Abstract:
The financial portal and search engine micro markets consumer specific finance inquires and needs to product specific financial service providers and then allows these service providers to display their expertise and compete on the cost of the service or product required by the consumer interactively so that the consumer is simultaneously aware of all financial providers offering the specific products or services required by the consumer and the service providers can communicate to the consumer simultaneously, the cost of such products and/or services. These services are self-managed by the service providers through their Personal Management Account on the site, which allows the provider to choose what he wants to present; in what format, duration and market exposure.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/932,049, filed May 29, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an interactive financial portal and search engine promoting financial literacy, financial service providers (Sponsors), and their product services on a multi-lingual, single destination internet platform for consumers. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Financial products and services are primarily marketed to consumers by their provider in multimedia advertisements, such as direct mailings, print advertising, radio advertising and television advertising, as well as internet websites. The individual provider being naturally biased to advertise and promote his products and services does so and thus requires the consumers seeking financial products or services to search the multimedia advertising for comparisons or for a specific product or service which may not be provided by all financial providers. 
         [0006]    Prior to the development and integration of the internet, this would be a time consuming task requiring much reading, telephone inquiry and face to face meetings in order to find the particular product, service or combination of product and service, which the consumer sought. 
         [0007]    The development of the internet sped up the process, but still required the consumer to go to different sites in order to make comparisons of the products or services sought and the cost of same. There has long been a need for a method or provider whereby the consumer can input consumer specific finance inquiries and needs to a financial portal and search engine and be connected with all of those financial service providers subscribing to the financial portal and search engine that can provide or respond to the consumer specific finance inquiry or need in real-time. In effect, the financial portal and search engine micro markets consumer specific finance inquires and needs to product specific financial service providers and then allows these service providers to display their expertise and compete on the cost of the service or product required by the consumer interactively so that the consumer is simultaneously aware of all financial providers offering the specific products or services required by the consumer and the service providers can communicate to the consumer simultaneously, the cost of such products and/or services. These services are self-managed by the service providers through their Personal Management Account on the site, which allows the provider to choose what he wants to present; in what format, duration and market exposure. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An object of the present invention is to provide a novel interactive financial portal and search engine promoting financial service providers, their products and services, as well as financial literacy, on a multi-lingual, single destination internet platform. 
         [0009]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel interactive financial portal and search engine which allows consumers to make consumer specific finance inquiries regarding needs for products or specific financial services and allows subscribing financial service providers to identify themselves vis-à-vis the consumer specific inquiry and to bid for the right to provide the products and/or services. 
         [0010]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel interactive financial portal and search engine promoting financial service providers, products and services on a multi-lingual, single destination internet platform wherein the financial service providers can compete for consumer business on line, so that consumer inquirers can comparatively shop for the investments, services, rates, fees and products which they desire, and to make instantaneous comparison between alternative financial service providers. 
         [0011]    A still further object of the present invention is to allow a novel interactive financial portal and search engine which allows the financial service provider to self-manage their account, acting in concert with the ability to submit to the multiple components of the site directly from their personal computer in real time, thereby providing immediate pertinent information to the consumer. 
         [0012]    A still further object of the present invention is to allow a novel interactive financial portal and search engine which allows the user to access a cross-section of comparative information relative to 50,000 keywords from all components of the site submitted by subscribing financial service providers. 
         [0013]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel interactive financial portal and search engine which allows consumers in need of language translation assistance to search financial service providers by criteria search, which includes languages spoken. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The financial portal and search engine micro markets consumer specific finance inquires and needs to product specific financial service providers and then allows these service providers to display their expertise and compete on the cost of the service or product required by the consumer interactively so that the consumer is simultaneously aware of all financial providers offering the specific products or services required by the consumer and the service providers can communicate to the consumer simultaneously, the cost of such products and/or services. These services are self-managed by the service providers through their Personal Management Account on the site, which allows the provider to choose what he wants to present; in what format, duration and market exposure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0015]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of the system architecture and hardware components of the system; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the software structure of the system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of the network structure  10 . Each client  12  and each provider  14  would be capable of accessing the internet via their own computers  16  and  18  respectively. The system site  20  would consist of a server cluster  22 , access to which will be provided by one or more T 3  lines  24 . These T 3  lines  24  would be connected to the server cluster via a secured firewall  26  to protect security of the information handled by the server cluster. A system administrator  28  would have access to and oversee the server cluster  22 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates software components running on the server cluster and application servers. Different software server components will be running on the servers to provide real time service. The relationship  30  of the software components are shown in  FIG. 2 , and a short description of each follows. 
