Abstract:
A system implemented on one or more computer processors may comprise at least one subsystem configured for automatically purchasing a first certificate of deposit for an investor for a specified amount of money having a predetermined term, at least one subsystem configured for waiting a predetermined period of time no longer than the term of the first certificate of deposit, at least one subsystem configured for automatically purchasing another certificate of deposit for an investor for the specified amount of money and having the same predetermined term, at least one subsystem configured for repeating actions for which each subsystem above is configured until a second specified amount of money has been spent.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     For many average consumers, putting money in Certificates of Deposit (CD) is difficult and stressful. The consumer puts the money away and has no access to the entirety of that deposit until the CD matures. Thus, many people do not want to invest in CDs because they are afraid they will not be able to access their money when they need it. Many consumers would still like to have the security and interest rate of a CD, but would also like to have at least access to some of the money invested before the maturity date without giving up all the benefits of the CD. Currently, there exists no such processes or system for facilitating offering a single investment vehicle fulfilling these needs. 
     In this regard, there is a need for systems and methods that overcome the shortcomings described above and others. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In consideration of the above-identified shortcomings of the art, systems and methods for automatic certificate of deposit investing are described herein. For several embodiments, a system implemented on one or more computer processors may comprise at least one subsystem configured for automatically purchasing a first certificate of deposit for an investor for a specified amount of money having a predetermined term, at least one subsystem configured for waiting a predetermined period of time no longer than the term of the first certificate of deposit, at least one subsystem configured for automatically purchasing another certificate of deposit for an investor for the specified amount of money and having the same predetermined term, at least one subsystem configured for repeating actions for which each subsystem above is configured until a second specified amount of money has been spent. 
     Other features and embodiments are described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Systems and methods for automatic certificate of deposit investing are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram representing an exemplary computing environment suitable for use in conjunction with implementing systems and methods for automatic certificate of deposit investing; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary networked computing environment in which many computerized processes may be implemented to perform automatic certificate of deposit investing; 
         FIG. 3  is a timeline chart illustrating an example operation of a process for automatic certificate of deposit investing over time; 
         FIG. 4  is a is a flow chart illustrating an example process for automatic certificate of deposit investing; 
         FIG. 5  is a timeline chart illustrating an example operation of a process for automatic certificate of deposit investing over time when an investor chooses to liquidate portions of the investment; 
         FIG. 6  is a is a flow chart illustrating an example process for automatically converting from automatic certificate of deposit investing into traditional certificate of deposit investing; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of an example user interface facilitating automatic certificate of deposit investing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain specific details are set forth in the following description and figures to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. Certain well-known details often associated with computing and software technology are not set forth in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various embodiments. Further, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that they can practice other embodiments without one or more of the details described below. Finally, while various methods are described with reference to steps and sequences in the following disclosure, the description as such is for providing a clear implementation of various embodiments, and the steps and sequences of steps should not be taken as required to practice the embodiments. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 1 , shown is a block diagram representing an exemplary computing environment suitable for use in conjunction with implementing the processes described below. For example, the computer-executable instructions that carry out the processes and methods for automatic certificate of deposit investing may reside and/or be executed in such a computing environment as shown in  FIG. 1 . The computing environment  220  is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the embodiments. Neither should the computing environment  220  be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary computing environment  220 . For example a mobile device may also include one or more items such as those described below for use in conjunction with implementing the processes described below. 
     Aspects of the embodiments are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the embodiments include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
     Aspects of the embodiments may be implemented in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Aspects of the embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices. 
     An exemplary system for implementing aspects of the embodiments includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer  241 . Components of computer  241  may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit  259 , a system memory  222 , a graphics interface  231 , a graphics processing unit (GPU)  229 , video memory  230 , video interface  232  and a system bus  221  that couples various system components including the system memory  222  to the processing unit  259 . The system bus  221  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus. 
     Computer  241  typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer  241  and include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by computer  241 . By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     The system memory  222  includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as ROM  223  and RAM  260 . A basic input/output system (BIOS)  224 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer  241 , such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM  223 . RAM  260  typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit  259 . By way of example, and not limitation,  FIG. 1  illustrates operating system  225 , application programs  226 , other program modules  227 , and program data  228 . 
