Bill Distribution Or Payment Patents (Class 705/40)
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Patent number: 10102582Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for use in streamlining customer finance and customer money management platforms. An exemplary apparatus may be configured to provide a financial management application, whereby the financial management application interfaces with an online banking platform to access a customer's financial information for use in streamlining the customer's finances and money management strategies; receive social network financial information, the social network financial information comprising financial information associated with other customers; compare the customer's financial information to the social network financial information; present a comparison of the customer's financial information to the social network financial information.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph Neil Johansen, Anthony David Guido
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Patent number: 10102508Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes issuing a transaction on the Automated Clearing House (ACH) electronic network, the transaction including instructions for printing a check, receiving the transaction, and printing the check according to the instructions.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Yodlee, Inc.Inventors: Gary Williams, Peter Hazlehurst, Jayasree Iyer, Julieta Abad
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Patent number: 10091089Abstract: Present disclosure provides techniques for dynamically determining how to store and expire non-TCP traffic in a network environment. In some examples, aspects of the present disclosure may implement a state machine operated by the server for managing non-TCP traffic. Critically, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, non-TCP traffic may be combined with the use of multiple memory partitions and an expiry algorithm that supports dynamic scaling of non-TCP traffic while achieving faster connection speed, higher system performance, and lower time complexity.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Hossam Fattah, Praveen Balasubramanian
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Patent number: 10068208Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include transfer account systems, computer program products, and associated computer-implemented methods of providing prioritized payments from the proceeds of automatic or direct deposits. Embodiments of the present invention include routing automatic deposit information to a financial institution computer managing a prioritized payment program and formulating an outgoing ACH file with both an entry for an automatic deposit destined for a customer account and an entry for a pre-authorized prioritized payment to a select creditor, so that the automatic deposit is credited to the customer account and relatively instantaneously any prioritized payment is debited from the customer account. According to embodiments of the present invention, the customer account can be a prepaid card account so that a customer has effective access on the prepaid card only to a net value of funds.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: METABANKInventors: Trent Sorbe, Troy Larson
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Patent number: 10068288Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for providing customized user interfaces for facilitating personal payment transactions. In certain embodiments, disclosed embodiments may generate a dynamic and customized interface for effecting the personal payment transaction by, for example, providing one or more options for the payer to fund the payment. The disclosed embodiments may provide an interface that includes one or more suggested recipients for identifying the payee associated with the payment transaction. The disclosed embodiments may also provide an interface that includes one or more routing options to route the payment. The disclosed embodiments may also provide an interface that provides one or more communication channel options for parties associated with the personal payment transaction to communicate.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Capital One Financial CorporationInventors: Gagan Kanjlia, Scott Zimmer, Robert J. Larson, Alexander S. Wilson, Vishal Puri, Jay Pober
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Patent number: 10062125Abstract: A method and system are provided for presenting rates for travel services using dynamic pricing bands. The dynamic pricing bands represent approximate rates for travel services relative to available rates during or close to the proposed dates of travel, or at or near the proposed travel destination. Each dynamic pricing band is keyed to a particular color, intensity, pattern, sound, or other graphical and/or audio characteristic, thereby providing the consumer a sense of the seasonal, regional, day of week, or other variability of rates for travel services without having to compare actual numbers. The dynamic pricing bands are applied to an interactive presentation of rates for travel services to allow the consumer to explore possible rate variations for particular travel services in a manner that provides a birds-eye view, is intuitive and user-friendly.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: EXPEDIA, INC.Inventors: Sendi Widjaja, Kristin Dahl Acker
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Patent number: 10043209Abstract: A method of initiating a consumer transaction using a human interaction device to read voice or human based gesture actions is disclosed. Video data is transmitted from a processing device to a display device. The video is monitoring for event data corresponding to a plurality of consumer products or services, and monitored event data is received in the processing device. A consumer is notified on the display device of an eligible consumer transaction. Voice or human based gesture actions are read with a human interaction device and are analyzed. If the voice or human based gesture actions conform to a predetermined set of requirements, then a consumer transaction for the plurality of consumer products or services is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATEDInventors: Alan Cooke, Garry Lyons, Oran Cummins, Stephen Elder, Lukas Ekselius
