Patents by Inventor Richard L. Stephenson

Richard L. Stephenson 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).

  • Account control method and system that allows only eligible and authorized items to be purchased using the account
    Patent number: 8464937
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a real time account control method and system that allows only eligible and authorized items to be purchased using the account. The present invention relates particularly to healthcare spending accounts such as flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements. The method can comprise the steps of: establishing at least one account, each account having an account holder; identifying at least one item eligible for purchase using one of the accounts; identifying at least one item authorized for purchase using one of the accounts; and, upon request to purchase an item using one of the accounts, authorizing the purchase for an amount not to exceed an available balance in that account only if the item is both an item identified as eligible for purchase and an item authorized for purchase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: Alegeus Technologies, LLC, Humana, Inc.
    Inventors: Cullen L. Reed, Richard L. Stephenson, Steven T. Brown, Joanne E. Gruchalski, Henry A. Widenski, Jr., Jeffrey Jay Erdmann
  • Account Control Method and System that Allows Only Eligible and Authorized Items to be Purchased Using the Account
    Publication number: 20110173083
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a real time account control method and system that allows only eligible and authorized items to be purchased using the account. The present invention relates particularly to healthcare spending accounts such as flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements. The method can comprise the steps of: establishing at least one account, each account having an account holder; identifying at least one item eligible for purchase using one of the accounts; identifying at least one item authorized for purchase using one of the accounts; and, upon request to purchase an item using one of the accounts, authorizing the purchase for an amount not to exceed an available balance in that account only if the item is both an item identified as eligible for purchase and an item authorized for purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Cullen L. Reed, Richard L. Stephenson, Steven T. Brown, Joanne E. Gruchalski, Henry A. Widenski, JR., Jeffrey Jay Erdmann
  • Account control method and system that allows only eligible and authorized items to be purchased using the account
    Patent number: 7866548
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a real time account control method and system that allows only eligible and authorized items to be purchased using the account. The present invention relates particularly to healthcare spending accounts such as flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements. The method can comprise the steps of: establishing at least one account, each account having an account holder; identifying at least on item eligible for purchase using one of the accounts; identifying at least one item authorized for purchase using one of the accounts; and, upon request to purchase an item using one of the accounts, authorizing the purchase for an amount not to exceed an available balance in that account only if the item is both an item identified as eligible for purchase and an item authorized for purchase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Metavante Corporation, Humana, Inc.
    Inventors: Cullen L. Reed, Richard L. Stephenson, Steven T. Brown, Joanne E. Gruchalski, Henry A. Widenski, Jr., Jeffrey Jay Erdmann