Method and apparatus for managing alerts

• US 8,255,298 B1
• Filed: 01/14/2011
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Inventors: Nesladek, Christopher D.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZARE, SCOTT A
• Application Number:
  US13/007,519
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 705/34, 705/40, 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 system for managing alerts comprising:

a financial computing system (FCS) configured to;

store a consumer financial data item comprising a financial deadline,

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

determine an alert level corresponding to the first threshold,

send the alert level and a portion of the consumer financial data item including the financial deadline,

identify 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 the minimum payment amount with a minimum payment amount first threshold, wherein the minimum payment amount satisfies the minimum payment amount first threshold, and wherein the alert level further corresponds to the minimum payment amount first threshold, and send the minimum payment amount and the minimum balance requirement; and

an alert device electronically connected to the FCS, the alert device comprising an alert indicator and configured to;

display the portion according to the alert level using the alert indicator, 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 system of claim 1, wherein the alert device is further configured to display the portion in a yellow color according to the alert level.

3. The system 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.

4. The device system of claim 1, wherein the alert level further corresponds to an expiration date.

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

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the FCS is further configured to:

calculate a revised number of days until the financial deadline;

compare 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 a higher alert level distinct from the alert level and corresponding to the second threshold; and

send, to the alert device, the higher alert level, wherein the alert indicator further displays the portion on the alert device according to the higher alert level.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the alert indicator displays the portion on the alert device in a red color based on the higher alert level.