US5918216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic recognition of periods for financial transactions
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1996-08-22
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Granted: 1999-06-29
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Expires: 2016-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A new financial transaction is compared to prior entries in a database of prior financial transactions to identify a recurring transaction. Certain parameters of a new entry, entered either manually or by transfer of electronic data, are compared to corresponding entries in the database of financial transactions to determine if at least two similar prior entries can be found. A set of predefined rules is applied to determine whether two prior transactions are substantially similar to the new transaction. If two prior transactions are found that are substantially similar to the new transaction, a first and a second gap are determined. The first gap corresponds to the time interval between the new and the most recent of the two prior similar transactions, and the second gap corresponds to the time interval between the two prior similar transactions. If the first and second gaps match one of a plurality of predetermined time periods within a preset tolerance value, a recurring transaction for that time period is identified. The user is prompted to enter the recurring transaction into a payment calendar. The payment calendar is then used for selectively entering new transactions and for financial planning over a selected future time frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Thomas Miksovsky
- 👤 Manny S. Weiser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/02; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A computer implemented method for recognizing a recurring financial transaction, comprising the steps of: (a) entering a plurality of parameters of a financial transaction into the computer as a new entry in a transactions database; (b) searching for at least two prior entries in the transactions database having selected parameters that are substantially similar to corresponding parameters of the new entry; and (c) if said at least two prior entries are found: (i) determining time intervals between successive ones of said at least two prior entries and said new entry; and (ii) comparing the time intervals with a plurality of different predetermined time periods to identify any recurring financial transaction, each of the different predetermined time periods corresponding to a recurring financial transaction at a different time interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A computer implemented method for recognizing a recurring financial transaction, comprising the steps of: (a) entering a plurality of parameters of a financial transaction into the computer as a new entry in a transactions database; (b) searching for at least two prior entries in the transactions database having selected parameters that are substantially similar to corresponding parameters of the new entry; and (c) if said at least two prior entries are found: (i) determining time intervals between successive ones of said at least two prior entries and said new entry; and (ii) comparing the time intervals with a plurality of different predetermined time periods to identify any recurring financial transaction, each of the different predetermined time periods corresponding to a recurring financial transaction at a different time interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of entering the plurality of parameters of the financial transaction comprises the steps of entering: (a) one of a payee and payer; (b) a financial category for the financial transaction; (c) a date of the financial transaction; (d) an amount for the financial transaction; and (e) a financial status for the financial transaction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of checking a database of recurring transactions to determine whether the new entry is already represented therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
171 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the time intervals comprises the steps of: (a) determining a first time gap between the new entry and the most recent of said at least two entries from the transactions database; (b) determining a second time gap between the most recent of said at least two entries and a next older entry of said at least two entries; (c) repetitively comparing absolute values of differences between the first time gap and one of the plurality of the predetermined time periods, and between the second time gap and said one of the plurality of predetermined time periods, to a predefined tolerance; and (d) if both differences are within the predefined tolerance, identifying said one predetermined time period as the time period of the recurring transaction, but if either difference is not within the tolerance, repeating (c) and (d) for a different one of the predetermined time periods until all of the plurality of predetermined time periods have been compared to said differences.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of prompting the user to add any recurring transaction identified to a database of recurring transactions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of entering the plurality of parameters of the financial transaction comprises one of the steps of: (a) the user manually entering the parameters; (b) scanning the parameters from a data sheet; and (c) entering the parameters from electronically transferred financial data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time periods have a predetermined tolerance value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling the user to selectively disable identification of recurring transactions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the time intervals comprises the steps of: (a) determining a first time gap between the new entry and the most recent of said at least two entries from the transactions database; (b) determining a second time gap between the most recent of said at least two entries and a next older entry of said at least two entries; (c) repetitively comparing an absolute value of a difference between the first time gap and the second time gap to a predefined maximum value; and (d) as a function of a result of comparing said difference and said predefined maximum value, discontinuing attempting to identify the recurring financial transaction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
197 words
An article of manufacture adapted for distribution of a computer program, to enable the computer program to be executed on a computer, said computer program enabling a recognition of a recurring financial transaction when the computer program is executed by a computer, comprising: (a) a memory media; and (b) a plurality of machine instructions comprising the computer program, which are stored on the memory media, said plurality of machine instructions when executed by a computer, causing the computer to: (i) enable a user to enter a plurality of parameters of a financial transaction into the computer as a new entry in a transactions database; (ii) search for at least two prior entries in the transactions database having selected parameters that are substantially similar to corresponding parameters of the new entry; and (iii) if said at least two prior entries are found: (A) determining time intervals between successive ones of said at least two prior entries and said new entry; and (B) comparing the time intervals with a plurality of different predetermined time periods to identify any recurring financial transaction, each of the different predetermined time periods corresponding to a recurring financial transaction at a different time interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
197 words
An article of manufacture adapted for distribution of a computer program, to enable the computer program to be executed on a computer, said computer program enabling a recognition of a recurring financial transaction when the computer program is executed by a computer, comprising: (a) a memory media; and (b) a plurality of machine instructions comprising the computer program, which are stored on the memory media, said plurality of machine instructions when executed by a computer, causing the computer to: (i) enable a user to enter a plurality of parameters of a financial transaction into the computer as a new entry in a transactions database; (ii) search for at least two prior entries in the transactions database having selected parameters that are substantially similar to corresponding parameters of the new entry; and (iii) if said at least two prior entries are found: (A) determining time intervals between successive ones of said at least two prior entries and said new entry; and (B) comparing the time intervals with a plurality of different predetermined time periods to identify any recurring financial transaction, each of the different predetermined time periods corresponding to a recurring financial transaction at a different time interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the plurality of parameters of the financial transaction comprise: (a) one of a payee and payer; (b) a financial category for the financial transaction; (c) a date of the financial transaction; (d) an amount for the financial transaction; and (e) a financial status for the financial transaction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the machine instructions, when executed by the computer, further cause the computer to check a database of recurring transactions to determine whether the new entry is already represented therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
