Method and apparatus for managing alerts

• US 7,899,720 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2005
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Inventors: Nesladek, Christopher D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gart; Matthew S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zare; Scott A
• Application Number:
  US11/262,218
• Time in Patent Office: 1,951 Days
• Field of Search: 705/34, 340/500, 340/517
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for managing alerts is described, the method including receiving consumer financial data including at least one financial deadline. Alert level criteria is applied to the data in order to determine an alert level for each of the deadlines. A visual or audible alert indicator is activated which corresponds with at least one alert level. Alert level criteria is periodically reapplied to determine an alert level for each of the deadlines.

Claims

1. A method for managing alerts comprising:

identifying, within a financial computing system (FCS) executing on a processor, a consumer financial data item comprising a financial deadline;

comparing, by the FCS, a number of days between the financial deadline and a current date with a threshold, wherein the number of days satisfies the threshold;

determining, by the FCS, an alert level corresponding to the threshold;

sending, from the FCS to an alert device comprising an alert indicator using an electronic network, the alert level and a portion of the consumer financial data item including the financial deadline, wherein the alert indicator displays the portion on the alert device according to the alert level, and wherein the electronic network couples the FCS and the alert device;

identifying, within the FCS, a minimum payment amount and a minimum balance requirement, wherein the consumer financial data item further comprises the minimum payment amount and the minimum balance requirement;

comparing, by the FCS, the minimum payment amount with a minimum payment amount threshold, wherein the minimum payment amount satisfies the minimum payment amount threshold, and wherein the alert level further corresponds to the minimum payment amount threshold; and

sending, from the FCS to the alert device using the electronic network, the minimum payment amount and the minimum balance requirement, wherein the alert indicator further displays the minimum payment amount and the minimum balance requirement on the alert device according to the alert level.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating, by the FCS, a revised number of days until the financial deadline;

comparing, by the FCS, the revised number of days with a second threshold, wherein the revised number of days satisfies the second threshold, and wherein the number of days exceeds the revised number of days;

determining, by the FCS, a higher alert level distinct from the alert level and corresponding to the second threshold; and

sending, from the FCS to the alert device using the electronic network, the higher alert level, wherein the alert indicator further displays the portion on the alert device according to the higher alert level.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the alert indicator displays the portion on the alert device in the color red based on the higher alert level.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer financial data item further comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of stock data, banking data, bill pay data, tax data, and reimbursement data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert level further corresponds an expiration date.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert indicator displays the portion on the alert device in the color yellow based on the alert level.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the FCS is operated by a bill issuing entity.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic network comprises a wired transmission line connected to both the FCS and the alert device.

9. A computer readable medium storing instructions for managing alerts, the instructions executable on a computer and comprising functionality to:

identify, within a financial computing system (FCS), a consumer financial data item comprising a financial deadline;

compare, by the FCS, a number of days between the financial deadline and a current date with a threshold, wherein the number of days satisfies the threshold;

determine, by the FCS, an alert level corresponding to the threshold;

send, from the FCS to an alert device comprising an alert indicator using an electronic network, the alert level and a portion of the consumer financial data item including the financial deadline,

wherein the alert indicator displays the portion on the alert device according to the alert level, and

wherein the electronic network couples the FCS and the alert device;

identify, within the FCS, a minimum payment amount and a minimum balance requirement, wherein the consumer financial data item further comprises the minimum payment amount and the minimum balance requirement;

compare, by the FCS, the minimum payment amount with a minimum payment amount threshold, wherein the minimum payment amount satisfies the minimum payment amount threshold, and wherein the alert level further corresponds to the minimum payment amount threshold; and

send, from the FCS to the alert device using the electronic network, the minimum payment amount and the minimum balance requirement, wherein the alert indicator further displays the minimum payment amount and the minimum balance requirement on the alert device according to the alert level.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, the instructions comprising functionality to:

calculate, by the FCS, a revised number of days until the financial deadline;

compare, by the FCS, the revised number of days with a second threshold, wherein the revised number of days satisfies the second threshold, and wherein the number of days exceeds the revised number of days;

determine, by the FCS, a higher alert level distinct from the alert level and corresponding to the second threshold; and

send, from the FCS to the alert device using the electronic network, the higher alert level, wherein the alert indicator further displays the portion on the alert device according to the higher alert level.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the alert indicator displays the portion on the alert device in the color red based on the higher alert level.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the consumer financial data item further comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of stock data, banking data, bill pay data, tax data, and reimbursement data.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the alert level

further corresponds to at least one selected from the group consisting of a minimum balance

requirement, a minimum payment due, and an expiration date.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the FCS is operated by a bill issuing entity.