U.S. patent application number 12/191788 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for system and method for a frame-based internet enabled user interface.
This patent application is currently assigned to YODLEE, INC.. Invention is credited to Hill Ferguson.
Application Number | 20080306846 12/191788 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40096737 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080306846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferguson; Hill |
December 11, 2008 |
System and Method for a Frame-Based Internet Enabled User
Interface
Abstract
A system and method for a frame-based internet enabled
interface. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for a
client-side frame based internet enabled interface. The system
comprises a first frame and a second frame in a window. The first
frame encapsulates a resource from a third-party internet based
service. The resource is requested by a user through an internet
enabling software. In addition, the second frame comprises
user-specific information that is related to content provided from
the resource.
Inventors: |
Ferguson; Hill; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CENTRAL COAST PATENT AGENCY, INC
3 HANGAR WAY SUITE D
WATSONVILLE
CA
95076
US
|
Assignee: |
YODLEE, INC.
Redwood City
CA
|
Family ID: |
40096737 |
Appl. No.: |
12/191788 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10699492 |
Oct 31, 2003 |
|
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12191788 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/34 ;
715/781 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/04 20130101;
G06Q 50/01 20130101; G06Q 40/02 20130101; G06Q 20/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/34 ;
715/781 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048; G06Q 30/00 20060101 G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A method for providing a frame-based internet enabled interface,
comprising: displaying a first frame in an on-screen window of a
graphical user interface for display to a user, wherein said first
frame encapsulates a resource from a third party internet based
service as requested by said user through said internet enabling
software; and displaying a second frame in said on-screen window,
wherein said second frame comprises user-specific information that
is related to content provided from said resource.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: deep linking to said
resource associated with said third-party internet based
service.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: recording user
actions with said third-party internet based service on said first
frame.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: capturing information
from said third-party internet based service as provided in said
first frame; and storing said information for subsequent access by
said user.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: establishing a first
direct communication link between said internet enabling software
and said third-party internet based service to provide an interface
for said user with said third-party internet based service through
said first frame.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: establishing a second
direct communication link between said internet enabling software
and a host portal that provides a bill management service, wherein
said request is initiated at said host portal by said user to
request said resource.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a
user-interface control element in said first frame.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a third
frame in said on-screen window, wherein said third frame
encapsulates a second resource from another third-party internet
based service as requested by said user through said internet
enabling software, wherein said second frame comprises other
user-specific information that is related to other content provided
from said second resource.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said third party internet based
service comprises a direct-biller web site
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said internet enabling software
comprises a browser.
11. A computer system comprising: a processor; and a computer
readable memory coupled to said processor and containing program
instructions that, when executed, implement a method for providing
a frame-based internet enabled interface, comprising: displaying a
first frame in an on-screen window of a graphical user interface
for display to a user, wherein said first frame encapsulates a
resource from a third party internet based service as requested by
said user through said internet enabling software; and displaying a
second frame in said on-screen window, wherein said second frame
comprises user-specific information that is related to content
provided from said resource.
12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein said method further
comprises: deep linking to said resource associated with said
third-party internet based service.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:
recording user actions with said third-party internet based service
on said first frame.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:
capturing information from said third-party internet based service
as provided in said first frame; and storing said information for
subsequent access by said user.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:
establishing a first direct communication link between said
internet enabling software and said third-party internet based
service to provide an interface for said user with said third-party
internet based service through said first frame.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:
establishing a second direct communication link between said
internet enabling software and a host portal that provides a bill
management service, wherein said request is initiated at said host
portal by said user to request said resource.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:
displaying a user-interface control element in said first
frame.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:
displaying a third frame in said on-screen window, wherein said
third frame encapsulates a second resource from another third-party
internet based service as requested by said user through said
internet enabling software, wherein said second frame comprises
other user-specific information that is related to other content
provided from said second resource.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein said third party internet based
service comprises a direct-biller web site
20. The method of claim 11, wherein said internet enabling software
comprises a browser.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS
[0001] The present application is a divisional application of
co-pending application Ser. No. 10/699,492, filed Oct. 31, 2003,
and entitled: "System and Method for a Frame-Based Internet Enabled
User Interface". Priority is claimed to the filing date of the
parent application, and the entire disclosure of the parent
application is incorporated at least by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of
aggregation services. More particularly, embodiments of the present
invention relate generally to client side credential based
deep-linking to a third-party internet based service.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Bill payment on-line over the Internet has the potential of
making the task of paying monthly bills simpler, easier, and more
satisfying than the traditional method of paying bills through the
mail. Payment of bills over the Internet in the conventional art
takes two forms: a bill consolidation model; and a direct billing
model. Both of these models unsatisfactorily address the issue of
consolidating all the bills of a client at one convenient location
for paying bills.
