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Patent application title: Automated Budget Management, Multiple Payment, and Payment Authority Management
Bernard John Wright (Victoria, AU)
Stephen Bruce Coulter (New South Wales, AU)
IPC8 Class: AG06Q3000FI
USPC Class:
705 40
Class name: Finance (e.g., banking, investment or credit) including funds transfer or credit transaction bill distribution or payment
Publication date: 2009-04-09
Patent application number: 20090094156
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An automated budget management and bill payment system is provided where
there is at least one customer (1), at least one bank (5), and multiple
billers (3). The system has a customer registration process which
requires the customer (1) to commit to make regular customer payment to
the bank (5) for the cost of bills rendered to the customer (1) by the
billers (3). This enables budgeted funds for bill payment to be provided.
The customer (1) payment is based on a budget setting process (25)
involving all of the anticipated bills from all of the billers (3) over a
period of time. The customer (1) registration process also requires the
customer (1) to identify each one of the billers (3). A billers (3)
registration process is required where each of the billers (3) identifies
a respective bill "pay into" account. The system requires the billers (3)
to forward bill details to both the customer (1) and the bank (5) and
wherein funds are drawn/transferred directly from the budgeted funds of
the customer and there is payment of the drawn fund into the biller's
"pay into" account for payment of a bill.
1. An automated budget management and multiple bill payment system
comprising:1. at least one customer (hereinafter referred to as
"Customer"),2. at least one bank or like financial body (hereinafter
referred to as "Bank"),3. multiple Billers who will each bill said
Customer (hereinafter referred to as "Billers"),said system having a
Customer registration process,said Customer registration process
requiring the Customer to commit to make regular Customer payment to the
Bank for the cost of bills rendered to the Customer by the Billers so as
to provide budgeted funds for bill payment, the Customer payment being
based on a budget setting process involving all the anticipated bills,
from all Billers over a period of time before registration of the
customer can be completed, said Customer registration process also
requiring the Customer to identify each one of the Billers,a Billers'
registration process requiring each one of the Billers to identify a
respective bill "pay into" account,said system requiring the Billers to
forward bill details to both the Customer and the Bank and wherein funds
are drawn directly from the budgeted funds of the customer and there is a
payment of the drawn funds into the Biller's "pay into" account for
payment of a bill.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, where the Customer can invoke a process to suspend a payment to the Billers' bill "pay into" account.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automatic payment of the bill to the Biller bill "pay into" account is made after a preset period following forwarding of a bill by the Biller.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Customer may initiate authority to the Bank to pay the Biller of a particular bill, so that the automatic payment can then be made to the Billers' bill "pay into" account following receipt of that instruction for that particular bill.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein particular Billers may be set for automatic payment without the Customer requiring to initiate instruction to pay.
6. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Customers' regular payment to the bank set on Customer registration, is a regular payment of budgeted funds to a Customer's particular bank account nominated for use in the system, and wherein a payment to Billers is made by a withdrawal from that particular bank account.
7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein payment of Billers from the provided budgeted funds can only be made to Billers identified by the Customer.
8. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the Customer is unable to make a withdrawal from the particular bank account, unless the withdrawal is for use in the system for a payment of a Biller or other purposes as set up at registration.
9. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the Customers' particular bank account has an overdraft facility useable to cover peak bill amounts that may exceed the current balance of the budgeted funds in the Customers' particular bank account.
10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Bank can require the Customer to vary the regular Customer payment to the Bank consequent on a review of the budget setting process having regard to changed anticipated future bills from Billers.
11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Customer can initiate the adding, or deletion, or deactivation of Billers.
12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the addition of a Biller initiates a revised Customer registration process, including a review of the budget setting process to require the Customer to commit to a revised Customer payment consequent on anticipated bills from a to be added Biller, prior to that Biller being added,and wherein if the Biller is not already registered in the system, the system requires registration of that Biller with a respective bill "pay into" account.
13. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein Billers' registration in the system is effected from pre-existing Billers' details including respective bill "pay into" account details in other banks, and imported into the system so a Biller having those details with other banks can participate in the system without the need to have those particulars again prepared for use in the system.
14. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein if a Biller is already registered in the system when a Customer invokes the customer registration process and identifies that already registered Biller, then the Biller is not required to re-register.
15. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein if a Biller is not already registered in the system, and that Biller is identified by a Customer during a Customer registration process, then the system can invoke an automated search function to search other financial institutions for the Billers' details to identify a Billers' respective bill "pay into" account and if available, to import details into the system.
16. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is a computerised software controlled system, and where a customer can interface therewith through a remote input device to effect customer registration by inputting the magnitude of anticipated Biller bills expected over a period of time to enable the budget setting to be achieved, and to permit the customer to commit to make the regular customer payment to provide the budgeted funds.
17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the Biller registration is effected by software from either Biller data entered by a Biller interfacing therewith through an input device, or from existing Biller data held at remote site and downloaded from the remote site.
18. A system as claimed in claim 16, being a computerised system and wherein the input device is a communication terminal that connects with said system via a data exchange medium.
19. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the data exchange medium is the Internet or Bank data communication systems or networks, and wherein a website can be accessed by the Customer for Customer registration.
20. A system as claimed in claim 19, where a Customer can suspend an authority to make a bill payment.
21. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automatic payment of a bill is an electronic drawing of funds from the Customers' budgeted funds for bill payment to the Billers' "pay into" account.
22. A method of electronically registering a Customer in an automated software controlled budget management and multiple bill payment system by use of an application in the System comprising:entering electronic data of a customer to identify the customer;entering electronic data of multiple billers' for whom the customer requires bills to be paid,said electronic data of multiple billers' comprising a quantum of bills expected from each biller over a period of time,totaling the quantums, and determining a customer required payment needed from a customer per salary or from an alternative periodic payment to provide funds sufficient to cover all the bills of all billers over said period of time,requiring the customer to commit to make payments of the determined customer required payment and upon that commitment being obtained, ascertaining a customers' "pay from" account into which the determined customer required payments will be made,registering the multiple billers' in the system, and linking details to a profile of the customerstoring all linked details in a store, andthen registering the customer in the system so that when a biller sends bill data to the system in respect of a customer bill, the system will be able to automate payment from the Customers' "pay from" account.
23. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein biller registration in the system requires the biller to nominate a "pay into" account so there can be an electronic transfer of funds from the customers' bill "pay from" account to the billers' "pay into" account.
24. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein if a biller is not already registered in the system, invoking a search routine of records external of the system, to attempt to locate sufficient data about a biller needed for registration including, a biller "pay into" account, and on finding that sufficient data, importing that sufficient data into the system, and registering that biller into the system and storing that sufficient data in the store.
25. A method of electronic budget management and payment of bills from multiple billers comprising,entering electronic data of a customer to identify the customer,entering electronic data of multiple billers' for whom the customer requires bills to be paid,said electronic data of multiple billers' comprising a quantum of bills expected from each biller over a period of time,totaling the quantums, anddetermining a customer required payment needed from the customer per salary, or from an alternative periodic payment to provide funds sufficient to cover all bills of all multiple billers over said period of time,assigning a customer "pay from" account to the customer,obtaining a commitment from the customer to make the determined customer required payment into the customer "pay from" account,registering each of the multiple billers by assigning a respective "pay into" account for each biller,linking a profile of each of the billers to a profile of the customer,storing all linked details in a store,receiving electronic bill data of a bill provided by a biller to the customer,and allowing an automatic electronic transfer of funds from the customers "pay from" account to the billers "pay into" account to pay the amount of the bill by utilizing the linked details in the store.