     The computer  241  may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,  FIG. 1  illustrates a hard disk drive  238  that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive  239  that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk  254 , and an optical disk drive  240  that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk  253  such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive  238  is typically connected to the system bus  221  through a non-removable memory interface such as interface  234 , and magnetic disk drive  239  and optical disk drive  240  are typically connected to the system bus  221  by a removable memory interface, such as interface  235 . 
     The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in  FIG. 1  provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer  241 . In  FIG. 1 , for example, hard disk drive  238  is illustrated as storing operating system  258 , application programs  257 , other program modules  256 , and program data  255 . Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system  225 , application programs  226 , other program modules  227 , and program data  228 . Operating system  258 , application programs  257 , other program modules  256 , and program data  255  are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands and information into the computer  241  through input devices such as a keyboard  251  and pointing device  252 , commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  259  through a user input interface  236  that is coupled to the system bus  221 , but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor  242  or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus  221  via an interface, such as a video interface  232 . In addition to the monitor  242 , computer  241  may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers  244  and printer  243 , which may be connected through an output peripheral interface  233 . 
     The computer  241  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  246 . The remote computer  246  may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer  241 , although only a memory storage device  247  has been illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The logical connections depicted in  FIG. 1  include a local area network (LAN)  245  and a wide area network (WAN)  249 , but may also include other networks. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet. 
     When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer  241  is connected to the LAN  245  through a network interface or adapter  237 . When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer  241  typically includes a modem  250  or other means for establishing communications over the WAN  249 , such as the Internet. The modem  250 , which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus  221  via the user input interface  236 , or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer  241 , or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device  247 . By way of example, and not limitation,  FIG. 1  illustrates remote application programs  248  as residing on the remote memory storage device  247 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. 
     It should be understood that the various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. As used herein a “system” or “subsystem” may comprise one or more of, or any combination of, the following: mechanical devices, hardware, components of hardware, circuits, circuitry, logic design, logical components, software, software modules, components of software or software modules, software procedures, software instructions, software routines, software objects, software functions, software classes, software programs, files containing software, etc., to perform the intended function of the system or subsystem. Thus, the methods and apparatus of the embodiments, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the embodiments. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device generally includes a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. One or more programs that may implement or utilize the processes described in connection with the embodiments, e.g., through the use of an application programming interface (API), reusable controls, or the like. Such programs are preferably implemented in a high level procedural or object-oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations. 
     Although exemplary embodiments may refer to utilizing aspects of the embodiments in the context of one or more stand-alone computer systems, the embodiments are not so limited, but rather may be implemented in connection with any computing environment, such as a network or distributed computing environment. Still further, aspects of the embodiments may be implemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage may similarly be effected across a plurality of devices. Such devices might include personal computers, network servers, handheld devices, supercomputers, or computers integrated into other systems such as automobiles and airplanes. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , shown is an exemplary networked computing environment in which many computerized processes may be implemented to perform the processes described below. For example, distributed or parallel computing may be part of such a networked environment with various clients on the network of  FIG. 2  using and/or implementing systems and methods for automatic certificate of deposit investing. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that networks can connect any computer or other client or server device, or in a distributed computing environment. In this regard, any computer system or environment having any number of processing, memory, or storage units, and any number of applications and processes occurring simultaneously is considered suitable for use in connection with the systems and methods provided. 
     Distributed computing provides sharing of computer resources and services by exchange between computing devices and systems. These resources and services include the exchange of information, cache storage and disk storage for files. Distributed computing takes advantage of network connectivity, allowing clients to leverage their collective power to benefit the entire enterprise. In this regard, a variety of devices may have applications, objects or resources that may implicate the processes described herein. 
       FIG. 2  provides a schematic diagram of an exemplary networked or distributed computing environment. The environment comprises computing devices  271 ,  272 ,  276 , and  277  as well as objects  273 ,  274 , and  275 , and database  278 . Each of these entities  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  may comprise or make use of programs, methods, data stores, programmable logic, etc. The entities  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  may span portions of the same or different devices such as PDAs, audio/video devices, MP3 players, personal computers, etc. Each entity  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  can communicate with another entity  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  by way of the communications network  270 . In this regard, any entity may be responsible for the maintenance and updating of a database  278  or other storage element. 
     This network  270  may itself comprise other computing entities that provide services to the system of  FIG. 2 , and may itself represent multiple interconnected networks. In accordance with aspects of the embodiments, each entity  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  may contain discrete functional program modules that might make use of an API, or other object, software, firmware and/or hardware, to request services of one or more of the other entities  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278 . 