         [0020]    The account management component  32  would interface with all financial service providers  14  on the site. All providers  14  would require at least one login account depending upon their size, their branches, their management hierarchies and their service provided. The clients or users  12  of the service can browse all the provided information without a login account, but in the event that a user/client  12  requires advanced features or communication with the providers  14 , then the account management component  32  can create a user/client account. The account management component  32  in cooperation with the security management component  34  described hereafter, insures that each account can only access information to which they are allowed. 
         [0021]    The security management component  34  is a centralized point in the system to manage all security related issues including account authorization and account authentication. The security management component  34  will check to determine if certain data or operation is assessable for a given account or beyond the authority of a particular account and similarly, block access. 
         [0022]    The multilingual support component  36  allows the user/client  12  to choose their favorite language when accessing the website. The multilingual support component  36  will be able to detect a user&#39;s preference and render the web pages in different languages in real time. Besides utilized as a web interface for the user/client, the multilingual support component  36  provides user/clients  12  with a choice of language as one of their search criteria. This type of search is only for retrieving the multilingual information from the provider&#39;s profile. 
         [0023]    All content submitted to the site by providers  14  can be submitted by them in their language of preference. The site supports 170 languages, which is over 99% of the World&#39;s spoken languages. 
         [0024]    A rich media engine component will permit those user/clients  12  with broadband cable or DSL to take advantage of high speed internet connection for rich media content, including, but not limited to, video, audio, flash and animated images. 
         [0025]    The business module  38  is a dispatcher to a router for requests of users and providers to a specific component below it. 
         [0026]    The advanced profile search allows the user/clients to post a request with certain specifications to the site and the component will automatically find and identify providers  14  that match their requests best. Once a match is found, a user/client  12  can view the matched providers  14  in a list which can be sorted by name, specialty, location, languages, rating, etc.; and click on each one to see more details. In addition to this service, In the Forum component  42 , when a user/client  12  posts a question that is related to the category chosen, those providers  14  will be contacted when if it matches their profile to allow the provider  14  to contact the user/client  12 , if the client wishes to be contacted. 
         [0027]    The query/reporting engine component  44  incorporated in the business module controller  38  will host the categories, multiple derivatives and interpretations, as well as the identity of the financial service providers  14 . The query component will allow the user/client  12  to search in categories, location specialties, ratings, keywords, languages and the like. The search result can be saved for future reference and an alert can even be sent to a user/client  12  when a new provider  14  matches the criteria. 
         [0028]    The financial service providers  14  will be able to query on registered customers based on their needs. Normally a match of providers will be listed and notified automatically and in some instances, the providers will be able to find their request by query and submit their offer to the client on line. 
         [0029]    The payment module component  46  will take care of collecting payment from the providers, advertisers, etc. It will also be able to provide escrowed service accounts. 
         [0030]    The Forum component  48  will create and run public forums to allow all registered user/clients  12  and providers  14  to post public messages to categorize topics and exchange ideas. 
         [0031]    The advertising management component  50  will provide different levels of advertising services based on locations in the page, size of area, and duration. 
         [0032]    The system administration module component  52  allows the system administrator  28  to view all aspects of the system and to manage all back issues such as account auditing, management advertising, database backup, etc. 
         [0033]    Financial service providers  14  can determine what components of the site they wish to contribute to in promoting their products and services to consumers. 
         [0034]    The categories component  56  organizes the financial service providers by categories. Each provider can fit into multiple categories based upon the services which they offer. 
         [0035]    The Affiliates component provides affiliate participation through reciprocal links  102 . 
         [0036]    The Alan Chokov Commentary component  60  provides a platform for opinions; ideas and editorials and interactive options presented by Alan Chokov. 
         [0037]    An Ask The Experts component in Forum  48  provides a platform for question and answer exchanges for participating financial service providers and registered users. 
         [0038]    A Banking &amp; Finance component  64  provides a platform for Sponsor&#39;s submissions on Banking and Finance related issues. 
