U.S. patent application number 12/760172 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for methods for adjusting a fee associated with a payments transaction.
This patent application is currently assigned to GoFigure Payments, LLC. Invention is credited to Devon A. Rolf.
Application Number | 20100198711 12/760172 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42166508 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100198711 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rolf; Devon A. |
August 5, 2010 |
METHODS FOR ADJUSTING A FEE ASSOCIATED WITH A PAYMENTS
TRANSACTION
Abstract
A system and method for substantially increasing billing
flexibility on communications or media accounts which also offer
user users the ability to make electronic purchases or other
financial transactions, where those transactions are accounted for
with an additional account or with the same account through which
the media or communications services are offered. Charges
associated with use of the communications service or making of the
financial transactions may be increased or reduced depending on
such factors as volume of use, number of transactions, and a
monetary value of the transactions.
Inventors: |
Rolf; Devon A.; (Paola,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
10801 Mastin Blvd., Suite 1000
Overland Park
KS
66210
US
|
Assignee: |
GoFigure Payments, LLC
Paola
KS
|
Family ID: |
42166508 |
Appl. No.: |
12/760172 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11485683 |
Jul 13, 2006 |
7717334 |
|
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12760172 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/14 20130101;
G06Q 40/12 20131203 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/30 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 40/00 20060101
G06Q040/00; G06Q 10/00 20060101 G06Q010/00 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: monitoring the number
of payment transactions made with a payment account in a period,
wherein there is a fee associated with making a payment transaction
made with said payment account, wherein said monitoring the number
of payment transactions made with a payment account in a period is
performed with at least one electronic processor; determining when
the number of payment transactions within the period meets a
pre-established threshold number, wherein said determining when the
number of payment transactions within the period meets a
pre-established threshold number is performed by at least one
electronic processor; increasing said fee to an increased fee when
the number of payment transactions within the period meets said
pre-established threshold number, wherein said increasing said fee
to an increased fee when the number of payment transactions within
the period meets a pre-established threshold number is performed
with at least one electronic processor; and applying said increased
fee for each payment transaction made with said account within the
period after said pre-established threshold number is met, wherein
said applying said increased fee for each payment transaction made
with said account within the period after said pre-established
threshold number is met is performed by at least one electronic
processor.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fee comprises a
percentage of a purchase corresponding to a payment transaction
made with said payment account.
3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fee comprises a
fixed fee.
4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said payment account
further comprises a communications account.
5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein said payment account
further comprises a mobile communications account.
6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said payment account
further comprises a content aggregation account.
7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said payment account
comprises a debit account.
8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said payment account
comprises a credit account.
9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said period
corresponds to a billing cycle associated with said payment
account.
10. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
pre-established threshold number comprises a first pre-established
threshold, said method further comprising: determining when the
number of payment transactions made with said payment account
within the period meets a second pre-established threshold, wherein
said determining when the number of payment transactions made with
said payment account within the period meets a second
pre-established threshold is performed by at least one electronic
processor; and further increasing said increased fee to a second
increased fee when the number of payment transactions made with the
account within the period meets the second pre-established
threshold, wherein said further increasing said increased fee to a
second increased fee when the number of payment transactions made
with the account within the period meets the second pre-established
threshold is performed by at least one electronic processor; and
applying said second increased fee for each payment transaction
made with said payment account within the period after said second
pre-established threshold is met, wherein said applying said second
increased fee for each payment transaction made with said payment
account within the period after said second pre-established
threshold is met is performed by at least one electronic
processor.
11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second
pre-established threshold corresponds with a second number of
purchase transactions made with said payment account in said
period.
12. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second
pre-established threshold is of a type that is different than a
number of purchase transactions made with said payment account in
said period.