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Patent number: 10037572Abstract: A system and method are provided for distributed risk management. According to one example embodiment, a central risk controller is provided that can communicate with a plurality of local risk management modules located at a plurality of gateways. The central risk controller may allocate a portion of a central account balance associated with a trading account to each local risk management module. Then, as the trades are made using the trading account, the local risk management modules may manage risk associated with the trades until the local account balance is insufficient. As the account balance gets low, the local risk management module may query the central risk controller for the additional risk account balance.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Trading Technologies International, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Slezak
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Patent number: 10032143Abstract: A method and a system for payment support are provided. The payment support method may include creating an account used for a payment service via a wallet server apparatus, connecting to the wallet server apparatus using the account, registering personal identification information including hardware information of a terminal device in the account, and associating at least one payment option with the personal identification information stored in the wallet server apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kyungdong Kim, Shinwoo Lee
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Patent number: 10026094Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the use of loyalty accounts, private label payment accounts, and general payment accounts using an electronic device with an electronic wallet. Various accounts are linked to the electronic device. In some examples, the electronic device is NFC-enabled. The electronic device may be used to provide loyalty account information and payment account information to a payment terminal, such as an NFC-enabled payment terminal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Donald W. Pitschel, Gregg Suzuki, Lawrence Y. Yang, Peter D. Anton, Glen W. Steele, George R. Dicker
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Patent number: 10021430Abstract: A system for the distribution of media is disclosed. The system comprises a network center; a delivery system for receiving data from and transmitting data to the network center; and a plurality of multimedia teller machines (MTMs) for receiving data from the delivery system, and for providing a plurality of gigablocks, wherein the gigablocks provide for secure and/or high bandwidth data.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Percept Technologies IncInventor: Scott W Lewis
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Patent number: 10019763Abstract: A system stores financial accounting data in a Base ledger, together with overlying extension ledger(s). An engine receives both generic financial data, and financial data utilized for specific purposes. Utilizing a mapping table the engine stores in an underlying Base ledger, the generic financial data (e.g., a fixed asset acquisition). The engine stores in overlying extension ledgers, specific financial data (e.g., a linear asset depreciation and/or an declining balance method of asset depreciation) derived from that generic data. This reduces memory footprint by persisting the generic data in one location only. The stored data may be read utilizing dataviews combining data from Base and extension ledgers. A recursive algorithm may evaluate chain(s) of ledgers. Embodiments may be particularly suited to store in the Base ledger generic financial data common to multiple accounting principles (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: SAP SEInventors: Georg Dopf, Michael Conrad, Stefan Gauger, Joachim Kenntner, Joachim Liebler, Ruediger Raubeck, Andreas Reccius, Thomas Schachner, Thomas Schneider, Radim Sykora
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Patent number: 10019698Abstract: A payment processing system for processing mobile point-of-sale transactions and extending cash advances to merchants is disclosed. The payment processing system receives repayment of the cash advance from the merchant by withholding a portion of funds from financial transactions processed for the merchant, the portion of funds determined according to repayment terms for the cash advance. The payment processing system receives signals from other products provided to the merchant by the payment processing service provider to determine payment deferral eligibility for the merchant where the payment processing system refrains from taking repayment from the financial transactions processed for the merchant by the payment processing system. The payment deferral eligibility may be determined in response to a merchant request for a payment deferral or automatically by the payment processing system.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: John Bryan Scott, Brian Boates, Adam Jeremy Fern, Andrew Kimball
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Patent number: 10009228Abstract: One or more processors validate consistency between a policy-based service and operational data of a managed IT environment. One or more processors collect information for a component of a baseline, wherein the component of the baseline is at least one of an IT device and an application within the managed IT environment. One or more processors determine the policy-based service to be applied to the component of the baseline. One or more processors collect information to access operational data associated with a provider of the policy-based service. One or more processors generate a policy based on the information for the component of the baseline and the policy-based service to be applied to the component of the baseline, and one or more processors perform a validation of consistency based on a comparison between the policy and the operational data associated with the provider of the policy-based service.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Guilherme S. Elias, Marcos V. Paraiso, Marcos D. Sylos, Sergio Varga
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Patent number: 9996830Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to split a payment card transaction into separate channels with a merchant bill message and cardholder payment message.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Mastercard International IncorporatedInventors: Jason Jay Lacoss-Arnold, Joan L. Rohlfing
