US6044360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Third party credit card
Assignee: THIRD ACT LLC
•
Filing: 1997-06-16
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Granted: 2000-03-28
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Expires: 2017-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A system for allocating funds in pre-established customer accounts including: a controller processor programmed: (a) to process data, (b) to create for each customer a customer account file, and (c) to transfer funds from customer account files to transferees selected by said customers, in response to command instructions; an input device for supplying command instructions to said controller processor; and a data storage device associated with said controller processor in which file records of said customer account files created by said controller processor are stored, including information on the amounts of funds deposited for said customers; wherein said controller processor is programmed (a) to process and store information in said storage device for each customer account, in response to command instruction from find depositors, limiting the amount of funds that may be spent on particular classes of goods and services; and (b) to process fund transfer command instructions issued by said customers by determining whether the requested finds exceed the limit set for said goods or services to be purchased. A computer-based method for allocating funds in this manner is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Picciallo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:32
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/202; G06Q20/22; G06Q20/227; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/355; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/385; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for allocating funds in pre-established customer accounts comprising: a controller processor programmed: (a) to process data, (b) to create for each customer a customer account file, and (c) to transfer funds from customer account files to transferees selected by said customers, in response to command instructions; an input device for supplying command instructions to said controller processor; and a data storage device associated with said controller processor in which file records of said customer account files created by said controller processor are stored, including information on the amounts of finds deposited for said customers; wherein said controller processor is programmed (a) to establish automatic periodic fund transfers of depositor funds to said account for use by said customer; (b) to process and store information in said storage device for each customer account, in response to command instruction from fund depositors, limiting the amount of funds that may be spent on particular classes of goods and services; and (c) to process fund transfer command instructions issued by said customers by determining whether the requested funds exceed the limit set for said goods or services to be purchased.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for allocating funds in pre-established customer accounts comprising: a controller processor programmed: (a) to process data, (b) to create for each customer a customer account file, and (c) to transfer funds from customer account files to transferees selected by said customers, in response to command instructions; an input device for supplying command instructions to said controller processor; and a data storage device associated with said controller processor in which file records of said customer account files created by said controller processor are stored, including information on the amounts of finds deposited for said customers; wherein said controller processor is programmed (a) to establish automatic periodic fund transfers of depositor funds to said account for use by said customer; (b) to process and store information in said storage device for each customer account, in response to command instruction from fund depositors, limiting the amount of funds that may be spent on particular classes of goods and services; and (c) to process fund transfer command instructions issued by said customers by determining whether the requested funds exceed the limit set for said goods or services to be purchased.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said controller processor is programmed to complete said transfer when the requested funds do not exceed said limit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said controller processor is programmed to discontinue said transfer when the requested funds exceed said limit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising an output device, wherein said controller processor is programmed to store in the storage device information on each selected fund transferee and corresponding transfer amounts and to supply to said fund depositor through said output device said stored information on fund transferees and transfer amounts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said customer account file is a bank or credit account established in advance in the name of said customer by said fund depositor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said fund transferees include said customer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said goods or services comprise books, computer software food, lodging or entertainment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer-based method for allocating funds in preestablished accounts for use by customers, comprising: creating for each customer a customer account file containing a record of funds deposited for said customer; automatically transferring periodically to said account file depositor funds for use by said customer; limiting the amount of funds in said customer account file that may be spent on particular classes of goods and services in response to command instructions from the fund depositor; and verifying each transfer from said customer account file requested by said customer to determine whether the requested funds exceed the limit set for the goods or services to be purchased.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer-based method for allocating funds in preestablished accounts for use by customers, comprising: creating for each customer a customer account file containing a record of funds deposited for said customer; automatically transferring periodically to said account file depositor funds for use by said customer; limiting the amount of funds in said customer account file that may be spent on particular classes of goods and services in response to command instructions from the fund depositor; and verifying each transfer from said customer account file requested by said customer to determine whether the requested funds exceed the limit set for the goods or services to be purchased.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said method further comprises the step of completing said transfer when sufficient finds have been allocated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said method further comprises the step of discontinuing said transfer when insufficient funds have been allocated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of storing information on fund transferees and corresponding payment amounts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of supplying to said fund depositor said information on fund transferees and corresponding payment amounts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said supplying step is performed periodically.