13. A computer-implemented method comprising: monitoring the
monetary value of payment transactions made with a payment account
within a period, wherein there is a fee associated with a payment
transaction made with said payment account, wherein said monitoring
the monetary value of payment transactions made with a payment
account within a period is performed with at least one electronic
processor; determining when the accumulated monetary value of
payment transactions made with said payment account within the
period meets a pre-established threshold amount, wherein said
determining when the accumulated monetary value of payment
transactions made with said payment account within the period meets
a pre-established threshold amount is performed by at least one
electronic processor; increasing said fee to an increased fee when
the accumulated monetary value of payment transactions made with
said payment account within the period meets said pre-established
threshold amount, wherein said increasing said fee to an increased
fee when the accumulated monetary value of payment transactions
made with said payment account within the period meets said
pre-established threshold amount is performed by at least one
electronic processor; and applying said increased fee for each
payment transaction made with said payment account within the
period after said pre-established threshold amount is met, wherein
said applying said increased fee for each payment transaction made
with said payment account within the period after said
pre-established threshold amount is met is performed by at least
one electronic processor.
14. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said fee comprises
a percentage of a purchase corresponding to a payment transaction
made with said payment account.
15. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said fee comprises
a fixed fee.
16. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said payment
account further comprises a communications account.
17. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said payment
account further comprises a mobile communications account.
18. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said payment
account further comprises a content aggregation account.
19. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said payment
account comprises a debit account.
20. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said payment
account comprises a credit account.
21. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said period
corresponds to a billing cycle associated with said payment
account.
22. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said
pre-established threshold amount comprises a first pre-established
threshold, said method further comprising: determining when the
monetary value of payment transactions made with the payment
account within a period meets a second pre-established threshold,
wherein said determining when the monetary value of payment
transactions made with the payment account within a period meets a
second pre-established threshold is performed by at least one
processor; further increasing said increased fee to a second
increased fee when the monetary value of payment transactions made
with the payment account within the period meets the second
pre-established threshold, wherein said further increasing said
increased fee to a second increased fee when the monetary value of
payment transactions made with the payment account within the
period meets the second pre-established threshold is performed by
at least one processor; and applying said second increased fee for
each payment transaction made with said payment account within the
period after said second pre-established threshold is met, wherein
said applying said second increased fee for each payment
transaction made with said payment account within the period after
said second pre-established threshold is met is performed by at
least one electronic processor.
23. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said second
pre-established threshold corresponds with a second monetary value
of purchase transactions made with said payment account in said
period.
24. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said second
pre-established threshold is of a type that is different than a
monetary value of purchase transactions made with said account in
said period.
25. A computer-implemented method comprising: monitoring, with at
least one electronic processor, payment transactions made with a
credit payment account that has an interest rate on an unpaid
credit balance; determining when an unpaid balance on said payment
account reaches a pre-established threshold amount, wherein said
determining when an unpaid balance on said payment account reaches
a pre-established threshold amount is performed by at least one
electronic processor; and increasing said interest rate only for a
portion of the unpaid balance that pertains to charges made to said
credit payments account after said unpaid balance on said payment
account reaches a pre-established threshold amount, wherein said
increasing said interest rate only for a portion of the unpaid
balance that pertains to charges made to said credit payments
account after said unpaid balance on said payment account reaches a
pre-established threshold amount is performed by at least one
electronic processor.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This continuation patent application claims priority
benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, of earlier-filed
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/485,683, filed Jul. 13, 2006,
and entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING VOICE/DATA USAGE AND
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS MADE THROUGH A COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE" The
identified earlier-filed non-provisional patent application is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present
application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates broadly to systems and methods
for assessing charges for use of a communications service,
particularly use of the service to make electronic financial
transactions. In particular, the present invention concerns a
system and method for monitoring use of a voice and/or data
communications service or media service and the making of
electronic financial transactions initiated by a communications
device associated with the service, and for adjusting charges
associated with the use of the service or the making of the
transactions based on such factors as, for example, an amount of
use, a number of transactions, or a monetary value associated with
the transactions.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Systems and methods for making electronic purchase or other
financial transactions with a communications device, or an account
associated with a communications device, and related financial
gateways and middle-ware solutions, have been proposed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention concerns a convergence billing system
and methodology for utilization in conjunction with the
aforementioned prior art systems and methods. In particular, the
present invention provides a system and method for substantially
increasing billing flexibility on communications or media accounts
which also offer users the ability to make electronic purchase
transactions, where those transactions are accounted for with an
additional account or with the same account through which the media
or communications services are offered.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
processor monitors use of voice and/or data communications
services. The services monitored may be telecommunications
services, such as a telephone service or wireless services,
including voice and/or data over IP. It should be appreciated that
such monitoring and billing services are conventional, and a
specific customer account associated with the service may be
subject any of a plurality of different rate plans. The processor
monitors use of a particular service over a given period of time
and calculates charges based upon the volume of use of the voice
and/or data service and the particular rate plan of the account
holder. Additionally, the service monitored by the present
invention may be a media service, such as, for example, cable or
satellite television or broadband cable services, or may manage
accounts for electronic content aggregators such as Internet, or
interactive television, or interactive radio portals.
