Computerized method, apparatus and system for issuing surety bonds

• US 20070179877A1
• Filed: 02/01/2007
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Sforzo
• Original Assignee: Joseph Sforzo
• Inventors: Sforzo, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,155,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for obtaining a bond is disclosed. The invention, employs a computer system that has a work station in communication with a server to provide information on a contractor that is required by a surety over the computer system. The server is provided with owner/obligee information concerning a bond over the network A surety is selected to provide the bond and the identity of the surety is presented over said computer network. The type of bond sought is identified. Approval of the bond is requested over the computer network and a decision on the bond request is obtained over the network. The approval decision includes an authorization code that is presented at a bid letting along with the contractor'"'"'s bid. The authorization code permits an owner/obligee to view an approved bond through the computer network.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining a bond comprising

providing information on a contractor that is required by a surety over a computer network;

providing owner/obligee information concerning a bond over said computer network;

selecting a surety to provide the bond and presenting the identity of the surety over said computer network;

selecting the type of bond required;

requesting approval of the bond over said computer network and;

obtaining a decision on the bond request over said computer network.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the contractor is provided with an authorization code that may be presented at a bid letting along with a contractor'"'"'s bid, said authorization code permitting an owner/obligee to view an approved bond through said computer network.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a surety bond.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a bid bond.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a contract bond.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a court bond.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a subdivision bond.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a performance bond.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a customs bonds.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a notary bond.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a liquor license bond.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a license bond.

13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a permit bond.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a Small Business Administration bond.

15. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a bail bond.

16. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bond is a supersedeas bond.

17. The method according to claim 1 wherein the network is accessed by a password.

18. A method of obtaining information concerning a bond application comprising

ccessing a computer network containing information on bonds by providing a password;

providing information on a contractor, owner/obligee or a surety over a computer network;

obtaining information concerning any bonds involving said contractor, owner/obligee or a surety over the computer network.

19. A system of obtaining a bond over a computer network comprising

a means for providing information on a contractor that is required by a surety over said computer network;

a means for providing owner/obligee information concerning a bond over said computer network;

a means for selecting a surety to provide the bond and presenting the identity of the surety over said computer network;

a means for selecting the type of bond required by the owner/obligee;

a means for requesting approval of the bond over said computer network;

a means for obtaining a decision on the bond request over said computer network.

20. The system according to claim 19 wherein the contractor is provided with an authorization code that may be presented at a bid letting along with a contractor'"'"'s bid, said authorization code permitting an owner/obligee to view an approved bond through said computer network.

21. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a surety bond.

22. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a bid bond.

23. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a contract bond.

24. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a court bond.

25. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a subdivision bond.

26. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a performance bond.

27. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a customs bonds.

28. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a notary bond.

29. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a liquor license bond.

30. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a license bond.

31. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a permit bond.

32. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a Small Business Administration bond.

33. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a bail bond.

34. The system according to claim 19 wherein the bond is a supersedeas bond.

35. The system according to claim 19 wherein the network is accessed by a password.

36. A system of obtaining information concerning a bond application comprising

a means for accessing a computer network containing information on bonds by providing a password;

a means for providing information on a contractor, owner/obligee or a surety over a computer network;

a means of obtaining information concerning any bonds involving said contractor, owner/obligee or a surety over the computer network.

37. An apparatus for obtaining a bond comprising

a web browser running on a client workstation, said workstation being in communication with a web server over a connection

said work station being capable of transmitting information on a contractor that is required by a surety to said server;

said work station being capable of transmitting owner/obligee information concerning a bond to said server;

said work station being capable of transmitting a selection of a surety to provide the bond to said server;

said work station being capable of transmitting selection of the type of bond required by the owner/obligee to said server;

said work station being capable of providing a request for approval of the bond to said server;

said server transmitting a decision on the bond request to said workstation.