Patents Assigned to The Western Union Company
  • Publication number: 20200366669
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate generally to securely establishing an account and authentication metrics associated with a communication platform. An account associated with a communication platform may allow a user associated with the account to send and receive communications via the communication platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Abhinav Gupta, Shankar Narayan
  • Publication number: 20200334672
    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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Kimberly Dunwoody
  • Publication number: 20200302406
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for conducting transactions and financial transfers utilizing a mobile device communicatively coupled with a mobile communications network and executing a mobile point-of-sale application. According to some embodiments, the mobile point-of-sale application is adapted to conduct money transfer transactions by communicating transaction information through the mobile communications network to a money transfer provider system that processes the money transfer and communicates receipt information to the mobile point-of-sale application. Additionally, according to some embodiments, an account associated with an agent of the money transfer provider can be used in money transfer transactions conducted by the mobile point-of-sale application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Rebecca Mann, Sanjay Challani
  • Patent number: 10783502
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a funds transfer. The method may include determining which of a plurality of different funds-transfer companies is able to complete the funds transfer in accordance with defined parameters. The method may also include determining a default service fee charged for the funds transfer by a funds-transfer company of a subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies. The method may additionally include transmitting to at least one funds-transfer company of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies details of the funds transfer, where the details of the funds-transfer comprises the default service fee. The method may furthermore include transmitting an identification of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies, each of which is capable of completing the funds transfer in accordance with the defined parameters, the subset including at least two of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Michael Michelsen, Kurt Hansen, Dean A. Seifert, Kenneth Algiene
  • Patent number: 10726398
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for conducting transactions and financial transfers utilizing a mobile device communicatively coupled with a mobile communications network and executing a mobile point-of-sale application. According to some embodiments, the mobile point-of-sale application is adapted to conduct money transfer transactions by communicating transaction information through the mobile communications network to a money transfer provider system that processes the money transfer and communicates receipt information to the mobile point-of-sale application. Additionally, according to some embodiments, an account associated with an agent of the money transfer provider can be used in money transfer transactions conducted by the mobile point-of-sale application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Rebecca Loevenguth, Sanjay Challani
  • Publication number: 20200233617
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bypassing a print dialog box that indicates a print confirmation, a prompt message, or a page preview, by employing a background print applet. The systems and methods may include detecting a print content to be printed by a printer, identifying one or more features of the print content, and determining one or more print settings based on the identified one or more features. The systems and methods may further include initiating the print content to be printed by the printer based on the determined print settings, whereby initiating the print content includes bypassing the print dialog box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Anthony Scillieri, Venkateshwarlu Kotagiri, Denis McCarthy
  • Patent number: 10721336
    Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to generating graph-oriented data structures based on cross-channel multi-user transaction and/or interaction data from one or more data sources, Additional techniques relate to analyzing and processing transactions using the graph-oriented data structures. Transaction data may be received from various data sources, and analyzed to determine subsets of the transaction data relating to interactions between specific pairs of users. Graph-oriented data structures may be generated based on the subsets of transaction data relating to the specific pairs of users, and may be used to analyze and process transaction requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Abhishek Banerjee, Daniel Goldstein, Roberto Arnetoli, Pravin Darbare, Kevin Lai, Sanjay Saraf
  • Publication number: 20200226628
    Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to analyzing location-based transaction systems, based on data from multiple client devices detected and received via multiple communication networks, and providing customized data to client devices associated with particular locations and/or users of the transaction system. The characteristics of a transaction system and/or specific client locations of the transaction system may be determined, based on data received from multiple client devices. A back-end system may receive data from one or more digital kiosk systems associated with particular locations in a transaction system network, various mobile computing devices of users, and client computers within the transaction system. One or more back-end servers may analyze the data to determine various characteristics of the transaction system and/or characteristics of one or more particular locations in the transaction system network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth Snider, Teresa Chipps, Nancy Buxo, Lyndsy Clark, Rachel Dimond, Jeremy Winchester
  • Patent number: 10706415
    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 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Kimberly Dunwoody
  • Patent number: 10692164
    Abstract: The invention provides various systems and methods for establishing an identity confidence scoring system. The method includes gathering identity information about the customers from physical locations and from remote locations. The method updates the identity profiles with the gathered identity information, and based on the gathered identity information, generates an identity confidence score associated with each identity profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Matthew Leland Dill