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Patent number: 9992658Abstract: Systems and methods that enable scalable, cost-effective payment reconciliation between owners of devices at least temporarily connected in or to a particular low-power, ad hoc mesh network.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: CUBIC CORPORATIONInventor: Paul Berenberg
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Patent number: 9990110Abstract: A system for worldwide cloud-based testing of mobile applications includes a plurality of mobile computing devices geographically distributed across a plurality of different countries. One or more servers are connected with the mobile computing devices over one or more networks. The one or more servers run a program for playback of a test composition which includes a timed sequence of clips on the mobile computing devices. The timed sequence of clips include one or more messages each of which instructs a precise gesture-based action applied to at least one object displayed on the touch-sensitive display screen. The precise gesture-based action corresponds to a functional aspect of the mobile application and consists of a plurality of data elements previously captured from inside the mobile application while the mobile application was subject to the gesture-based user input entered via the touch-sensitive display screen.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Akamai Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Lounibos, Kenneth C. Gardner, Tal Broda, Giri B. Senji
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Patent number: 9990613Abstract: Introduced here is a technology that enables a bill payer, who is an account holder at a financial institution (e.g., a bank), to send a bill payment to a bill payee by submitting, via a financial application of the financial institution, the bill payee's identifier and a bill payment amount, where funds for the bill payment amount are transferred directly to the bill payee substantially instantaneously upon the bill payer's request. The technology involves communication between a computer system of a financial institution (“financial institution system”), a mobile financial application installed on a bill payer's mobile device, and a third-party, remote computer system of a payment service (“PSS”). Upon receiving the identifier and amount from the financial institution system, the PSS identifies payment card information of the bill payer and the bill payee, and executes, or triggers execution of, the transfer of funds for the bill payment.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Anish Bhatt, Charles Kimble
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Patent number: 9990612Abstract: Machine, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic inventory tracking and management of products through messaging over a payment network, are provided. An example includes an inventory management computer in communication with a merchant POS apparatus or terminal over an existing financial services payment network and configured to receive and process purchase transaction data associated with a product being purchased, for use by a product provider. The computer can include electronic inventory management program product configured to perform various operations including receiving a purchase transaction message sent through the payment network, storing purchase transaction data, and notifying a product provider of the purchase transaction data.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: METABANKInventors: Jason Brooks, Mike Wells
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Patent number: 9992337Abstract: An apparatus includes a communications module that establishes a telephonic connection between a customer service representative of a company and a customer through an electronic device. An identification module receives an identifier that alerts the customer service representative and/or a computer system of the company that the customer has a customer profile that includes information to identify the customer. The identifier is received in conjunction with the telephonic connection. The customer profile is stored previous to the telephonic connection. An ID request module sends a request to the customer to provide identifying information via the electronic device of the customer. The identifying information is input to the electronic device by the customer using an electronic, non-verbal technique. An ID confirmation module receives an identification confirmation in response to the identifying information input by the customer matching the information to identify the customer in the customer profile.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Teleperformance SEInventors: Alan Truitt, Dev Mudaliar
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Patent number: 9984375Abstract: An apparatus includes a communications module that establishes a telephonic connection between a customer service representative of a company and a customer. An identification send module sends an identifier that alerts the customer service representative that the customer has a customer profile that includes information to identify the customer. An ID request receiver module receives a request to provide identifying information via the electronic device and displays the request to the customer. An ID input module receives the identifying information from the customer and masks the identifying information from the customer service representative. An ID comparison module compares the identifying information input by the customer with the information in the customer profile.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: TELEPERFORMANCE SEInventors: Alan Truitt, Dev Mudaliar
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Patent number: 9978098Abstract: A method for correcting a payroll error in a payroll of an employee includes calculating a value range of a payroll component based on the payroll of the employee for a pre-determined number of prior payroll periods, comparing a current value of the payroll component for a current payroll period and the value range to generate a difference, identifying an irregularity parameter associated with the payroll component in response to the difference exceeding a pre-determined threshold, wherein the irregularity parameter relates to a pre-determined mechanism capable of causing the payroll error, analyzing the difference using a pre-determined rule based on the irregularity parameter to determine whether the payroll error exists, and in response to determining that the payroll error exists, and correcting the payroll error prior to releasing the payroll for the current payroll period.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Intuit Inc.Inventors: Lesley Kim Grossblatt, Yogesh K. Bhumralkar, Sandra M. Edwards, Eric E. Shenk