[0006] The conventional bill consolidator model comprises a
consolidated clearing house, whereupon all the services related to
paying bills are accomplished at one location. In general, the bill
consolidator goes out and retrieves bills from participating
billers for a particular client. In addition, the bill consolidator
also processes payments on bills for that client. In the case,
where a bill consolidation is provided by a bank, consolidated
bills are presented to the client, and the client can provide
instructions to the bank to pay specific bills at one location,
typically a web site.
[0007] While there are many problems associated with a bill
consolidation model, the one great advantage is that the bill
consolidation model provides a single location for a client to pay
bills from various billers. However, problems with a bill
consolidation model include costly infrastructure setup, the
inability to view details of a bill, a delayed clearing time for
payment of a bill, and a single source for payment. These problems
overshadow the advantage of consolidation.
[0008] In particular, one problem associated with a bill
consolidator model is that only those billers that actively
participate in the model can send out bills and receive payments on
those bills through the bill consolidator model. That is, each
biller in the bill consolidator model must set up an electronic
payment infrastructure that is compatible with the bill
consolidator. Setting up the infrastructure is time consuming and
costly for the biller. As such, billers tend not to participate
within a bill consolidator model, as additional resources must be
expended to ensure compatability with the bill consolidator.
[0009] In addition, in a bill consolidation model, the client does
not have an opportunity to view bills in full. That is, the client
is presented with a summary of billing information by the bill
consolidator. If a client is interested in detailed billing
information, the client must reference the paper bill sent through
the mail, or call customer service. This is unacceptable in an
electronic payment model, as the convenience stems from avoiding
sending out bills through the mail. In addition, since the client
has set up an electronic payment system with a biller, that biller
probably will not duplicate billing by sending out a bill through
the mail in an effort to save costs.
[0010] Further, in a bill consolidation model, the clearing time
for payment of a bill by the bill consolidator is usually delayed.
The bill consolidator typically gathers up all the payments for
bills to a particular biller, and sends those payments in bulk to
reduce costs. As such, payment of a bill of a client to a
particular biller may not occur for up to 7 days. In addition,
there is no assurance by the biller to a client that a bill has
been accepted as paid. That is, there is no immediate feedback from
a biller that a bill has been paid. Thus, last minute payments are
usually avoided in a bill consolidation model.
[0011] Moreover, in a bill consolidation model, there is only a
single funding source for the payment of a bill. For example, bill
consolidation that is provided by a bank will channel payments
through the bank. As such, a client paying bills through the bank's
bill consolidation model must carry an account at the bank (e.g., a
checking account) and make all payments through that account. Other
forms of payment are not allowed, such as, a credit card payment.
As such, a client cannot choose which multiple forms of payment to
pay a bill in a bill consolidation model.
[0012] The second form of electronic payment of bills is the direct
billing model. Billers understand the benefits of switching to
electronic payments, such as, decreased billing costs,
advertisement opportunities, etc. As such, individual billers have
developed their own web sites for clients to pay bills
electronically. In the direct billing model, one biller allows
their clients to pay bills electronically at one location. While
there are many advantages to the direct billing model, the one
great disadvantage that overshadows the advantages is that the
direct billing model does not provide consolidation.
[0013] The direct billing model has many advantages for clients
over the bill consolidation model. For example, in the direct
billing model, a client can view richer billing information. The
biller can provide entire billing information for a client because
they are only focusing one billing account, of which the biller has
full access, for a client. In addition, the client can dispute
bills over the direct billing model. Also, in the direct billing
model, the client can get immediate confirmation of payments
because the biller has the authorization by the client to receive
payment from a pre-authorized account. As a result, last minute
payments are possible.
[0014] However, the disadvantage to the direct billing model is
that there is no consolidation of a bills to a particular client.
As a result, in order to pay bills from a variety of billers, a
client must deal with each biller separately to make an electronic
payment. That is, the client must log onto the first direct
biller's site to make a payment on a first bill. Then, after
completion of the first transaction, the client must log onto a
second direct biller's site to make a payment on a second bill.