  • Publication number: 20200184450
    Abstract: A method for identifying a funds transfer opportunity in an electronic media accessed by a mobile device may include monitoring the electronic media for the funds transfer opportunity, identifying the funds transfer opportunity in the electronic media, and outputting indication for the funds transfer opportunity in the electronic media. The method may further include receiving confirmation to instantiate a funds transfer based on the indicated funds transfer opportunity on the mobile device and instantiating the funds transfer based on the received confirmation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Craig Brooks
  • Publication number: 20200184432
    Abstract: According to the invention, a method for transferring funds from a sender to a pre-paid account to be assigned to a recipient is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request to perform a funds transfer, including an amount and a recipient, and determining whether to approve the request. Upon approval, the method may include selecting a first and second money transfer control number (MTCN). The method may include recording an association of the amount and the recipient with the first MTCN, and an association of the two MTCN's. The method may include sending the second MTCN out and later receiving a request to redeem which includes the second MTCN. The method may include determining the first MTCN based on the second MTCN, and whether to approve the request. Upon approval, an indication may be sent that the amount is available for funding of the pre-paid account of the recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Chris Cochran, Gary Jeffords, Rodrigo Sada
  • Patent number: 10679196
    Abstract: Tools for providing bill aggregation and/or payment services. In an aspect, such tools aggregate all payments over a given period of time, allowing a user to make a single payment to ensure that all appropriate bills are paid in timely fashion. In another aspect, the tools determine, without requiring user input, an amount due on each bill, as well, in some cases, of a due date for each payment. Optionally, the tools can provide a consolidated statement to inform the user of payments to be made over a given period. Such statements can provide a varying level of detail, depending on the implementation and/or on user preferences. In some cases, a consolidated statement might provide line items and/or detailed support for each payment to be made. In other cases, the consolidated statement might simply provide a single consolidated payment amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Scott Paintin
  • Patent number: 10613800
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bypassing a print dialog box that indicates a print confirmation, a prompt message, or a page preview, by employing a background print applet. The systems and methods may include detecting a print content to be printed by a printer, identifying one or more features of the print content, and determining one or more print settings based on the identified one or more features. The systems and methods may further include initiating the print content to be printed by the printer based on the determined print settings, whereby initiating the print content includes bypassing the print dialog box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Anthony Scillieri, Venkateshwarlu Kotagiri, Denis McCarthy
  • Patent number: 10614492
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for notifying a wireless communication device user regarding an account payment. One method comprises dialing a phone number of a wireless communication device, preferably a cell phone. A communication relating to an account payment that includes a balance due is then transmitted or delivered to a wireless communication device user. Optionally, at the same time or a later time, input from the wireless communication device user may be received regarding payment of the balance due. Such notification methods may be carried out by a host computer system which has a record of when the account payment is due and dials and transmits within a predetermined time frame. Generally, such methods will further comprise pre-registering or enrolling the wireless communication device user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: First Data Corporation, The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Patricia A. Frazier, Kenneth Algiene
  • Patent number: 10580088
    Abstract: The invention provides various methods and systems for collecting and allocating road use fees. The invention may include receiving funds from a party, wherein the party is responsible for operation of a vehicle. Data indicating where the vehicle has traveled may be received by a computer system. A jurisdiction may be identified where road use fees are due based on where the vehicle has traveled. Fees due to the jurisdiction may be calculated based on the jurisdiction's road use fee schedule. The fee due for road use may be deducted from an account of the vehicle's operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Garry Tonnon, David A. Owen
  • Publication number: 20200058003
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Kristine Diehl
  • Patent number: 10565592
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Robert Enzaldo, Alec Hall, Alexander Varaken, Bryant Gofstein, Hiran Modi, Hollis Baugh, Niren Kinikar, Noel Brandt, Viren Patel
  • Publication number: 20200051146
    Abstract: According to the invention, a method for initiating a similar transaction to one previously initiated by a user is disclosed. The method may include sending a digital receipt for a first transaction to a user. The method may also include determining reminder information, where the reminder information indicates a future time or frequency. The method may further include sending to the user, upon occurrence of the future time or frequency, a digital reminder which includes an interactive element. The method may additionally include receiving an indication that the user has interacted with the interactive element, and initiating a second transaction having a characteristic in common with the first transaction based on the indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Abhinav Gupta
  • Publication number: 20200051088
    Abstract: A card number and an address are requested from a customer at a POS device. An AVS system compares the customer-provided address against a billing address or record for the card that is maintained by a card issuer. If the address provided by the customer matches the billing address of record, a second card number is requested from customer. That second card number is sent to the AVS system and the billing address stored by the issuer for the second card number is also checked against the address provided by the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Girish Balasubramanian