26. A method of managing authorisations for payment of bills rendered by one or more billers to a customer comprising,entering electronic data of multiple billers for whom the customer requires bills to be paid,entering electronic data of a customer to identify the customer,said electronic data of one or more billers comprising a quantum of bills expected from the one or more biller over a period of time,totaling the quantums, anddetermining a customer required payment needed from the customer per salary, or from an alternative periodic payment to provide funds sufficient to cover all bills of the one or more billers over said period of time,assigning a customer "pay from" account to the customer,obtaining a commitment from the customer to make a determined customer required payment into the customer "pay from" account,registering a corresponding one or more billers as authorised by the customer by assigning a respective "pay into" account for the respective one or more billers,linking a profile of the respective one or more billers to a profile of the customer as a managed authorisation for bill payment by the customer,storing all linked details in a store,whereby on receiving electronic bill data of a bill provided by a biller to the customer by an entity permitting transfer from the customers "pay from" account, there can be an automatic electronic transfer of funds from the customers "pay from" account to the billers "pay into" account to pay the amount of the bill by utilising the linked details in the store.
[0001]This application is based on and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/794,286 filed 21 Apr. 2006 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0002]This invention relates to automated budget management, multiple payment, and payment authority management, and relates particularly but not exclusively to such operating via an electronic communication medium where there will be management of aggregated authorities for payment of bills.
[0003]Hitherto, there have been many proposals for automatic payment of bills. The bills can come from many billers, for example, leasing companies, housing loan institutions, public essential services organisations, such as, power organisations, gas organisations, sewage organisations, water organisations, and the like. Other bills are encountered such as payment of vehicle registration fees, vehicle insurance, and the like. The bills may be to individuals or to companies or organisations. Sometimes actual bills are not received, but a payment of a prior financial expense is required. Throughout this specification and the claims the terms "bill or bills" are to embrace such expense and the need for payment.
[0004]Direct debit processing is one known option to attempt to automate a bill payment process. Another solution is to allow direct debiting to a credit card facility. In each case however, the recipient of a bill, needs to set-up an arrangement for the automatic payment. This means, that the recipient of the bill must undertake a registration process for each of the biller's concerned. For example, if an electricity bill is to be paid by an automatic payment process, the biller may offer an automatic payment process to the customer. This requires the customer to then request participation in the direct debit process. The biller then sends a suitable form to the customer which must be completed and returned to the biller. The Biller must then manually process information from the form and then store the form in perpetuity to prove the validity of the authority to the Bank in case it is ever disputed. In the case where such direct debit/payment is authorised, and insufficient funds are available to make the payment, then the bank or other financial institution is required to report the non-payment to both the biller and the recipient of the bill. Notification by the Bank to the biller is by way of an electronic file. Notification to the customer is by way of a bank statement. This is done by way of traditional mail and is a burden for the billers and banks or other financial institutions. The Biller is also required to send a reminder statement by traditional mail to pursue payment and may require another payment channel to be used.
[0005]In the case where a recipient of the bill elects to make a payment of a bill using a service such as B-Pay (Registered Trade Mark), the recipient needs to become involved in every payment by accessing the B-Pay service and arranging for payment of each bill. Other forms of payment such as Internet banking, cheques, credit cards, National Posts, and payments direct to billers all require the recipient of the bill to be actively involved in the payment process for each and every bill. Except for fixed amount bills, none of these payment methods allow for the automation in respect of a variable amount and/or a variable timing of bills.
[0006]There is a need for an improved system and methods to minimise the need for individuals to intervene during bill payment processes (but still retain control).
[0007]According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an automated budget management and multiple bill payment system comprising: [0008]1. at least one customer (hereinafter referred to as "Customer"), [0009]2. at least one bank or like financial body (hereinafter referred to as "Bank"), [0010]3. multiple Billers who will each bill said Customer (hereinafter referred to as "Billers"), [0011]said system having a Customer registration process, [0012]said Customer registration process requiring the Customer to commit to make regular Customer payment to the Bank for the cost of bills rendered to the Customer by the Billers so as to provide budgeted funds for bill payment, the Customer payment being based on a budget setting process involving all the anticipated bills from all chosen Billers over a period of time before registration of the customer can be completed, said Customer registration process also requiring the Customer to identify each one of the Billers, [0013]said Billers' registration process requiring each one of the Billers to identify a respective "pay into" account, [0014]said system requiring the Billers to forward bill details to both the Customer and the Bank and wherein a Biller draws funds directly from the budget funds of the customer and there is a payment of the drawn funds into the Biller's "pay into" account for payment of a bill.
[0015]The drawn funds can then be directly credited to a Biller's bill receivables account.
[0016]According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of electronically registering a Customer in an automated software controlled budget management and multiple bill payment system by use of an application in the System comprising: [0017]entering electronic data of a customer to identify the customer; [0018]entering customer provided electronic data of multiple billers' for whom the customer requires bills to be paid, [0019]said electronic data of multiple billers' comprising a quantum of bills expected from each biller over a period of time, [0020]totaling the quantums, and determining a customer required payment needed from a customer per salary or from an alternative periodic payment to provide funds sufficient to cover all the bills of all billers over said period of time, [0021]requiring the customer to commit to make payments of the determined customer required payment and upon that commitment being obtained, ascertaining a customers' "pay from" account into which the determined customer required payments will be made, [0022]registering the multiple billers' in the system, and linking profile details of the billers to a profile of the customer [0023]storing all linked details in a store, and [0024]then registering the customer in the system so that when a biller sends bill data to the system in respect of a customer bill, the system will be able to automate payment from the Customers' "pay from" account.
[0025]According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of electronic budget management and payment of bills from multiple billers comprising, [0026]entering electronic data of a customer to identify the customer, [0027]entering customer provided electronic data of multiple billers' for whom the customer requires bills to be paid, [0028]said electronic data of multiple billers' comprising a quantum of bills expected from each biller over a period of time, [0029]totaling the quantums, and [0030]determining a customer required payment needed from the customer per salary, or from an alternative periodic payment to provide funds sufficient to cover all bills of all multiple billers over said period of time [0031]assigning a customer "pay from" account to the customer, [0032]obtaining a commitment from the customer to make the determined customer required payment into the customer "pay from" account, [0033]registering each of the multiple billers by assigning a respective "pay into" account for each biller, [0034]linking a profile of the customer to respective profiles of the billers, [0035]storing all linked details in a store, [0036]receiving electronic bill data of bills provided by the billers' to the customer, [0037]and making an automatic electronic transfer of funds from the customers "pay from" account to the billers "pay into" account to pay the amount of the bill by utilizing the linked details in the store.
[0038]In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained, reference will now be made to known prior methods, and then to examples of embodiments of the invention wherein:
[0039]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a prior system for bill payment;
[0040]FIG. 2 is an overview diagram showing process steps in the system shown in FIG. 1;
[0041]FIG. 3 is a diagram similar to that in FIG. 1 showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention;
[0042]FIG. 4 is a block architectural schematic view of a system in accordance with one preferred example of the present invention;
[0043]FIG. 5 is an overview diagram showing concepts utilised in the examples of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4;
[0044]FIG. 6 is a high level overview diagram showing basic steps within the system example of FIGS. 3 through 5;
[0045]FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show method steps for budget setting used in the example of FIGS. 3 through 6; and
[0046]FIG. 8 shows method steps performed by a biller in the example of FIGS. 3 through 7(a) and 7(b).