         [0039]    A Banners component, including premier banner, category banners, industry banner and vendor banner  66  provides Sponsors the opportunity to purchase advertisement locations throughout our site to promote their expertise, services and products. 
         [0040]    A Bartering Exchange component  68  provides a platform for Registered Users and Sponsors to submit bartering opportunities. Communication between the bartering parties will be directly based on the contact information provided by them. 
         [0041]    A Blog component  70  provides Sponsor commentaries and/or news on their preferred subject in a “journal” style; displayed in a reverse chronological order. Readers will be able to submit comments in an interactive format. 
         [0042]    A Charitable Events component provides a calendar of charitable events, which is opened to all charities. 
         [0043]    A Client Needs component  74  provides Sponsors and Registered Users a platform for investment and business demands by requesting products, services, funding and other related interests that can be responded to by all Sponsors and Registered Users. 
         [0044]    The Client Needs component provides Registered Users the platform to place their financial requirement needs for sponsors to respond to. 
         [0045]    The Editorials component  78  provides the platform for Sponsors to express their opinions in this publication of articles. 
         [0046]    The following subcomponents are found within the account management component  32 : 
         [0047]    The eFP Accounts component is a requirement for anyone that wishes to submit in any format; will have to establish an eFinancePortal.com account. There are five account selections to choose from: 
         [0048]    1. The User Account component is for those who would like prefer to submit text under the Consumer Needs; Forum  48  and Bartering Exchange  68  components. It also provides the option to establish contact with their preferred financial representatives. 
         [0049]    2. The Individual Provider component is for the Financial Service Provider, which can be an individual or entity. This account gives full access to all components offered by the site. 
         [0050]    3. The Company Provider component is for Financial Service Companies, which include all companies providing services and support to financial industries. Attaching an FSP profile to an FSC account is also available. 
         [0051]    4. The Vendor Account component is for companies which provide products and services utilized by Financial Service Providers, Financial and/or Educational industries, associations and consumers. This account gives full access to all components offered by the site. 
         [0052]    5. The Non-Profit Organization Account component is for entities with non-profit tax status. 
         [0053]    6. The NJ Government Account component are elected or appointed officials who support Financial Literacy. 
         [0054]    The eFP Awards and Announcement component  92  is selected by the efinanceportal.com selection committee for placement on the Home Page. Sponsors and others can also submit their application to be entered under this service. 
         [0055]    The Business and Technologies Services component  94  provides access to a wide range of additional internet, marketing, development and institutional related services provided by eFinancePortal.com and its affiliates. 
         [0056]    The Employment Opportunities by Sponsors component  96  provides a platform for job offering submitted by Sponsors. 
         [0057]    The Featured By component  98  is reserved for those individuals and entities who endorse efinanceportal.com. 
         [0058]    The Environmental Events component  100  provides a calendar of environmental events, which is opened to all organizations involved in Environmental issues. 
         [0059]    The Eternal Links component  102  provides a way to redirect links to Sponsor&#39;s websites not located on efinanceportal.com, such as affiliates, newsletters, etc. 
         [0060]    The Financial Literacy Services component  104  provides a platform for links supporting Financial Literacy by Sponsors offering programs, assistance and supportive components. 
         [0061]    The Forum component  48  groups the “Industry Q&amp;A”, “Internal Revenue Service Q&amp;A”, “Client/Consumer Needs” and “Bartering Exchange” in the “My Account” management. All Users have the opportunity to submit questions (and answers) regarding financial services. Sponsors will have the added bonus of receiving an email (if option is chosen) to respond to the question as it relates to their category and profile. This lead generation provides the opportunity for the sponsors to respond to the question, providing additional market exposure. “Q&amp;A” can be submitted by industry or category. 
         [0062]    The Industry Awards component  106  provides for awards and announcements for those who have received recognition in their respective industries. 
         [0063]    The Industry Q&amp;A component provides typical questions and answers concerning each of the sites Industry selection. The Internal Revenue Service has its own link from the homepage where Users and Sponsors can find help concerning this industry. This component is also included under the “Ask The Experts” and the Forum  48 . 
         [0064]    The Investment and Business Opportunities component  110  provides Sponsors with a presentation of opportunities for investment and/or participation by product, service, funding and other related possibilities in various forms for the Users. 
