Patents Assigned to The Western Union Company
  • Publication number: 20190272523
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices are described for performing money transfers to one or more payees from one or more payors using a money transfer system. A party, such as a payor, a payee, or a third party may create a set of payee rules. The same or a different party may also create a set of payor rules. The payee rules may comprise conditions which, when satisfied, permit a payee to receive funds from a funds pool. The payor rules may comprise conditions which, when satisfied, permit a payor to provide funds to the funds pool. The money transfer system may determine whether requests from a payor and a payee comply with the payor rules and the payee rules, respectively. Based on the determination, the payor and/or payee may be permitted to complete their requested transaction, or their transaction may be denied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: David A. Owen, Michael Michelsen, Kurt Bulawa, Michele Demark
  • Publication number: 20190274042
    Abstract: A method for authenticating a mobile device in real-time. The method includes detecting the mobile device, sending a text message containing a unique uniform resource locator (“URL”) to the mobile device, and detecting an access of the unique URL by the mobile device through a first communication path. In response to detecting the access of the unique URL, requesting and subsequently receiving, by the host system in real-time, a phone number and a subscriber identification ID associated with the mobile device through a second communication path distinct from the first communication path, and a device fingerprint of the mobile device through the first communication path. The method further includes initiating a risk analysis based on the phone number, the subscriber ID, and the device fingerprint and determining an authentication status of the mobile device based on the risk analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Abhinav Gupta, Bernard McManus, Don McNelley
  • Patent number: 10402824
    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: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Michelsen, Paul Blair, Dean Seifert, Joseph Cachey
  • Patent number: 10395484
    Abstract: A method of using a kiosk to dispense funds, a portion of which has a value less than the value of the lowest form of currency the kiosk dispenses. The method may include receiving information at the kiosk identifying a source for the funds and transmitting a request to a host computer to verify the source for the funds. The method may include receiving at the kiosk a verification of the funds and displaying on a display screen an amount of funds available for payment. The method may include receiving at the kiosk a request from a user to remit a first portion of the amount of funds in a first form, wherein the first form is selected from a group consisting of paper currency, money order, credit to an account, and credit to a stored value card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Blair, Kenneth Algiene, Mark Thompson
  • Patent number: 10395242
    Abstract: A method of implementing collaborative funds transfer includes receiving, by a host computer system, from an entity a collaborative funds transfer request for a relief effort to be executed within a collaborative environment. The methods further includes verifying, by the host computer system, validity of the entity, receiving funds provided to the entity via the collaborative environment, reviewing services offered within the collaborative environment, reviewing communications regarding the funds transfer within the collaborative environment, and transferring the funds to the entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Kimberly Dunwoody
  • Publication number: 20190236566
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring money to a bank account are provided. Transactional information, which includes information on a bank account that is to receive the money, may be transmitted to a host computer system from a point of sale device. The transaction information may be stored at the host computer system. 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 in different countries. The intermediary computer system may also 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 includes information on the bank account that is to receive the money and an amount of money to deposit. The bank account may then be credited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Michelsen, Dan Canning, Roberto Ochoa, Rodolfo Zavaleta, Rodrigo Sada
  • Patent number: 10367905
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing secure transaction functionality embedded into host applications executing on transaction client devices, using an integration framework and user interfaces. A transaction server may be configured to receive initial transaction sender and receiver data from an integrated software component executing within a host software application on a transaction client device. After receiving the initial transaction sender and receiver data from the integrated software component, the transaction server may determine transaction sender and transaction recipient locations, and may select a particular transaction user interface based on the sender and recipient location data. Particular transaction user interface also may be determined based on specific host applications. After determining the particular transaction user interface, the interface may be transmitted to the transaction client device, for example, via a content delivery network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Vijaya Kouru, Sanjay Saraf
  • Patent number: 10354245
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices are described for performing money transfers to one or more payees from one or more payors using a money transfer system. A party, such as a payor, a payee, or a third party may create a set of payee rules. The same or a different party may also create a set of payor rules. The payee rules may comprise conditions which, when satisfied, permit a payee to receive funds from a funds pool. The payor rules may comprise conditions which, when satisfied, permit a payor to provide funds to the funds pool. The money transfer system may determine whether requests from a payor and a payee comply with the payor rules and the payee rules, respectively. Based on the determination, the payor and/or payee may be permitted to complete their requested transaction, or their transaction may be denied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: David A. Owen, Michael Michelsen, Kurt Bulawa, Michele Demark
  • Patent number: 10327141
    Abstract: A method for authenticating a mobile device in real-time. The method includes detecting the mobile device, sending a text message containing a unique uniform resource locator (“URL”) to the mobile device, and detecting an access of the unique URL by the mobile device through a first communication path. In response to detecting the access of the unique URL, requesting and subsequently receiving, by the host system in real-time, a phone number and a subscriber identification ID associated with the mobile device through a second communication path distinct from the first communication path, and a device fingerprint of the mobile device through the first communication path. The method further includes initiating a risk analysis based on the phone number, the subscriber ID, and the device fingerprint and determining an authentication status of the mobile device based on the risk analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Abhinav Gupta, Bernard McManus, Don McNelley
  • Publication number: 20190180251
    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: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Rebecca Loevenguth, Sanjay Challani
  • Patent number: 10311410
    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: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Scott Paintin, Lance Marr, Michelle Kloosterman, Rebecca Loevenguth, Diane Scott
  • Patent number: 10296876