[0047]Referring firstly to FIG. 1 there is shown an overview of a prior art direct debit system involving multiple billers. Here, a single customer is shown but in practice, there will be many customers dealing with many different billers, Only one bank is shown but there may be multiple banks or like financial bodies. Customers will hereinafter be referred to as "customer" and banks and financial bodies as "banks". In addition, each of the billers will be referred to hereinafter as billers. FIG. 1 shows that a customer 1 may be required to deal with multiple billers 3. The multiple billers 3 may be any person or organisation that will bill a customer 1. These billers may comprise, as an example, government service utility organisations such as power supply companies, gas supply companies, water supply companies, sewage supply companies, councils etc. The billers 3 may comprise any other billers that may render accounts to the customers 1. Here, the billers 3 can invite the customer 1 to participate in a direct debit payment scheme. In this case, the customers 1 must complete a direct debit authority form for each of the billers 3, and nominate a particular bank 5 from which customer funds can be drawn upon to pay the particular bills. As can be appreciated, the customer 1 deals with each biller 3 and is required to complete separate direct debit authority forms for each biller 3. While the requirements of the direct debit system are common, each biller has a different process and its own form which can make it difficult for the Customer. Typically, the customer 1 has a bank account at bank 5 from which funds for bill payment can be taken. The customer 1 may have bank accounts at multiple banks 5 and when completing the direct debit authority process, the customer 1 may nominate the particular bank 5 and the particular bank account concerned.
[0048]The process of completing a direct debit authority can be relatively complex for a customer 1 and must be repeated for each biller.
[0049]FIG. 2, outlines 17 steps that are required in some direct debit authority processing. The 17 steps are not exhaustive as some particular direct debit processes may involve fewer or greater numbers of steps. The example shown in FIG. 2 is for illustrative purposes. At step 1, it can be seen that, the biller invites a customer 1 to participate in a direct debit service. At step 2, the biller 3 provides a biller's direct debit form to the customer 1. At step 3, the customer 1 completes the form, and at step 4 sends that form to the biller 3. At step 5, the biller processes the form, and at step 6 updates a direct debit file. At step 7, the biller 3 files a paper authorisation in the biller's record 3. At step 8, the biller 3 sends an invoice to the customer 1. At step 9 (not shown) a period such as a 2 weeks period or other duration period is allowed before the bill is paid. At step 10, the biller 3 sends a direct debit file of many customers' bills to the billers' bank 7. At step 11, the biller's bank 7 splits the direct debit file into batches for individual customers' banks. At step 12, the biller's bank 7 sends electronic debit files to each of the customer banks 5 in accordance with known inter bank protocols. At step 13, the customer's bank 5 responds with an electronic payment, and provides electronic advice to the biller's bank 7 of payment, rejection of payment, and possible reason for rejection. At step 14, the biller's bank 7 advises the biller 3 of payment outcomes. At step 15, the biller follows up any rejected payments with the customer 1. At step 16, the payment process commences again at step 10. At step 17, the customer's bank 5 forwards an account statement to the customer 1.
[0050]It should be appreciated that this process occurs with each biller.
[0051]FIG. 3, is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but showing an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here, a customer 1 deals with a customer's bank 5 in order to register in the automated system. Each of the billers 3 is required to be registered in the system by the registering of details with the biller's bank 5. Accordingly, in the example shown in FIG. 3, a customer deals directly with the bank rather than with the biller during a registration process. Thus, in the example, the customer registers multiple billers through a single process with the customer's bank 5 only once. This can be contrasted with the example in FIG. 1, where the customer 1 registers with each Biller and the Bank is not directly involved in the registration process. In the example of FIG. 3, a biller 3 is required to have a particular bill "pay into" account either at the customer's bank 5 or a biller's 3 dedicated bank account at another bank (not shown in FIG. 3). In the example, the customer 1 is required to commit to make regular committed customer payments to the bank 5 to cover the cost of bills which will be rendered to the customer 1 by all the billers' 3, so as to provide budgeted funds for bill payment. The committed customer payment is based on a budget setting process involving all of the anticipated bills from all chosen billers over a period of time (such as 12 months) before the customer is registered in the system. The process therefore establishes bill payment authorities, for the payment of bills from the chosen billers. The system then manages those authorities.
[0052]The system of FIG. 3 requires that the billers 3 forward electronic and/or paper bill details to both the customer 1 and the customer's bank 5. A suitable period such as 2-3 weeks will be allowed prior to the bank making a payment to the billers 3 bill payment account. It can therefore be seen that, with the example, when a customer 1 is registered in the system, the customer 1 must commit to make regular committed customer payments to the bank 5 for the bills to be rendered to the customer 1 by the billers 3. The quantum will generally be equal or greater than the budgeted funds or it may, in some circumstances be less than the budgeted funds, as will be explained hereinafter. In one scenario the customer may have his/her whole salary deposited into the bank account, and be able to draw from the account for day to day matters provided that at a given time there will always be a minimum amount in the account to pay the expected bills in the budget. The regular committed payment made by the customer is based on a budget setting process involving all of the anticipated bills from all the billers over a period of time (such as 12 months) before registration of the customer 1 can be completed. Thus, in the example shown, there should theoretically be sufficient funds at the bank 5. During the 2-3 week period, given as an example above, after which funds for payment of the biller's bill is automatically electronically drawn from the customer's bank 5, the customer 1 may have the facility to suspend an automatic payment via a process to suspend a particular authority, such as if there is a dispute. In this way, the customer 1 will contact the bank 5 and modify their authority so as to stop any further payments to a disputed biller. If a dispute is raised, then the biller is not paid by the system until the payment authority is reinstated. Various scenarios may be implemented as to the way in which a dispute may be raised. This will be explained more fully in due course. Further, if the customer 1 has not made sufficient funds available to the bank 5, because of timing issues relative to the regular customer payments to the bank 5 to meet budget over the particular period (such as 12 months), then the bank 5 may have an overdraft facility which can be used, and appropriately charged to the customer 1. Depending on the bank, the bank account may have a line of credit available, and in one case this could be based on the bank holding an asset of the customer, such as a mortgage loan on an asset such as a house. In such case there could be equity in the asset, and the effect might be that bills are paid against funds contingent on an equity level agreed by the bank. In this way if funds are not deposited regularly by the customer, or there is a shortfall, the bills can nevertheless be paid by the bank by using the customer's equity in the asset, Appropriate interest may be levied against any such equity component involved in bill payment. In another example, the bank may set up a credit card account from which to pay bills rendered by the billers, and interest charged to the customer if appropriate.
[0053]It should be appreciated that with the above system, there is substantially greater certainty provided to billers of payment of bills than with the prior system disclosed in FIG. 1 where the customer 1 does not commit to have made sufficient funds in the bank 5 to enable the bills to be paid. Thus, in the example of FIG. 1, there is no budget setting process involved when a direct debit system is commenced. The responsibility for making funds available lies directly with the customer 1 itself. In the system shown in FIG. 3, the customer 1 registration process requires committed regular customer payments to the bank 5 to cover the cost of bills to be rendered to the customer 1 by the billers 3, based on a budget setting process involving all of the anticipated bills from all chosen billers over a period of time. Thus, with the example shown in FIG. 3, billers 3 will have greater confidence in participating than with the prior art direct debit system shown in the example of FIG. 1. In the case where the bank can take funds from equity in the customer's asset, the biller has greater confidence than with the prior art systems, as the biller will know that the bank will pay the bills. In such scenario, the biller will not know that the bill payments involve customer's equity.
