METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING FINANCIAL BEHAVIORAL CHANGE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer system for encouraging positive financial behavior by a user of a mobile device, the computer system comprising:
- at least one computer processor programmed to;
receive a first electronic indication that the user of the mobile device is contemplating performance of a first transaction involving a first item and a first merchant;
in response to receiving the first electronic indication, send, to the mobile device, information which (1) indicates an effect of the first transaction on the user'"'"'s finances, and (2) prompts the user to consider performing a second transaction instead of the first transaction, the second transaction involving at least one of a second item that is different than the first item and a second merchant that is different than the first merchant;
receive a second electronic indication that the user has performed the second transaction instead of the first transaction; and
in response to receiving the second electronic indication, send, to the mobile device, an indication of a reward which the user may redeem for at least one of goods, services, and a discount in a third transaction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments of the invention provide tools for promoting a user'"'"'s financial well-being by encouraging positive financial behavior through timely feedback, counseling and instruction. For example, some embodiments of the invention may provide real-time (e.g., in response to a transaction being performed, or in response to the user indicating he/she is contemplating a transaction) useful analysis and advice designed to encourage the type of ongoing financial behavior that leads over time to financial well-being.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A computer system for encouraging positive financial behavior by a user of a mobile device, the computer system comprising:
at least one computer processor programmed to; receive a first electronic indication that the user of the mobile device is contemplating performance of a first transaction involving a first item and a first merchant; in response to receiving the first electronic indication, send, to the mobile device, information which (1) indicates an effect of the first transaction on the user'"'"'s finances, and (2) prompts the user to consider performing a second transaction instead of the first transaction, the second transaction involving at least one of a second item that is different than the first item and a second merchant that is different than the first merchant; receive a second electronic indication that the user has performed the second transaction instead of the first transaction; and in response to receiving the second electronic indication, send, to the mobile device, an indication of a reward which the user may redeem for at least one of goods, services, and a discount in a third transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19)
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17-18. -18. (canceled)
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20. A computer system configured to provide feedback to a user of a mobile device about the user'"'"'s financial behavior, the computer system comprising:
at least one computer processor programmed to; identify, from among transactions performed by the user during an ongoing period, transactions of a particular type, each transaction of the particular type having an associated transaction amount; identify at least one prior period comparable to the ongoing period; identify, from among transactions performed by the user during the at least one prior period, transactions of the particular type, each transaction of the particular type having an associated transaction amount; compare the transaction amounts for the identified transactions performed during the ongoing period to the transaction amounts for the identified transactions performed during each at least one prior period; determine, as a result of the comparing, that the user is contemplating performing a transaction; and in response to the determining, send to the mobile device a promotional offer relating to the contemplated transaction. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32-33. -33. (canceled)
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34. A computer system configured to promote positive financial behavior by a user, the computer system comprising:
at least one computer processor programmed to; cause an overall assessment of the user'"'"'s finances to be displayed to the user, the overall assessment comprising a score representing the user'"'"'s overall financial well-being; cause information on a behavior which the user may exhibit to improve the overall assessment to be displayed to the user; and in response to receiving an indication that the user has exhibited the behavior; modify the overall assessment, cause the modified overall assessment to be displayed to the user, and cause to be displayed to the user an indication of an award which the user may redeem for at least one of goods, services and discounts. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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37. (canceled)
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44-86. -86. (canceled)
Specification