This process continues for all the bills to be paid electronically
at the various direct billing sites for the various billers.
[0015] As a result, the bill consolidation model is too focused on
payments only and cannot provide the richness of billing
information desired by a client when reviewing and paying bills.
Also, the direct billing model is severely limited by providing
billing services only to a single account.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] What is needed is a method and system that combines the
advantages of the bill consolidation model and the direct billing
model.
[0017] Accordingly, various embodiments of the present invention
disclose a system and method for a frame-based internet enabled
interface. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for a
client-side frame based internet enabled interface. The system
comprises a first frame and a second frame in a window. A frame is
encapsulates a resource from a third-party internet based service.
The first frame encapsulates a resource from a third-party internet
based service. The resource is requested by a user through an
internet enabling software, such as a browser.
[0018] In addition, the second frame comprises user-specific
information that is related to the content provided from the
resource. More specifically, the user-specific information
comprises personalized information for the user that is comprised
of previously gathered information. Also, the second frame
comprises graphical user interface control elements, such as,
buttons, checkboxes, links to other resources from other
third-party internet based services, etc.
[0019] In another embodiment, a computer controlled method is
disclosed that provides a frame-based internet enabled interface.
An embodiment begins by providing a first frame in a window for
display to a user. The first frame encapsulates a web page from a
third party internet based service. The web page may be requested
by the user through the internet enabling software. The embodiment
continues by providing a second frame in the window for display to
the user. The second frame comprises user-specific information that
is related to content provided from the resource. As such, the
user-specific information is helpful to the user when interfacing
with the third-party internet based service through the web
page.
[0020] In addition, in various embodiments of the present
invention, by virtue of providing the frame of the resource
associated with third-party internet based service, user
interactions with the third-party internet based service on the
first frame can be observed. In addition to observation of the
interactions, other embodiments are capable of capturing
information from the third-party internet based service as provided
in said first frame, and storing the information for later access
by the user.
[0021] Advantages of an electronic billing system in embodiments of
the present invention, such as, a consolidated bill management
service combines the advantages of a bill consolidation model and a
direct billing model. As such, the consolidated bill management
service is capable of aggregating information that is associated
with a user and presenting that information to the user in a
frame-based internet enabled user-interface when the user utilizes
the services provided by the bill management service.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic system
that is capable of serving as a platform for a frame-based internet
enabled user-interface, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication network that
includes an information service that is capable of setting up a
deep-link between an end-user and a particular web page, in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram illustrating steps for
providing a deep-linking capability between an end-user and
particular web page, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the communication
channels opened to obtain windows viewable by an end-user that has
requested access to a resource through a host portal, in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a window comprising a
frame-based internet enabled user interface, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating steps in a computer
implemented method for providing a frame-based internet enabled
user interface, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, a system and method for
providing a frame-based internet enabled user interface, examples
of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the
invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred
embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to
limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the
invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and
equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0029] Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the
present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order
to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art
that the present invention may be practiced without these specific
details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures,
components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not
to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.
Notation and Nomenclature
[0030] Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are
presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing,
and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits that
can be performed on computer memory. These descriptions and
representations are the means used by those skilled in the data
processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their
work to others skilled in the art. A procedure, computer executed
step, logic block, process, etc., is here, and generally, conceived
to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading
to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical
manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or
magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,
compared, and otherwise manipulated in a computer system. It has
proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common
usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements,
symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
[0031] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and
similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical
quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these
quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from
the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as
"displaying," "providing," "observing," "collecting," "storing," or
the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system,
or similar electronic computing device, including an embedded
system, that manipulates and transforms data represented as
physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's
registers and memories into other data similarly represented as
physical quantities within the computer system memories or
registers or other such information storage, transmission or
display devices.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, embodiments of the present invention
are comprised of computer-readable and computer-executable
instructions which reside, for example, in computer-readable media
of a computer system that is capable of deep-linking to a
particular resource. That is, embodiments of the present invention
can be implemented on software running on a computer system.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of exemplary embedded components
of such a computer system 100 upon which embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented. The computer system can be an
embedded system, a personal computer, notebook computer, server
computer, mainframe, networked computer, handheld computer,
personal digital assistant, workstation, and the like.