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said step is performed weekly or monthly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said funds are deposited periodically.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said funds are deposited weekly or monthly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said customer account file is a bank or credit account established in advance in the name of said customer by said fund depositor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said fund transferees include said customer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said goods or services comprise books, computer software, food, lodging or entertainment.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for allocating funds in pre-established customer accounts comprising: a controller processor programmed: (a) to process data, (b) to create for each customer a customer account file, and (c) to transfer funds from customer account files to transferees selected by said customers, in response to command instructions; an input device for supplying command instructions to said controller processor; and a data storage device associated with said controller processor in which file records of said customer account files created by said controller processor are stored, including information on the amounts of funds deposited for said customers; wherein said controller processor is programmed (a) to process and store information in said storage device for each customer account, in response to command instruction from fund depositors, setting periodic transaction limits for particular classes of goods and services; and (b) to process fund transfer command instructions issued by said customers by determining whether the requested funds exceed the transaction limit set for said goods or services to be purchased.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for allocating funds in pre-established customer accounts comprising: a controller processor programmed: (a) to process data, (b) to create for each customer a customer account file, and (c) to transfer funds from customer account files to transferees selected by said customers, in response to command instructions; an input device for supplying command instructions to said controller processor; and a data storage device associated with said controller processor in which file records of said customer account files created by said controller processor are stored, including information on the amounts of funds deposited for said customers; wherein said controller processor is programmed (a) to process and store information in said storage device for each customer account, in response to command instruction from fund depositors, setting periodic transaction limits for particular classes of goods and services; and (b) to process fund transfer command instructions issued by said customers by determining whether the requested funds exceed the transaction limit set for said goods or services to be purchased.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said controller processor is programmed to complete said transfer when the requested funds do not exceed said limit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said controller processor is programmed to discontinue said transfer when the requested funds exceed said limit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 20, further comprising an output device, wherein said controller processor is programmed to store in the storage device information on each selected fund transferee and corresponding transfer amounts and to supply to said fund depositor through said output device said stored information on fund transferees and transfer amounts.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said customer account file is a bank or credit account established in advance in the name of said customer by said fund depositor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said fund transferees include said customer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said goods or services comprise books, computer software, food, lodging or entertainment.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer-based method for allocating funds in preestablished accounts for use by customers, comprising: creating for each customer a customer account file containing a record of funds deposited for said customer; setting periodic transaction limits on the amount of funds in said customer account file that may be spent on particular classes of goods and services in response to command instructions from the fund depositor; and verifying each transfer from said customer account file requested by said customer to determine whether the requested funds exceed the transaction limit set for the goods or services to be purchased.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer-based method for allocating funds in preestablished accounts for use by customers, comprising: creating for each customer a customer account file containing a record of funds deposited for said customer; setting periodic transaction limits on the amount of funds in said customer account file that may be spent on particular classes of goods and services in response to command instructions from the fund depositor; and verifying each transfer from said customer account file requested by said customer to determine whether the requested funds exceed the transaction limit set for the goods or services to be purchased.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said method further comprises the step of completing said transfer when sufficient funds have been allocated.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said method further comprises the step of discontinuing said transfer when insufficient funds have been allocated.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of storing information on fund transferees and corresponding payment amounts.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of supplying to said fund depositor said information on fund transferees and corresponding payment amounts.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 31, wherein said supplying step is performed periodically.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said step is performed weekly or monthly.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said funds are deposited periodically.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said funds are deposited weekly or monthly.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said customer account file is a bank or credit account established in advance in the name of said customer by said fund depositor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said find transferees include said customer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said goods or services comprise books, computer software, food, lodging or entertainment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-28 | 2003-09-27 | 2004-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-09-27 | 2008-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-28 | 2011-09-27 | 2012-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |