111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`US007552080Bl
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Willard et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.: US 7,552,080 Bl
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun.23,2009
`
`(54) CUSTOMIZED CREDIT OFFER STRATEGY
`BASED ON TERMS SPECIFIED BY AN
`A PPLICANT
`
`4/2000 Weatherly eta!.
`6,049,784 A
`5/2000 Wang eta!.
`6,058,428 A
`5/2000 Walker eta!.
`6,064,987 A
`5/2000 Tavor eta!.
`6,070,149 A
`(75) Inventors: Paul Willard, Alameda, CA (US); Faye
`
`
`7/2000 Mellgren, III et a!.
`6,085,126 A
`A nderson, San Mateo, CA (US);
`
`7/2000 Hoyt eta!.
`6,085,195 A
`Jonathan Goldenstein, San Francisco,
`
`CA (US)
`6,138,139 A 10/2000 Becket a!.
`
`6,088,686 A * 7/2000 Walker eta!. ................. 705/38
`
`
`
`(73) Assignee: NextCard, LLC, Dallas, TX (US)
`
`
`
`( * ) Notice: Subject
`
`to any disclaimer, the term of this
`
`
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1250 days.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/802,481
`
`(22) Filed: Mar. 9, 2001
`
`DK
`
`EP 1850284 A1 * 4/2007
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06Q 40100
`OTHER P UBLICATIONS
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................... 705/37; 705/35
`Anon, Regulation Z Conunentary Amendments, Retail Banking
`
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search . ... ... ... ... .. ... . 705/26,
`Digest, vol. 15, No.2, p. 17-18, Mar.-Apr. 1995.
`705/35-39
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`(56)
`
`(Continued)
`
`(Continued)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner-Narayanswamy Subramanian
`
`
`
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm---Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`8/1993 Miura
`5,235,519 A
`5,372,507 A 12/1994 Goleh
`5,375,055 A 12/1994 Togher eta!.
`5,590,038 A 12/1996 Pitroda
`A customized offer is transmitted to an applicant. A requested
`
`
`
`5,724,155 A
`3/1998 Saito
`
`
`
`term is obtained from the applicant and a set of offers is
`5,748,755 A
`5/1998 Johnson et a!.
`
`
`determined for the applicant. An offer is selected from among
`
`5,764,916 A
`6/1998 Busey eta!.
`5,778,164 A
`7/1998 Watkins eta!.
`
`
`
`the set of offers to display to the applicant using the requested
`5,819,235 A 10/1998 Tamai eta!.
`
`
`term and the selected offer is transmitted to the applicant.
`5,857,079 A
`111999 Claus et al.
`
`
`
`Alternatively, a requested term is obtained from an applicant
`5,866,889 A
`2/1999 Weiss eta!.
`
`
`
`and the requested term is fixed. A set of offers is determined
`
`
`
`
`with the fixed requested term. An offer is selected from
`5,963,625 A 10/1999 Kawecki et a!.
`
`
`
`among the set of offers to display to the applicant and the
`5,970,478 A * 10/1999 Walker et al .................. 705/35
`
`
`
`selected offer is transmitted to the applicant.
`5,991,740 A 1111999 Messer ........................ 705/27
`
`
`6,014,645 A * 112000 Cunningham ................ 705/38
`6,044,360 A
`3/2000 Picciallo
`
`5,878,403 A * 3/1999 DeFrancesco eta!. ......... 705/38
`
`11 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`700
`
`DETEC\M INE OFFER SET
`B.�SED
`
`ON APPL,CANT DATA
`
`702
`
`SELECT OFFER FROM OFFER SETTHAT 704
`
`
`BEST MEETS APPLICANT SPECIFIED TERMS
`
`706
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 1
`
`

`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/2001 Christiansen eta!. ......... 705/38
`
`
`
`W hiteside, D.E., "One Million and Counting," Collections and Credit
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`
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`
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`
`
`
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`
`5/2001 Walker et al .................. 705/26
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`
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`7/2001 Walker et al.