[0034] Exemplary computer system 100 includes an internal
address/data bus 120 for communicating information, a central
processor 101 coupled with the bus 120 for processing information
and instructions, a volatile memory 102 (e.g., random access memory
(RAM), static RAM dynamic RAM, etc.) coupled with the bus 120 for
storing information and instructions for the central processor 101,
and a non-volatile memory 103 (e.g., read only memory (ROM),
programmable ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.) coupled to the
bus 120 for storing static information and instructions for the
processor 101. Computer system 100 may also include various forms
of disc storage 104 for storing information.
[0035] With reference still to FIG. 1, an optional signal
input/output (I/O) device 108 is coupled to bus 120 for providing a
communication link between computer system 100 and a network
environment. As such, signal I/O device 108 enables the central
processor unit 101 to communicate with browsers associated with
clients that are coupled to the computer system 100. The computer
system 100 is coupled to the network (e.g., the Internet) using the
network connection, I/O device 108.
Credential Based Deep-Linking for Client Side Bill Payment
[0036] Accordingly, various embodiments of the present invention
disclose a system and method for providing a frame-based internet
enabled user-interface. As a result, in an electronic billing
system, a consolidated bill management service is provided that
combines the advantages of a bill consolidation model and a direct
billing model. As such, the consolidated bill management service is
capable of aggregating information that is associated with a user
and presenting that information to the user in a frame-based
internet enabled user-interface when the user utilizes the services
provided by the bill management service.
[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention are described
within the context of a portal bill management service and other
third-party internet based billing services, other embodiments are
well suited to other types of services provided by a consolidating
portal that gather information from and provide access to varying
third party internet based services. For example, embodiments of
the present invention are suited to supporting a consolidated
investment trading service that gathers information from and
provides access to direct or third-party trading services.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an exemplary
communication network 200 is disclosed that is capable of
supporting the credential based deep-linking to an internet based
service, or more specifically, a particular resource (e.g., a web
page) in the internet based service, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. In this way, a bill management
service is capable of supporting a client side bill payment model
that is capable of deep-linking between a client-device associated
with an end user and a third party-internet based service to allow
the end-user to utilize services provided by the third party
internet based service.
[0039] While embodiments of the present invention are directed to
internet based services that comprise bill management services,
other embodiments of the present invention are well suited to
internet based services that comprise other services, such as,
stock trading services, travel services, etc.
[0040] The communication network 100 is comprised of an internet
enabling software 220 (e.g., browser) that is associated with a
client device or computer, the internet 210, an information service
(e.g., bill management service 230), and a plurality of third-party
internet based services 240 that are coupled together through the
communication network 200. The end-user via the internet enabling
software 220 and the internet 210 accesses the bill management
service 230 to obtain and view information provided by the
third-party internet based services 240 in order to utilize the
services of the internet based services 240. For example, in one
embodiment, the end-user through the internet enabling software 220
and the internet 210 accesses the bill management service 230 to
set up direct-links between the internet enabling software 220 and
each of the plurality of third-party internet based services 240
for direct payment of bills.
[0041] In addition, the information service 230 accesses each of
the plurality of third-party internet based services 240 through
the internet 210 to aggregate information that is particular to the
end-user associated with the internet enabling software 220. As
such, each of the plurality of third-party internet based services
240 contain and comprise information that is specific to the
end-user. Also, in one embodiment, each of the third-party internet
based services provide credential access to that information to
those who provide the proper credentials. For example, in an
electronic billing application, the bill management service 230
periodically accesses each of a plurality of direct billing
third-party internet based services to retrieve billing information
that is specific to the client
[0042] The internet 210, in general, comprises a set of computer
networks that are communicatively coupled together to enable the
transfer of data between nodes within the Internet 140.
Communication is enabled through a common suite of protocols, such
as, the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP).
Although the present embodiment is disclosed using the Internet
210, other embodiments are well suited to deep-linking to a
particular web page through any network, such as a LAN, or a wide
area network (WAN), etc.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram 300 illustrating the ability
of the bill management service 230 to provide deep-linking to a
specific resource, or web page, 335 in a third-party internet based
service 330, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. In the electronic billing environment, the bill
management service 230 is capable of using deep-linking techniques
to leverage the existing services provided by a plurality of
third-party internet based services, such as, the third-party
internet based service 330. That is, the bill management service
230 is able to provide the services of the third-party internet
based service 330 directly to the client through the internet
enabling software 220 through frames in a window, as provided for
in embodiments of the present invention.
[0044] As a preliminary step, the end-user has initiated services
with the bill management service 230 and the third-party internet
based service 330. That is, the end-user has initiated an account
with the bill management service 230. In that way, the bill
management service 230 can provide secure access to aggregated
billing information solely for the end-user. In addition, the
client has preliminarily activated and initiated electronic bill
payment services with the third-party internet based service 330.
That is, the end-user has initiated an electronic bill payment
service with the third-party internet based service that provides
for direct billing, such as, a direct billing site associated with
a utility company. Also, the third-party internet based service 330
provides credential access to the billing information particular to
the end-user. In that way, the direct billing site can provide
secure access to the billing information to those who provide the
correct credentials, such as, the client and agents of the end-user
(e.g. the bill management service 230).
[0045] The end-user has preliminarily provided the bill management
service 230 with the proper credentials to access the third-party
internet based service 330. The credentials are stored in the pin
vault 340 for access by the bill management service 230. For
example, the credentials comprise user identification and user
password necessary for access to the third-party internet based
service 330, in one embodiment. Other embodiments are well suited
to supporting other credential information specific to other
third-party internet based services.
[0046] Since the bill management service 230 has the correct
credential information associated with the end-user, the bill
management service 230 can act on behalf of the end-user to access
billing information 350 accessible on the third-party internet
based service 330. The billing information is particular to the
end-user. That is, the bill management service 230 periodically
accesses the third-party internet based service 330 to scrape or
gather billing information 350 that is specific to the end-user.
Aggregation of the billing information 350 can occur in batch mode
or real time mode, in embodiments of the present invention.
[0047] In particular, this process does not require the direct
participation on the part of the direct billers associated with the
plurality of third-party internet based services (e.g., service
330), in one embodiment. Nor does this process require any
technology changes on the part of the direct billers from which
billing information is aggregated. That is, any pre-existing
third-party internet based service, e.g., web site, an open
financial exchange (OFX) server, etc., is leveraged to provide
deep-linking to particular web sites for utilizing services
provided at the web sites.
[0048] The billing information 350 includes specific details of
billing information, such as, total amount due, etc. This billing
information is organized in summary form and sent to the internet
enabling software 220 for presentment to the end-user.
Consolidation of billing information from multiple direct billing
third-party internet based services is possible, in another
embodiment. As such, a consolidation of billing information in
summary form is presented to the client via the internet enabling
software 220.
[0049] In addition, the billing information 350 that is gathered
from the third-party internet based service 330 includes other
navigation information that outlines the infrastructure of the
third-party internet based service 330. In that way, relationships
between specific information that is associated with a specific
resource 335 in the third-party internet based service 330 are
gathered and sent to the bill management service 230. For example,
the specific resource 335 may provide the interface for paying a
specific bill discovered in the billing information 350.
[0050] More particularly, specific navigation information is
provided to help navigate to that specific resource 335. The
navigation information may include a uniform resource locator
(URL), list of web pages, cookie information, or other parameters
that set up the infrastructure of the third-party internet based
service 330.
[0051] The bill management service 230 provides in summary form a
consolidated view of all the billing information gathered from a
plurality of third-party internet based services. Included within
this view is billing information 350 gathered form the third-party
internet based service 330. For example, billing information 350
may comprise information pertaining to a specific bill that is
payable via specific resource 335.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 illustrating the communication
channels opened to obtain windows viewable by an end-user that has
requested access to a resource over a communication network, such
as the internet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 4, the end-user is associated with the internet
enabling software 220, such as, a browser.
[0053] The end-user through the internet enabling software 220 has
established communication with a bill management service 230, as
shown by communication path 425. As a result, the bill management
service 230 is able to transmit for display a web page 420 that
includes in summary a view of billing information, as described
previously.
[0054] For example, the information is provided in a table format
that provides in a consolidated view of billing information that is
specific to the end-user, in one embodiment. Although the present
embodiment provides a consolidation of billing information in a
table format, other embodiments are well suited to presenting
billing information in other formats, such as a list.
[0055] In FIG. 4, billing information is provided in the bill
management service web page 420 for a variety of bills. For
instance, a summary of first billing information 350 is included, a
summary of second billing information 425 is included, on up to a
summary of n.sup.th billing information 427. The first billing
information 350 is shown in FIG. 3 also. Each of the billing
information 350, 425, and 427 is related to a separate bill, that
can be serviced through an associated biller web site, that is
presented to the end-user in the web page 420.