[0054]Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an overview system architecture diagram using a communication medium to permit electronic communication between customers 1, billers 3, customer banks 5 and biller banks 7. The communication medium can be the Internet or other forms of communication such as dedicated data lines, telephone lines, and other communication mediums known for transmitting data between entities. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a system 9 is shown that hosts basic functions of operation. The system 9 may have a website address in the Internet which can be accessed by customers 1, or alternatively, the customers 1 may enter a bank website and be directed through to the system 9 in a transparent way to the customer. In this way, the customers 1 can access their customer banks 5 through the normal portal and be internally directed through to the system 9. Alternatively, the system 9 may be resident wholly at each of the customer's banks 5. FIG. 4 shows that the customers 1 can be infinite from one customer through to N customers. Similarly, the billers 3 may be multiple billers through to biller N. Each of the customers 1, and billers 3, has a communications device such as a PC or central computer system or mobile phone that can connect with the system 9 through communication service providers 11. Communication between customer banks 5 and biller banks 7, for transferring sensitive banking data can be via known dedicated secure communication links, and can be independent of the Internet or other communication medium and can use known bank specific protocols.
[0055]FIG. 4 shows that the system 9 has a subset of systems for customer registration 13, biller registration 15, archive/audit log 17, and a data warehouse 19. FIG. 4, also shows that the customers banks 5 have access to individual customer accounts 21. FIG. 4 also shows that the biller banks 7 have access to individual biller accounts 23.
[0056]Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a functional overview diagram of processes involved in budget setting. This process is performed in an automated way through dedicated software. This software may be integral with the system 9 or independent and may be via a third party service provider. In the case where the software is provided by a third party service provider, a suitable communication link can be made to the third party service provider from the system 9 so that a customer 1 does not see the system in a fragmented way, but as a total system package. The budget setting process requires that all the anticipated bills from billers be itemised and the quantum of the bills estimated. FIG. 5 shows a number of potential bills from respective billers being home loan, insurances, electricity etc, through to savings and investments. It shows a total bill payment of $3,500 per month. Typically, the budget setting process is over a period of time such as 12 months. This is shown as step 25. Typically, the budget setting process is performed electronically over the Internet but may be by other communication means such as by phone, by data entry at a bank branch, or by data entry at an accountant's office or any other similar data entry arrangement. This budget setting process differs from traditional bank budget forms by actually capturing the specific provider of each service and the customers account number with each provider. FIG. 5 shows that the customer's salary and other income is normally deposited to a particular everyday account 27. The budget setting process 25 requires that $3,500 per month be deposited to a special bill payment account 29. In some situations multiple bank accounts may be involved. Such an arrangement for multiple accounts can be at the discretion of the particular customer's bank. FIG. 5 shows that the payment to the special bill payment account 29 may be at periods other than monthly such as fortnightly. FIG. 5 also shows that the everyday account 27 can be accessed by phone banking 31, ATM banking 33, point of sale banking 35, bank branch accessing 37, and Internet banking 39. The bank 5 makes bill payments to the biller's bank accounts from the special bill payment account 29 after a period of time following the forwarding of bill details to both the customer and the bank. The bill payment account 29 can be reviewed periodically and if there are excess funds in the account, then excess funds can be transferred to a high interest surplus saver. This is an optional feature that may be included if desired. In one case the account could be an interest offset account used to minimise interest payments that might apply to, for example, a loan for an asset of the customer such as a home loan. This offset account could in one example be the everyday account 27 or the bill payment account 29.
[0057]It should be appreciated that the term "payment" embraces money as the payment currency and that it also embraces other currency such as "credits" or "trading equity", and is not to be limited only to money as the currency.
[0058]FIG. 6 is an overview functional diagram of the system. The front end application 41 includes a biller administration module 41A and a customer services provider 43, hereinafter referred to as CSP, that contains software which enables customer registration, authenticication, delegation, and biller registration, planning and management. This will be described further in due course. Also within the system 9 is a software component to manage a system server, a data warehouse 19, and an archive audit log 17 (see FIG. 4). This operates within a secure hosted environment via dedicated communication lines and links such as those used between banks and other financial institutions. The application software also includes a biller services provider component 47, hereinafter referred to as BSP, that includes modules for direct debit registration, direct debit payment authorities, direct debit acknowledgments, direct debit management and direct debit payments. It can be seen that each of the modules 43, 45, and 47 is able to communicate with banks 5. It can also be seen that module 45 enables data to be extracted from the system 9 for use in marketing within a marketing module 49. It can also be seen that each of the modules 45 and 47 communicate with the billers 3.
[0059]The front end application is a web based application that is available for use by customers on a self service basis via the Internet, or alternatively over the phone via call centres using the application, in person at bank branches where staff use the application on behalf of a customer, or in person with various third parties such as accountants, financial planners and the like. The front end application captures all required customer information and stores all necessary information in the data warehouse 19 (see FIG. 5). It also provides required information to customers 1, billers 3, and banks 5. The module 41 can be bank branded to particular banks needs and therefore customised so customers 1 can recognise the system as being part of the particular banks service.
[0060]The front end application has ten functions as follows:
1. Customer Registration
[0061]The module 41 captures customer 1 information needed to establish various payment authorities with banks 5 and billers 3. The particular information is captured once but used many times for different billers 3. The information captured includes the following: [0062]a) Name (individual or company); [0063]b) Address; [0064]c) Mailing address if different; [0065]d) Phone numbers; [0066]e) E-mail address; [0067]f) Demographic Information (e.g. sex, age, marital status, household structure etc); [0068]g) Bank account(s) details; [0069]h) Other information that may be required for example, company business name registration number, tax file numbers and the like.
[0070]The module 41 enables the above information to be captured and passed to the system server and data warehouse in module 45 where it is securely stored. Information can be extracted from the module 45 to be provided to the biller service provider in the BSP module 47, to the banks 5, to the billers 3, and to the marketing campaign module 49.
2. Customer Authenticication
[0071]Here, the module 41 interfaces with bank authenticication systems to allow a customer's identity to be authenticated to bank standards. The authenticication process may vary depending on the way in which the data is input. If the input is via the Internet, then the authenticication may require "user names" and "passwords", or other authenticication methods used by banks. If the input is via a bank branch, physical identification may be required along with checking of documentation such as drivers license, passport, and the like. If the input is over the phone, then the authenticication can be via "user names" and "passwords", or unique pre-registered questions or other information held confidential by the customer.
[0072]It should be noted that with existing direct debit enrolment systems, there is no customer authenticication required. Customers simply fill in a form, and their details are not verified against any authenticication criteria. With the new system proposed in this example, access is authenticated and therefore the system inherently knows that any usage will be valid and indisputable.
3. Customer Detail Changes
[0073]After initial registration in the system, a customer 1 can update any details that have changed through any of the available input types such as via the Internet, over the phone etc. Any customer changes are then provided to all required parties such as banks 5, billers 3 and the like. The system enables the following items to be changed. [0074]a) Customer registration details, such as customer address particulars; [0075]b) Additions of billers, modifications of billers or deletion of billers; [0076]c) Changed bank account numbers; [0077]d) Changes in budgeted amounts.
[0078]The system 9 automatically updates records that are maintained by billers 3, such as address of the customer 1.
[0079]It should be noted that with current direct debit systems, it is necessary for any changes to be advised to each biller individually by the customer. The process is almost entirely manual and has potential for errors. With the new system, in this example, the data is entered once and communicated by the system 9 to all required parties such as banks 5 and billers 3.