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`
`
`Black, H.C., Black's Law Dictionary, p. 1586-1589, West Publishing
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`9/2001 Lockwood
`
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`10/2001 Duhon
`Emigh, J., "AnswerSoft Unveils Concerto for Web-Based Call Cen­
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`
`10/2001 Bi eta!. ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. 707/3
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`1112001 Lent et al.
`
`
`
`Grigonis, R., "Webphony-It's not Just Callback Buttons Anymore,"
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`
`Wagner, M., "Caring for Customers," Internet World, Sep. 1, 1999.
`
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`
`Sweat, J., "Human Touch-A New Wave of E-Service Offerings
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`
`4/2002 Walker et al .................. 705/35
`Blends the Web, E-Mail, and Voice Bringing People back into the
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`
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`
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`
`6/2002 Lent et al ...................... 705/38
`
`
`Kirkpatrick, K., "Electronic Exchange 2000, The," Computer Shop­
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`
`8/2002 Dykes eta!. .................. 705/38
`per, Nov. 1999.
`6,449,646 B1
`9/2002 Sikora eta!.
`Anon., "InstantService.com Teams with Island Data to provide Inte­
`
`
`6,510,418 B1 *
`
`112003 Case eta!. .................... 705/26
`
`grated Solution for Online Customer Response," Business Wire, May
`6,516,421 B1
`2/2003 Peters et a!.
`22, 2000.
`6,535,492 B2
`3/2003 Shtivelman
`Kersnar, S., "Countrywide Offers Proprietary Technology for Online
`
`
`6,542,936 B1
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`W holesale Lending," National Mortgage News, vol. 24, No. 38, p. 8,
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`5/2003 Lent et al.
`Jun. 5, 2000.
`6,622,131 B1
`9/2003 Brown eta!.
`Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary, Third Edition, Microsoft
`
`6,718,313 B1
`4/2004 Lent et al.
`Press, Redmond, 1997, pp. 88 and 265.
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`7/2004 Bach
`
`
`6,795,812 B1
`9/2004 Lent et al.
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`
`
`Fickenscher, L., "Providian Undercuts rivals with 7.9% Rate Offer,"
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`3/2008 Lent et al.
`American banker, vol. 163, p. 16, Oct. 8, 1998.
`200110011245 A1
`8/2001 Duhon
`
`Fargo, J., "The Internet Specialists," Credit Card Management, vol.
`200110011246 A1
`8/2001 Tammaro
`11, No. 10, pp. 38-45, Jan. 1999.
`200110011262 A1
`
`8/2001 Hoyt et a!.
`
`200110011282 A1
`8/2001 Katsumata et a!.
`p. 1, Jan. 15, 2000.
`200110014877 A1
`
`8/2001 Defrancesco, Jr. eta!.
`
`200110027436 A1
`10/2001 Tenembaum
`News, vol. 13, No. 3, p. 8, Mar. 2000.
`2002/0016731 A1
`212002 Kupersmit
`
`
`Armstrong, Douglas "Firstar Web Site Helps Add Up Future", Mil­
`2002/0023051 A1
`212002 Kunzle eta!.
`
`
`
`waukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 28, 1996, Final Edition, front page
`2002/0029188 A1
`3/2002 Schmid
`through p. 8.
`2002/0067500 A1
`6/2002 Yokomizo eta!.
`Anon. "IAFC Launches NextCard, The First True Internet VISA,"
`
`2003/0055778 A1
`3/2003 Erlanger
`
`Business Wire, New York: Feb. 6, 1998, p. 1 (3 pages).
`2003/0195848 A1
`10/2003 Felger
`
`
`Lazarony, Lucy, "Only Online Applicants Need Apply," Bank Adver­
`2004/0064412 A1
`
`4/2004 Phillips eta!.
`tising News, North Palm Beach, Mar. 23, 1998, vol. 21, Issue 15, p.
`2005/0004864 A1
`112005 Lent et al.
`1 (3 pages).
`2007/0027785 A1
`2/2007 Lent et al.
`FIData, Inc., News & Press Releases, "Instant Credit Union Loans
`
`2008/0021816 A1
`112008 Lent et al.
`
`via the Internet," http:!/web.archive.org/web/19990221115203/
`2008/0270294 A1
`10/2008 Lent et al.
`
`www.fidata-inc.com/news-prO 1.htrn.
`2008/0270295 A1
`10/2008 Lent et al.
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`
`
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`
`
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`1994.
`Hibbard, Justin; Dalton, Gregory; Thyfault, Mary E.; "Web-based
`
`Customer Care," InformationWeek, Jun. 1, 1998, 684, 18-20 (3
`pages).
`"ESL Federal Credit Union Inaugurates Internet Target Marketing,"
`
`PR Newswire, 210, Oct. 6, 1998 (3 pages).
`
`
`25 and 28 (2 pages).
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`
`Anon. "Affordable Lending Systems Now Available for Smaller
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`
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`ing Co. St Paul, Min., 1990.
`
`Appl. No. 111932,498, included with Office Action issued Oct. 8,
`2008.
`Bloom, J.K., "For This New Visa, Only Web Surfers Need Apply,"
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`"Sample Experian Credit Report" by Consumer Information @222.
`
`
`consumerinfo.con/espsam.htm at we.archive.org/web/ Jul. 9, 1998.
`Anon., "Lending Tree: Lending Tree Provides Borrowers Fast and
`
`Easy Online Access to Multiple Loan Offers," Business Wire, Jun. 23,
`
`Anon. "AnswerSoft Announces Concerto; First to Combine Call
`1998.
`
`Center Automation with Power ofWeb," Business Wire, Feb. 3, 1997.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`JP
`JP
`W O
`wo
`wo
`
`1233361 A1 * 12/2002
`409288453 A * 1111997
`2002328974 A * 1112002
`W0-9845797
`10/1998
`W0-9909470
`2/1999
`W0-9944152
`9/1999
`
`OTHER P UBLICATIONS
`
`Nash, Kim S. "Calling all Customers," Computerworld, Dec. 1997, p.
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 2
`
`

`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`Page 3
`
`Inc.; Plaintiff's Original Complaint, Nextcard, LLC v. Liveperson, al; Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-354 (TJW); In the U.S. District Court for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Civil Action No. 2:08-cv-00 184-TJW, In the U.S. District Court for
`
`
`the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, filed May 14, 2008
`
`
`the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, filed Apr. 30, 2008
`(7 pages).
`(7 pages).
`Plaintiff's Second Amended Reply to Counterclaims of Defendant
`
`
`Amended Complaint and Jury Demand; Liveperson, Inc. v. Next card,
`
`American Express Company; Nextcard, LLC v. American Express
`LLC , eta!.;
`
`Company, et al; Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-354 (TJW); In the U.S.
`Civil Action No. 08-062 (GMS), in the U.S. District Court
`for the District ofDeleware, filed Mar. 18, 2008 (5 pages).
`
`District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division,
`
`Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint; Next card, LLC v. American
`filed May 8, 2008 (8 pages).
`Express Company, et al;
`Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-354 (TJW); In the
`Response to Restriction and Election Requirement mailed Aug. 21,
`
`
`
`U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Divi­
`
`2008 in U.S. Appl. No. 10/901,715, filed Sep. 22, 2008 (10 pages).
`sion, filed Apr. 9, 2008 (12 pages).
`Response to Office Action mailed Sep. 5, 2007, in U.S. Appl. No.
`Defendants HSBC North America Holdings Inc.'s and HSBC USA
`
`10/901,715, filed Feb. 5, 2008 (13 pages).
`
`
`Inc's Answer, Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaims to Plaintiff's
`Reply Under 37 C.F.R. 1.111 mailed Jan. 19, 2007, in U.S. Appl. No.
`Second Amended Compalint; Nextcard, LLC v. American Express
`
`09/991,894, filed Jul. 19, 2007 (4 pages).
`Company, et al; Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-354 (TJW); In the U.S.
`Response to Final Office Action mailed Dec. 12, 2007, in U.S. Appl.
`
`District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division,
`
`No. 09/991,894, filed May 12, 2008 (10 pages).
`filed Apr. 28,2008 (13 pages).
`Response to Non-Final Office Action mailed Jul. 21, 2008, in U.S.
`
`Answer and Counterclaims of Defendant DFS Services LLC;
`
`Appl. No. 09/991,894, filed Nov. 21, 2008 (14 pages).
