Patents Assigned to The Western Union Company
  • Patent number: 8417627
    Abstract: The invention provides various systems and methods for actively optimizing a credit score and reducing debt. The method includes receiving a credit report including credit accounts, balances, interest rates, and rate types for the credit accounts. The method further receives bank account and payroll information, as well as fixed and variable expense information. The method then generates a financial report based on the received information. Based on the financial report, the method calculates a payment amount, and determines available unassigned income. An allocation of the available income for debt reduction and credit score optimization is received, and the method dynamically allocates the funds to pay the credit accounts, the fixed expenses, and variable expenses such that the customer's debt is reduced and the customer's credit score is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Cerise, Michael W. Rogers, William R. Grant
  • Patent number: 8417600
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating electronic value transfers. Various of the methods include graduating a defined affinity between transactions to increasing levels of scrutiny. At an increased level of scrutiny, reports can be generated indicating suspicious activity and/or interdiction procedures can be implemented to reduce the occurrence of the detected suspicious activity. Various of the systems are tailored to implement the aforementioned methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Degen, Brian Prendergast, Scott C. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8412627
    Abstract: According to the invention, a process for transferring funds in an online transaction between a first party and a second party is disclosed. In one step, a first account associated with the first party and a second account associated with the second party are determined. At least one of the first account and the second account is a bank account. A first transfer is initiated between the first account and a third account. The third account is not associated with either the first party or the second party. Notification is received that the first transfer has cleared. A second transfer between the third account and the second account is initiated before notification that the first transfer has cleared is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Terry Allen-Rouman, John Joseph Mascavage, III, Margaret Morgan Weichert
  • Patent number: 8412633
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating electronic value transfers. Various of the methods include receiving money transfer requests, electronically storing records of the money transfer requests, and performing an analysis of the records. The analysis of the records can indicate that two or more of the records are related. The related records are associated with a reference designator that is used to search money transfer records and identify suspect activity. The systems can include a fraud processing system associated with a money transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Robert Degen, Duane Ritter, Brian Prendergast, David Wittman
  • Patent number: 8407121
    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 receiver's 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 funds 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Scott Paintin
  • Patent number: 8407143
    Abstract: According to the invention, a method for purchasing a negotiable instrument from an online payment system by a payor to compensate a payee in relation to a listing on a vending site is disclosed. In one step, a payment currency and/or a drawee bank nationality is selected for the online payment system to use when issuing the payment instrument. Payment information is received from the payor and comprises at least two of: a payee identifier, a payee name, a payee address, and a payment amount. A money handler associated with the payor is debited for at least the payment amount. The payment instrument payable to the payee name for the payment amount is generated. That payment instrument is based on at least one of the payment currency and the drawee bank nationality. The payment currency is different from a currency used by the money handler. The payment instrument is delivered to the payee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Karas, Richard G. Wilber, Mark D. Baumgart, Chris Trujillo
  • Patent number: 8407144
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for conducting and staging money transfer transactions from a vehicle. The systems and methods may include using a wireless transmitter on board the vehicle for wirelessly communicating with a money transfer system. Also, a user-input device integrated with the vehicle's navigation system, entertainment system, and/or climate system may be used. Using the wireless transmitter, the user-input device may interface with the money transfer system. Also, one or more identity authentication devices may be integrated with the vehicle that collect information to authenticate a user's identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Melanie Roberts, Dianna Lyons
  • Publication number: 20130066779
    Abstract: Anonymous transactions regarding prepaid negotiable instruments may be conducted. An anonymous account may be provided that is identified by an account number. Upon verification of a PIN and the account number, an individual is authorized to make an initial deposit of funds into the anonymous account, representing a pre-payment for negotiable instruments. The individual is thus authorized to request the issuance of negotiable instruments in an amount not exceeding the initial deposit of funds. When the issuance of negotiable instruments has depleted the initial deposit of funds, the anonymous account is closed. However, the anonymous account may be converted into a non-anonymous account, capable of accepting subsequent deposits, if the individual provides personal identifying information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam Coyle, Terri Anuszewski, Bruce Coleman, Thomas Norton, Doug McNary
  • Patent number: 8386393
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Michelsen, Paul Blair, Dean Seifert, Joseph Cachey
  • Patent number: 8374962