[0056] Each of the billing information 350, 425, and 427 was
previously gathered and aggregated by the bill management service
230 from an associated third-party internet based service. For
example, billing information 350 was gathered from resource 335 of
FIG. 3. The billing information may include total amount due, total
charges accumulated, etc. Items in the summary view are selectable
by the bill management service 230, in one embodiment, or by the
end-user, in another embodiment, or a combination of both, in other
embodiments.
[0057] In addition, an associated pay bill button, or link, is
provided that when activated sets up and creates a direct link to
an associated resource for services. For example, pay bill link 423
sets up a deep-link to an associated resource, e.g. resource 335,
to allow the end-user to make payment on the first billing
information 350. Also, pay bill link 426 sets up a deep-link to an
associated resource to allow the end-user to make payment on the
second billing information 425. Moreover, pay bill link 428 sets up
a deep-link to an associated resource to allow the end-user to make
payment on the n.sup.th billing information 427.
[0058] More particularly, activation of the pay bill link 423
enables deep-linking by the internet enabling software 220 on the
client device to the associated web page, resource 335, as shown by
the deep-link communication path 435. As a result, a deep-link is
created to directly link the internet enabling software 220 with
the resource 335 so that the end-user can utilize payment services
on the resource 335 to make payment on the first billing
information 350. The deep-link is presented to the end-user in a
separate frame or window 500, as shown in FIG. 5. As such, two
separate channels of communication are established for the client
through the internet enabling software 220.
[0059] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a window 500 that
provides an internet enabled interface between an end-user and a
third-party internet based service, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. The window 500 is presented to
the end-user to provide the internet-enabled interface. The window
500 is associated with a host portal, such as, a consolidated
billing service, that provides direct access to the content
provided in the window 500 for an end-user.
[0060] The window 500 is comprised of a frame 510. The frame 510
encapsulates a resource from a third-party internet based service
as requested by the end-user through an internet enabling software.
In this way, a direct communication link is established between the
internet enabling software and the third party internet based
service to provide an interface for the user with the third-party
internet based service through the frame 510. As such, the end-user
can interface with the third-party internet based service through
the frame 510 as enabled by the internet enabling software.
[0061] For example, the frame 510 comprises the third party
internet enabled resource 335 of FIG. 4. In this way, the end-user
can utilize the services as provided by the internet based service
330 to pay a bill that is associated with billing information 350.
As such, payment of the bill is completed through the interface
with the third party internet enabled resource 335 as established
in frame 510.
[0062] The request for access to the third-party internet based
resource is initiated at a host portal by the end-user to request
the resource. In one embodiment, another direct communication link
is established and simultaneously continued between the internet
enabling software and the host portal that provides a consolidation
service, such as a bill management service. In that case, when the
link to the third-party internet based resource in frame 510 is
de-activated, the end-user still has communication with the host
portal associated with the bill management service.
[0063] The window 500 also comprises a frame 520. The frame 520
comprises user-specific information that is related to content
provided from the resource that is displayed in frame 510. The
user-specific information is displayed in the frame 520 via text
blocks, in one embodiment. For instance, block 522 contains the
name of the end-user. Blocks 523 and 525 contain other text
information that is personal to the end-user.
[0064] The user-specific information may comprise personalized
information that is pertinent or helpful to the interfacing between
the end-user and the third-party internet based service. For
instance, the personalized information contains a bank balance in
block 523, associated with the end-user, from which the end-user
can determine if there are sufficient funds to pay a specific bill.
In this case, the first frame 510 provides an interface to the
third-party internet based service that enables the end-user to pay
a specific bill. In another case, the personalized information may
contain frequent flier mileage that is associated with the end-user
when the end-user is interfacing with and accessing a third-party
internet enabled travel service. Other personalized information,
such as, personalized advertisements, is well-suited for display
within the frame 520 to provide information to the end-user that is
pertinent to his or her interfacings with the third-party internet
based resource as provided in frame 510.
[0065] In another embodiment, the window 500 is capable of
supporting multiple frames that encapsulate multiple resources from
various third party internet based services. For example, the
window 500 comprises a third frame, wherein the third frame
encapsulates another resource, or web page, from another
third-party internet based service. This other resource is also
requested by the end-user through an interface with the host
portal. As such, the frame 520 also would comprise other
user-specific information that is related to content provided from
the third frame.
