111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`US0082713 79B 1
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Watson
`
`(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BUILDING A
`PERSONALIZED ACCOUNT
`
`(75) Inventor: Andrew Watson, Southlake,
`TX (US)
`
`
`
`(10) Patent No.: US 8,271,379 Bl
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`Sep.18,2012
`
`9/1999 Buchanan ....................... 705/38
`
`5,950,179 A *
`
`
`10/1999 Walker eta!. ................... 705/35
`5,970,478 A *
`
`7/2000 Walker ............................ 705/38
`6,088,686 A *
`
`
`1112001 Lent et al ........................ 705/38
`6,324,524 B1
`
`5/2002 Sullivan ........................ 235/379
`6,386,444 B1 *
`
`
`8/2002 Walker eta!. ................... 705/14
`6,434,534 B1 *
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1067 772 A1 * 10/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`C rediCardsPLUS.com. *
`
`Business Editors, Internet/E-Commerce W riters. "NextCard Internet
`Visa C onsidered Number One C redit C ard Brand by Internet C on­
`sumers." Business W ire, New York: Nov. 8, 1999. p. 1.*
`
`Discover Cares Enough to Send th e Very Best. C redit Risk Manage­
`ment Report. Potomac: Nov. 15, 1999; vol. 9, Iss, 22; p. 1.*
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(73) Assignee: Universal Card Services Corp.,
`Jacksonville, FL (US)
`
`( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer,
`
`EP
`the term of this
`35
`patent is extended or adjusted under
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/453,800
`
`(22) Filed: Dec. 3,1999
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`No. 60/111,028,
`(60)
`Provisional application
`
`filed on Dec.
`4, 1998.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(51)
`Int. Cl.
`(2012.01)
`G06Q 40100
`(52)
`U.S. Cl. ......................................................... 705/39
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`(58)
`
`............... 705/35-42
`Field of Classification Search
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`The present invention allows an applicant to apply for an
`
`
`
`
`account based service via a network connection. When an
`
`
`applicant applies for the account based service, he or she is
`
`supplied with features that enhance the value of the account
`
`based service. The applicant may select from the features
`5,239,462 A
`
`
`8/1993 J ones et al .................... 364/408
`
`
`provided, determine how this selection may affect the value
`5,6ll,052 A
`
`3/1997 Dykstra eta!. ................ 395/238
`
`of the account based service in relation to its cost and deter­
`5,699,527 A
`
`12/1997 Davidson ...................... 395/238
`mine if he or she wishes to receive the account based service
`5,724,523 A
`3/1998 Longfield ..................... 395/235
`
`
`with the added features. Examples of account based services
`5,774,882 A *
`
`6/1998 Keen ............................... 705/38
`
`include credit cards, insurance accounts and telecommunica­
`5,809,478 A
`
`
`9/1998 Greco eta!. ...................... 705/4
`5,866,889 A
`
`
`2/1999 W eiss eta!. ................... 235/379
`tions accounts.
`5,870,721 A
`
`2/1999 Norris ............................. 705/38
`5,878,403 A *
`
`
`3/1999 DeFrancesco .................. 705/38
`5,915,006 A *
`
`6/1999 Jagadish eta!. ......... 379/ ll5 .01
`
`Primary Examiner-Hani M Kazimi
`
`(7 4) Attorney, Agent, or Firm -Eric L. Sophir; SNR Denton
`US LLP
`
`16 Claims, 29 Drawing Sheets
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1011 - Page 1
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`

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`U.S. Patent Sep.18,2012
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`Sheet 1 of29
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`US 8,271,379 Bl
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`Figure 1
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`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1011 - Page 2
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`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1011 - Page 13
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`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1011 - Page 13
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`CONTINUING DATA
`
`10
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`1
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BUILDING A
`PERSONALIZED ACCOUNT
`
`2
`
`Second, the applicant is not given the option to select
`
`
`across multiple internal and external services. Typically, a
`Web site offers multiple cards (e.g., frequent flier mile cards,
`reduced long distance cards, cards with points for purchasing
`
`
`
`automobiles, and points for purchasing electronic goods), but
`
`the applicant must chose one amongst all of these cards. Thus,
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`
`
`
`an applicant cannot opt to receive multiple services from a
`No. 60/111,028,
`Application
`entitled "SYSTEMS AND
`single credit card.
`METHODS FOR BUILDING A PERSONALIZED
`Third, traditional credit card applications do not provide
`
`
`ACCOUNT', filed on Dec. 4, 1998, incorporated
`herein by
`
`
`the applicant with options relating to other banking services.