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Patent number: 9954742Abstract: A method performed in a first network node, includes the first network node receiving, from a second network node, a request specifying a user account and a media content. The method further includes the first network node retrieving, from a database, a database object associated with the user account, the database object including a first parameter associated with a non-monetary balance. The method further includes the first network node retrieving, from the database, at least one predefined rule associated with the media content. The method further includes the first network node determining an advice of charge using the database object and the at least one predefined rule, the advice of charge specifying a deduction from the non-monetary balance for downloading the media content. The method also includes the first network node transmitting the advice of charge to the second network node.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)Inventors: Saket Rustagi, Saurabh Gupta
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Patent number: 9955421Abstract: A method includes generating a service discovery frame at a first electronic device of a data link of a neighbor aware network (NAN). The service discovery frame may include an attribute identifying a subset of electronic devices of the data link as recipients of data from the first electronic device during a transmission window or identifying a time period corresponding to data announcements and timing information of data transmissions corresponding to the data link. The method further includes transmitting the service discovery frame to electronic devices other than the first electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Abhishek Pramod Patil, Santosh Paul Abraham, Alireza Raissinia, George Cherian
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Patent number: 9947032Abstract: An approach is provided for indirectly connecting a customer's mobile smart device to computers located at a business when the customer is making a purchase at the business. The customer's mobile smart device and the business's computers communicate over the Internet with a customer interaction manager executing on an Internet server. This provides an easy to use interface for the customer and allows the customer to receive information and send requests to the business without having to wait for personnel working at the business to be available.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Taylor Drake Morgan, Azhar Bande-ali, Brett S. Taylor, Curtis Patrick Quinn Evans, James Lee Fortuna, David Allen Turner
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Patent number: 9946736Abstract: A method including entering individual-associated data bits (IDBs) into a computerized system, the set of data of each of the IDBs including at least one personal identifier of an individual and relationship data including data on one or more related individuals and the nature of the relationship, processing the entered IDBs on a processor, generating an individual-identifier data set (IDS) for each identified individual or one of the related individuals having data in the processed IDBs, and storing IDSs of identified individuals in a database.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2007Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Inventors: Dan Rolls, Ilan Cohn
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Patent number: 9947054Abstract: A processing server may receive transaction data from one or more point of sale (POS) terminals in near real-time. Transaction data received from each of the POS terminals may be in a format that is specific to the POS terminal. Upon receiving the transaction data having the POS specific format, the processing server may convert the transaction data to a common format that is compatible with the operations of the processing server. Further, the processing server may index the converted transaction data into one or more categories. Responsive to indexing, the processing server may generate aggregate data from the indexed transaction data. Further, the processing server may receive a request for a data report associated with the aggregate data. Responsive to receiving the request, the processing server may generate the data report, format the data report to match a user preference, and transmit the data report for presentation.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: CAROLINA COUPON CLEARING, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Kavis, L. David Mounts, Jeffrey Toewe, Timothy P. Wilkinson
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Patent number: 9940594Abstract: A workroom is automatically established for each job created and is associated with a unique email address. The workroom allows members to hold live meetings, communicate in real-time, including via email, upload/manage/share files, and automatically provide transcripts of communication. The workroom also allows team members to launch work trackers directly from the workroom. A work tracker collects work information and directly generates one or more status reports based on the work information collected. A status report includes a back-end version viewable and modifiable by a service provider and a front-end version viewable by a buyer. The status report directly generates an invoice based on the information from the status report. The invoice is submitted to the buyer and allows the buyer to directly pay the service provider.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: ELANCE, INC.Inventors: Fabio Rosati, Yuet Ping Poon, Rajasekhar L. Kovuru, Ved Ranjan Sinha, Ayyappan Arasu, Maurizio A. Gianola, Anthony M. Hahn
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Patent number: 9922311Abstract: At a computing device, optionally located in communication with an intermediate node in an electronic bill payment system, access is obtained to a data structure including a plurality of valid customer account numbers for customers of a biller that utilizes or desires to utilize the electronic bill presentment and payment system. With the computing device, each character of each of said valid customer account numbers is replaced with a wild card in accordance with a normalization scheme, to obtain a plurality of normalized valid customer account numbers. At least one pattern of said wild cards in said plurality of normalized valid customer account numbers is designated as a recommended account mask.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATEDInventors: Amy C. Milam, Stephen J. Klaus, Mirza S. Zafar