[0066] In another embodiment, the frame 510 comprises one or more
user-interface control elements. For example, control element 529
provides for an actionable interface to the end-user. Any type of
control element 529 is suitable, such as, a control button,
checkbox, link to a web page, etc.
[0067] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart 600 is disclosed
illustrating steps in a computer implemented method for providing a
frame-based internet enabled user interface, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. The flow chart 600 is
implemented upon request by an end-user to access a resource from a
portal web site that provides consolidation services. The
consolidation service, such as, a bill consolidation service,
provides a summary of information gathered from various third-party
internet enabled services, and provides access to those third-party
internet enabled services. A separate communication link or path is
established between an internet enabling software associated with
the end-user and the host web site, in one embodiment.
[0068] The present embodiment begins by displaying a first frame in
a window for display to an end-user, in 610. The first frame
encapsulates a web page, or resource, from a third party internet
based service. As previously described, the end user requests
assess to the web page from a portal web site. Communication
between the end-user and the portal web site, as well as the
third-party internet based service is provided through an internet
enabling software.
[0069] The present embodiment has established a deep-link to the
resource.
[0070] Deep-linking the internet enabling software to the resource
associated third-party internet based service, allows the end-user
more detailed access to information. For example, the direct
deep-link enables the end-user to navigate through the third-party
internet based service to view more detailed billing information
that is provided by the third-party internet based service. In
addition, the deep-link establishes a communication path between
the internet enabling software and the third-party internet based
service to provide an interface for the end-user with the
third-party internet based service through the first frame.
[0071] At 620, the present embodiment displays a second frame. The
second frame comprises user-specific information that is related to
content provided from the resource. In one embodiment, some of the
user-specific information previously was determined by gathering
information from various third-party internet based services and
aggregating that information. As previously described, the
user-specific information may comprise banking balance information,
frequent flier mileage information, trading account information,
etc.
[0072] In another embodiment, the first frame comprises a
user-interface control element. In this way, actionable items can
be provided to the end-user outside of the interface with the
third-party internet based resource. The user-interface control
element can comprise, a control button, checkbox, link, etc. For
example, the control element can be configured to provide a means
for de-activating the deep-link to the third-party internet based
resource, and returning to the host web site.
[0073] In another embodiment, a third frame is displayed in the
window. The third frame encapsulates a second resource from another
third-party internet based service as requested by the user through
the internet enabling software. For example, the third frame may
contain billing information related to another bill. As such, the
second frame comprises other user-specific information that is
related to the content provided from the second resource.
[0074] In another embodiment, the end-user actions with the
resource in the first frame are observed and noted. As such, the
interfacing between the end-user and the third-party internet based
service can be monitored. For instance, the actions of paying a
bill by the end-user is observed and noted. In one embodiment, the
actions are sent to the host web site for storage. In that way, the
end-user is able to query the host web site to determine if a
particular bill has been paid through the third-party internet
based resource.
[0075] Further, information that is provided by the third-party
internet based resource in the first frame is captured. The
information that is captured is stored for later access by the
end-user. In one embodiment, the information that is captured is
sent to the host web site for storage.
[0076] For example, when an end-user pays a bill through the
third-party internet based resource, a confirmation number is
passed back to the end-user via the first frame. The confirmation
number is captured, and stored. The confirmation number is stored
at the host web site, such as, the consolidated billing service
host site. As such, at a later time, the confirmation number may be
accessed by the end-user to determine whether a bill has been paid
or not through the third-party internet based resource that is
associated with the third-party internet based service.
[0077] While the methods of embodiments illustrated in flow chart
600 show specific sequences and quantity of steps, the present
invention is suitable to alternative embodiments. For example, not
all the steps provided for in the method are required for the
present invention. Furthermore, additional steps can be added to
the steps presented in the present embodiment. Likewise, the
sequences of steps can be modified depending upon the
application.
[0078] Embodiments of the present invention, a method and system
for a frame-based internet enabled user interface have been
described. While the invention is described in conjunction with the
preferred embodiments, it is understood that they are not intended
to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the
invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and
equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in
the detailed description of the present invention, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention. However, it will be
recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits
have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure
aspects of the present invention.
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