`reference.
`For example, most credit cards do not allow for a reduced
`
`annual percentage rate (APR) if the card holder decides to
`
`
`take advantage of some additional services, such as on-line
`
`
`banking. Additionally, the issuing institution does not typi-
`This invention relates to a network site, such as a Web site
`
`on the World Wide Web or the Internet, that an applicant
`
`
`services, such as electronic checks, to make payments to the
`
`accesses in order to select services, options, payment plans
`credit card account.
`
`and annual fees associated with an account-based service,
`
`Fourth, traditional methods and systems for ordering credit
`
`
`such as a credit card, insurance or communication services.
`
`
`cards do not allow an applicant to select a plurality of services
`
`15 cally provide a reduced APR if the card holder uses other
`
`20 and options in exchange for a higher annual fee or APR. Thus,
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`25 either phone conversations
`
`30 applicant
`
`35 an example, the representative
`
`support a par-40
`
`45 amount of parameters
`
`50 account (e.g., insurance
`
`55 and the associated
`
`60 ficult to convey all of the various rates to the applicant
`
`an applicant who wishes to have two or more services or
`
`
`options associated with a single card cannot elect to do so in
`Many people purchase account-based services over the
`
`exchange for paying a higher annual fee or APR.
`
`
`phone or through paper applications they fill out and return to
`
`
`Other account-based services may also be purchased using
`
`
`
`the account service provider. Account-based services such as
`
`with a customer representative, a
`
`
`insurance, communications and investment portfolios are
`
`mail-in form or a Web page application. This method of
`
`typically purchased in this manner.
`
`
`
`purchasing other account-based services, such as insurance,
`Another example of such an account based service
`suffers from at least three problems. The first is that a back­
`
`
`
`includes traditional credit card applications. Typically, an
`
`ground check on the applicant is required to assure that the
`
`
`application for a credit card is a form that an applicant either
`is a good candidate to receive the account-based
`
`receives from the credit card issuing institution directly
`
`
`service. This typically takes a long time and may delay issu­
`
`through the mail or finds in advertisements in books and
`ance of the account.
`
`magazines or on kiosks and bulletin boards. These forms have
`Second, a customer service representative may fail to
`
`only one or two credit card choices and do not allow the
`
`notice the multiple policy or sub-account customer. Thus, as
`
`
`
`applicant the opportunity to select features on the credit card.
`may fail to notice that an
`
`For example, some traditional paper forms only allow the
`
`
`applicant holds both a homeowner's policy, as well as two
`
`applicant to order either a VISA® or a MasterCard® credit
`
`
`automobile policies, and as a result would be entitled to a
`
`card, but a single form will not provide the applicant with a
`
`discounted rate in all policies due to the applicant's brand
`choice between the two.
`
`
`loyalty to one particular insurance company.
`
`Other advertisements or forms traditionally
`Third, a problem exists in paper forms, in that as the num-
`ticular program, such as frequent flier miles or reduced rates
`
`ber of available options, such as types of coverage (e.g.,
`
`
`
`on long distance services. Thus, an applicant typically only
`
`home, auto, life) increases, as well as the levels of coverage
`
`chooses the type of card (e.g., VISA® or MasterCard®) and
`
`(e.g., $10,000, $20,000),
`
`the number of possible variations in
`nothing else. The choice as to which service or options the
`
`rates increases such that to print out every rate within the vast
`
`
`applicant receives with the card is performed by selecting the
`is difficult and confusing to the appli­
`
`form associated with that service or option (e.g., mailing in a
`
`
`cant. Similarly, a customer service representative may make
`
`frequent flyer credit card application as opposed to a dis­
`mistakes in conveying or may neglect to offer a reduced rate
`counted long distance service credit card application).
`
`for multiple policies at various levels of coverage.
`
`
`
`Presently, financial institutions have begun to offer credit
`As noted in the examples given above, it is not the type of
`
`cards, and other institutions have begun to offer other
`
`vs. credit card) that typically creates
`
`
`
`account-based services, such as insurance, via electronic
`
`the difficulty with conveying the information to the applicant,
`
`forms over the Internet or World Wide Web. Typically, an
`
`
`it is the number of options available. Similarly, problems
`
`
`applicant accesses a particular Web site and then selects from
`
`
`occur with telecommunication service applicants regarding
`a few choices (e.g., VISA® or MasterCard® and frequent
`
`whether or not an applicant desires to purchase phone service
`
`flyer miles or reduced long distance). This current form of
`
`features of call-waiting, call-forwarding,
`
`electronic filing for a credit card suffers from at least four
`
`
`messaging services and caller-ID, along with other services,
`problems.