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Patent number: 9911114Abstract: Methods and systems for making a financial payment to a payee via a stored value (SV) card utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). The mobile device communicates wirelessly with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user information and transaction information. A user enters information via the mobile device identifying a payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction that includes information corresponding to the identified payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile payment instruction is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS generates an MFTS payment instruction to a payment instruction recipient that can issue a new stored value card and/or reload funds onto a pre-existing stored value card.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Brady Lee Rackley, III, Warren Derek Porter, Gregory Michael Rickman, Kyle Leighton Cochran
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Patent number: 9904956Abstract: A user captures an image of a payment card via a user computing device camera. An optical character recognition system receives the payment card image from the user computing device. The system performs optical character recognition and visual object recognition algorithms on the payment card image to extract text and visual objects from the payment card image, which are used by the system to identify a payment card type. The system may categorize the payment card as a credit card or a non-credit card. In an example embodiment, the system determines that the payment card type is a credit card and transmits fee structure to the user. The user selects a second payment card for use in the transaction and the transaction is processed using financial account information associated with the second payment card.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: GOOGLE LLCInventors: Xiaohang Wang, Glenn Berntson
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Patent number: 9904916Abstract: A system and method comprising receiving a request to access a first set of details associated with a first transaction conducted by a user, the request including first information that corresponds to a first asset under the control of the user, determining an identity of the user based at least in part on the first information, and identifying a second transaction likely to be associated with the user, the second transaction being associated with second information that corresponds to a second asset different than the first asset. The system and method further including requesting confirmation from the user that the second asset is under the control of the user, and, upon receiving the confirmation, associating the first and second transactions with the first and second information.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Klarna ABInventors: Karl Petter Engström, Daniel Lange, Thomas Magnus Taylor Armstrong
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Patent number: 9893955Abstract: Methods of managing access to systems of an organization are provided. The methods include creating a unique identifier for a user, the unique identifier having an associated user profile for the user and being stored with the associated user profile in an identifier repository associated with the organization; requesting at least one account for the user on at least one system of the organization responsive to the creation of the unique identifier for the user, wherein the at least one account is defined based on the user profile of the user associated with the unique identifier; and generating the at least one account for the user on the at least one system of the organization responsive to the request. Related systems and computer program products are also provided herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Allison Reeves, Michael Johnson, Michael Kirkpatrick, Gary Toretti
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Patent number: 9888005Abstract: An item-providing system supplies items to a user device for consumption at the user device via communication infrastructure. The device may correspond to a book reader device or other type of device. The item-providing system uses a content delivery module to deliver the items to the user device.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John Lattyak, Subram (Narsi) Narasimhan, Michael V. Rykov, Richard Moore, Beryl Tomay, Thomas Aquinas Ryan, Girish Bansilal Bajaj, Kevin R. Cheung, Jon Saxton, Kenneth Paul Kiraly, Aviram Zagorie, Robert L. Goodwin, Gregg Elliott Zehr, James C. Slezak, Thomas M. J. Fruchterman
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Patent number: 9886690Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for receiving a request to modify a universal integrated circuit card, generating a package comprising configuration data for modifying the universal integrated circuit card, encrypting the package with a transport key to generate an encrypted package, transmitting the encrypted package to a communication device communicatively coupled to the universal integrated circuit card to provision the universal integrated circuit card, and providing a mobile network operator trusted service manager system information relating to the configuration data to enable the mobile network operator trusted service manager system to manage content and memory allocation of the universal integrated circuit card. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignees: AT&T MOBILITY II LLC, AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Walter Cooper Chastain, Clifton Ashman Campbell, Stephen Emille Chin, David Harber, Brian Keith Rainer, David K. Smith, Shih-Ming Wang
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Patent number: 9881281Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for collaboratively planning an event via a collaborative event planning application. The collaborative event planning application may be accessed via user terminals connected to a network such as the Internet. Individual aspects such as theme, date, location, attire, travel, and lodging pertinent to the event and group discussion may be edited by a host, designated co-hosts, and invitees. Hosts and invitees may also make decisions regarding the event by voting. The collaborative event planning application may also periodically suggest vendors and provide notifications and recommendations based on the event details and preferences of the users.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Inventor: Jennifer L. Burka