4. Customer Delegated Authorities
[0080]The system has a number of levels of authority for access of the information contained within the service. High level roles are in relation to customer data, biller data, and bank data. The system permits a customer to delegate authorities to third parties and to assign varying levels of authorities such as "view only", or "change or add authorities". A customer may delegate such authority to a trusted advisor such as an accountant, financial planner, lawyer or trustee.
[0081]In the current direct debit process, delegated authorities do not exist. If a customer wishes to permit a third party to view or access accounts, then a formal legal agreement is required such as a "Power of Attorney" or like document.
5. Customer Budget Planning
[0082]The budget planning tool is a web based application available through multiple, input means that captures, calculates, stores and allows access to and modifications to be made to a customer's requirements. The planning tool is set up to allow the customer to have control over how much money is expected to be required to meet bill commitments, and to allocate expenditure accordingly. The budget planning tool captures customers expected expenditure amounts for each biller in categories. This is shown in FIG. 5 where there is shown a list under the budget setting process showing particular billers. These are of course exemplary and other biller types may be included. The tool is then set to determine the total expenditure over a given period such as an annual period, and to include a safety buffer. The total amount is then converted to a repayment equivalent (weekly, fortnightly, monthly, etc). This information is then passed to and stored in the system server in module 45 and in the data warehouse from where it can be accessed to establish the necessary payment authorisations for particular billers, as to be described in relation to steps 7 and 8 hereinafter. Because the customer can dynamically update data in the planning tool, the budget setting process is dynamic and keeps track instantly of customer's needs and payment commitments. Known budget tools are static, at a point in time that are not part of an actively managed budgeting and budget implementation process. As such they quickly date and become less relevant and useful. The present system minimises this problem.
6. Biller Provided Details
[0083]The system captures individual biller details that include biller provided name, biller provider ID/Code, customers unique account number (if available) with each biller. Security validation processes using various check digit algorithms can be used to ensure that the details are correctly validated for each biller at the time of entry. In this way, by using check digit algorithms, accuracy can be ensured. The entered information is passed to and stored in the system server and data warehouse within module 45 where it can be subsequently accessed for use. Current direct debit systems do not capture and validate the biller details in a way that the details can be stored and used to establish, modify and cancel customer authorities electronically. The present system enables these features to be achieved. The present system also permits authorities to billers to be provided in an electronic form compatible with their systems and accessible on-line.
7. Establishes and Permits Modification of Bill Payment Authorities
[0084]The system takes captured customer and biller information and formats that information for storing in the system server and data warehouse for subsequent use. It also electronically forwards particulars to required billers concerning establishing, modifying or cancelling one or more bill payment authorities at a single point on-line. Since any authority has originated under customer control via appropriate passwords and the like, it can be regarded as trusted advice that does not require any subsequent verification. The system receives batch notification for each biller authorised by a customer, and dispatches that advice to respective billers. The biller can then confirm acceptance to complete the process.
[0085]The example disclosed above contrasts significantly from current direct debit systems that require customers to seek application forms from billers for any establishment, modification or cancellation of authority. In some cases, a letter to a client's bank is sufficient authority to cancel a payment but again this requires paper documentation trail. The example above is totally electronic.
8. Establishes and Permits Modifications of Bank Transfer Authorities.
[0086]The biller administration module 41 takes the expected expenditure bill information input by a customer and calculates the average expenditure per salary cycle or other alternative periodic payment cycle. It then formats and forwards an authority to the system for electronically forwarding onto the customers bank to permit establishing, modifying or cancelling a transfer to the customers dedicated account, from the customers everyday bank account from which payment is extracted, or directly from the customer's salary. Some customers may chose to utilise their existing bank account for the service, such as when it is a mortgage secured line of credit for example.
9. Biller Administration
[0087]Here, the biller administration module 41 permits a biller to access the system via a secure authenticated interface. Here, the biller logs into the system. The system may provide for individual users at the billers' premises to have a unique identification for audit processes. In addition, the unique identification of particular users at the biller can provide varying authority levels.
[0088]The biller administration module 41 provides a number of functions: [0089]a) Biller preferences with regard to file formats, and delivery methods; [0090]b) Authority batches are alerted to the biller; [0091]c) Biller can acknowledge receipt and processing of authorities; [0092]d) Billers can look-up all authorities stored within the system for a biller; [0093]e) Billers can download customer information, to which they are permitted access for integration into customer records and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) records; [0094]f) Billers can run various MIS (Management Information System) reports into customer profiles and behaviour; [0095]g) Billers can run marketing campaigns through the marketing module 49 if so permitted by the customer with respect to each markets privacy regulations or other legislation.
10. Bank Branded and Customised
[0096]The biller administration module 41 delivers functionality to all licensed users of the system such as banks, and financial advisers. In this example, banks are able to customise the core system site to the banks logos and designs, product names, forms and the like. In addition, the system may permit use of a particular Trade Mark for this system, which may be appropriate.
[0097]Referring now to the module 45, it can be seen that this provides a secure hosted environment for the system server, the data warehouse, and an archive/audit log, all in the front end processing. This is a central repository for all data that is collected, required and generated by the system whether from customer 1, billers 3 or banks 5. It is hosted in a secure environment meeting the highest possible industry security standards. The details of this have not been included but are well known in banking and other like industries including government and military organisations. In addition, the module 45 has access protocols designed to take into account national privacy principles and customer consents. Again, this has not been disclosed in detail as the concepts are well known in banking and other industries. The environment of operation of the module 45 provides back-up and redundancy for running all application programs, and data protection. Digital certificates and public key encryption technologies are used to identify and authenticate trusted users.