`
`such as Internet access, paging, mobile phone service, cable
`The first problem is the delay in obtaining the credit card.
`
`
`
`
`television and satellite television. Given the large number of
`
`
`The issuing financial institution performs a credit check after
`
`
`sub-services and options within some services, it is also dif-
`
`
`the applicant exits the Web page. The applicant must wait for
`based
`the credit check to be done and then wait to receive the new
`
`on which sub-services, options and features are selected.
`
`credit card some time later. At the point of receiving the credit
`
`
`card, the applicant may first learn that the credit line extended
`
`is unacceptable, after having gone through the effort and the
`wait associated
`
`ally, the applicant must also wait to receive the new credit card
`before it can be used.
`
`with applying for the credit card. Addition-65
`
`SUMM ARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention solves the problems noted above.
`
`
`First, with regard to credit card accounts, the present inven­
`
`tion performs a real-time credit check to determine the credit
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1011 - Page 31
`
`

`
`
`
`US 8,271,379 Bl
`
`By allowing an applicant to select multiple services and 10
`
`options and benefits 15
`
`in real time. An 20
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`25 parries and telecommunications
`
`30 tains an interface
`
`3
`4
`worthiness of the applicant. The applicant, in an embodiment
`
`
`
`FIGS. 5-26 are examples of Graphical User Interface
`
`
`of the present invention, knows immediately what the line of
`
`(GUI) screens for application for a credit card in accordance
`credit is, as well as the credit card number, allowing the
`with the methods and systems of an embodiment of the
`person to make purchases over the Internet, World Wide Web
`present invention.
`
`or telephone immediately after ordering the credit card.
`FIG. 27 is a diagram of a screen showing various options
`
`Second, an embodiment of the present invention allows an
`
`from which an applicant has to choose when using the sys­
`
`
`applicant to select any number of services and options from a
`tems and methods of an embodiment of the present invention
`
`
`
`
`finite and variable plurality of services and options, and com­
`to purchase insurance.
`bine those selected services and options on one credit card.
`
`FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing a sub-process in accor­
`dance with the present invention.
`options onto one card, the applicant may take advantage of
`
`FIG. 29 is a diagram of a screen showing various options an
`
`
`special incentives offered by the issuing institution or its
`
`
`applicant has to choose from when using the systems and
`
`business partners, including a lower annual fee or a lower
`
`methods of the present invention to purchase telecommuni­
`
`
`Annual Percentage Rate ("APR"). Alternatively, an applicant
`cations services.
`
`who values a plurality of other services,
`may pay a higher annual fee in exchange for that package of
`
`services, options and benefits.
`FIG. 1 shows a system overview of the present invention
`Third, the present invention allows an applicant to shop for
`
`
`used by an account based service provider to offer account
`
`a particular credit card and make choices based on an
`
`
`based services to an applicant and also used by applicants to
`
`increased annual fee and/ or APR as calculated
`develop, order, purchase and learn about certain account
`
`applicant may first desire to have two services or options on
`
`based services offered by the account based service provider.
`
`
`one card, but may be discouraged at the increased annual fee
`
`Examples of account based service providers include banks,
`
`or APR. Thus, a potential credit card holder may temporarily
`
`
`
`
`
`financial institutions, insurance institutions, investment com-
`select a plurality of services and options, receive a calculated
`
`
`
`
`service providers. In one
`
`annual fee or APR and then make alternate selections in an
`embodiment, an applicant uses terminal1, such as a personal
`
`
`
`
`effort to lower the annual fee or APR before committing to a
`computer, to access a credit card building system, in which
`
`
`
`particular package of services, options and benefits on one
`
`the applicant builds and designs a desired credit card or other
`card.
`
`
`account-based service. The credit card building system con-
`Fourth, the present invention allows the card issuing insti­
`
`
`for the applicant to receive and input data.
`tution to modify and change the Web page easily and quickly.
`
`
`Examples of the applicant interface may be a Graphic User
`
`This allows the card issuing institution to bring in additional
`
`
`Interface (GUI), a Web page or any equivalent device that
`business partners as well as cancel services or options that
`
`
`
`presents the applicant with information and receives informa-
`
`become unprofitable or obsolete.