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Patent number: 9875469Abstract: When a merchant sells goods or services in a sales transaction, a merchant device can generate a bill. The bill includes an itemized list of the goods and services, a price for each item, and an identifier of the sales transaction. A first customer and a second customer split the bill using a first customer device and a second customer device, respectively. The first customer device establishes communication between the first customer device and the merchant device. Using the identifier of the sales transaction, the first customer device pays a portion of the itemized list of the goods and services at the merchant device. The second customer device establishes communication between the second customer device and the merchant device. Using the identifier, the second customer device pays a remaining portion of the itemized list of the goods and services at the merchant device.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Chin, Dan Seeman
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Patent number: 9870561Abstract: A numbering system is provided having an identifier with hexadecimal, vigesimal, quadrivigesimal, or any other suitable alphanumeric characters includable on a card and an account identifiable using the identifier. The card can be a gift card, a customer loyalty card, or a customer incentive card. An interface may be connected to a communications network that is accessible to associate the identifier with an account and manage funds associable with the account. Funds data may be associable with the account and storable on the remote server, the funds data relating to the funds transferred by a user to a card issuer. The identifier may be storable on the card in an electronically readable format, and may be included on the card via printing and/or imprinting. A method is provided for using the numbering system.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: WILOPEN PRODUCTS, LCInventor: Gordon M. Kramer
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Patent number: 9871920Abstract: An apparatus includes a communications module that establishes a verbal communication between an automated attendant of a company and a customer through an electronic device in the possession of the customer. An identification module receives an identifier that alerts the automated attendant and/or a computer system of the company that the customer has a customer profile stored electronically. The customer profile includes information to identify the customer. The identifier is received in conjunction with the verbal communication, and includes an electronic data signal. The customer profile is stored previous to the verbal communication. An ID confirmation module receives an identification confirmation in response to identifying information input by the customer matching the information to identify the customer in the customer profile. The identity of the customer is confirmed electronically.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: TELEPERFORMANCE SEInventors: Alan Truitt, Dev Mudaliar
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Patent number: 9870568Abstract: Methods and systems for determining prices of customized virtual machines required to process customer-specified workloads are disclosed. A count of instances of the customized virtual machines, required to process the customer-specified workloads is determined, based on a configuration of the customized virtual machines. The instances of the customized virtual machines are consolidated on virtual machine servers. Further, the prices of the customized virtual machines are determined based on a count of the virtual machine servers, unused resources in the virtual machine servers, and unused resources in the customized virtual machines. The determined prices are recommended to the customer. Further, at least one of the prices of the customized virtual machines or the configuration of at least one or more customized virtual machines is modified, based on a response to the recommendation received from the customer.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gueyoung Jung, Tridib Mukherjee, Shruti Kunde
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Patent number: 9864982Abstract: The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for sending payment requests to one or more persons or entities based on images in which the persons or entities appear. In one example, the process may include identifying an image associated with a payment request, the identified image containing at least one recipient associated with the payment request, and wherein the payment request includes a value, analyzing the identified image to identify the at least one potential recipient of the payment request, identifying contact information associated with the at least one identified recipient of the payment request, and sending the payment request to the at least one identified recipient of the payment request via a destination associated with the identified contact information.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: The Toronto-Dominion BankInventors: Lori Bristow, Paul Mon-Wah Chan, Jonathan K. Barnett, Orin DelVecchio, Lauren van Heerden
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Patent number: 9864988Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing a portable consumer device (e.g., a plastic card) that includes a coupon code and an account number (e.g., embedded on a magnetic stripe or a chip) where the portable consumer device is configured to apply a coupon to goods and services purchased at a merchant (e.g., store). Upon identifying the goods and services under a particular category specified by the coupon code (e.g., healthy food category), a user may pay for a predetermined portion (e.g., 50%) of the goods and services under the particular category using the portable consumer device. The user may pay for the remaining portion using a benefits card (e.g., state benefits card). As such, by allowing the user to pay for the predetermined portion using the portable consumer device, the user has incentive to purchase goods and services that fall under the particular category.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Visa International Service AssociationInventors: Mary Theresa Taylor, Karen Louise Cervenka, Marla Bischoff, Justin Chace