    Abstract: According to the invention, a method for automatically processing an incoming payment for a payee with an online money transfer system. In one step, information is received at the online money transfer system. That information relates to processing of one or more received payments associated with the payee. At some point, the incoming payment associated with the payee is received. A default repository for the incoming payment is determined. It is determined whether to transfer at least some of the incoming payment away from the default repository or escrow at least a portion of the incoming payment for benefit of at least one predetermined party. Either the earmark or the escrow is applied after this determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: First Data Corporation, The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Henry M. Abelman, Kenneth Algiene, Peter M. Karas
  • Publication number: 20130036056
    Abstract: Methods coordinate payment for a remote transaction with a first party. An identification of the first party is received at a host system. Acknowledgment of receipt of a cash payment from a second party is received. The cash payment is associated with the identification of the first party. A money transfer corresponding to the cash payment to the control of the first party is executed with a request for the first party to perform on previously agreed terms of the remote transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: The Western Union Company
  • Patent number: 8355986
    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: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Dianna Lyons, Kellie Norden
  • Patent number: 8355960
    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: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Earney E. Stoutenburg, David R. Baumgartner, Theresa L. Anuszewski, Ross G. Kinney, David A. Owen
  • Publication number: 20130006811
    Abstract: A method is provided for transferring funds related to a checkout process for a transaction initiated between a user and a merchant. The method may include storing information on a plurality of asset accounts associated with the user and receiving selection of a first account from the plurality of asset accounts as possible choices. The method may also include receiving authorization via the interface from the user to pay the merchant from the first account. The method may further include providing a digital IOU to the merchant and receiving a redemption request of the digital IOU. The method may additionally include determining, automatically with a funds transfer server, a second account associated with the merchant, and initiating, automatically with the funds transfer server in response to the redemption request, an electronic transfer between the first account and the second account that is related to the checkout process for the transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: John Joseph Mascavage, III, Margaret Morgan Weichert, Mark Thompson
  • Patent number: 8345931
    Abstract: A money transfer authorization method that includes the step of providing transferor biometric information to a party verification processor that verifies an identity of the transferor by comparing the transferor biometric information with previously registered biometric information from the transferor, where the transferor provides transfer identity information to receive the money. The method also includes confirming that the verified transferor has sufficient funds or credit for the money transfer, and providing transferee biometric identification to the party verification processor that verifies the transferee by comparing the transferee biometric information with previously registered biometric information from the transferee. The transferee has to provide transfer identity information before the money is given to the transferee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Michael Jeronimus, Ken Algiene, Scott R. Paintin
  • Publication number: 20120330762
    Abstract: Arrangements for transferring money to a bank account, typically when paid in cash or a cash equivalent at a point of sale device, are provided. Transactional information may be transmitted to a host computer system from a point of sale device. The transactional information may include information on a bank account that is to receive the money. At least some of the transaction information may be sent to an intermediary computer system that is configured to interact with a plurality of banking networks and may determine Which one of the banking networks is associated with the bank account that is to receive the money. A request may be transmitted from the intermediary computer network to a local banking network and may include information on the bank account that is to receive the money and an amount of money to deposit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Michelsen, Dan Canning, Roberto Ochoa, Rodolfo Zavaleta, Rodrigo Sada
  • Patent number: 8336768
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Kurt Bulawa, Corey Allen Bohler, Dean A. Seifert, Thomas B. Sayor, Mark Baumgart, Erik S. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20120317014
    Abstract: The invention provides various systems and methods for actively optimizing a credit score and reducing debt. The method includes receiving a credit report including credit accounts, balances, interest rates, and rate types for the credit accounts. The method further receives bank account and payroll information, as well as fixed and variable expense information. The method then generates a financial report based on the received information. Based on the financial report, the method calculates a payment amount, and determines available unassigned income. An allocation of the available income for debt reduction and credit score optimization is received, and the method dynamically allocates the funds to pay the credit accounts, the fixed expenses, and variable expenses such that the customer's debt is reduced and the customer's credit score is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Cerise, Michael W. Rogers, William R. Grant
  • Patent number: 8321314
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Jeannie Larsen, Allen Hofmann, Eyal Tzarfati
  • Patent number: 8286861
    Abstract: Methods coordinate payment for a remote transaction with a first party. An identification of the first party is received at a host system. Acknowledgment of receipt of a cash payment from a second party is received. The cash payment is associated with the identification of the first party. A money transfer corresponding to the cash payment to the control of the first party is executed with a request for the first party to perform on previously agreed terms of the remote transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Kurt Hansen, Earney E. Stoutenburg, Thomas B. Saylor