Universal ledger

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9697567-B2
Application number	US-201514820954-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 7, 2015
Priority date	Jan 18, 2011
Publication date	Jul 4, 2017
Grant date	Jul 4, 2017

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking obligations incurred between individuals. The method may include receiving a request from a first party, where the request includes an expense incurred by the first party for the benefit of a second party. The method may also include providing a notice of the request to the second party and receiving an acceptance from the second party to assume an obligation associated with the expense. The method may further include associating the obligation with the second party and associating a benefit with the first party. The obligation and/or benefit may be substantially equal in value to the expense. The method may additionally include interfacing with a social network service to provide the social network service with information about the obligation and/or the benefit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising
receiving, by a computer server of a social network service, a request for a user-to-user direct communication session initiated by a first user, via a first instance of a social network application executing on a first client device;
receiving, by the computer server of the social network service, and from the social network application executing on the first client device, an identification of a second user as an intended recipient in the user-to-user direct communication session;
establishing, by the computer server of the social network service, the user-to-user direct communication session between the first instance of the social network application executing on the first client device, and a second instance of the social network application executing on a second client device associated with the second user;
transmitting, by the computer server of the social network service, communication input received via the first instance of the social network application executing on the first client device, to the second instance of the social network application executing on the second client device;
receiving an indication of a link selected via the first instance or second instance of the social network application, the link corresponding to a request to transfer funds between the first user and the second user;
in response to receiving the indication of the link via the first instance or second instance of the social network application, invoking a separate window or sub-window within the first instance or second instance of the social network application to allow the requested funds transfer between the first user and the second user;
receiving, via the separate window or sub-window within the first instance or second instance of the social network application, an amount of funds to be transferred;
determining, by the computer server, a first financial account associated with the first user;
determining, by the computer server, a second financial account associated with the second user; and
initiating, by the computer server, a transfer of the amount of funds from the first financial account associated with the first user to the second financial account associated with the second user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the identification of the second user comprises receiving a selection of a friend or associate of the first user via the first instance of the social networking application.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the request to transfer funds between the first user and the second user is initiated by the selection of an indicator on a user interface display screen of the social networking application.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first instance of the social network application executing on the first client device comprises an instant messaging software application, and wherein a compatible instant messaging software application is executing concurrently within the second instance of the social network application on the second client device associated with the second user.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first instance of the social network application executing on the first client device comprises an email application.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
in response to receiving the request to transfer funds between the first user and the second user, providing an interface via the separate window or sub-window to allow a payment option to be selected for providing the amount of funds.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the separate window or sub-window is invoked within the first instance of the social network application on the first client device, to allow the first user to transfer funds to the second user, and the method further comprising:
in response to receiving the indication of the link via the first instance of the social network application, invoking a separate window or sub-window within the second instance of the social network application executing on the second client device, to allow the second user to accept the requested funds transfer from the first user; and
receiving, from the separate window or sub-window within the second instance of the social network application executing on the second client device, an indication of acceptance from the second user of the request of the first user to transfer funds to the second user,
wherein the transfer of funds is initiated in response to the indication of acceptance from the second user.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
in response to receiving the indication of acceptance from the second user, providing an interface via the separate window or sub-window within the second instance of the social network application executing on the second client device to allow the second user to select a payment option for receiving the amount of funds.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the first financial account associated with the first user comprises receiving financial account data from the first user via the first instance of the social network application, said financial account data comprising bank account information or credit card information.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the request to transfer funds between the first user and the second user is initiated by clicking on the link within a user interface display screen via the first instance of the social network application to invoke a money transfer system.

11. A system for initiating funds transfers between individuals associated with a social network service, the system comprising:
a communication interface configured to enable the system to interface with the social network service;
a processor; and
a non-volatile memory medium comprising instructions that direct the processor to:
receive a request for a user-to-user direct communication session initiated by a first user to a second user via a first instance of a social network service;
establish the requested user-to-user direct communication session between the first instance of the social network service and a second instance of the social network service associated with the second user;
transmit communication input received via the first instance of the social network service to the second instance of the social network service;
receive an indication of a link selected via the first instance or second instance of the social network service, the link corresponding to a request to transfer funds between the first user and the second user;
in response to receiving the indication of the link via the first instance or second instance of the social network service, invoke a separate window or sub-window within the first instance or second instance of the social network service to allow the requested funds transfer between the first user and the second user;

receive, via the separate window or sub-window within the first instance or second instance of the social network service, an amount of funds to be transferred;
determine a first financial account associated with the first user;
determine a second financial account associated with the second user; and
initiate a transfer of the amount of funds from the first financial account associated with the first user to the second financial account associated with the second user.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein receiving identification of the second user comprises a selection of a friend or associate of the first user via the first instance of the social network service.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the request to transfer funds between the first user and the second user is initiated by th

Assignees

• Western Union Co

Inventors

• Demark Michele
• Michelsen Michael
• Scott Diane
• Cochran Chris

Classifications

• G06Q30/0613 Primary

  using intermediate agents · CPC title

• G06Q10/06

  Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling · CPC title

• G06Q20/102

  Bill distribution or payments · CPC title

• G06Q10/40

  Business processes related to social networking or social networking services · CPC title

• G06Q40/03

  Credit; Loans; Processing thereof · CPC title