177 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the machine instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to determine the time intervals by: (a) determining a first time gap between the new entry and the most recent of said at least two entries from the transactions database; (b) determining a second time gap between the most recent of said at least two entries and a next older entry of said at least two entries; (c) repetitively comparing absolute values of differences between the first time gap and one of the plurality of the predetermined time periods, and between the second time gap and said one of the plurality of predetermined time periods, to a predefined tolerance; and (d) if both differences are within the predefined tolerance, identifying said one predetermined time period as a time period of the recurring transaction, but if either difference is not within the tolerance, repeating (c) for a different one of the predetermined time periods until all of the plurality of predetermined time periods have been compared to said differences.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the machine instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to prompt the user to add any recurring transaction identified to a database of recurring transactions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the machine instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to enter the plurality of parameters of the financial transaction by one of: (a) enabling the user to manually enter the parameters; (b) scanning the parameters from a data sheet; and (c) electronically transferring financial data that include the parameters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the predetermined time periods have a predetermined tolerance value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the machine instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to enable the user to selectively disable identification of recurring transactions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
120 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the machine instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to: (a) determine a first time gap between the new entry and the most recent of said at least two entries from the transactions database; (b) determine a second time gap between the most recent of said at least two entries and a next older entry of said at least two entries; (c) repetitively compare an absolute value of a difference between the first time gap and the second time gap to a predefined maximum value; and (d) as a function of a result of comparing said difference and said predefined maximum value, discontinue attempting to identify the recurring financial transaction.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for recognizing a recurring financial transaction, comprising: (a) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored; (b) a display; and (c) a processor that is coupled to the memory to access the machine instructions and to the display, said processor executing said machine instructions implementing a plurality of functions, including: (i) enabling a user to enter a plurality of parameters of a financial transaction into the computer as a new entry in a transactions database; (ii) searching for at least two prior entries in the transactions database having selected parameters that are substantially similar to corresponding parameters of the new entry; and (iii) if said at least two prior entries are found: (A) determining time intervals between successive ones of said at least two prior entries and said new entry; and (B) comparing the time intervals with a plurality of different predetermined time periods to identify any recurring financial transaction, each of the different predetermined time periods corresponding to a recurring financial transaction at a different time interval.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for recognizing a recurring financial transaction, comprising: (a) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored; (b) a display; and (c) a processor that is coupled to the memory to access the machine instructions and to the display, said processor executing said machine instructions implementing a plurality of functions, including: (i) enabling a user to enter a plurality of parameters of a financial transaction into the computer as a new entry in a transactions database; (ii) searching for at least two prior entries in the transactions database having selected parameters that are substantially similar to corresponding parameters of the new entry; and (iii) if said at least two prior entries are found: (A) determining time intervals between successive ones of said at least two prior entries and said new entry; and (B) comparing the time intervals with a plurality of different predetermined time periods to identify any recurring financial transaction, each of the different predetermined time periods corresponding to a recurring financial transaction at a different time interval.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of parameters of the financial transaction comprise: (a) one of a payee and payer; (b) a financial category for the financial transaction; (c) a date of the financial transaction; (d) an amount for the financial transaction; and (e) a financial status for the financial transaction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said functions further include checking a database of recurring transactions to determine whether the new entry is already represented therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
169 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the function of determining the time intervals includes the functions of: (a) determining a first time gap between the new entry and the most recent of said at least two entries from the transactions database; (b) determining a second time gap between the most recent of said at least two entries and a next older entry of said at least two entries; (c) repetitively comparing absolute values of differences between the first time gap and one of the plurality of the predetermined time periods, and between the second time gap and said one of the plurality of predetermined time periods, to a predefined tolerance; and (d) if both differences are within the predefined tolerance, identifying said one predetermined time period as the time period of the recurring transaction, but if either difference is not within the tolerance, repeating (c) for a different one of the predetermined time periods until all of the plurality of predetermined time periods have been compared to said differences.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said functions further include prompting the user to add any recurring transaction to a database of recurring transactions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of parameters of the financial transaction are entered by one of the following: (a) manually entered by the user; (b) scanned from a data sheet; and (c) entered from electronically transferred financial data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the predetermined time periods have a predetermined tolerance value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the machine instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor executing said machine instructions to enable the user to selectively disable the identification of recurring transactions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
122 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the machine instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor executing said machine instructions to: (a) determine a first time gap between the new entry and the most recent of said at least two entries from the transactions database; (b) determine a second time gap between the most recent of said at least two entries and a next older entry of said at least two entries; (c) repetitively compare an absolute value of a difference between the first time gap and the second time gap to a predefined maximum value; and (d) as a function of a result of comparing said difference and said predefined maximum value, discontinue attempting to identify the recurring financial transaction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-06-28 | 2002-12-28 | 2003-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | 2007-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-28 | 2010-12-28 | 2011-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |