Abstract:
A system of exchanging value between multiple users is provided. The system includes a value exchange module and a consumer interface module. The value exchange module includes a first account assigned to a first user. The consumer interface module includes a general user interface for a second user and a data input device directly connected to the value exchange module and sending instructions regarding a transfer of a selected gratuity value from a second account linked to the second user and provided through the data input device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/953,296, filed Mar. 14, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a gratuity exchange system and, more particularly, to a gratuity exchange system having a gratuity interface module directly connected to a value exchange module. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    According to the IRS, a tip is generally defined as: (i) an amount of money presented by a customer free from compulsion; (ii) a payment that the customer has the unrestricted right to determine the amount of; (iii) a payment whose amount cannot be the subject of negotiation or dictated by employer policy; and (iv) generally, a payment in which the customer can dictate and determine the recipient. This gratuity is generally left by the customer for an employee over the amount due for the goods sold or services rendered. According to most state laws, this gratuity belongs to the employee, not to the employer. Generally, when a customer pays the amount due using a credit card, the value charged to the credit card includes a tip. The credit card company typically requires payment of a fee for completing the transaction and that fee is based on the total value of the transaction, which includes the gratuity. Laws provide that the employer must pay the employee the full amount of the tip as indicated by the transaction. Therefore, the employer may not make any deduction from gratuities paid to the employee for credit card processing fees that are charged to the employer by the credit card company. As a result, the employer pays these fees, which can be costly over time. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In view of these shortcomings, an object of the invention, among others, is to provide a gratuity exchange system that avoids combining a gratuity with a value of the services rendered. 
         [0005]    A system of exchanging value between multiple users is provided. The system includes a value exchange module and a consumer interface module. The value exchange module includes a first account assigned to a first user. The consumer interface module includes a general user interface for a second user and a data input device directly connected to the value exchange module and sending instructions regarding a transfer of a selected gratuity value from a second account linked to the second user and provided through the data input device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a gratuity exchange system according to the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a gratuity exchange module according to the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a gratuity exchange system according to the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a graphical representation of a consumer interface module according to the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is another graphical representation of the consumer interface module of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is another graphical representation of the consumer interface module of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is another graphical representation of the consumer interface module of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is screen shot of a consumer interface module according to the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is another screen shot of a consumer interface module according to the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is another screen shot of a consumer interface module according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings. 
         [0018]    First with reference to  FIG. 1 , a gratuity exchange system  1  according to the invention is shown and includes two major components. Those major components being a value exchange module  10  and a gratuity exchange module  20  that facilitate user selection and transaction of a gratuity to an employee account using a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI). 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment, the value exchange module  10  includes a processing unit, communication devices and servers, and databases that facilitate a value exchange transaction with a user. The value exchange module  10  may also include a synchronization server for exchanging transaction details with a user device or communication modules and a financial server for interacting with external financial institutions. 
         [0020]    In the shown embodiment, a financial account setup module  12  may be included to communicate with the value exchange module  10 . The financial account setup module  12  includes a GUI displaying a form and a communication device to connect with the communication server for registering new users. The form includes a request for information necessary to set up a gratuity account with the value exchange module  10 . In another embodiment, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the user could use other devices to complete an application using a form, including a writing device and a print of the form. 
         [0021]    Now with reference to  FIG. 2 , the gratuity exchange module  20  will be described. The gratuity exchange module  20  includes a gratuity interface module  22 , a consumer interface module  30 , and an employee interface module  40 . 
         [0022]    The gratuity interface module  22  is a hub of the gratuity exchange module  20 . The gratuity interface module  22  includes a processor, a database, and a communication device. 
         [0023]    The processor includes a central processing unit (CPU) that carries out instructions and operations of the gratuity exchange system  1 . 
         [0024]    The database includes at least a central database, configured to store various information used to facilitate gratuity exchange transactions and data sharing. The information stored in the database may include user accounts, as well as various information pertaining to unregistered users participating in or invited to participate in a transaction, as well as any other data provided by the user or participant. For instance, information stored may include user identifiers (e.g., name, electronic mail address, telephone number, work address, physical address, photos, etc.), transaction records, account balances (e.g., money, store credits, affinity points, vouchers, coupons, discounts), communication methods (e.g., electronic mail, wireless voice), security data, etc. 
         [0025]    The communication device and/or other system servers are configured to interact with one or more users through a communication network. For example, the communication device may be or may include a web server, telephone switch, DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer), etc. 
         [0026]    In the shown embodiment, the gratuity interface module  22  also includes a user account setup module  24 . The user account setup module  24  includes a GUI displaying a form and an interface to connect with the communication module for registering new users. The form includes a request for information necessary to set up a user account with the gratuity exchange module  20 . In another embodiment, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the user could use other devices to complete an application using a form, including a writing device and a print of the form. 
         [0027]    The consumer interface module  30  is provided to facilitate a one-way transaction between a participant (i.e. consumer) and a registered user of the gratuity exchange module  20 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , an exemplary embodiment of the consumer interface module  30  includes a consumer interaction device  32  having a display for a general user interface  34 , a communication device  36 , and a data input device  38 . The consumer interaction device  32  may be a mobile device, such as a tablet, a notebook computer, or a smart phone. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the consumer interaction device  32  may be a stationary device, such as a kiosk or a personal computer. The GUI  34  allows the participant to interact with the consumer interaction device  32  through graphical icons and visual indicators. The communication device  36  is capable of communicating with the gratuity interface module  22  and the value exchange module  10 . The data input device  38  in the embodiment shown is a device that reads data from a storage medium. However, it is also possible the data input device  38  is a portal to global e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers to be made through the Internet. The data input device  38  directly connects to the value exchange module  10  through a consumer communication module. 
