Patents Examined by William Rankins
  • Patent number: 8768832
    Abstract: There is provided financial transaction funds collection and distribution methodology and system. A financial service provider assists in providing information to a third party transaction processor, who is engaged to process financial transactions such as insurance claims. Payors enroll as participants with the financial service provider, and information about the payors' banks, funding sources, or other financial institutions are linked to the payors in a database maintained by the payment system. Once a payor and the payor's financial institution are enrolled, funds may be obtained from the payor's bank by the financial service provider on behalf of the third party transaction processor, and without transaction-by-transaction involvement from the payor, significantly reducing the time, expense, and costs associated with financial transaction collection and payment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Karen L. Cervenka
  • Patent number: 8762274
    Abstract: A currency dispense and control system (CDCS) for securely dispensing paper currency in multiple modes: (1) an ATM system and (2) a currency control system that allows a merchant or merchant-approved employee to withdraw cash from the CDCS independent of a standard ATM electronic fund transfer (EFT) network. The CDCS may be on-site and implemented using standard ATM hardware or may be located remotely. The CDCS may also include one or more of the following functionalities: a duress dispensation system that allows the CDCS to activate an alarm and/or otherwise communicate with local police or security services during a robbery, a time-release system that effects a time-delayed dispensation functionality, and a user identification and authentication system for authenticating a user identity and determining eligibility of the user to access the currency control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Peregrin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel H. Bosch, Jonathan H. Bosch
  • Patent number: 8762267
    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 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Scott Paintin, Lance Marr, Michelle Kloosterman, Rebecca Loevenguth, Diane Scott
  • Patent number: 8762265
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for collecting and disbursing electronic gratuities. According to one embodiment, a device for submitting gratuities by credit card is provided at a place of business or other appropriate location. A method of using this device is disclosed, whereby consumers pay a predetermined or adjustable gratuity amount by inserting a credit card into the device. According to another embodiment, technological infrastructure is provided to transmit encrypted payment information such that the acquiring bank of the device provider obtains authorization for gratuity transactions conducted using the device. The acquiring bank is thus enabled to credit the device provider's merchant account or disbursal accounts with electronic gratuity payments less acquisition fees. According to another embodiment, a method of disbursing gratuity shares to employees of the business is provided, wherein processing fees are collected by the device provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventors: Ryder Kessler, Judd Kessler, Jordan Bar Am
  • Patent number: 8756140
    Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods are disclosed that generally relate to risk modeling for investment portfolios, such as equity investment portfolios. For example, a factor covariance matrix for a particular investment portfolio can be adjusted for known biases, including non-stationarity bias and optimization bias. In addition, new techniques for computing specific volatilities and relative specific volatilities for assets in a particular investment portfolio are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: MSCI Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Menchero, Doyle J. Orr
  • Patent number: 8756128
    Abstract: A computer-readable medium has encoded thereon software for maintaining a steady-state worth of an inhomogenous renewable resource pool. The software includes instructions for causing a data-processing system to evaluate an indicator of a historical worth of the resource pool, to determine a draw amount at least in part on the basis of this indicator, and to output data representative of that draw amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: FMR LLC
    Inventors: Jurrien Timmer, Andrew Dierdorf, Walter Tsui, Stephen D. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8751376
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for methods and systems for providing a financial instrument that possesses both credit features (secured and unsecured) and prepaid features. When a purchase is made using a financial instrument linked to an account, funds are first drawn from a line of credit until a credit limit is reached. Any additional funds required to make the purchase are then drawn from a secured account, such as a prepaid cash balance. In some embodiments, the additional funds are automatically drawn form the prepaid cash balance while in other embodiments an account holder manually transfers funds from the prepaid cash balance to the credit balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Galileo Processing, Inc.
    Inventor: T. Clay Wilkes
  • Patent number: 8744965
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to enable the pooling and sharing of funds to cover shared expenses. An electronic basket is created. The electronic basket includes a virtual prepaid payment card with a unique identifier and associated with a user. The user is prompted for potential contributors to the electronic basket. A network interface electronically contacts the potential contributors, and the electronic basket is stored in a user-card database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated
    Inventors: German Blanco, Colin Tanner, Theresa Smith
  • Patent number: 8744968
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer programs provide for automated initial and final payment for an activity based on determining the location of an activity participant's mobile communication device. The described embodiments provide for the activity participant to automatically pay for the activity based on their presence at the activity location and agreement to participate. As such, the need to check-in and/or pay for the activity at a conventional payment counter is eliminated. Further, the invention provides for an automatic final payment to be made at the conclusion of the activity as opposed to having to pre-pay for the activity prior to conducting the activity. By remitting final payment at the completion of the activity, activity pricing can be accurately determined based on the amount and/or time of the activity in which the activity participant participated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Susan Smith Thomas, Scott Lee Harkey, Laura Bondesen, Matthew A. Calman
  • Patent number: 8744962
    Abstract: Funding source data, such as bank account information or credit card information, associated with a user is stored in an enterprise-wide database maintained by an institution, such as a financial services institution. The data in the enterprise-wide database may be accessible to entities associated with the institution upon the user's authorization. The user only has to provide the funding source data once and may then use that funding source to pay for any product, service, bill, etc. associated with any of the entities of the institution. A user may update funding source data once, and this updated funding source data may then be available to all the entities. After providing account details for the user's various funding sources, a user can assign any of the funding sources to a payment plan for any product or service in any entity of the institution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Jeff Dennes, Randy Bear, Patricia A. Loeffler, Peter H. McKenna, Lisa E. Schwartz, Christy L. Newburn
  • Patent number: 8732085