[0098]The module 45 has five basic functions as follows: [0099]1. Secure Host Environment [0100]The system application delivers information directly to banks 5 and billers 3. The environment is designed to meet the highest security and performance standards of those organisations, and follows known protocols. The application hosting is outsourced to a third party provider to provide a secure hosted environment with redundancy and back-up standards required by banks, billers and the industry generally. Such systems are well known and in use by banks for some functions such as e.g. CRM, payment gateways, and IT outsourcing contracts. [0101]2. Data Warehouse [0102]The data warehouse is a central repository for all information captured and generated by the system. It is centrally stored on behalf of all banks 5 and billers 3. The data can be accessed according to authorised permits and privileges. [0103]Information stored and managed in the data warehouse includes: [0104]a) all customer 1 details, captured once and stored in a single place so as to be readily updateable and accessible; [0105]b) customer payment authorities for billers; [0106]c) records of all participating billers 3 and their details and bill payment account; [0107]d) data base of all customer budgets during the budget setting process, and the details thereof including the particular dedicated customer account into which budgeted payments are made and from which the system can take payments to pay bills rendered by billers 3. The customers' details are linked relative to the billers' details as payment authorities and stored in the data warehouse. Known data warehouse technologies are utilised in the data warehouse for data control. [0108]3. MIS Database [0109]The system will generate large amounts of information over time concerning customers 1, billers 3 and banks 5. This information can be interrogated by dedicated application software to provide information such as [0110]a) individual customer expenditures, histories and trends over time; [0111]b) household expenditure patterns by demographic segments; [0112]c) customer expenditure patterns by billers or categories of bills; and [0113]d) other information that can be used in marketing. [0114]4. Source Data for System Invoicing [0115]The database warehouse maintains information relevant for invoicing banks 5, biller's banks 7, billers 3 and customers 1. This information can include the following: [0116]a) number of plans active for each bank (i.e. the number of customers 1 with each bank); [0117]b) number of direct debit authorisations created, modified or cancelled for each biller 3; [0118]c) number of payments processed by the system on behalf of billers 3; [0119]d) number of customer 1 detail changes advised by billers 3; [0120]e) number of customers 1 using the system to detail changed service; [0121]f) MIS reporting provided to customers 1; [0122]g) marketing and event detection services for banks 5 and billers 3; [0123]h) number of alerts generated for customers 1. (The alerts may comprise information that the funds available to pay a particular bill are inadequate and that the customer has invoked an overdraft facility with a particular percentage rate interest component.) [0124]5. Annual Reviews [0125]The system maintains and allows for a process of review of the customer's budgets over time, and on an anniversary of the period (or at other periods as determined) and will do the following: [0126]a) apply CPI/inflation/cost of living indexing to a customers budgeted amounts; [0127]b) generate an updated budget and calculate a new amount to be transferred on each cycle of payment into the specialised account from which bills are paid; [0128]c) provide a file to each bank 5 to allow the bank 5 to send annual review letters to each of its customers 1; [0129]d) based on each banks customer management protocols, updated customer budgets will be alerted to customers relationship managers [0130]e) where delegated authorities exists for third parties access, such as accountants and financial planners, updated budgets can be notified to these delegated authorities for use in their service to the customers; [0131]f) identify key gaps in a customers authorised billers 3 so a bank 5 or a biller 3 can target customers 1 or billers 3 to participate in the system
[0132]The biller's service provider module 47 includes a number of application programs responsible for providing electronic data to billers 3 and banks 5, to facilitate the establishment of an authority, a modification and/or a cancellation of payment authorities. These application programs receive information from the system front end application in module 43 or from the module 45. The data information can be transformed by the application programs in the biller service provider module 47 so that the data is formatted to meet industry, bank, and billers standards. The application program also has a capacity to manage and submit payments to the banking system should billers require this service. The biller's service provider module 47 has four functions as follows: [0133]1. Direct Debit Registration (DDR) [0134]The biller service within the system: [0135]a) receives information from the front end within the customer service provider module 43 for each biller 3 requested by each customer 1. This information may be file particulars relating to the biller and its bill payment account particulars. [0136]b) processes information to a format compatible with a direct debit (or other payment system); [0137]c) Sorts customers requests by biller 3; [0138]d) generates batch files to be sent to the biller 3 on an agreed schedule, or on a real time basis; [0139]e) sends a file to the biller 3 or allows the biller to request a file, in the format and media requested and agreed with the biller (as stored in step 9 In the customer service provider module 43 of the biller administration module 41); [0140]f) updates the biller administration module 41 with batch file details; [0141]g) sends an alert to the biller 3. This, for example, may include information that the customer has withdrawn its services from the bank 5, or that the customer 1 has disputed a bill. [0142]2. DDR Acknowledgement [0143]The system services batch billing of billers according to authorisations. The system therefore can send an alert to a biller 3 during each batch. The acknowledgment process includes the following: [0144]a) biller 3 logs into the biller administration module 41; [0145]b) biller 3 reviews batch file which shows customer details; [0146]c) biller 3 indicates acceptance and processing of each request to be part of the system; [0147]d) the system reconciles acceptances with batches; [0148]e) the system follows up exceptions with billers 3 to ensure all customer 1 requests are enacted. [0149]This process differs from current paper based direct debit systems which do not have a closed loop to ensure requests by customers are accepted and actioned. [0150]3. DDR Management [0151]Here the system: [0152]a) maintains a database of all payment authorities received from customers 1; [0153]b) is accessible by billers 3 to check the provided authorities and to validate authorities when required; [0154]c) is accessible to confirm authorities provided and if account/payments are disputed by customers. [0155]Current direct debit management processes require each biller 3 to keep paper copies of payment authorities in case there is a challenge. The system in this example does not require paper authorities and maintains an electronic record of all authorities provided that can be accessed at any time by a biller 3. [0156]4, DDR Payments [0157]Here, the system has an option of processing and managing payment for billers 3 if requested. If requested, the following occurs: [0158]a) biller 3 requests a file of customers 1 with account and payment due details; [0159]b) a file is then created with the customer 1 payment authorities file, and a direct debit file is then created to bank standards. [0160]c) the system submits the file to a bank 5; [0161]d) the bank 5 processes the file; [0162]e) the bank advises the system of payments completed and any exceptions; [0163]f) the systems provide a file back to the biller 3 to update payment records. [0164]The current direct debit systems require each biller to lodge their own files direct with their bank. The above example permits billers to manage payments and processing.
[0165]Referring now to FIGS. 7a and 7b, various method steps involved in a budget setting and customer registration and biller registration process are shown. Here, at step 71 a customer 1 is directed to a budget setting application within the customer service provider module 43. At step 73, the customer provides a list of multiple billers and the quantum of bills from those billers over a required period such as 12 months. The particular billers can be ascertained by the customer from past bills rendered by the billers 3 to the customer 1. The customer 1 can determine the quantum of such bills over a required period (such as 12 months) from past bills received from the particular billers 3. At step 75, all the quantums of the bills are totaled. At step 77, the system determines a required customer payment cycle per salary payment period or like period. For example, if the customer 1 is paid fortnightly, then at step 77 the system will determine the fortnightly payment required to achieve the total of all quantums over the required period. If the customer 1 is paid monthly, then step 77 will determine the monthly customer payment required to achieve the total of all quantums over the required period. At step 79, customer 1 is required to commit to the required customer payment determined at step 77. If the answer is NO, then the customer is redirected to step 73 so the list of multiple billers can be adjusted such as by deleting one or more billers. If the answer is YES at step 79, then the system requires the customer 1 to establish or nominate a customer's "pay from" account from which all bills will be paid. This process occurs at step 81 and provision exists for the account to be automatically established from within the system if the Bank's system permits. At step 83, the system determines if the billers identified by the customer 1 at step 73 are already registered in the system. If the answer is YES, the system proceeds to step 85 and links the details of the customer 1 with the billers 3 and the quantum of such bills. In addition, the linking involves noting the particular "pay from" account established at step 81. If the billers are not registered in the system, the system then proceeds to step 87 where details of billers are obtained for registration in the system. This process may involve an interrogation of industry databases or other banks or financial institutions for the required details of billers. If biller's details are present at some remote location then the details are obtained and the biller is registered at step 89. The billers details are then stored in the database in module 45 at step 91. Simultaneously, the biller information is then linked to the customers profile at step 85. The linked details are then stored in the database in module 45 at step 93. At step 95, the customer is then finally registered in the system.
[0166]Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown the process steps involved in a biller 3 forwarding a bill to a customer 1, and to the system to enable payment of the bill. Here, at step 101, a bill is dispatched on behalf of the biller 3. This bill may be dispatched directly from the biller 3 itself or by a third party transaction service organisation acting on behalf of the biller 3. The bill is then sent to the customer at step 103. This may be done electronically or via conventional paper mail or both. Before or at the due date the Biller sends a file to their Bank of customer bill payments required and the due date. On the due date this file is processed and payments made in line with the payment authorities held. The period between bill issuance and payment due date enables the customer 1 to dispute a bill and to suspend payment in the system if required. At step 109, the customer's bill payment account is debited for the amount of the bill and at step ill, the debited quantum is paid into the billers bill "pay into" account such as accounts receivable account. An archive audit log occurs at step 113 concerning all transaction details.
