Method and apparatus for the furnishing of benefits information and benefits

• US 9,576,293 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2001
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steve Morsa
• Original Assignee: Steve Morsa
• Inventors: Morsa, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): OUELLETTE, JONATHAN P
• Application Number:
  US09/832,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20030093283A1
• Time in Patent Office: 5,795 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/1.1, 705/347
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A system and method for permitting an entity to more effectively make use of targeted benefits from a plurality of benefit providers; wherein the benefits are offered specifically to those entities qualified and eligible to receive said benefits. Various methods and systems for matching entities with benefits are also disclosed. An exemplary embodiment includes: (1) making available a plurality of benefits; (2) examining this plurality of benefits to determine which benefits entity is or may be qualified and eligible to receive; and (3) providing notification of said “entity-is-qualified-for” benefits. Entity information is compared to benefit information to determine those benefits, if any, to which the entity is or appears to be qualified to receive.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individual'"'"'s demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of any available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

displaying two or more of said benefits to said individual in a manner selected from the group consisting of benefit class or category;

value of benefits;

cost, if any, of benefits;

importance of benefits;

relevance of benefits;

ease of use of benefits;

expiration date, day, time of benefits;

creation date, day, time of benefits;

type of benefits;

physical proximity of said individual to one or more of said benefit providers.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for said individual to self-select said manner of benefits listing display.

3. A system comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individual'"'"'s demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of any available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

updating the status and or availability of benefits for said individual as;

from one or more of the following;

at least one of said benefit providers intends to or actually does modify the existing benefit qualification parameters for one or more of said providers benefits; and

or at least one of said benefit providers intends to or actually does modify or eliminate an existing benefit;

or offers one or more benefits not previously offered; and

or one or more individual applicable benefits offered by one or more benefit providers new to, or returning to, said system are added to said system.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising means for the real time or later notification of said individual of said updating.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising means for the selection or election of when said individual receives said notifications.

6. A system comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individual'"'"'s demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of any available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

at least one from the group of;

connecting said individual with at least one of said benefit providers;

said individual to interact with at least one of said benefit providers;

at least one of said benefit providers to offer said benefits to said individual;

the completion of one or more application forms, when applicable, by said individual;

assisting said individual in the completion of one or more application forms;

transmitting at least one benefit approval for said individual by at least one of said benefit providers;

transmitting an acceptance of at least one of said benefits by said individual;

receiving at least one of said benefits by said individual;

utilizing at least one of said benefits by said individual.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising means for performing at least one of the listed means for in real or near real time.

8. A system comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individual'"'"'s demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of any available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

wherein said individual benefits and or benefits information is shared with at least one other entity via said system.

9. A system comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individual'"'"'s demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of any available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

wherein one or more of said benefit providers submits said benefit information and or said benefits directly into said system.

10. A system comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individuals demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of any available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

wherein at least one of said benefit information and or said benefits from at least one of said benefit providers is delivered directly into said system via at least one third party intermediary acting on behalf of at least one of said benefit providers.

11. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individuals demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of an available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

displaying said benefits to said individual in a manner selected from the group consisting of benefit class or category;

value of benefits;

cost, if any, of benefits;

importance of benefits;

relevance of benefits;

ease of use of benefits;

expiration date, day, time of benefits;

creation date, day, time of benefits;

type of benefits;

physical proximity of said individual to one or more of said benefit providers.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of individual self-selecting said manner of displaying said benefits.

13. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individuals demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of an available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

storing in at least one physical memory device at least a portion of said individuals data;

updating the status and or availability of benefits for said individual as;

at least one of said benefit providers intends to or actually does modify the existing benefit qualification parameters for one or more of said providers benefits; and

or at least one of said benefit providers intends to or actually does modify or eliminate an existing benefit;

or offers one or more benefits not previously offered; and

or one or more individuals applicable benefits offered by one or more benefit providers new to, or returning to, said system are added to said system.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of notifying in real time or later said individual upon said updating.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of selecting or electing when said individual received said notifications.

16. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individuals demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of any available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

performing at least one of the steps from the group of;

connecting said individual with at least one of said benefit providers;

said individual interacting with at least one of said benefit providers;

at least one of said benefit providers offering said benefits to said individual;

completing one or more application forms, when applicable, by said individual;

assisting said individual in the completing of one or more application forms;

transmitting at least one benefit approval for said individual by at least one of said benefit providers;

transmitting an acceptance of at least one of said benefits by said individual;

receiving at least one of said benefits by said individual;

utilizing at least one of said benefits by said individual.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of performing at least one of the listed steps in real or near real time.

18. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individuals demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of any available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

enabling the sharing of said individuals benefits and or benefits information with at least one other entity.

19. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individuals demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said individual, at least in Part via a computer compatible network, of an available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

enabling one or more of said benefit providers to submit said benefit information and or said benefit or benefits directly.

20. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individuals demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer compatible network, of any available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

wherein at least one of said benefit information and or said benefits from at least one of said benefit providers is delivered directly in/to said memory device and/or said processing device via at least one third party intermediary acting on behalf of at least one of said benefit providers.

21. A system comprising:

storing in a memory in the system benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting into said system a set of a businesses and or governments and or educational institutions and or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data, said benefit provider information, and said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering potentially applicable benefits for said data and whether said data satisfies requirements for obtaining said potentially applicable benefits;

automatically generating a message to directly inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data;

displaying two or more of said benefits to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit in a manner selected from the group consisting of benefit class or category;

value of benefits;

cost, if any, of benefits;

importance of benefits;

relevance of benefits;

ease of use of benefits;

expiration date, day, time of benefits;

creation date, day, time of benefits;

type of benefits;

physical proximity of said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit to one or more of said benefit providers.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit to self-select said manner of benefits listing display.

23. A system comprising:

storing in a memory in the system benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting into said system a set of a businesses and or governments and or educational institutions and or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data, said benefit provider information, and said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering potentially applicable benefits for said data and whether said data satisfies requirements for obtaining said potentially applicable benefits;

automatically generating a message to directly inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data;

updating the status and or availability of benefits for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit as;

at least one of said benefit providers intends to or actually does modify the existing benefit qualification parameters for one or more of said providers benefits; and

or at least one of said benefit providers intends to or actually does modify or eliminate an existing benefit;

or offers one or more benefits not previously offered; and

or one or more business, government, educational institution, or non-profit applicable benefits offered by one or more benefit providers new to, or returning to, said system are added to said system.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising means for the real time or later notification of said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of said updating.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising means for the selection or election of when said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit receives said notifications.

26. A system comprising:

storing in a memory in the system benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting into said system a set of a businesses and or governments and or educational institutions and or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data, said benefit provider information, and said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering potentially applicable benefits for said data and whether said data satisfies requirements for obtaining said potentially applicable benefits;

automatically generating a message to directly inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data;

at least one from the group of;

connecting said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit with at least one of said benefit providers;

said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit to interact with at least one of said benefit providers;

at least one of said benefit providers to offer said benefits to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

the completion one or more application forms, when applicable, by said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

assisting said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit in the completion of one or more application forms;

transmitting at least one benefit approval for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit by at least one of said benefit providers;

transmitting an acceptance of at least one of said benefits by said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

receiving at least one of said benefits by said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

utilizing at least one of said benefits by said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit.

27. The system of claim 26, further comprising means for performing at least one of the listed means for in real or near real time.

28. A system comprising:

storing in a memory in the system benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting into said system a set of a businesses and or governments and or educational institutions and or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data, said benefit provider information, and said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering potentially applicable benefits for said data and whether said data satisfies requirements for obtaining said potentially applicable benefits;

automatically generating a message to directly inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data;

wherein said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit benefits and or benefits information is shared with at least one other entity via said system.

29. A system comprising:

storing in a memory in the system benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting into said system a set of a businesses and or governments and or educational institutions and or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data, said benefit provider information, and said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering potentially applicable benefits for said data and whether said data satisfies requirements for obtaining said potentially applicable benefits;

automatically generating a message to directly inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data;

wherein one or more of said benefit providers submits said benefit information and or said benefits directly into said system.

