Method and apparatus for performing a financial transaction
First Claim
1. A method for performing a financial transaction, comprising:
- receiving a request on behalf of a user to perform the financial transaction, wherein the request includes parameters for the financial transaction;
retrieving a set of rules associated with financial sources which can be used to fulfill the financial transaction, wherein the rules for a given financial source can be used to determine financial benefits associated with using the given financial source;
applying the set of rules to the parameters to determine the financial benefits associated with using each of the financial sources;
analyzing the determined financial benefits to identify one or more financial sources that meet a selection criteria; and
fulfilling the financial transaction using the one or more identified financial sources.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system that facilitates performing a financial transaction. During operation, the system receives a request on behalf of a user to perform the financial transaction, wherein the request includes parameters for the financial transaction. Next, the system retrieves a set of rules associated with financial sources which can be used to fulfill the financial transaction, wherein the rules for a given financial source can be used to determine financial benefits associated with using the given financial source. The system then applies the set of rules to the parameters to determine the financial benefits associated with using each of the financial sources. Next, the system analyzes the determined financial benefits to identify one or more financial sources that meet a selection criteria. The system then fulfills the financial transaction using the one or more identified financial sources.
32 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method for performing a financial transaction, comprising:
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receiving a request on behalf of a user to perform the financial transaction, wherein the request includes parameters for the financial transaction; retrieving a set of rules associated with financial sources which can be used to fulfill the financial transaction, wherein the rules for a given financial source can be used to determine financial benefits associated with using the given financial source; applying the set of rules to the parameters to determine the financial benefits associated with using each of the financial sources; analyzing the determined financial benefits to identify one or more financial sources that meet a selection criteria; and fulfilling the financial transaction using the one or more identified financial sources. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for performing a financial transaction, wherein the method comprises:
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receiving a request on behalf of a user to perform the financial transaction, wherein the request includes parameters for the financial transaction; retrieving a set of rules associated with financial sources which can be used to fulfill the financial transaction, wherein the rules for a given financial source can be used to determine financial benefits associated with using the given financial source; applying the set of rules to the parameters to determine the financial benefits associated with using each of the financial sources; analyzing the determined financial benefits to identify one or more financial sources that meet a selection criteria; and fulfilling the financial transaction using the one or more identified financial sources. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus that performs a financial transaction, comprising:
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a receiving mechanism configured to receive a request on behalf of a user to perform the financial transaction, wherein the request includes parameters for the financial transaction; and an aggregate-financial-source processor configured to; retrieve a set of rules associated with financial sources which can be used to fulfill the financial transaction, wherein the rules for a given financial source can be used to determine financial benefits associated with using the given financial source; apply the set of rules to the parameters to determine the financial benefits associated with using each of the financial sources; analyze the determined financial benefits to identify one or more financial sources that meet a selection criteria; and
tofulfill the financial transaction using the one or more identified financial sources.
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22. A method for aggregating financial sources for a user, comprising:
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receiving information about the financial sources for the user that are to be aggregated; obtaining a set of rules that can be used to determine financial benefits associated with using the financial sources; and issuing an aggregate financial instrument to the user, wherein the aggregate financial instrument is associated with the financial sources. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for aggregating financial sources for a user, wherein the method comprises:
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receiving information about the financial sources for the user that are to be aggregated; obtaining a set of rules that can be used to determine financial benefits associated with using the financial sources; and issuing an aggregate financial instrument to the user, wherein the aggregate financial instrument is associated with the financial sources. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An apparatus that aggregates financial sources for a user, comprising:
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a receiving mechanism configured to receive information about the financial sources for the user that are to be aggregated; a rules mechanism configured to obtain a set of rules that can be used to determine financial benefits associated with using the financial sources; and an issuing mechanism configured to issue an aggregate financial instrument to the user, wherein the aggregate financial instrument is associated with the financial sources.
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39. A method for performing a financial transaction, comprising:
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receiving an aggregate financial instrument from a user during a financial transaction, wherein the aggregate financial instrument is associated with a number of financial sources; transmitting parameters associated with the financial transaction to an aggregate-financial-source processor to authorize the financial transaction, wherein the parameters include information about the aggregate financial source; receiving a response from the aggregate-financial-source processor indicating whether the financial transaction is authorized; and if the financial transaction is authorized, fulfilling the financial transaction. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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41. A method for performing a financial transaction, comprising:
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receiving a request at a financial institution to authorize the financial transaction involving a financial source maintained by the financial institution, wherein the financial source is one of a number of financial sources associated with an aggregate financial instrument, and wherein the request was initiated by an aggregate-financial-source processor; determining whether the financial source can be used to fulfill the financial transaction; and if so, transmitting a response to the aggregate-financial-source processor indicating that the financial source can be used to fulfill the financial transaction. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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43. A computer-readable storage medium storing data associated with a financial source, wherein the data includes:
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an account number, wherein the account number is associated with an aggregate financial instrument, which is associated with multiple financial sources; and an identifier for a financial-source processor, wherein the financial-source processor fulfills a transaction involving the aggregate financial source by; retrieving a set of rules associated with the financial sources, wherein the rules for a given financial source can be used to determine financial benefits associated with using the given financial source; applying the set of rules to the parameters to determine the financial benefits associated with using each of the financial sources; analyzing the determined financial benefits to identify one or more financial sources that meet a selection criteria; and fulfilling the financial transaction using the one or more identified financial sources.
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Specification