[0008] Additionally, the processor monitors financial transactions
made via an input device associated with the particular account of
the account holder being monitored. The input device may be, for
example, a wireless communications device, a telephone, or a
conventional debit or credit card. Additionally, the input device
may be a telematics device, a PC, interactive (e.g., Internet
connected) television or other interactive terminal. The
transactions monitored may be transactions that are facilitated
directly with the account of the account holder or with a second
account associated with the account of the account holder.
[0009] Thus, for example, the present invention may be adapted to
monitor debit or credit transactions which are settled directly to
a communications, media, or content aggregation account, or to a
more conventional bank account by way of a separately offered debit
or credit card which is associated with the account. Furthermore,
the present invention may be adapted to monitor and track cash
transactions wherein data indicative of cash is transmitted
directly from an electronic device to a merchant terminal.
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the
processor may be programmed to monitor widely flexible rate plans
in such environments. In one embodiment, for example, a threshold
corresponding to a particular number or accumulated monetary value
of transactions for a given period (e.g., one billing cycle) may be
established and programmed. When the number of transactions, or the
cumulative monetary value associated with the transactions for the
given period reaches the threshold, the processor adjusts a rate
plan associated with either the voice and/or data communications
services (or content or media services) or the transactions, or
both. In other words, once a threshold is met, monetary charges
associated with the various services may be adjusted, either
upwardly or downwardly. Additionally, the system can be configured
such that only those charges accrued after the threshold is met are
adjusted, or such that all charges for the given period are
adjusted once the threshold is met.
[0011] In accordance with an additional aspect of the present
invention, additional thresholds may be established, such that rate
plans associated with either the communications services or the
transactions, or both, are adjusted at additional threshold
levels.
[0012] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the
threshold that is established is a threshold associated with the
volume of usage of the voice and/or data communications services,
media services, or content aggregation services. Accordingly, a
rate plan associated with an account is dependent on the volume of
usage of the account. In this embodiment, when a threshold is met,
the processor makes adjustments to the rates associated with the
services or charges associated with the transactions made, or both.
As before, these adjustments may be upward or downward, and may
apply to the entire billing cycle or to only those charges incurred
after the threshold is met. As before, additional threshold levels
may be established.
[0013] In still another embodiment of the present invention, an
unpaid balance associated with the account of the account holder is
monitored. When the unpaid balance reaches a selected threshold,
rates associated with the communications service or the
transaction, or both, are adjusted. Again, the rates may be
adjusted upwardly or downwardly.
[0014] As will be described in greater detail below, it should be
understood and appreciated that the various rates which can be
adjusted include a fixed periodic rate associated with use of the
services, a variable rate associated with the number of minutes or
quantity and/or type of data transmitted, and/or interest rates
associated with unpaid balances. Also, an interest rate associated
with deposits could be adjusted or invoked at certain points.
[0015] There may also be no charge, for example, for a transaction
or for the first number of transactions, and when the rate is
adjusted it may change from zero to some non-zero positive
number.