`tion from the applicant.
`
`The applicant obtains access to the institution's credit card
`
`
`account-based
`
`building system through network connection 3. Network 3
`adjustable and dynamic medium to purchase other account­
`
`may be, for example, an internal network, an external net­
`based services, such as insurance, communications services,
`
`
`
`work, the Internet, the World Wide Web or any combination
`
`
`
`investments, loans and mortgages. For these non-credit card
`
`
`thereof. The institution uses server 2 to store, forward, main-
`based accounts, the present invention also provides real-time
`
`
`manage the credit card building system. Server 2
`approval for services and an institutionally changeable
`
`
`
`receives and transmits data to the applicant's computer 1 via
`
`
`"select-and-see" platform that allows applicants to tempo­
`network 3. Client terminal 4 is used to update and make
`
`
`rarily select from a plurality of options before committing to
`
`changes to the operations of the software managed by server
`
`
`a single account while also providing the institution the flex­
`2, including the credit card building system, and server 2
`
`ibility to change the platform in the future.
`
`
`
`Database 5 maintains records of services, options, ben­
`
`In order to achieve the stated and other features, and advan­
`
`efits, annual fees, Annual Percentage Rates ("APRs"), avail­
`tages of the present invention, an embodiment of the present
`
`
`able lines of credit and balance transfer amounts.
`
`
`invention provides a method encompassing determining the
`
`
`Outside of the institution is credit reporting service 6. This
`worthiness of an applicant, providing a plurality of options
`
`
`
`service 6 maintains its own database (not shown), which is
`
`
`from which the applicant can choose to associate with an
`
`used to determine if an applicant is a credit risk or not. Credit
`
`account, adjusting factors associated
`
`
`reporting service 6 returns information to server 2, via net-
`
`
`
`submitting to the applicant selected information for providing
`
`work 3, so it can be determined whether or not a credit card
`the account.
`should be issued, and if one is issued, what the credit card's
`credit line should be.
`
`Finally, the present invention is also applicable to any
`
`system. The present invention provides an 35
`
`40 tain and
`
`45 itself.
`
`with the account and 50
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`55 FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
`
`60 ing to access the institution's
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
`
`Part of server 2 is outlined in a dashed line. In particular,
`
`
`
`and form part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodi­
`
`firewall2a is used to limit access and to provide security to the
`
`ments of the present invention and, together with the descrip­
`
`
`institution's data and system. Firewall 2a basically includes
`
`tion, disclose the principles of the invention.
`
`security measures checking to assure that the person attempt-
`FIG.1 is a system overview according to an embodiment of
`
`server and information therein
`the present invention.
`
`
`does not pose a substantial security risk.
`FIG. 2 is a system overview according to another embodi­
`Applicant information is obtained by applicant subsystem
`
`ment of the present invention.
`
`2b. Applicant subsystem 2b prompts the applicant to enter
`
`
`data, such as the applicant's name, address, social security
`the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing another process in accor­
`dance with the present invention.
`
`65 number and annual salary. Credit checker subsystem 2c
`
`retrieves the needed information from applicant subsystem 2b
`
`
`
`
`
`and forwards it to the appropriate credit scoring service 6a or
`
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a process in accordance with
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1011 - Page 32
`
`

`
`
`
`US 8,271,379 Bl
`
`15 cant is a bad credit risk at block 27, the system sends
`
`10 ous bankruptcy claims, and provides a credit report to credit
`
`5
`6
`6b. If credit scoring service 6a or 6b provides a low enough
`At block 25, applicant subsystem 2b queries the applicant to
`
`
`
`score, such that credit checker subsystem 2c determines that
`
`enter personal information, such as name, address, social
`
`the applicant is a bad credit risk, the system of an embodiment
`
`
`security number and salary (see FIG. 5).Applicant subsystem
`
`
`of the present invention mails the applicant denial letter 7 and
`
`
`2b collects this information, formats it and forwards it to the
`
`switches the applicant to another Web page. Denial letter 7
`credit checking subsystem 2c at block 26. Also at block 26,
`
`
`basically states that the applicant will not be granted a credit
`credit checking subsystem 2c forwards the formatted data to
`
`card from this institution at this time. In an alternative
`
`the appropriate credit checking agency 6a or 6b. Credit
`
`embodiment of the present invention, denial letter 7 is imme­
`
`checking agency 6a or 6b derives the applicant's credit score
`
`diately sent to the applicant as an e-mail message or a Web
`
`based on such factors as salary, outstanding loans, and previ-
`page.