30. A system comprising:

storing in a memory in the system benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting into said system a set of a businesses and or governments and or educational institutions and or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data, said benefit provider information, and said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering potentially applicable benefits for said data and whether said data satisfies requirements for obtaining said potentially applicable benefits;

automatically generating a message to directly inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit data;

wherein at least one of said benefit information and or said benefits from at least one of said benefit providers is delivered directly into said system via at least one third party intermediary acting on behalf of at least one of said benefit providers.

31. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of a business, government, educational institution, or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

displaying two or more of said benefits to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit in a manner selected from the group consisting of benefit class or category;

value of benefits;

cost, if any, of benefits;

importance of benefits;

relevance of benefits;

ease of use of benefits;

expiration date, day, time of benefits;

creation date, day, time of benefits;

type of benefits;

physical proximity of said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit to one or more of said benefit providers.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of business, government, educational institution, or non-profit self-selecting said manner of displaying said benefits.

33. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of a business, government, educational institution, or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

storing in at least one physical memory device at least a portion of said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

updating the status and or availability of benefits for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit as;

at least one of said benefit providers intends to or actually does modify the existing benefit qualification parameters for one or more of said providers benefits; and

or at least one of said benefit providers intends to or actually does modify or eliminate an existing benefit;

or offers one or more benefits not previously offered; and

or one or more business, government, educational institution, or non-profits applicable benefits offered by one or more benefit providers new to, or returning to, said system are added to said system.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of notifying in real time or later said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit upon said updating.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of selecting or electing when said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit receives said notification.

36. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of a business, government, educational institution, or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

storing in at least one physical memory device at least a portion of said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

at least one from the group of;

connecting said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit with at least one of said benefit providers;

said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit interacting with at least one of said benefit providers;

at least one of said benefit providers offering said benefits to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

completing one or more application forms, when applicable, by said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

assisting said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit in the completing of one or more application forms;

transmitting at least one benefit approval for said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit by at least one of said benefit providers;

transmitting an acceptance of at least one of said benefits by said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

receiving at least one of said benefits by said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

utilizing at least one of said benefits by said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit.

37. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of a business, government, educational institution, or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

storing in at least one physical memory device at least a portion of said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

including in said message at least one benefit for which said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit;

may qualify for; and

or may not qualify for; and

or does qualify for; and

or does not qualify for.

38. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of a business, government, educational institution, or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

storing in at least one physical memory device at least a portion of said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

enabling the sharing of said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits benefits and or benefits information with at least one other entity.

39. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of a business, government, educational institution, or non-profits demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said business, government, educational institution, or non-profit of any available benefits applicable to said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

storing in at least one physical memory device at least a portion of said business, government, educational institution, or non-profits data;

enabling one or more of said benefit providers to submit said benefit information and or said benefit or benefits directly into said system.

40. A method comprising:

storing in a physical memory device benefit information, benefit provider information, and benefit correlation information;

inputting at least a sub-set of an individuals demographic, geographic, and/or psychographic data into a processing device by means of at least one data entry device in electronic communication with the processing device;

said processing device analyzing said individuals data, said benefit provider information, and/or said benefit correlation information to determine whether any benefit providers are offering any benefits applicable to said individuals data;

generating a message to at least one data receiving device to inform said individual, at least in part via a computer network, of an available benefits applicable to said individuals data;

wherein at least one of said benefit information and or said benefits from at least one of said benefit providers is delivered in/to said memory device and/or said processing device via at least one third party intermediary acting on behalf of at least one of said benefit providers.

41. A distributed benefit information match mechanism conducted via a computer network comprising:

means for storing a plurality of benefit registrations;

means for receiving directly from a benefit request which includes one or more benefit qualifying criteria from a benefit desiring seeker via said network;

means for resolving said benefit request against said benefit registrations to determine one or more matching benefit registrations;

means for automatically providing benefit results directly to said benefit requesting seeker via said network.