[0016] The processor preferably monitors a large number of accounts
provided by different service providers. Additionally, the
processor preferably stores information indicative of usage of the
accounts and transactions made in a memory. Additionally, periodic
reports summarizing the details of all accounts of a particular
service provider may be prepared, transmitted and/or printed.
Additionally, individual account holder statements may be prepared
and transmitted electronically, or printed and distributed
according to the principles of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of steps involved in practicing a
preferred first embodiment of the method of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of steps involved in practicing a
preferred second embodiment of the method of the present invention;
and
[0020] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of steps involved in practicing a
preferred third embodiment of the method of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] With reference to the figures, a system and method is herein
described, shown, and otherwise disclosed in accordance with the
preferred embodiments of the present invention. In each of the
various embodiments of the present invention, a processor (or a
plurality of processors) is provided. The processor includes a
memory having software stored therein. The processor monitors
`usage of a communications account, content aggregation account, or
media account by a user. It should be understood and appreciated
that a number of processors may be utilized, such as in the case of
a matrix or grid of processors, and, additionally, it should be
understood and appreciated that functions of the present invention
may be performed by different processors and the data subsequently
converged. For example, one processor (or group of processors) may
monitor voice and/or data communications usage, while another
processor (or group of processors) monitors transactions made. For
purposes of the present description, a single processor will be
referenced for clarity, but it should be understood that multiple
processors, and indeed multiple groups of processors, may be
employed.
[0022] Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a preferred first
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and described.
At step 100, the processor determines whether a number of
transactions, or a cumulative monetary amount associated with
transactions made within a given period, have reached a
preestablished threshold amount. In this regard, the processor may
be programmed to monitor either the number of transactions made
during a given period (such as a billing cycle), the cumulative
monetary amount associated with transactions made during the
period, or both. Accordingly, it should be understood that step 100
may be divided into two steps: one for monitoring the number of
transactions made, and the other for monitoring the cumulative
monetary amount associated with made transactions within a given
period. Alternatively, the processor may be programmed so that only
one of these particular thresholds is monitored. Additionally, in
the case where two thresholds at step 100 are monitored, the
processor can be programmed so that only one of the thresholds need
be met, or that both of them need be met. For purposes of the
present description, it will be assumed that only a single
threshold is being monitored at step 100.
[0023] When it is determined at step 100 that the threshold (or
thresholds) has not been met, a rate plan corresponding to the
account being monitored is maintained at a status quo. When,
however, it is determined at step 100 that the threshold has been
met, processing advances to step 102, at which the processor
reestablishes rates associated with the account being monitored. In
this regard, in one embodiment of the present invention, the rates
suggested are only those rates associated with voice and/or data
usage associated with the account. Additionally, in one variation
of the present invention, only those rates associated with such
usages which are incurred after the threshold has been met, and
within the given period, are adjusted. Alternatively, the processor
may be programmed so that once the threshold has been met all rates
associated with voice and/or data communications usage for the
given period are adjusted.
[0024] Additionally, still at step 102, depending on the
implementation details of the present invention and the desires of
a particular service provider, and/or account holder agreements,
the rates under consideration may be adjusted upwardly once the
threshold has been met or, alternatively, adjusted downwardly.
[0025] As an example, assume that the type of account being
monitored is a wireless communications account. Assume further that
the account holder pays a monthly fee of U.S. $50.00 for the
account and, in return, obtains X number of usage minutes of voice
or data transmission at no additional charge. Once X minutes have
been reached, however, additional minutes of usage of voice
communications during the period are charged at a rate of $0.20 per
minute.
[0026] Additionally, assume that any purchase transactions made on
the account, or on a second account associated with the account,
invoke a transaction fee (which may be fixed or may be a percentage
of the transaction). Also assume that the first three transactions
made during the period involve only a $0.25 transaction fee.
Accordingly, the threshold at step 100 would be set at three
transactions and when the user had made three transactions and was
making his or her fourth transaction the answer at step 100 would
be "yes" because the number of transactions (four) within the
period exceeded the threshold (three), and processing would advance
to step 102, at which the processor would adjust the rate. As has
been illustrated and described, those rates which can be adjusted
can vary widely depending on the particular implementation details
of the present invention, which illustrates the remarkable
flexibility of the present invention. For purposes of this example,
however, assume that the rate to be adjusted is the transaction fee
associated with transactions made. Accordingly, at step 102, the
processor would, adjust the transaction fee rate to a second rate,
corresponding to the surpassed threshold, which, for purposes of
this example, is assumed to be $1.00. Accordingly, for all
additional transactions made during the period (which may, for
example, be a billing cycle) the transaction charge will be
$1.00.
[0027] It should be understood and appreciated that the foregoing
example is for illustration only and is not meant to be limiting;
other rates could have additionally or alternatively been adjusted.
Furthermore, such rates could have been adjusted upwardly or
downwardly, depending on the nature of the plan of usage and
implementation. For example, the transaction fee could have been
adjusted upwardly or downwardly and could have been adjusted only
for those transactions made after the threshold was met, before the
threshold was met, or for all transactions within the period.
Additionally, the fixed monthly fee associated with the voice
and/or data usage could have been adjusted upwardly or downwardly
after the threshold was met, or the cost per minute of voice and/or
data usage could have been adjusted upwardly or downwardly.
Additionally or alternatively, an interest rate associated with
unpaid balances on the account, or the second account associated
with the account holder's account, could have been adjusted
upwardly or downwardly. As will be appreciated, the interest rate
could be adjusted for the entirety of the balance, or only for
those charges accrued before or after the threshold was met.
[0028] Steps 104 and 106 are illustrative of an additional
threshold to be monitored. It should be understood that the second
threshold could monitor the same characteristic as the first
threshold, such as the number of transactions, or could monitor a
different characteristic, such as the volume of voice and/or data
usage. As illustrated, when the threshold is established, a
particular selected rate is adjusted at step 106. Again, the rate
adjusted may be a fixed rate, a usage rate associated with a number
of minutes or volume of data, a transaction fee, an interest rate,
etc. Additionally, it should be understood and appreciated that the
present invention encompasses invoking an interest rate, removing
an interest rate, or otherwise increasing or decreasing an interest
rate, where that interest is interest paid to the account holder on
monies deposited in an account associated with the services being
monitored.
[0029] Referring particularly to FIG. 2, a preferred second
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and described
which is substantially similar to that of FIG. 1 but for the
following differences. In FIG. 2, at step 200, the volume of voice
and/or data usage is monitored in conjunction with an established
threshold. When that threshold is reached, processing advances to
step 202 at which one or more rates are adjusted. Preferably, in
the embodiment of FIG. 2, the adjusted rate is the rate associated
with transactions being made with the account, or with a second
account associated with the account. For example, the transaction
fee may be invoked, eliminated, or increased or decreased, or
interest associated with an unpaid balance, or an unpaid balance
resulting from additional charges, may be adjusted. Steps 204, 206
are illustrative of a second threshold being established, with
additional adjustments being made when that threshold is met. It
should be understood that the second threshold may simply be the
same characteristic as the first threshold (such as volume of voice
and/or data usage), but may be a higher volume of usage during the
period.
[0030] Referring particularly to FIG. 3, a preferred third
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and described.
At step 300, the processor determines whether an unpaid balance
associated with the account holder's account, or with an additional
account which corresponds to the account holder's account, has been
reached. When the threshold has been reached, a rate plan
corresponding to usage of voice and/or data (or media or content)
services is adjusted. For example, a fixed periodic rate, or a rate
associated with minutes of use or volume or type of data, is
adjusted, upwardly or downwardly, depending on the embodiment, when
the threshold has been met. As will be understood, because an
unpaid balance may carry over from month-to-month, this particular
rate adjustment at step 302 may also carry over to a next billing
period. From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain any and all ends and objects hereinabove
set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and
which are inherent.
[0031] It will be understood that certain features and
subcombinations are of utility and may be employed with reference
to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and
is within the scope of the claims.
[0032] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention
without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood
that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying
drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a
limiting sense.
* * * * *