`Next card, LLC v. American Express Company, eta!; Civil Action No.
`
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 09/991,894, "On-Line Balance Transfers," filed Nov.
`
`2:07-cv-354 (TJW); In the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District
`31, 2001 (43 pages).
`
`of Texas, Marshall Division, filed Apr. 28, 2008 (13 pages).
`Non-Final Office Action mailed Aug. 21, 2008, in U.S. Appl. No.
`
`
`Defendant The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.'s Answer and
`
`10/901,715 (8 pages).
`Affirmative Defenses to Second Amended Complaint; Next card, LLC
`Non-Final Office Action mailed Sep. 5, 2007, in U.S. Appl. No.
`
`v. American Express Company, et al; Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-354
`
`10/901,715 (15 pages).
`(TJW); In the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas,
`Non-Final Office Action mailed Jan. 19, 2007, in U.S. Appl. No.
`
`Marshall Division, filed Apr. 28, 2008 ( 10 pages).
`09/991,894 (8 pages).
`
`
`Plaintiff's Second Amended Reply to Counterclaims of Defendants
`HSBC North America Holdings Inc. and HSBC USA Inc.; Nextcard,
`Final Office Action mailed Dec. 12, 2007, in U.S. Appl. No.
`LLC v. American Express Company, et al; Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-
`09/991,894 (12 pages).
`
`354 (TJW); In the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
`Non-Final Office Action mailed Jul. 21, 2008, in U.S. Appl. No.
`
`Texas, Marshall Division, filed May 14, 2008 (5 pages).
`09/991,894 (25 pages).
`
`
`
`Plaintiff's Second Amended Reply to Counterclaims of Defendant
`DFS Services LLC; Next card, LLCv. American Express Company, et
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`Jun.23,2009 Sheet 1 of9
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`102
`
`104
`
`106
`
`CURRENT CARD OR
`NAME TERMS?
`
`CURRENT CARD
`
`NAME TERMS
`
`GET
`TERMS
`
`116
`
`118
`CONFIRM
`
`108
`
`GET
`APPLICANT
`INFO
`
`SELECT 110
`OFFER
`
`DISPLAY 112
`OFFER
`
`114
`
`FIG.1
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`Jun. 23, 2009 Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`102
`\
`
`I ... I
`
`WHAT WAS THE INTRODUCTORY RATE j CHOOSE
`INTEREST
`(APR)?
`I T I
`WHAT IS THE ONGOING INTEREST I CHOOSE
`RATE (APR)?
`WHAT IS YOUR ANNUAL FEE? jCHOOSE
`I T I
`WHAT IS YOUR
`CREDIT LINE?
`jCHOOSE
`I • I
`DO YOU HAVE A REWARDS
`jCHOOSE
`1·1
`PROGRAM?
`1·1
`DO YOU HAVE 24 HOUR INTERNET jNO
`ACCESS TO YOUR ACCOUNT?
`1·1
`ARE YOUR ONLINE PURCHASES
`
`
`PROTECTED AGAINST FRAUD?
`CAN YOU PAY YOUR BILL ONLINE?
`I • I
`
`INO
`
`jNO
`
`I CONTINUE Q
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.23,2009
`Sheet 3 of9
`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`104
`
`\
`
`YOUR CURRENT
`CARD
`
`WHAT WOULD YOU
`
`LIKE TO CHANGE?
`
`WHICH ONE
`IS MOST
`IMPORTANT?
