Patents Examined by Gregory Johnson
  • Patent number: 8682770
    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. Private equity firms and other investors of small businesses can use the CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to more accurately evaluate small and privately held companies, both during investment and for evaluating prospective investments. Over-the-counter securities trading systems can also use this modeling approach to provide more accurate information and/or rankings of listed companies to their customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen Haggerty, Charles Christopher Lyon, Benedict O. Okoh, Robert E. Phelan, Jon Kevin Ruterman, Geraldine A. Turner, Chao M. Yuan, Arnab Biswas
  • Patent number: 8682757
    Abstract: A financial payment vehicle, such as a charge or credit card, provides lower financing terms on purchases that meet specified criteria (i.e. a minimum threshold transaction amount, a purchase from a particular industry or at particular merchants, and/or other enrollment qualifications) and further provides standard financing terms for purchases that do not meet the criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Menichilli, Marq Williams, Marla Flatbush
  • Patent number: 8682767
    Abstract: A computer system for furnishing data relating to investments has a processor and one or more memory storage devices in communication with the processor. Data relating to investments is stored in the one or more memory storage devices. A catalog includes at least data stored in at least one of the one or more memory storage devices, the data including at least logical locations for the data relating to investments. The processor is adapted to execute services for calling to the catalog for locations of the data, and, employing at least logical locations of the selected data obtained from the catalog, access the selected data from at least one of the memory storage devices, perform one or more operations on the selected data, and provide the selected data for display to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hartford Fire Insurance Company
    Inventors: Paul L. Brazdzionis, Phillip A. Giancarlo, James A. Serhant, II, Nasri Toutoungi, Michael Gray
  • Patent number: 8676679
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for establishing and using credit limits between counterparties and for managing risk in the trading of financial interests. A trading party may control the amount of future financial exposure that the trading party will incur with any counterparty in one or more future time periods in trades by the trading party during a trading session. Credit limits may be used to permit proposed trades to be completed or not depending upon available credit. Where there is insufficient credit, the trade may be blocked or otherwise prevented from progressing towards completion. If there is insufficient credit and if trading up to available credit is permitted, a partial trade for an amount up to the credit limit may be allowed. During a trading session, the credit remaining of a set credit limit between the trading party and the respective counterparty is changed according to trades executed between the trading party and the counterparty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bloomberg L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew Hausman, Karen D. Tannenbaum, Paul Brian Beatty, Jr., Lawrence C. Waldorf, Alan Dweck, Anish Malhotra, Guy Mock, Richard Anthony Lawson Braham
  • Patent number: 8676696
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing a trading platform for the trade of F.I.s. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a server or server cluster including at least one Interfacing Server adapted to interface with a user, possibly via a distributed data network such as the interne. The IS1 may be adapted to present to a user a trading platform, to receive from a user trade instructions, via the platform, and execute them. The trading platform may include innovative trade options including mid-trade options (e.g. trade insurance), batch trade options, series trade options, parlay trade options and “close now”/“extend” options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Ilan Tzroya
  • Patent number: 8676709
    Abstract: Transmitting category codes to payment instruments in proxy card transactions comprises receiving a first payment request to authorize a proxy card transaction, the first payment request identifying a proxy account of a user for payment of the transaction and a merchant category code associated with the merchant; selecting a financial account associated with the proxy account to fund the transaction; communicating a second payment request to authorize the transaction to a financial account system associated with the selected financial account, the second payment request comprising the merchant category code associated with the merchant; receiving an authorization for the transaction from the financial account system to fund the transaction using the selected financial account; and communicating an authorization for the transaction to the merchant computing device in response to receiving the authorization for the transaction from the financial account system to fund the transaction using the selected financia
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: William Dennis Kunz, Mark William Andrews, Christopher Michael Petersen
  • Patent number: 8671054