     It can also be appreciated that an object, such as  275 , may be hosted on another computing device  276 . Thus, although the physical environment depicted may show the connected devices as computers, such illustration is merely exemplary and the physical environment may alternatively be depicted or described comprising various digital devices such as PDAs, televisions, MP3 players, etc., software objects such as interfaces, COM objects and the like. 
     There are a variety of systems, components, and network configurations that support distributed computing environments. For example, computing systems may be connected together by wired or wireless systems, by local networks or widely distributed networks. Currently, many networks are coupled to the Internet, which provides an infrastructure for widely distributed computing and encompasses many different networks. Any such infrastructures, whether coupled to the Internet or not, may be used in conjunction with the systems and methods provided. 
     A network infrastructure may enable a host of network topologies such as client/server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid architectures. The “client” is a member of a class or group that uses the services of another class or group to which it is not related. In computing, a client is a process, i.e., roughly a set of instructions or tasks, that requests a service provided by another program. The client process utilizes the requested service without having to “know” any working details about the other program or the service itself. In a client/server architecture, particularly a networked system, a client is usually a computer that accesses shared network resources provided by another computer, e.g., a server. In the example of  FIG. 2 , any entity  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  can be considered a client, a server, or both, depending on the circumstances. 
     A server is typically, though not necessarily, a remote computer system accessible over a remote or local network, such as the Internet. The client process may be active in a first computer system, and the server process may be active in a second computer system, communicating with one another over a communications medium, thus providing distributed functionality and allowing multiple clients to take advantage of the information-gathering capabilities of the server. Any software objects may be distributed across multiple computing devices or objects. 
     Client(s) and server(s) communicate with one another utilizing the functionality provided by protocol layer(s). For example, HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a common protocol that is used in conjunction with the World Wide Web (WWW), or “the Web.” Typically, a computer network address such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address or other reference such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL) can be used to identify the server or client computers to each other. The network address can be referred to as a URL address. Communication can be provided over a communications medium, e.g., client(s) and server(s) may be coupled to one another via TCP/IP connection(s) for high-capacity communication. 
     In light of the diverse computing environments that may be built according to the general framework provided in  FIG. 2  and the further diversification that can occur in computing in a network environment such as that of  FIG. 2 , the systems and methods provided herein cannot be construed as limited in any way to a particular computing architecture. Instead, the embodiments should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3  shown is a timeline chart illustrating an example operation of a process for automatic certificate of deposit investing over time. The process for automatic certificate of deposit investing over time described herein utilizes an automated certificate of deposit (CD) investing device that operates on a wheel concept. Thus, this device is referred to herein as a “CD wheel”. For example an investor would invest an amount of funds into this device, which would then distribute equally over time a portion of the total investment into longer term CD&#39;s (giving the investor the higher interest rate associated with a longer term CD). After the maturity date of the first CD purchased, every month (or whatever sub-period is set), a portion of the entire investment is available for liquidation as each underlying CD matures. For example, $6,000 invested in a 6 month CD wheel would result in automatically investing $1,000 every month, which would be available for liquidation every month after the first maturity date. 
     The timeline in  FIG. 3 , uses a 6-month CD wheel as an example. The underlying automatic investment process will purchase a 6-month CD in the amount of $X every month for 6 months. Each CD purchased every month is considered a “spoke” in the CD wheel and may be referred to as such hereinafter. Therefore, 6 months from the date of purchase of the first spoke, it will mature and the investor will have the option to liquidate (i.e., cash out) the spoke (receiving $X plus interest) or have it automatically extended (i.e., rolled over) into another CD of the same amount and term. Thus, as each spoke matures, this option will be available to the investor and the investor can, among other possible options, choose to liquidate the spoke or have it automatically extended and automatically reinvest the value of the spoke into another CD of the same term. The term, dollar amount, and sub-periods at which each spoke is purchased are variable and may be selected by the investor. Such variables may be automatically adjusted according to selections made by the investor when applying for or purchasing the CD wheel investment (e.g., through an online web interface). 