    Abstract: A method of providing network access includes entering network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location. The information relates to a request from a customer to obtain network access. The method also includes causing the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device, receiving a payment from the customer, receiving activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device, and providing a presentation instrument to the customer. The presentation instrument may be used by the customer to obtain network access. The method further includes using the presentation instrument to settle a transaction with the customer for merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Erik S. Crawford, Thomas B. Sayor, Kenneth Algiene
  • Publication number: 20190122276
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking obligations incurred between individuals. The method may include receiving a request from a first party, where the request includes an expense incurred by the first party for the benefit of a second party. The method may also include providing a notice of the request to the second party and receiving an acceptance from the second party to assume an obligation associated with the expense. The method may further include associating the obligation with the second party and associating a benefit with the first party. The obligation and/or benefit may be substantially equal in value to the expense. The method may additionally include interfacing with a social network service to provide the social network service with information about the obligation and/or the benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Michele Demark, Michael Michelsen, Diane Scott, Chris Cochran
  • Patent number: 10269203
    Abstract: A method of validating and activating a purchase card includes providing a purchase card that is removably attached to a card carrier. The purchase card has an account identifier associated therewith and has a card indicium affixed thereto. The purchase card includes a machine-readable information encoding region into which the account identifier is encoded. The card carrier has a carrier indicium affixed thereto. The method includes populating a database with a stored card indicium that relates to the card indicium, a stored carrier indicium that relates to the carrier indicium, and a stored account identifier that relates to the account identifier, thereby uniquely coupling the account identifier to the card indicium. Activating the card by associating value to it includes comparing the information from the card indicium and the information from the carrier indicium with the stored card indicium and the stored carrier indicium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Tonya Andersen, Karen Kaukol, Deborah Rex, Gary Jeffords
  • Publication number: 20190108501
    Abstract: A money transfer system with imaging. The system includes a first money transfer terminal and an imaging device. The imaging device is configured to acquire a first set of imaging information of a user. The system also includes a host computer system, configured to receive at least a portion of the first set of financial transaction information and at least a portion of the first set of imaging information. The system also includes a previous transaction database, an external database, and a decision maker terminal. The system also includes a second money transfer terminal and a second imaging device. The second imaging device is configured to acquire a second set of imaging information of the second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Scott Paintin
  • Patent number: 10235704
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking obligations incurred between individuals. The method may include receiving a request from a first party, where the request includes an expense incurred by the first party for the benefit of a second party. The method may also include providing a notice of the request to the second party and receiving an acceptance from the second party to assume an obligation associated with the expense. The method may further include associating the obligation with the second party and associating a benefit with the first party. The obligation and/or benefit may be substantially equal in value to the expense. The method may additionally include interfacing with a social network service to provide the social network service with information about the obligation and/or the benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Michele Demark, Michael Michelsen, Diane Scott, Chris Cochran
  • Patent number: 10235661
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring money to a bank account are provided. Transactional information, which includes information on a bank account that is to receive the money, may be transmitted to a host computer system from a point of sale device. The transaction information may be stored at the host computer system. 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 in different countries. The intermediary computer system may also 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 includes information on the bank account that is to receive the money and an amount of money to deposit. The bank account may then be credited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Michelsen, Dan Canning, Roberto Ochoa, Rodolfo Zavaleta, Rodrigo Sada
  • Publication number: 20190012741
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for exchanging alternative currencies. The method includes creating, at an alternative currency platform, a plurality of user accounts and receiving, from a first user in the plurality of user accounts, an alternative currency exchange offer. The alternative currency exchange offer includes one or more offer terms and associated assets. Furthermore, the method includes extending the alternative currency exchange offer from the first user to the second user, in response to receiving acceptance of the offer from the second user, verifying the associated assets of the first user and the second user, and in response to verification of the assets of the first user and second user, providing settlement of the alternative currency exchange offer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Evans Mehew, Gail Galuppo
  • Publication number: 20190012735
    Abstract: According to the invention, a system for performing a money transfer between a sender an a recipient through the use of an augmented reality device is disclosed. The system may include a first mobile device associated with a first entity. The first mobile device may be configured to detect an indicator via an augmented reality subsystem. The indicator may include a characteristic and be associated with a second entity, as well as be configured to associate meta-information with the indicator. The first mobile device may further be configured to receive an input comprising an amount to be transferred from the first entity to the second entity and transmit a set of instructions to a money transfer network. The set of instructions may be based in part on the indicator and the input, and include instructions to perform a money transfer between the first entity and the second entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Evans Mehew, Linda DeBerardinis
  • Patent number: 10176465
    Abstract: A money transfer system with imaging. The system includes a first money transfer terminal and an imaging device. The imaging device is configured to acquire a first set of imaging information of a user. The system also includes a host computer system, configured to receive at least a portion of the first set of financial transaction information and at least a portion of the first set of imaging information. The system also includes a previous transaction database, an external database, and a decision maker terminal. The system also includes a second money transfer terminal and a second imaging device. The second imaging device is configured to acquire a second set of imaging information of the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
    Inventor: Scott Paintin