Patents by Inventor Mark A. Ernst

Mark A. Ernst 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: 8521625
    Abstract: A tax refund system is disclosed in which in exchange for a taxpayer assigning all or a portion of his or her tax refund, a participating provider provides to the taxpayer a spending vehicle with buying power at participating outlets. Tax return data for an individual's tax return is processed by the IRS. A taxpayer consents to using a portion of the tax return data to acquire a spending vehicle from a financial institution of the taxpayer's choosing. Using a portion of the tax return data, the IRS arranges to electronically transfer an amount related to the taxpayer's refund to an account at the financial institution selected by the taxpayer. A taxpayer then receives a spending vehicle such as a credit, debit, or cash card, spending account, coupon, or rebate from a financial institution or other spending vehicle provider such as a retailer, service provider, wholesaler, distributor, or entertainment entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: H & R Block Tax Services LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Wilson, Mark A. Ernst
  • Publication number: 20100293079
    Abstract: A tax refund system is disclosed in which in exchange for a taxpayer assigning all or a portion of his or her tax refund, a participating provider provides to the taxpayer a spending vehicle with buying power at participating outlets. Tax return data for an individual's tax return is processed by the IRS. A taxpayer consents to using a portion of the tax return data to acquire a spending vehicle from a financial institution of the taxpayer's choosing. Using a portion of the tax return data, the IRS arranges to electronically transfer an amount related to the taxpayer's refund to an account at the financial institution selected by the taxpayer. A taxpayer then receives a spending vehicle such as a credit, debit, or cash card, spending account, coupon, or rebate from a financial institution or other spending vehicle provider such as a retailer, service provider, wholesaler, distributor, or entertainment entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: H&R BLOCK TAX SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Wilson, Mark A. Ernst
  • Patent number: 7765132
    Abstract: A tax refund system is disclosed in which in exchange for a taxpayer assigning all or a portion of his or her tax refund, a participating provider provides to the taxpayer a spending vehicle with buying power at participating outlets. Tax return data for an individual's tax return is processed by the IRS. A taxpayer consents to using a portion of the tax return data to acquire a spending vehicle from a financial institution of the taxpayer's choosing. Using a portion of the tax return data, the IRS arranges to electronically transfer an amount related to the taxpayer's refund to an account at the financial institution selected by the taxpayer. A taxpayer then receives a spending vehicle such as a credit, debit, or cash card, spending account, coupon, or rebate from a financial institution or other spending vehicle provider such as a retailer, service provider, wholesaler, distributor, or entertainment entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: H&R Block Tax Services, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Wilson, Mark A. Ernst
  • Publication number: 20100076875
    Abstract: A system and method for provisioning a refund anticipation loan is providing that includes receiving tax return information wherein the tax return information is associated with a taxpayer and the tax return information includes an expected refund amount and authorization for a combined bank to receive the expected refund amount, determining whether the expected refund amount meets a threshold value for the RAL, determining whether there is a debt indicator associated with the tax return, requesting an account for the taxpayer from a combined bank wherein the combined bank will also fund the RAL under a the same charter, requesting RAL funding for the taxpayer account from the combined bank if a debt indicator is not associated with the tax return, and receiving the expected refund amount at the combined bank, wherein the RAL is offset by receipt of the expected refund amount at the combined bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mark A. Ernst, John W. Thompson, Bernard M. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100076888
    Abstract: A system for aggregating retail financial services distribution partners and providing real time, automated matching of the tailored products being delivered to clients by distribution partners to available financing and deposit locations. Secondary market participants are also assembled to provide financing capacity and locations for deposits of the system's marketplace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mark A. Ernst, John W. Thompson, Bernard M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7177829
    Abstract: A tax refund system is disclosed in which in exchange for a taxpayer assigning all or a portion of his or her tax refund, a participating provider provides to the taxpayer a spending vehicle with buying power at participating outlets. Tax return data for an individual's tax return is processed by the IRS. A taxpayer consents to using a portion of the tax return data to acquire a spending vehicle from a financial institution of the taxpayer's choosing. Using a portion of the tax return data, the IRS arranges to electronically transfer an amount related to the taxpayer's refund to an account at the financial institution selected by the taxpayer. A taxpayer then receives a spending vehicle such as a credit, debit, or cash card, spending account, coupon, or rebate from a financial institution or other spending vehicle provider such as a retailer, service provider, wholesaler, distributor, or entertainment entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: H & R Block Tax Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Wilson, Mark A. Ernst