     If the investor chooses to liquidate a spoke, then the funds may be automatically transferred to an account of the investors choosing. Another option that may be available is that the investor may choose to reinvest only the principal balance of the spoke and withdraw the earned interest only. There also may be restrictions put on the initial investment (6*$X in the example provided in  FIG. 3 ). Such restrictions may include restricting the availability to withdraw the initial investment before the maturity date of the first spoke or imposing penalties for withdrawing the initial investment before the maturity date of the first spoke. Also, if the investor withdraws over a certain amount of the initial investment, the spokes of the CD wheel already purchased may be converted into traditional CDs and the CD wheel dissolved. Such restrictions or penalties, however, may result in a lower interest rate available to the investor for purchasing the CD wheel. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 4 , shown is a flow chart illustrating an example process for automatic certificate of deposit investing. For example, first, a maturity date is reached  401  for a $X spoke of a CD wheel. It is then determined  403  whether the investor selects to increase the investment by $Y. The investor may select such options and variable increased investment amounts, for example, to be effectuated automatically based on selections made online when managing their account. If the investor selected to increase the investment by $Y, then the dollar amount invested for that particular spoke is automatically increased  407  by $Y. When the spoke matures on the next cycle, $X+$Y plus interest will be made available  413  for withdrawal to the investor. If the investor has not selected to increase the investment, then it is determined  405  whether the investor has selected to liquidate the spoke. If the investor has selected to liquidate the spoke, then the balance of the particular spoke ($X plus interest) may be automatically transferred  409  to a chosen account of the investor and the particular spoke is removed from the CD wheel. If the has not selected to liquidate the spoke, then the spoke is extended  411  (i.e., rolled over) into another CD of the same term as the spoke. The process above then repeats for the next spoke existing in the wheel as it matures. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 5 , shown is a timeline chart illustrating an example operation of a process for automatic certificate of deposit investing over time when an investor chooses to liquidate portions of the investment (i.e., liquidate a spoke of the CD wheel). In the example provided, the investor has chosen to liquidate spokes  2  and  4  when they matured, thus, on the next cycle those spokes will not exist and thus no funds will be available for liquidation or withdrawal on what would have been the maturity dates of those spokes had the investor chosen not to liquidate them previously. In one embodiment, if the investor chooses to liquidate too many spokes (e.g., over a predetermined number of spokes or liquidates over a particular amount of the investment), then the CD wheel may be automatically converted back into traditional CDs and dissolved. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 6 , shown is a flow chart illustrating an example process for automatically converting from automatic certificate of deposit investing into traditional certificate of deposit investing (e.g., when the investor chooses to liquidate too much of the CD wheel). When a maturity date is reached  601  for a spoke of the CD wheel, it is automatically determined  603  whether the investor previously withdrawn funds from CD wheel. If the investor has not previously withdrawn funds from CD wheel, then the interest rate and investment cycles for the CD wheel are automatically continued  609 . If the investor has previously withdrawn funds from CD wheel, then it is automatically determined  605  whether the value of the CD wheel is below a predetermined percentage of initial value of the CD wheel. If the value of the CD wheel is below the predetermined percentage of initial value of the CD wheel, then the CD wheel is converted  607  into individual traditional CDs and/or the CD wheel interest rate is lowered (i.e., discontinued). If the value of the CD wheel is not below the predetermined percentage of initial value of the CD wheel, then the interest rate and investment cycles for the CD wheel are automatically continued  609 . The process above may then repeat for the next spoke existing in the wheel as it matures. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 7 , shown is a diagram of an example user interface facilitating automatic certificate of deposit investing. Shown on the interface is a view of an example CD wheel  701  as may be seen by the investor when they log into their account at a financial institution. In the example provided, shown are the spokes for a 6 month CD wheel with 6 spokes  703 . Also shown is the total current value  709  of the CD wheel  701 . This interface automatically updates with the values of each spoke and total CD wheel value as the values change and interest is calculated. Note also, that there are action menus  707  next to each spoke of the CD wheel for the investor to select various options that may be automatically implemented should the investor choose to do them using the interface menus  707 . These options may include, but are not limited to: setting up a particular spoke to liquidate automatically after its maturity date is reached, electing to automatically increase by a certain dollar amount the investment into a particular spoke after its maturity date is reached, choosing to stop the initial purchase of the spoke, choosing to have the interest earned on the spoke automatically withdrawn after the maturity date, etc. 
     It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purposes of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitations. Further, although embodiments have been described herein with reference to particular means and materials, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.