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Patent number: 9846879Abstract: A method for validating payment information for an online transaction is provided. A payment server can receive two representations of the same payment information. The payment information can be validated if it is determined that the two representations match. If there is no match, or the payment information is otherwise invalid, the payment information can be repaired based on a trusted representation of the payment information, such as stored payment information or an image of an associated value token. Payment information can be received via one or more communication channels, and can be provided by one or more consumer devices. A merchant service provider can validate payment information and handle transaction processing on behalf of a merchant.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATIONInventors: Bharathi Ramavarjula, Nimesh Parikh, Timothy Wright
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Patent number: 9842330Abstract: In some examples, an account is provisioned onto an electronic device. In some examples, the device receives a value to fund the account provisioned on the electronic device. In some examples, the electronic device transacts with a contactless transaction terminal using the provisioned account and displays an indication of the transaction. In some examples, the electronic device transmits information corresponding to the provisioned account without checking for authentication. In some examples, the device receives user input initiating a process for moving the account from a first device to a second device. In some examples, the device receives account payment credentials from a second device when a set of payment criteria are met.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Charles Ahn, Oluwatomiwa B. Alabi, Peter D. Anton, George R. Dicker, Donald W. Pitschel, Glen W. Steele, Simon Tickner
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Patent number: 9836780Abstract: A method of initiating a consumer transaction using a human interaction device to read voice or human based gesture actions is disclosed. Video data is transmitted from a processing device to a display device. The video is monitoring for event data corresponding to a plurality of consumer products or services, and monitored event data is received in the processing device. A consumer is notified on the display device of an eligible consumer transaction. Voice or human based gesture actions are read with a human interaction device and are analyzed. If the voice or human based gesture actions conform to a predetermined set of requirements, then a consumer transaction for the plurality of consumer products or services is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATEDInventors: Alan Cooke, Garry Lyons, Oran Cummins, Stephen Elder
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Patent number: 9830587Abstract: A system, method and device for customizing online merchant payments for mobile devices without merchant integration are provided. In an embodiment, a mobile device monitors a state of a web-based session between the mobile device and an online merchant and detects and intercepts a payment form received from an online merchant for entering payment information to complete a purchase transaction with the online merchant. The mobile device displays a list of one or more payment types available for selection to complete the purchase transaction. The user selects and payment type and the mobile device retrieves associated payment information from a server based on the payment type selected by the user. The mobile device populates fields of the payment form with the retrieved payment information, displays the populated payment form to the user for confirmation to complete the purchase transaction, and submits the populated payment form to the online merchant.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Timothy L. Bell, Sai Suresh Ganesamoorthi, Hemant Tiwari
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Patent number: 9830656Abstract: A method conducting financial transactions over a computerized network, which includes conducting awareness propagation such that capital movement over a participant system-network is optimized.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Inventor: Zachary Pessin
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Patent number: 9813853Abstract: A message transmission method includes steps of receiving a identifier of a first wireless transmitter by a first portable device; transmitting associative message of the wireless transmitter by the first portable device; retrieving the identifier of the targeted wireless transmitter according to the identifier transmitted by the first wireless transmitter; linking the associative message of the wireless transmitter with the identifier of the targeted wireless transmitter; verifying the identifier of the targeted wireless transmitter with a identifier transmitted by a second wireless transmitter and received by a second portable device to confirm whether the identifier is the same or not; and if the identifier is the same, the second portable device retrieves wireless transmitter associative message which is associative to the identifier of the targeted wireless transmitter for later application.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: CHUNGHWA TELECOM CO., LTD.Inventors: Shih-Cheng Yang, Jia-Ming You, Cheng-Yang Chen
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Patent number: 9811814Abstract: The technical field includes machine, manufacture, process, and product produced thereby, as well as necessary intermediates, which pertain to power sources, units thereof, computer systems used to facilitate operation of one or more power sources.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: GREENLIGHT INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Thomas J. Phillips, Joseph M. Zlotnicki
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Patent number: 9805359Abstract: A method is permitted to permit remote log in credential authentication for mobile users seeking access to a computer system through a second party computer system such as an aggregator.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2012Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: MX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Ryan Caldwell