    Abstract: A proxy card used at an ATM, or at any vendor store, that has a legacy point of sale unit or at a store with the smart point of sale. In general, it can be used with any vendor and otherwise as any credit or debit card might be used. The point-of sale unit interacts with a multi-source processing system (MSPS) that, instead of servicing a single money source, interacts with more than one of a plurality of monetary sources that may be associated with the proxy card. The money transferred from credit or debit accounts of the user may be either transferred directly or indirectly via a proxy central account associated with the MSPS that a user maintains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Enpulz, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8732057
    Abstract: A self-service distribution system and method to request a withdrawal of funds from tax-deferred accounts (i.e., a distribution), such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs). The system may retrieve information about a participant's age and type of account from which a distribution is requested. A series of checks defined by rules and regulations that apply to tax-deferred accounts may be run against participant and account information retrieved by the system. A sequence of user interfaces may present information and warnings, such as tax consequences of the distribution, to the guide the participant. The participant may request distributions having a certain frequency, amount, and timing through the presented user interfaces. After all of the information is entered to initiate the distribution, a verification page is presented such that the participant may confirm the enter information is correct. Upon submitting the request, a confirmation is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Devin Michael Becker, Aaron David Bend, Dennis Michael Berry, Jr., John Richard Camacho, Steven Wayne Meier, Jr., Brent Myron Merryman, Donna Ray Molinar, Marcus David Saenz, Christopher Michael Stegge
  • Patent number: 8725606
    Abstract: There is provided an arrangement for a money market note and a term note. The arrangement includes (1) a provision for crediting (a) a collection to (b) principal of the money market note, if the principal of the money market note is not fully credited, and (2) a provision for crediting (a) the collection to (b) principal of the term note, if the principal of the money market note is fully credited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Barclays Capital Inc.
    Inventors: Olaseni B. Duro-Emanuel, Diane M. Rinnovatore, Kent Peer-Nous, Michelle Suzanne Wernli, Konstantin Braun
  • Patent number: 8725636
    Abstract: A method detects fraudulent transaction of money transfer to a mule account, according to which a detection software module is injected into a browser or a website to be protected. The detection module traces the content and the activities performed on a webpage of the website and detects any exceptional activity/condition which may be fraudulent online activity performed by malware and waits until all sensitive data to perform a fraud transaction is entered. Then the detection module stores and/or forwards the details of the mule account that has been used for the fraudulent transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Trusteer Ltd.
    Inventors: Amit Klein, Michael Boodaei
  • Patent number: 8712889
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that allow for personalized data to be embedded in a primary account number associated with a consumer device. In one embodiment, a consumer device comprises a body and personalized data embedded into a primary account number, associated with the body. The primary account number includes a bank identification number and the bank identification number and the personalized data overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Vikram Modi, Shantnu Singh, Bob Joubert, Kenneth Cheng, Mennie Co So
  • Patent number: 8712808
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon for directing operation of a processor. The computer program receives personal and financial data for a couple; accesses data for a plurality of Social Security claiming strategies for the couple based on the personal and financial data; and illustrates on a graphical display which of the Social Security claiming strategies would provide the maximum present value of benefits for multiple mortality combinations of the couple so that the couple or an advisor for the couple can quickly ascertain which claiming strategy would provide the maximum benefits for a particular mortality combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Social Security Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William Meyer
  • Patent number: 8706601
    Abstract: A computer-based system including: a memory unit configured to store computer readable instructions, path-dependent behavioral assumptions, and economic variables; and a processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to perform a vectorized adjoint differentiation forward pass including: generating a full or pruned directed acyclic graph (DAG) representation of a procedure for computation of the behaviorally path-dependent value for the financial product; computing, using the DAG representation, the behaviorally path-dependent value for the financial product; and performing an adjoint differentiation backward pass on said full or pruned DAG representation to obtain a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Genesis Financial Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Payne
  • Patent number: 8706629
    Abstract: Systems and methods for permitting a credit card payment are described. An individual associated with a credit card account of an entity may be identified. A request to permit the individual associated with the credit card account of the entity to deposit a credit card payment in a self-service financial transaction device associated with the entity may be received. An identifier of the individual associated with the credit card account may be read. A request from the individual to deposit monetary funds as the credit card payment into the self-service financial transaction device may be received, and a determination may be made as to whether the individual is authorized to make the deposit. Monetary funds from the individual for deposit as the credit card payment may be received. One or more restrictions may be placed on the ability to deposit monetary funds as the credit card payment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: William H. McGraw, Timothy B. Vannatter, Joshua Bradley Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8706610
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conducting securities lending transactions using an electronic trading platform. In accordance with an implementation, the electronic trading platform receives, from a trader, order data comprising a plurality of orders to lend or borrow shares of securities, and information identifying a matching criterion associated with a transaction to lend or borrow the shares. The electronic trading platform identifies a counterparty capable of fulfilling at least a portion of the orders in accordance with the proposed matching criterion. The electronic trading platform may then execute transactions between the trader and the identified counterparty to lend or borrow at least a portion of the shares in accordance with terms of an active bilateral agreement between the trader and the identified counterparty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: SL-x Technology UK Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Ira Fenichel, Henry Donald Mlynarski, Nazaar Molokhia
  • Patent number: 8700528
    Abstract: An operational support system includes a data collection unit and a number of network devices that are associated with various telecommunications services. The data collection unit retrieves raw data records from the network elements and identifies information in the raw data records that is relevant for billing purposes. The data collection unit normalizes the raw data records to create a billable record. The billable record may then be passed to a rating or billing unit that determines the charges associated with a customer's use of the telecommunications services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventor: Walter J. Leskuski