`
`INTRODUCTORY
`RATE (APR)
`INTEREST
`
`XX%
`
`ONGOING INTEREST XX%
`RATE (APR)
`
`ANNUAL FEE
`
`XX%
`
`CREDIT L INE
`
`xxxx
`
`REWARDS
`
`INTERNET ACCESS
`
`I ,.I
`jCHOOSE
`!CHOOSE
`0
`I ,.I
`
`0
`
`!CHOOSE
`I ,.I
`I ·I
`!CHOOSE
`!CHOOSE
`I ·I
`IYES I ... ,
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`ONLINE PURCHASES
`PRO TECTED AGAINST
`FRAUD
`
`PAY YOUR CREDIT
`CARD BILL ONLINE
`
`!YES I ... ,
`
`IYES I ... ,
`
`0 GO BACK
`
`CONTINUE Q
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun. 23, 2009 Sheet 4 of 9
`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`106
`\
`
`PLEASE INDICATE
`WHICH PRODUCT
`MOST CLOSELY
`CARDA
`MATCHES YOUR
`PREFERENCES: 0
`
`INTRODUCTORY
`RATE
`
`APR
`
`CARD B
`0
`
`ANNUAL FEE
`
`$0
`
`$0
`
`UPTO
`CREDIT LINE UPTO
`$201000
`$201000
`
`REWARDS
`PROGRAM
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`24-HOUR INTERNET YES
`ACCESS
`
`GUARANTEED YES
`SAFE ONLINE
`SHOPPING
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`CONTINUE a
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun. 23, 2009 Sheet 5 of 9
`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`108
`\
`
`CITY
`
`SUFFIX
`Mi LAST NAME
`FIRST NAME
`I
`I D ..__I __
`____.! D
`STREET ADDRESS NO P.O. BOX UNIT/APT#
`I
`STATE **ZIP
`[]3 ,,.....------.
`I 0-6 MONTHS , ... , I CHOOSE ONE , ... ,
`EMAIL ADDRESS
`
`
`
`STATUS LENGTH AT RESIDENCE OWN/RENT
`
`
`
`HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECIEVE
`EMAIL FROM NEXTCARD?
`0TEXT ONLY ®GRAPHICAL
`EMAIL OPTIONS:
`EMAIL (HTML)
`HOME PHONE
`(D)Ir---
`socJAL
`NUMBER DATE OF BIRTH
`SECURITY
`I
`DID I D MM/DOIYYYY
`GROSS ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD
`INCOME***
`$I IPERYEAR
`I CONTINUE c
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun. 23, 2009 Sheet 6 of 9
`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`TELL US WHAT
`YOU WANT
`
`MOST
`IMPORTANT
`
`
`
`INTEREST RATE
`
`ANNUAL FEE
`{PAYINGANANNUAL D
`FEE MAY LOWER YOUR $
`
`INTEREST RATE)
`
`CREDIT LIMIT
`
`REWARDS
`PROGRAM
`
`
`
`PLATINUM CARD
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`CONT�NUE Q
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun. 23, 2009 Sheet 7 of 9
`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`MOST
`IMPORTANT
`
`RATE
`INTEREST
`
`XX%
`
`ANNUAL FEE
`
`$XX
`
`0
`
`CREDIT LlMIT
`
`$XXX
`
`REWARDS
`PROGRAM
`
`
`
`PLATINUM CARD
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`CONTINUE Q
`
`FIG. 68
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.23,2009 Sheet 8 of 9
`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`700
`
`DETERMINE OFFER SET
`
`
`BASED ON APPLICANT DATA
`
`702
`
`SELECT OFFER FROM OFFER SET THAT 704
`
`
`BEST MEETS APPLICANT SPECIFIED TERMS
`
`706
`
`FIG. ?A
`
`710
`
`FIX TERM BASED ON APPLICANT 712
`
`SPECIFIED HIGH PRIORITY TERM
`
`OFFER TERMS BASED 714
`GENERATE
`
`ON APPLICANT CHARACTERISTICS
`
`716
`
`FIG. 78
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`Jun.23,2009 Sheet 9 of9
`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
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`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 12
`
`

`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`1
`
`CUSTOMIZED CREDIT OFFER STRATEGY
`BASED ON TERMS SPECIFIED BY AN
`A PPLICANT
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`2
`the requested term is fixed. A set of offers is determined with
`
`
`the fixed requested term. An offer is selected from among the
`
`set of offers to display to the applicant and the selected offer
`
`is transmitted to the applicant.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For Real Time On Line Credit Approval" filed Nov. 3, 1998, 10
`
`15 the applicant
`
`20 indicate
`
`an 25
`
`30 applicant.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`BACKGROU ND OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 7B is a flow chart illustrating a process for using
`
`
`
`
`applicant specified terms in determining an offer set.
`
`FIG. SA is a block diagram illustrating interaction of an
`
`
`applicant with a server that determines an offer for the appli-
`
`35 cant.