`If credit scoring service 6a or 6b provides a high enough
`checking subsystem 2c at block 26. Credit checking sub­
`
`credit score to merit issuing the applicant a credit card, credit
`system 2c uses the credit report to determine if the applicant
`
`checker subsystem 2c informs application subsystem 2b to
`
`qualifies for a credit card at block 27.
`
`issue a credit card to the applicant so that the appropriate
`
`If credit checking subsystem 2c determines that the appli-
`
`information is forwarded to card building subsystem 2d from
`a brief
`
`
`applicant subsystem 2b. Also, based upon the credit score and
`
`
`
`message indicating that the applicant is no longer permitted to
`
`
`information provided by the applicant, credit checker sub­
`
`build a credit card at block 28 and forwards the applicant to
`
`system 2c determines the credit line, the amount available for
`another Web page or network site at block 29, which termi­
`
`balance transfers (BT), and the APR and the APR for BTs, and
`
`
`nates the card building application. This alternative network
`
`
`provides this data to applicant subsystem 2a for forwarding to
`be a phone service or other site which will
`card building subsystem 2d.
`
`try to persuade the applicant to purchase a secured phone card
`Applicant subsystem 2b compiles the information pro­
`
`
`or other non-credit based service or product. Typically, this
`
`vided by credit checker subsystem 2c, adds the applicant­
`
`
`non-credit based service or product may be affiliated with a
`
`provided information, and forwards both sets of data to card
`
`
`co-branding partner with the card issuing institution (e.g., a
`building subsystem 2d. Card building subsystem 2d receives
`company) or it may be another service provided by
`
`
`applicant selections with respect to services, options and
`
`the card issuing institution (e.g., a checking account). At
`
`benefits, in order to build the desired credit card. The services,
`
`
`block 30, the applicant's name and address are forwarded to
`
`options and benefits are features an applicant adds to the
`an employee or another subsystem so that denial letter 7 is
`
`credit card. Additionally, card building subsystem 2d
`
`generated and mailed to the applicant indicating that the
`accesses other company servers and systems 8 in order to
`is a bad credit risk and will not be issued a credit
`determine what features the other companies are making
`card at this time.
`
`
`
`available to the applicant should the applicant choose a par­
`If the credit checking subsystem 2c determines the appli­
`
`
`
`
`ticular service, option or benefit. Additionally, the other com­
`cant is a good credit risk at block 27, credit checking sub­
`pany servers and systems 8 may also provide advertisements
`system 2c forwards a base credit line, a base annual fee, a base
`
`in an effort to persuade the applicant to select a particular
`
`
`rate (APR), a base balance transfer amount
`
`
`
`service. These advertisements are displayed to the applicant
`
`
`(BT) and a base balance transfer APR to applicant subsystem
`via card building subsystem 2d.
`
`2b, which then forwards this information to card building
`
`It should be noted that the subsystems 2a-2d of FIG. 2 can
`subsystem 2d. This data is used to form a baseline offer. The
`
`be implemented as modules onto a computer. The computer
`
`
`applicant subsystem 2b also forwards the applicant data to
`
`may be a mainframe or internet compatible server. The mod­
`at block
`
`
`ules, in various preferred embodiments, may be implemented
`31 card building subsystem 2d displays an image of a basic
`
`
`as hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof
`credit card along with information about the credit card, such
`onto computer 2.
`
`as the credit line, associated annual fee, the APR, the amount
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the method blocks of build­
`
`
`available for BTs and the APR for BTs. Also at block 31, card
`
`ing a personalized credit card according to an embodiment of
`
`indicator choices
`
`the present invention. The process begins when an applicant
`
`
`related to services, options and benefits the applicant may
`invokes the card building system. This is usually accom­
`select so as to add features to the credit card. The reader is
`
`plished when an applicant enters a Web site, or an equivalent,
`
`referred to FIGS. 7-25 for examples. It should be noted that at
`
`of an institution that issues credit cards at block 21 (Web page
`
`this block, the card builder subsystem checks the credit line,
`
`
`not shown). Typically, the institution is a bank, credit union or
`options
`
`
`any other institution that issues credit cards. The initial Web
`
`
`and benefits from which the applicant is allowed to select. In
`
`
`site the applicant sees is typically the home page for the
`
`most cases, an applicant is allowed to chose from all services,
`
`
`instit