Method and apparatus for processing escrow transactions

• US 7,127,406 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2001
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Settleware Secure Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Triola C. Richard
• Inventors: Triola, C. Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Application Number:
  US09/833,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20010047328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,022 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/26, 705/27, 705/37, 235/381, 235/380
• US Class Current: 705/26.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

The apparatus and method implements, manages, and tracks on-line digital transactions via an escrow, including opening, servicing, real-time or near-real time status of the broker, title company, lender, vendor, buyer and seller, and closing of an escrow via a medium such as the internet. Multiple access methods are employed. The present invention provides computerization and internet type process implementation for escrow processes including, but not limited to, digital transaction coordination, digital status coordinators, seamless escrow transactions, on-line digital signatures, video signature authentication, digital certificate authentication, signature authentication, satellite and other wireless transmission of escrow transactions, voice digital instruction, the merging of voice with digital data transactions, set-top/webTV digital escrow transmission, global digital escrow networking, and the like. The system includes appropriate data, application, and servers along with supporting LAN or WAN-based application to perform escrow services.

Claims

1. A Web-based client-server computer system for escrow office related processes of real estate title transfer, comprising:

at least one client module associated with at least one client party for initiating an escrow process with at least one escrow company; and

at least one server module associate with the escrow company as a server party,

wherein a specific escrow account between said client party and said escrow company is established, maintained, tracked, and consummated via said client-server computer system.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, comprising:

on-line entry and transmission of escrow initiation, escrow instructions, escrow status tracking, and escrow consummation between the server party and the client party.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1, the at least one server module associated with the escrow party further comprising:

on-line entry and transmission of service provider data between the server party and at least one service provider.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1, comprising:

computer code providing data security.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1, comprising:

computer code providing for digital identity authentication for each party.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1, comprising:

digital tracking of funds or other buyer-seller compensation arrangements, and disbursement of said funds or other buyer-seller compensation at or after final closing of said escrow process.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1, comprising:

tracking of all documentation required and advised for the escrow process.

8. Computerized, on-line method for real estate escrow processes performed by an escrow company holding an escrow account, the method comprising:

providing a computer based automation system of components, including components providing implementation, management, and tracking of the escrow real estate transfer wherein data and documents for implementing, managing, and tracking the real estate escrow processes of a real estate transfer are accessible on-line for specific parties to said escrow account.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 comprising:

distributing said components as computer code modules residing at principals and parties to said escrow account for providing party-associated data entry and access.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 comprising:

including security measures providing for a variety of data entry and access levels to said escrow data and documents.

11. A computerized process for a computerized on-line real estate escrow office account, the process comprising:

providing escrow account data and electronic documents, escrow status, broker status, lender status, buyer status, seller status, and vendor status via a centralized server associated with an escrow officer; and

connecting parties to said computerized on-line real estate escrow office account using multiple computer network access devices via connectivity types which include but are not limited to wireless, satellite, dial-up, or leased communications.

12. A system for real-time or near-real-time real estate escrow company account processes and documentation, the system comprising:

on-line Internet communications programs;

associated with said Internet communications programs, appropriate data, electronic documents, application and transactional management network programs, and

including supporting network based applications for performing at least one of the escrow services selected from a group including

receiving and storing escrow instructions upon submission by a party to the escrow transaction via a computerized communications device;

disseminating instructions to all relevant parties by computer;

providing escrow documentation;

providing escrow documentation approvals;

automating order specified services;

real-time and near-real-time display of escrow instructions, status, and activity;

on-line digital identification authentication;

transfer of ownership;

closing escrow;

releasing of escrow funds; and

digital transfer of escrow funds.

13. A method of doing business in realty using on-line communications, the method comprising:

providing an on-line escrow account for parties to a transaction;

providing on-line transactional account management services with respect to the on-line escrow account for said parties; and

providing secure access to said on-line escrow account limited to the parties and third parties using on-line identification authentication.

14. A computer memory having a program for real estate escrow company accounts comprising:

program code providing a client-server based automation system for said real estate escrow company accounts;

program code providing implementation, management, tracking, electronic documentation, and closing of specific escrow company accounts; and

program code allowing escrow data access only for specific parties to said escrow company accounts.

15. The memory as set forth in claim 14 wherein said program code allowing escrow data access only for specific parties to said escrow transaction further comprises:

program code for identification authentication.

16. The memory as set forth in claim 14 wherein said program code providing implementation, management, tracking, and closing of specific escrow company accounts further comprises:

program code for digital signatures.

17. The memory as set forth in claim 14 comprising:

program code for a method of doing business using an internet, the code including computerized processes for providing an on-line escrow account for parties to a real estate sale transaction, providing on-line transactional account management services with respect to the on-line escrow account for said parties, and providing secure access to said on-line escrow account limited to the parties and third parties using on-line identification authentication.

18. A computer based automation system for escrow processes and documentation using Internet computing technology, said system comprising:

means for implementing, managing, and tracking real estate transfer and real estate financing processes by and among principal parties and their agents with respect to an escrow company account requiring said processes and documentation; and

means for providing data and documents associated with said implementing, managing, and tracking such that said data and documents are accessible to said principal parties thereto and their agents and officers of said escrow company account via Internet.