`
`FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a process for obtaining a
`
`
`This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent appli­
`
`
`
`
`set of requested terms or preferences from an applicant.
`cation Ser. No. 09/185,201
`
`entitled "Method And Apparatus
`FIG. 2 is a sample web page used in one embodiment to
`
`obtain information about a current credit card used by an
`
`
`which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes;
`applicant.
`Ser. No. 09/185,878
`
`and co-pending U.S. patent application
`FIG. 3 is an illustration of a web page used to display the
`
`
`
`entitled "Method And Apparatus For A Verifiable On Line
`
`terms entered by an applicant for a current card and provide
`Rejection Of An Applicant For Credit" filed Nov. 3, 1998,
`
`an opportunity to specifY how the applicant
`
`
`which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes;
`would like the terms to be changed and what changes are most
`Ser. No. 09/185,000
`
`and co-pending U.S. patent application
`important to the applicant.
`
`entitled "Method And Apparatus For An Account Level Offer
`
`FIG. 4 is an illustration of a web page that displays the
`Of Credit And Real Time Balance Transfer" filed Nov. 3,
`
`
`terms of two cards to an applicant and allows the applicant to
`1998, which is incorporated
`
`herein by reference for all pur-
`which card is preferable.
`poses.
`
`FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an input screen used to
`
`obtain information about an applicant.
`
`FIG. 6A is an illustration of a web page used to obtain
`desired terms from an applicant.
`The present invention relates generally to an online appli­
`
`
`
`FIG. 6B is an illustration of a web page used to confirm an
`
`cation for a credit card. More specifically, determining
`
`
`
`applicant's specification of terms and the selection of the
`
`offer based on user preferences is disclosed.
`most important term.
`FIG. 7A is a flow chart illustrating a process for using
`
`
`
`applicant specified terms to obtain offers to present to the
`On line credit card application and approval has greatly
`
`
`
`simplified the process of obtaining a credit card for an appli­
`
`cant. As described in U.S. patent application "Method And
`Apparatus For Real Time On Line Credit Approval" which
`
`
`
`was previously incorporated by reference, U.S. patent appli­
`
`cation entitled "Method And Apparatus For A Verifiable On
`FIG. SB is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a
`
`
`
`Line Rejection Of An Applicant For Credit" which was pre­
`
`typical server or machine for implementing a web browser.
`
`
`viously incorporated by reference, and U.S. patent applica­
`
`tion entitled "Method And Apparatus For An Account Level
`
`Offer OfCreditAnd Real Time Balance Transfer" which was
`
`
`previously incorporated by reference,
`A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the
`
`
`
`
`
`presented to an applicant and the applicant given the oppor­
`
`
`invention is provided below. While the invention is described
`
`tunity to select among the offers. The flexibility of this pro­
`
`
`in conjunction with that preferred embodiment, it should be
`
`cess is beneficial. It would be useful if the ability of the
`understood that the invention is not limited to any one
`
`applicant to select a custom offer could be further enhanced
`
`
`embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is
`so that such an offer provided to the applicant
`limited only by the appended claims and the invention
`even greater chance of acceptance.
`
`encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and
`
`
`equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific
`
`details are set forth in the following description in order to
`of the present invention.
`Accordingly, presenting an applicant with the opportunity
`
`
`
`
`to specifY certain desired credit card terms is disclosed. In
`
`The present invention may be practiced according to the
`
`
`addition, the applicant may specifY what term or terms are
`
`
`claims without some or all of these specific details. For the
`
`
`most important to the applicant. Alternatively, the applicant
`
`
`purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the
`may specifY the terms of a current credit card and indicate
`
`
`
`technical fields related to the invention has not been described
`
`what terms the applicant would like to change, and, possibly,
`is not unnecessarily
`how those terms should be changed. The specified prefer­
`obscured.
`
`ences are used by an offer generating server to select or
`In one embodiment, an applicant is given the choice to
`
`
`generate an appropriate offer that will satisfY the applicant
`
`either specify preferences without reference to a current
`
`
`specified preferences to the extent possible.