         [0065]    The Investment Tools component of business opportunities component  116  provides Investment calculators analyzing investment options. 
         [0066]    An IRS Q&amp;A forum component provides typical questions and answers, regulations and comments provided through IRS publications. 
         [0067]    A Language Options component provides the User with the option of viewing any text that has been translated by the Sponsors in their language of choice. 
         [0000]    The Literacy Volunteers component provides a platform for those sponsors who can contribute their time and resources to educate the citizens of New Jersey. 
         [0068]    A Money Talk component  122  provides a personal platform for experts in the industry of choice. 
         [0069]    A News of the Day component  124  provides current articles related to any of the selected industries on the site. The new submission will rotate on the homepage and all articles will be accessible in the “More” option. 
         [0070]    A Newsletters component  126  describes in a brief paragraph the type of newsletter Sponsor&#39;s are offering with an optional picture and the external link to access the newsletter. 
         [0071]    A NJ Government Link provides a platform for all Users to view elected and appointed political figures who actively support financial literacy. 
         [0072]    The New Jersey Government News and Events platform is used to post New Jersey Government News and Events. 
         [0073]    The Profile component  132  is the Sponsor identification “card”. All Sponsor submissions are linked to this profile. 
         [0074]    The Search Types component  134  provides six unique search capabilities; locating Financial Service Providers by name; by language spoken; by an advanced search; by companies; by category (alphabetically) and through a general search. 
         [0075]    A Spotlight Awards component  150  features those individuals and companies that have received awards and announcements of merit in their respective fields. 
         [0076]    The Sub-Domains component  138  provides the opportunity of a direct URL to the Sponsor&#39;s profile page on the site. This identifies the Sponsor&#39;s affiliation to eFinanceportal.com and a category of choice if available. 
         [0077]    A Tutorial component  135  for Financial Service Providers, Financial Service Companies, Vendors, NJ Government and non-profit organizations are indexed to assist Sponsors on how they can take advantage of all of the features of the site. Pop-up versions are also available on the components throughout the site. 
         [0078]    A Tutorials for Users component  135  provides an Index of uses and procedures to benefit from all of the site&#39;s components. 
         [0079]    A Webinars/Seminars and Commercials component  144  provides participants with the opportunity to submit their seminars pre-taped online hosted by our website: External Seminar which is hosted by an outside website separated from the system and/or the External Physical Seminar which is allowing the providers to post information about a seminar happening in a “physical” location such as hotel, conferences, etc. 
         [0080]    In operation, a provider  14  would access the site through the internet and be directed through the access security filter  34  to account management component  32 . Provider  14  would then be provided with an identity and log in password so as to permit the provider  14  to download the particular data which the provider wishes to provide to the website. This data is transferred through the database access layer  170 , database security layer  172 , and stored in the database  174 . The provider may also wish to provide certain advertising on the web site which would be set up through the accountant management component  32  and then be managed by the payment management component  56 . Once the provider has been properly identified and has obtained his log in password, the provider  14  can update and modify his particular data at his discretion. The advance profile search matching engine component  40 , the query/reporting engine component  44 , and the search types component  134  of the business module controller  38  have access to the database in order to respond to client/user inquiries. 
         [0081]    The client user  12  may be a read only client/user  12  in that the read only client/user does not wish to make specific inquiries, participate in forums, or interact with the website. The read only user/client  12  enters the website through the multilingual translator  36 , choosing the language of choice. The read only user/client would proffer a question or query of a general nature, such as information on 401K plans. The advance profile search matching engine  40  in cooperation with the query reporting engine component  44  and search type component  134  would search the database and identify to the read only user/client  12  information relative to the general inquiry which the read only user/client  12  can then read or scan. 
         [0082]    The second type of user/client  12  is the interactive user/client who logs on to the website in the same manner, but proceeds to the account management component  32  and obtains an identity, log in password, and the like. The interactive user/client  12  is allowed to make specific inquiries via the forum component  48 . The interactive user/client  12  can pose questions of a specific nature which would be answered specifically by a provider having knowledge of the particular query. The interactive user/client  12  could ask a specific question of a specific provider or a specific question to which multiple providers may respond. 
         [0083]    Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.