Patents by Inventor Erik S. Crawford

Erik S. Crawford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 8960537
    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: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Kurt Bulawa, Corey Allen Bohler, Dean A. Seifert, Thomas B. Sayor, Mark Baumgart, Erik S. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20140172594
    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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Erik S. Crawford, Thomas B. Sayor, Kenneth Algiene
  • Publication number: 20140172699
    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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik S. Crawford, Thomas B. Sayor, Kenneth Algiene
  • Patent number: 8700479
    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 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Erik S. Crawford, Thomas B. Sayor, Kenneth Algiene
  • 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: 20120233069
    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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Kurt Bulawa, Corey Allen Bohler, Dean A. Seifert, Thomas B. Sayor, Mark Baumgart, Erik S. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8152054
    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: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 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: 20110145079
    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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Erik S. Crawford, Thomas B. Sayor, Kenneth Algiene
  • Patent number: 7917395
    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: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Erik S. Crawford, Thomas B. Sayor, Kenneth Algiene
  • Publication number: 20100161485
    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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Kurt Bulawa, Corey Allen Bohler, Dean A. Seifert, Thomas B. Sayor, Mark Baumgart, Erik S. Crawford
  • Patent number: 7647246
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for executing such a bilateral action. A communication is received at a host system. A determination is made that the communication identifies a physical instrument that identifies an account of stored value. A request is transmitted to another host system to debit the account by an amount identified in the communication to support the bilateral action. A confirmation is received from the other host system that the account of stored value has been debited. An approval for the bilateral action is transmitted to an originating communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Rodin, David Baumgartner, Eric Eldred, Erik S. Crawford, Karen Larsen, Kenneth Timbers, Kevin Harte, Terra Geiger
  • Publication number: 20080195498
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing connectivity to a wireless network may include a point of sale device at a merchant location that is used to receive an account identifier that in turn is associated with a stored value account of a customer. The account identifier is transmitted along with transaction data to a financial network to permit the stored value account to be processed according to the transaction request. When needing to receive wireless access, a customer using a personal communications device transmits a request to obtain wireless access while he is at the merchant location. An evaluation is performed to confirm that the customer has performed a transaction involving the stored value account within a certain time period. Wireless access to the wireless network is provided if the customer has performed the transaction within the certain time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: First DAta Corporation
    Inventors: Erik S. Crawford, Thomas B. Sayor, Ken Algiene