         [0029]    The employee interface module  40  includes a user interaction device having a display for a general user interface and a communication device. Like the consumer interaction device  32 , the user interaction device may be a mobile device, such as a tablet, a notebook computer, or a smart phone. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the user interaction device may be a stationary device, such as a kiosk or a personal computer displaying the screen shots shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  from a GUI. The GUI allows the user to interact with the consumer interaction device through graphical icons and visual indicators. The communication device is capable of communicating with the gratuity interface module  22 . 
         [0030]    In another embodiment of the invention, the consumer interface module  30  and the employee interface module  40  share the same interaction devices, such as the consumer interaction device  32  or the user interaction device. The consumer interface module  30  and the employee interface module  40  may share separate GUIs run by separate software, either run through the interaction device or the gratuity interface module  22  using the communication device of the consumer interface module  30 . 
         [0031]    Now, the gratuity exchange system&#39;s operation will be described more specifically with reference to  FIGS. 3-9 . 
         [0032]    In an embodiment of the invention, an employee (hired by an employer) sets up a financial account at step  100  through the financial account setup module  12 . In addition, the employee at step  102  sets up a gratuity user account, separate from the financial account, with the gratuity interface module  22  using the user account setup module  24 . Accordingly, the employee has an exclusive financial account with the value exchange module  10  and a separate exclusive gratuity user account with the gratuity interface module  22 . 
         [0033]    At step  104 , the employee provides a service or good to a consumer who then pays for the service or good to the employer using a payment module. The consumer then pays the employer at step  106 , using any known payment means, such as currency, credit or debit cards, coupons, vouchers, etc. In a separate transaction, the employer compensates the employee for his work through payroll at step  108 . 
         [0034]    Next, the consumer, acting as a participant in the gratuity exchange system  1 , accesses the consumer interface module  30  to pay a gratuity to the employee through a separate transaction. In an exemplary embodiment, the consumer is provided the consumer interface module  30  to select a value for the gratuity and to provide any comments to the employee. 
         [0035]    At step  110 , the consumer selects an employee, who provided them service, from a unique identifier using the GUI screen shown in  FIG. 4 . In the shown embodiment, the employee is identified by name, photo, and job description. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that other identifiers are possible, including logos, serial numbers, etc. 
         [0036]    Next, the GUI  34  displays the service value of the service or good provided by the employee and paid to the employer. This service value can be auto populated by the gratuity interface module  22 , through communication with the payment module. However, it is also possible that the consumer can populate this independently using a numerical keyboard provided through the GUI  34 . 
         [0037]    At step  114 , the consumer then selects a gratuity value though the GUI as shown in  FIG. 5 . In the shown embodiment, this can be auto populated using the GUI  34  by selecting a percentage of the service value. However, it is also possible that the consumer can independently select the gratuity value using the numerical keyboard provided through the GUI  34 . 
         [0038]    Next, at step  118 , the consumer provides other data that the consumer may want to provide the employee, such as name, email address, telephone number, and any comments or notes as shown in the GUI screenshot of  FIG. 6 . This information can be provided using a keyboard provided through the GUI  34 . 
         [0039]    At step  120 , the consumer provides instruction to deposit a gratuity in the financial account of the employee using the GUI screen shown in  FIG. 7 . The consumer uses the data input device to indentify information for payment of the selected gratuity value. As shown, a card reader is used to retrieve financial institution information, including bank account and routing information. The consumer interface module  30  communicates directly with the value exchange module  10  without sending information to the gratuity interface module  22 , so that no financial institution information is collected by the gratuity interface module  22  databases. In order to initiate the transaction, the consumer may provide a signature, such as handwritten signature or digital signature to secure the transaction (see  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0040]    Next, at step  122 , the consumer interface module  30  sends information to the gratuity interface module  22 , including gratuity value and consumer information, comments, and notes. This data is stored by the gratuity interface module  22 . 
         [0041]    At step  132 , the value exchange module  10  completes a transaction between the consumer&#39;s financial account and the financial account setup by the employee through the value exchange module  10 . Once completed, the value exchange module  10  sends confirmation of the transaction to the gratuity interface module  22  at step  134 . In addition, the value exchange module  10  sends data pertaining to a status of the financial account, including but not limited to the balance, previous transactions, and pending transactions. At step  138 , the value exchange module  10  sends a service fee to a service account. This service fee is a proportion of the gratuity value completed during the transaction, and is acquired by owner of the gratuity exchange module  20 . 
         [0042]    Next, at step  124 , the gratuity interface module  22  receives confirmation of the transaction between the consumer&#39;s financial account and the financial account and stores the value. In addition, the gratuity interface module  22  receives and stores the status data of the financial account. 
         [0043]    At step  126 , the employee can access there gratuity account using the employee interface module  40 . This can be done by a secure log in. The consumer can then retrieve status data of their financial account and any consumer information, comments, and notes entered and stored through the consumer interface module  30 . 
         [0044]    The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.