`credit card or to specify the terms of a credit card that the
`
`
`In one embodiment, a customized offer is transmitted
`
`
`applicant already has and indicate changes that the applicant
`
`
`
`applicant. A requested term is obtained from the applicant and
`
`would like to be made. Once the terms are specified by the
`
`a set of offers is determined for the applicant. An offer is
`
`
`applicant, an offer server uses the terms to select an appro­
`selected from among the set of offers to display to the appli­
`priate offer that matches to the extent possible the terms
`
`cant using the requested term and the selected offer is trans­
`
`specified by the applicant.
`mitted to the applicant.
`FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a process for obtaining a
`
`
`In one embodiment, a customized offer is transmitted to an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`set of requested terms or preferences from an applicant. The
`
`
`
`applicant. A requested term is obtained from an applicant and
`process starts at 100 when the user is prompted to select
`
`multiple offers may be 40
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`could have an 45
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`50 provide a thorough understanding
`
`55 in detail so that the present invention
`
`to an 60
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 13
`
`

`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`10 example, whether
`
`15 the risk that the applicant
`
`card that 20
`
`is obtained so that a 25
`
`30
`
`4
`3
`whether the user wants to enter the terms of a current card for
`
`is selected, then it is determined that the long term rate is the
`
`comparison or to simply name his own terms. If the applicant
`more important term to the user.
`selects the option for entering terms of a current card, then
`
`In general, credit card terms are determined based on an
`
`control is transferred to a step 102. In step 102, the description
`assessment of the cost of the risk being taken by the card
`
`of the current card is obtained from the applicant. Step 102 is
`issuer to provide each term as well as the expected revenue
`
`
`described in further detail in connection with FIG. 2.
`from the card. The risk and the expected revenue are driven by
`
`
`
`the characteristics of the applicant that are obtained directly
`
`Next, in a step 104, the changes that the applicant would
`
`from the applicant and also from credit reports obtained for
`like to make to the current card are obtained from the appli­
`
`
`the applicant. For example, the behavior of the applicant (for
`
`cant. Step 104 is described in further detail in FIG. 3. In a step
`
`the applicant tends to maintain a revolving
`
`
`106, the applicant is shown a plurality of sample cards that
`
`balance or tends to be a transactor that pays off his balance
`
`
`
`may satisfy the applicant's preferences. The applicant may be
`every month) affects the expected revenue that will be gen­
`given an opportunity to specify which of the cards is prefer­
`
`
`
`
`erated by the applicant. The applicant's credit rating and
`able. Based on the applicant's selection of one of the choices,
`
`
`general tendency to pay off debts in a timely manner affects
`the offer may be further tailored to the applicant's prefer­
`
`
`will default on the credit line. For a
`ences. For example, one card may include a higher introduc­
`
`tory rate than the other while the long term rate of the card
`higher credit line, the expected loss as a result of default
`mcreases.
`
`with the higher introductory rate is lower. Also, an annual fee
`These factors as well as others are considered by the offer
`
`
`may be specified for one card and not the other. From the
`
`
`generating server to determine appropriate offers for the
`
`
`applicant's selection of one of the cards, the importance
`
`
`
`
`applicant. A large number of appropriate offers may be deter­
`
`attached by the applicant to the terms in the selected
`
`
`mined that vary different offer parameters. For example, any
`
`are better than the corresponding terms in the non selected
`
`number of variations where a higher annual fee supplements
`
`
`cards is derived. This information may be used along with or
`the expected income from the card may be determined that
`
`
`instead of priorities expressed by the applicant in prior steps.
`
`
`allow different credit limits and/or interest rates to be offered
`
`This step is described in further detail in FIG. 4.
`
`
`to the applicant. In addition, a higher credit limit or lower
`
`In a step 108, applicant information
`
`
`interest rate may be provided to the applicant if the applicant
`
`credit report can be acquired for the applicant and a decision
`
`transfers a balance which tends to increase the likely revenue
`
`about an appropriate offer of credit may be made. Step 108 is
`
`expected from the card. Many other factors may influence the
`
`described in further detail in FIG. 5. Then, in a step 110, the
`terms that may be offered to a given applicant.
`
`
`offer is selected as described in further detail in FIGS. 7 A and
`
`
`
`Certain terms are requested by the applicant or indicated by
`
`
`7B. Finally, in step 112, the offer is displayed to the applicant
`
`the applicant to be important using the processes described
`and the process ends at 114.
`
`above. As a result of the terms specified by the applicant,
`As shown in FIG. 7A, the applicant's specified terms may
`
`
`offers that conform to those terms to the extent possible are
`be used to select from among a set of offers determined using
`selected from the many offers that could be generated for a
`
`
`the applicant data. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7B, the
`given applicant.
`
`applicant high priority
`FIG. 2 is a sample web page used in one embodiment to
`fied by the applicant and the offer generator may attempt to
`
`
`
`obtain information about a current credit card used by the
`
`generate an offer that conforms with the rest of the applicant
`
`
`
`applicant. The applicant is given the opportunity to specifY a
`
`data and requirements of the system that relate risk to required
`
`
`number of terms such as the introductory interest rate, the
`return for credit card accounts.
`
`ongoing (long term) interest rate, the annual fee, the credit
`
`limit, and the existence of a rewards program.
`applicant selects to name his own terms, then control is trans­
`
`
`FIG. 3 is an illustration of a web page used to display the
`
`
`ferred to a step 116 and the applicant's requested terms are
`
`terms entered by the applicant for a current card and provide
`
`
`obtained. Step 116 is described further in connection with
`
`
`the applicant an opportunity to specifY how the applicant
`
`FIG. 6A. Once the terms are obtained, then control is trans­
`would like the terms to be changed and what changes are most
`
`ferred to a step 118 and the applicant confirms the specified
`
`important to the applicant. For example, the ongoing interest
`
`
`terms. Step 118 is described further in connection with FIG.
`
`rate of the current card that was entered by the applicant is
`
`6B. Once the terms are confirmed, then control is transferred
`
`
`displayed and an opportunity to choose from one or more
`
`
`to step 108 and the process continues as described above.
`
`
`improved interest rates is provided to the applicant in the form
`
`
`The above description shows how user specified prefer­
`
`
`of a pick list. In addition, the applicant can select a button for
`
`
`one of the terms indicating that it is the most important term
`First, the user may specifY a current card and specifY changes
`
`
`
`to the applicant. In this manner, the applicant is led through a
`that the user would like to make to that card. Second, the user
`
`process of evaluating the terms of his current credit card and
`
`may specify terms for a credit card. Third, alternative credit
`
`determining how those terms should be changed. An alterna­
`
`cards may be displayed to the user with different terms and
`
`
`tive process where the applicant simply describes terms that
`the user may select among the cards. In different
`
`
`would be desirable is illustrated in FIG. 6A.
`
`
`ments, these methods of obtaining user preferences for terms
`
`FIG. 4 is an illustration of a web page that displays the
`
`
`
`may be used individually or in any combination. In addition to
`
`
`terms of two cards to the applicant and allows the applicant to
`
`
`simply obtaining terms, some indication of which terms are
`
`
`indicate which card is preferable. The display includes the
`
`most important is obtained from the user.
`
`
`terms described above and the applicant is presented with
`In the embodiment
`
`
`
`buttons that enable the applicant to select one of the cards. As
`
`opportunity to specifY which term from among a set of terms
`
`
`described above, the selection of one of the cards is used to
`
`is the highest priority term for the user. In other embodiments,
`determine what terms are most important to the applicant.
`the user may rank terms. In embodiments that present two
`
`FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an input screen used to
`
`
`different cards for the user to compare, the priority that the
`
`obtain information about the applicant. In some embodi­
`
`ments, the information is obtained before the applicant begins
`the card that is preferred by the applicant. For example, if a
`
`
`to specify desired credit terms. The applicant provides infor-
`
`card with a better long term rate but a higher introductory rate
`
`ences for credit terms may be obtained using three methods. 50
`
`term may be fixed to the value speci-35
`
`If instead of specifYing the terms of a current card, the 40
`
`45
`
`embodi-55
`
`shown below, the user is given the 60
`
`user assigns to certain terms is derived based on the terms of 65
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1001 - Page 14
`
`

`
`
`
`US 7,552,080 Bl
`
`10 but are used to selec