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically managing and netting transactions based on one or more sets of netting rules are disclosed. The present invention dynamically associates transactions with one or more collections based on the execution of netting rules to identify transactions that may be ideal for netting and to perform netting operations and calculations accordingly. The present invention may execute the netting rules according to the priority of the netting rule within a rule hierarchy and utilizes unique solutions allowing for the efficient processing of transactions even as netting rules are created, modified and removed from time-to-time. In addition, embodiments of the disclosed netting system utilize denormalized sets of data and maintain a complete audit trail for all operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: Vince Sethi, Andrew Key
  • Patent number: 8655771
    Abstract: A transaction arbiter system and method is disclosed which incorporates a merchant function database under control of a transaction arbiter that permits merchants to interact in an automated way with bids generated by other merchants. Rather than utilizing fixed price schedules as taught by the prior art, the present invention permits each merchant to define a set of functions which describe how the merchant will respond to a customer request-for-quote for a given product or service. These merchant functions interact with both the customer request-for-quote and the results of other merchant functions to generate a dynamic real-time bidding system which integrates competition among merchant bidders to achieve an optimal consumer price for a given product or service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jorge Arturo Maass
  • Patent number: 8655755
    Abstract: Disclosed herein in a preferred embodiment is an automated financial instrument brokerage system wherein a front end layer interacts with customers to generate activity requests for an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer preferably processes the activity requests and places financial instrument orders on a financial market if appropriate. A backend layer preferably provides data to the intermediate layer for processing activity requests. Multiple heterogeneous front end customer applications may be supported by the same intermediate layer. Further, multiple backend layer applications may interact with the intermediate layer in a manner transparent to the front end layer. Further, scalability can be achieved be partitioning various tasks of the intermediate layer onto separate servers, and more preferably on-separate redundant servers. Load balancers may then be used in the intermediate layer to provide distributed access to these servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Scottrade, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Tully, Virgil Michael Scott, Dwayne Oliver Randle, Gregory Paul Lembree
  • Patent number: 8655704
    Abstract: A technique for performing commercial venture analysis involves establishing an empirically-derived structure and evaluating companies using analytical techniques within that structure. The technique may involve defining jobs, or goals a customer is attempting to reach, with dozens or even hundreds of outcomes. Ideally, the structure and tools facilitate analysis that would not be possible otherwise. Moreover, the nature of the system enables real-time input for changing conditions and the ability to calculate returns for new markets in which products or services do not exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Strategyn Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Haynes, III, Anthony W. Ulwick
  • Patent number: 8655778
    Abstract: Methods and systems of processing a plurality of payments. One method can include receiving the plurality of payments from a plurality of customers, the plurality of payments payable to at least one receiver, determining a first set of payments included in the plurality of payments to automatically accept based on validation parameters, determining a second set of payments included in the plurality of payments to reject based on the validation parameters, determining a third set of payments included in the plurality of payments to conditionally accept based on the validation parameters, and electronically prompting at least one user to accept or reject payments included in the third set of payments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Moneygram International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon L. B. Smith, Jr., Emiko Gordon, Dennis Lee
  • Patent number: 8650116
    Abstract: First business process data obtained from a first trading participant includes a set of transaction messages having a first data format in accordance with a first protocol for conducting business transactions used by the first trading participant. A virtual trading participant receives fictitious business process data from the first trading participant and acknowledging the fictitious business process data and replying to the first trading participant that the fictitious business process data has been acknowledged. Operational characteristics and a connectivity of a currently trading participant connected to a process management platform accessible via an interconnection fabric are tested, by utilizing the virtual trading participant to determine if the data defining individual business processes is in a uniform format understood by a process management platform. The virtual trading participant is utilized to ensure compatibility with an identified version of the uniform format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ebay Inc.
    Inventors: Fadi B. Chehade, Tony P. Curwen, Linda York
  • Patent number: 8650103
    Abstract: A_system and method for verification of a person identifier received online is described. The method includes receiving a request for verifying a person identifier (PI1); and estimating whether (a) PI1 identifies the same person as another person identifier (PI2), (b) sender of PI1 is the same person as sender of PI2, and (c) PI2 identifies the sender of PI2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: eBay, Inc.
    Inventors: Saar Wilf, Shvat Shaked
  • Patent number: 8642262
    Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for managing livestock, such as cattle, from conception to consumption. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods in which users, such as producers, feedlot managers, packers, buyers, sellers, and consumers, are brought together through shared information and improved communication. Users may access one or more applications, tools, and/or systems to increase the value of each animal, monitor and track each animal, and improve the efficiency of their operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: MWI Veterinary Supply Co.
    Inventors: Richard D. Stroman, Khurshid A. Afimiwala, James B. Gibb, Philip C. Brink, Scott L. Crain, Timothy G. Niedecken
  • Patent number: 8635168
    Abstract: An electronic registration system facilitates authorized product returns. A retailer sales associate is prompted to enter individual product identification information such as an individual serial number. This individual product identification information is stored in a database, along with the date on which the product was sold and an appropriate UPC code, SKU number, or manufacturer code. A check digit algorithm may be used to verify the serial number prior to storage. A sales receipt may be imprinted with at least the date of the transaction and the serial number. When a product is returned, the retailer may cross-reference the serial number on the product with that on the receipt to verify the sales receipt. Otherwise, the database may be searched for sales information. A customer may also access a return authorization engine via the Internet to obtain return approval, an authorization number, return instructions, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo of America Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Junger, Cassandra B. Shoecraft, David G. Koon
  • Patent number: 8626538
    Abstract: A coverage management system is described herein that enables an insurance agent and an insured party to engage in a streamlined insurance procurement process. The coverage management system facilitates generation of interactive insurance-related documents, provides mechanisms to interact with the documents, and optimizes agent-insured interaction via the insurance-related documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Risk Management Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philip A. Kilpatrick, II, Thomas D. Hura, Daniel A. Luketic
  • Patent number: 8626657
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and a control method of the mobile terminal may be provided. The mobile terminal may include a short range communication module, a memory for storing information regarding a payment method, and a controller for making a payment using a payment method corresponding to a location at which a communication link is set, based on the information regarding a payment method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungjin Moon, Huran Choi
  • Patent number: 8626642
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards dynamically managing a financial account based on risk modules, aggregated data, and individual behavior, wherein the risk modules are calculated using current and real-time data used in conjunction with prospective as well as current customer data. The risk of loss associated with operating financial accounts is reduced because the parameters under which the financial accounts operate is adjusted based on the aggregated data and the analysis provided from the risk models. This allows additional customers to be obtained but optimizes the risk of loss for the financial institution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Compucredit Intellectual Property Holdings Corp. III
    Inventors: Sheldon H. Foss, Jr., Dennis H. James, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8626535
    Abstract: A shipping insurance service application has an electronic marketplace platform interface, a shipping insurance module, and an insurance provider module. The electronic marketplace platform interface communicates with at least one electronic marketplace application. The shipping insurance module provides a shipping insurance policy to a seller of the corresponding electronic marketplace application and processes a claim from the seller of the corresponding electronic marketplace application based on the shipping insurance policy. The carrier module obtains the shipping insurance policy from an insurance provider among a plurality of insurance providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Maulin Vasavada, Prakash Muppirala, Mohan Jayapal, Sanjay Narang
  • Patent number: 8620757
    Abstract: A computer system including at least one computer-readable medium has software to provide online account statements for accounts of customers of a company. The at least one computer-readable medium includes: a transaction database comprising a transaction history for an account of a customer of the company; a merchant database comprising variations of merchant names for merchants; software to compare the merchant name of the transaction entry of the transaction history from the transaction database with the variations of merchant names from the merchant database; software to provide a hyperlinked special offer indicia if a match occurs between the merchant name from the transaction database and one of the variations of merchant names from the merchant database; and software to provide an online account statement web page to the customer via the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bank of America, National Association
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kramer, William W. Wagner, Kevin P. Wren, Peter A. Tavormina, Thomas E. Boettger, Sunil Mathur