attendant and receiving at the money transfer transaction device additional information from the attendant. The additional information relates to a security feature that limits access to the transaction device. The method also includes using the additional information, the user identification, and the password to evaluate whether to allow the attendant to operate the transaction device to process a transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
    Inventor: THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
  • RISK ANALYSIS OF MONEY TRANSFER TRANSACTIONS
    Publication number: 20130132275
    Abstract: A money transfer system includes a risk assessment system and a risk modeling system. The risk assessment system uses rules engines and Z scores to assess, on a real time basis, risk factors associated with money transfers. The risk modeling system develops risk scores based on historical transaction data in order to create a risk model. The risk model may be analyzed over time to refine the rules engines and take other actions to understand and reduce the risk of improper activity in connection with money transfers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Robert Enzaldo, Richard Alec Hall, Alexander Varakin, Bryant Gofstein, Hiran Modi, Hollis Baugh, Niren Kinkar, Noel Brandt, Viren Patel
  • MONEY TRANSFER SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20130124350
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of facilitating money transfers. The method includes receiving, at a money transfer system, access to a customer's account, establishing, at the money transfer system, a money transfer record including a recipient and an amount, and receiving, at the money transfer system, an identifier for the money transfer record. The method further includes receiving presentation of the identifier at an input device of the money transfer system and authorizing a money transfer associated with the money transfer record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: The Western Union Company
  • Transfer of title through intermediary
    Patent number: 8442884
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel tools (including, without limitation, systems, methods and software) to facilitate the sale of items of property and/or for providing title transfer services that ensure that the purchaser of the items of property (real or personal) receives adequate title to the property. In an aspect, the tools can serve as a clearinghouse for the various components to the transaction (e.g., receiving payment from the buyer, confirming that any security interest in the property has been paid off, informing the various parties to the transaction of the transaction's status, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Martin Haberstroh
  • Presentation instrument package arrangement
    Patent number: 8430298
    Abstract: A presentation instrument package is constructed of a carrier having a package identifier. The package defines an enclosure into which is held a presentation instrument having a human readable presentation instrument identifier such that the human readable information is hidden from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Larry A. Martinez, Angelita I. Aquino, Jennifer R. Cameron, Adam L. Bowden
  • Consular Kiosks and Methods
    Publication number: 20130103516
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of implementing electronic transfers with government consulates. The method may include receiving, via the interface terminal, a selection of a country's consulate and a location of the consulate comprising a city in which the consulate has an office. The method may also include receiving, via the interface terminal, a consulate service selection. The method may further include receiving, at an input device, documentation necessary to complete the selected service type. The method may moreover include receiving, via the interface terminal, a payment for the selected service. The method may additionally include transmitting the service type selection, the documents, and the payment to the selected consulate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Miguel Florez