Patent ID: 8401965
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of payment handling, comprising: identifying a customer account and assigning a unique identifier to the customer account, the unique identifier linked to a data store associated with the customer account, wherein the customer account is configured such that a first entity has a first set of access privileges and a second entity has a second set of access privileges, wherein the unique identifier includes an Internet Protocol address: receiving a first data message from a remote payment acceptance processing location of a customer associated with the customer account, wherein the first data message comprises information indicating receipt of a payment at the remote payment acceptance processing location, wherein the information includes at least an amount of the payment and wherein the payment includes a credit and a debit to the customer, wherein the payment includes a transaction processed with at least one of cash. credit card, debit card, gift card, charge card, automated teller machine card, negotiable instrument, and online bill payment, wherein the remote payment acceptance processing location is a point of sale, wherein the remote payment acceptance processing location includes at least one of a cash register, an Internet website, retail lockbox, wholesale lockbox, and an automated telephone program, wherein the credit results from return of merchandise to a business entity, wherein the debit results from purchase of at least one of goods and services, transmitting a second data message to the data store, wherein the second data message comprises data relating to at least the amount of the payment, wherein the data store includes information about a payment history of the customer account, wherein the data store is configured to be accessible by the customer upon receipt of a username and password; applying the payment to a balance in the customer account, the balance including a plurality of transactions calculated over a period of time; posting the balance in rapid recognition to the customer account to reflect a total balance that includes the payment after applying the payment to the balance in the customer account; updating an available balance after completion of posting the balance in rapid recognition to the customer account, wherein the updating the available balance includes making the available balance available to the customer, and wherein the available balance includes an entirety of the payment; permitting funds reflected by the available balance to be accessible by the customer associated with the customer account; identifying a unique transaction and sending an alert message for receipt by the customer, wherein the alert message includes information about the unique transaction, wherein the information is chosen from the group consisting of: a notification of good or bad past payment submissions, a notification of future payment due dates, a sweepstakes entry, a coupon for a future purchase, and a discount; sending a reporting message for receipt by the customer, the reporting message indicating the available balance, an itemized listing of credits and debits during a predetermined time period, and a comparison of the available balance to a previous balance; and relying on the accessibility of the funds to make a financial decision for the customer, wherein the method of payment handling is performed in a virtually real-time fashion.