[0167]The above description has outlined one example of a preferred embodiment. It should be appreciated that many variations may be made to the example described above and yet still be within the inventive concept. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the system may be set-up so that a customer must authorise payment of bills for each bill received by the customer. In addition, there may be a facility provided to allow the customer to select certain billers that can be automatically paid, where as other billers need to receive an approval from the customer prior to the billing being made.
[0168]Throughout the description of the example of the preferred embodiment, the system 9 has been shown independent of a bank 5. It should be appreciated however, that for the purposes of this specification, including the claims, the term "bank" is to embrace the system 9.
[0169]In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
[0170]It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.
Patent applications by CONTROLABILL PTY LTD
Patent applications in class Bill distribution or payment
Patent applications in all subclasses Bill distribution or payment
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text:
La Cucaracha by Lalo Alcaraz
- February 11, 2013
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Comments (10) (Please sign in to comment)
What the NRA guy is like the amputated Dark Knight from "Monty Python & the Holy Grail" said ('tis but a scratch, nearly a flesh wound).
Homer Simpson put speed holes in his car.
Aaaand another FAIL. Not one of the shooters was an NRA member, nor does the organization countenance murder. You may have noticed, though, that the California ex-cop is a big Lib who idolizes far-Left celebrities and politicians.
Putting aside politics and the NRA for a moment.
How in heck could the LA cops mistake a 71 year old woman and her 40 something daughter, both of whom were in a bright blue pickup with a cap, for the suspect in a grey pickup and no cap?
If you're going to do a mass shooting, make sure you get the priest.
don't confuse people with the truth…
Sorry you forgot the ones who were saved because they had guns.
Yep. The NRA thinks it's more important to restore felons' gun rights than their right to vote.
Problem was they had the headlights off so as not to disturb the neighbors as they delivered papers early in the morning.
lighten up. it a cartoon. it's supposed to be funny.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
This doll was ordered for a little girl who is turning 3 this weekend!
wow what a fantastic job on her dress! Really beautiful! :)
Beautiful gown! I'm sure she will love it!
CakeCentral.com is the world's largest cake community for cake decorating professionals and enthusiasts.
(if this is a private computer)
Yes please, register now!


text: What a joke that guy is, he must be so sad. I'm not sure I believe it anyway, the other 2 PS3s could be his friend's (if he has that many friends). Also, his graph indicates that I have 0.0000000000000000000000000001 PS3s, this is wrong, there is not a particle of PS3 in my house.


text:
HEMPSTEAD, L.I. — Several Staten Island football seniors participated in the Empire Challenge at Hofstra University Tuesday, playing for the New York City team which dropped a 40-8 decision to Long Island.
Tottenville's Augustus Edwards rushed 10 times for 44 yards and Pirate teammate Malique Belfort caught five passes for 61 yards. Port Richmond's Tarrel Aiken had three catches for 16 yards. Curtis running back Kevin Austin rushed nine times for minus-4 yards and Poly Prep's Cameron Stapleton punted four times for a 29.0 average.
On defense, Curtis' Shawn Brown tied for the lead with three tackles. Stapleton had two. Nick King (St. Joseph by-the-Sea) had one solo tackle and two assists.


text:
ATLANTIC COUNTY — A 50-year-old Atlantic County man faces up to five years in prison if he is found guilty in the beating death of a dog, authorities said.
Steven D. Geisel was indicted on one count of third-degree animal cruelty on June 11, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday.
Geisel is accused of beating the female pit bull canine about its neck with a blunt object in a wooded area on Jan. 29, Acting Prosecutor Jim McClain said.
The Egg Harbor Township man was arrested on Feb. 12 after an investigation by Egg Harbor police and the Atlantic County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He has been held at the county jail on $10,000 bail since, officials said.
A hunter told police he saw Geisel beating 2-year-old Bella in a wooded area behind the Norms-Dale Trailer Park.
The suspect's daughter attempted to find a home for the dog two days before it was killed by putting up a post on Facebook.
Two other dogs living with the Geisels were removed, NBC 40 reported in February.


text:
Back in December former CNN host Larry King said he wants to be frozen after he dies. This way when scientists figure out how to revive the dead, King can come back to life. (As you know, he would get priority.)
It turns out King, 78 and counting, still obsesses over dying.
"Yeah, I'm afraid of death," King said in a new interview with the Los Angeles Times. "My father died at 47. I had a heart attack 25 years ago, I've had heart surgery. I think about dying almost every day."
Other sunny things King thinks about: homeless people without feet, uneaten cafeteria pastries and diapers that don't absorb.
[LA Times]


text:
QUEENSBURY - Unfortunately for the Pine Valley faithful on hand, there was to be no upset this time around.
Pine Valley, which though a six seed had shown throughout the Section 6 playoffs the grit and determination necessary to topple one "favored" opponent after another all the way to not only a sectional crown, but a regional one as well, saw its splendid run come to an end on Saturday at the hands of Fort Ann, 5-2.
Fort Ann, which heading into the tournament was ranked No. 2 in the state by the New York Sportswriters Association, would go on to win the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D title by an identical score over Afton, of Section 4, late Saturday afternoon.
Article Photos
Jessica Wilcox tossed a two-hitter and struck out six in Pine Valley's 5-2 loss to Fort Ann in Saturday's state Class D semifinal softball game in Queensbury. See additional photos at cu.post-journal.com.
P-J photo by Rob Tucker
The Lady Panthers committed three errors in the loss - accounting for two of the five runs - but its real difficulties came at the plate against Fort Ann starter Molly Bailey, and the defense behind her.
"They're defense really (hurt us)," Pine Valley assistant coach Mark Mansfield said. "Their shortstop, their second baseman and their whole infield is just it just didn't make a mistake. We hit the ball hard, and they made the plays perfectly. (Fort Ann) didn't help us at all."
While the defense committed just one error, Bailey, who at one point retired 13 of 15 Pine Valley hitters she faced, scattered two runs on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts to earn the victory.
"I think we played all right," Pine Valley coach Danielle Arnone said. "We had a couple of errors, but we were really just hoping those bats were going to get going a little more than they did."
The Lady Panthers did manage three extra-base hits, including Alex Bentham's third-inning triple to right field in which she came all the way around to score when Fort Ann's second baseman misfired on the throw to third. But of those extra-base hits, only one came with runners already on base.
Fort Ann, meanwhile, got off to a quick 2-0 start in the first inning as leadoff-batter Kara White walked, moved to second on a sacrifice and then scored on Kayla Bancroft's triple into the right-centerfield gap.
Bancroft, a power-hitting shortstop with a solid glove, would score later that inning on a Pine Valley fielding error.
The Lady Panthers, as per usual, showed fight, and bounced back in the bottom half of the frame with a run of their own. Ashley Carpenter singled through the gap between short and third base and then, immediately following, Nichole Rinehart ripped a double into left field.
But Bailey, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning during Fort Ann's regional contest, buckled down from there - with the help of some solid defense behind her - and escaped the frame with a 2-1 lead.
Pine Valley starter Jessica Wilcox, so crucial to the Lady Panthers' run this season, made easy work of the Lady Cardinals in the second, but stumbled in the third as two errors and a single allowed the eventual winners to push their advantage to three, 4-1.
Pine Valley would score once more (on the aforementioned Bentham triple/error), but wouldn't threaten again as Fort Ann never trailed in the contest.
Despite the disappointing outcome, however, it was an outstanding season for a squad that, by most accounts given its 4-8 league mark heading into the sectional playoffs, wasn't supposed to get this far.
According to Arnone, however, the Lady Panthers, who finished 9-9 overall, showed the power of positive thinking in reaching their first state tournament since the 2005 season.
"From the beginning, Mark and I have said to the girls that they were championship material," said Arnone, who with this loss brought her first season at the helm of the Lady Panthers to a close. "I know our season and our record didn't show it, but deep down we felt it and we've been preaching that all season long."
And with a solid core returning - only three of the 12 Lady Panthers on this year's roster are seniors - it won't be surprising to see them making their way to the Capital region yet again next time around, especially with young standout Wilcox in the circle.
Despite the loss, Wilcox performed admirably, spinning a two-hitter with six strikeouts and three earned runs. She walked five.
"She's learned a lot (this season)," Arnone said. "She's done a phenomenal job for us and we couldn't have got here without her. She was definitely a little spark for the team that was needed and I look forward to seeing what she's going to do (in the future).
"Really everybody has pulled (their weight) this year," she finished. "People have made plays from all positions, so it's been a great team."


text:
Northwest NEWS
ebruary 15, 1999
Guest Editorial
Northshore Schools a smart investment
Recently, we learned that the Northshore School District is cutting $2.9 million, or 2.3%, from its 1998-1999 budget. While this is a lot of money, a brief review of the facts shows that it is the smart thing to do.
Letters to the Editor
It makes sense to preserve what we already have
I'm curious how many Highway 9 commuters are aware of what Snohomish County has planned for their commuting pleasure.
No transportation taxation without representation
Some of the Regional Transit Authority's proposals for Eastside express bus service are so unbelievable, that I beg readers to raise an outcry at the upcoming public meetings.
Kenmore needs to take a more creative approach to LakePointe traffic
We wish to comment again on the appeal of a commercial site development permit for the LakePointe development in Kenmore, which has been covered several times in the
Northlake News.
Questions for King County Executive Ron Sims
I received one letter from King County Dept. of Development and Environmental Services. I assume it came through Sims' office. So I have some questions for him: Why didn't you answer my letter?
Letters to the Editor are welcome and encouraged. Please send them to us at: P.O. Box 587 or 13342 NE 175th St. (Woodgate Mall); Woodinville, WA 98072; or deliver them to our office. They may also be faxed to (425) 486-7593. Letters must be signed and must include a daytime telephone number for confirmation. They may be edited.
Click here
to send a letter via e-mail.


text:
ASBURY PARK – They painted the town pink in May, now the city is rolling out the rainbow carpet for Jersey Pride 2013, an annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered pride celebration.
Though the grounds for Sunday's festival are located at the corner of 5th and Ocean Avenues, Cookman Avenue and Main Street were adorned in the iconic rainbow gay pride flags as a city that has become well known for its tolerant and welcoming atmosphere once again shows that it is the place to be.
This is the 22nd year Asbury Park has hosted Jersey Pride.
This year's festival will feature a parade, kicking off at noon from City Hall. At the festival grounds, performers will feature Kathy Sledge, the lead singer of Sister Sledge, Alex Newell, also known as "Unique" from GLEE, and vocalists God-des and She.
This year's festival will also include a showing of portions of the Aids Memorial Quilt, a food court and over 100 vendors.More Monmouth County news: NJ.com/monmouth | Twitter | Facebook


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I think the arrows are fun to use. arrow bombs especially.
What is the best weopen to us?and which one is the most fun to use?
I say boomerang but i haven't gotten that far so i wouldn't now much about any other weopens.(i just beat the forest temple)
Last edited by lordsknightn; 12-05-2006 at 03:12 PM.
I think the arrows are fun to use. arrow bombs especially.
yeahh i like arrows and ball and chain
Since you haven't got far I will say this... My favourite weapon is the Beyblade!
Ball and Chain pretty wicked to use and thecould show some promise but I just got it.Spoiler Alert!Dominion Rod(sp?)
Double Clawshot ftw.
i think ill like arrows
I Love The Clawshot!
I Cant Wait To Get The DOuble...
My favorite is thebut its not used much, unfortunately. I like theSpoiler Alert!spinnertoo. I use more often.Spoiler Alert!ball and chain
When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much screwed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
Madness does not always howl. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "Hey, is there room in your head for one more?"
Eagles may soar but weasles don't get sucked into jet engines.
steel boots because the upside down parts are awesome, and then dominion rod smashing
Wii friend code
email me. firstname.lastname@example.com
I will only add if you P.M or Email me.


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Deadline nears for voter registration
Whether you're a resident of Marysville or Lakewood, there will be issues affecting you on the Feb. 11 special election ballot.
The Marysville School District has submitted not only an educational programs maintenance and operations replacement levy, but also a new technology levy for this election. The Lakewood School District is likewise putting a capital bond measure before its voters, for proposed renovations to the aging Lakewood High School facility.
To vote on these issues, however, citizens must be registered online or via postal mail by Monday, Jan. 13, which is also the last day to transfer an existing registration to a new address. If you have never registered to vote in Washington, you may do so through Monday, Feb. 3. After Jan. 13, first-time voters must register in person at the Snohomish County Auditor's Office.
In order to register to vote in the state of Washington, a person must:
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Have lived in Washington state for at least 30 days.
• Be at least 18 years old by election day.
• Not be disqualified due to a court order.
• Not be currently under Department of Corrections supervision for a felony conviction.
You can register, check your current voting status and find mail-in registration forms online at www.vote.wa.gov. Mail-in voter registration forms are also available at local libraries, post offices and the Snohomish County Auditor's Office, and must be postmarked by Jan. 13.
Voters can register in person at the Snohomish County Auditor's Office, located on the first floor of the Snohomish County Administration West Building, at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. in Everett. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
The Feb. 11 special election will decide levy and bond issues for school districts in Snohomish County.
For complete information about the election, visit the Auditor's Office website at www.snoco.org/elections, or call 425-388-3444.
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Robert Pattinson and Ashley Greene is coming to Stockholm on Friday 28 October to promote Breaking Dawn.
From twilightsweden
Friday, 28 October: actors Robert Pattinson and Ashley Greene Stockholm Sweden for the premiere of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - part 1. Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward Cullen, Ashley Greene, who plays Edward's sister Alice Cullen, both have become some of the world's biggest movie stars after the successes of the previous three films in The Twilight Saga:"Twilight," "New Moon" and "Eclipse".
- The cast of Twilight movies again choose Stockholm as one of the stations of the his promotional tour in Europe is the result ofgood cooperation with the American producer of Summit Entertainment. One more reason is The Twilight Saga's success in this part of the world and the inexhaustible commitment from the Scandinavian fanbase. We are extremely proud and pleased thefans' behalf that these two superstars have also chosen to come to Stockholm, says Pia Grünler, Distribution Manager Nordisk Film
Nordisk Film will also this time arranging a TWILIGHT FAN EVENTFriday, 28 October at the Royal Court where Robert Pattinson and Ashley Greene will meet its Scandinavian fans. The program forthis event is being put together and is not yet clear. More information about this event is released shortly.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - Part 1 is the high-profile pursuit and fourth part of Stephanie Meyer's story of Bellaand Edward's impossible love. Director: Bill Condon. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene et al.THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - part 1, premiered nationwide on Wednesday, November 16, 2011!
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NEW YORK -- North Shore Councilwoman Debi Rose is one of 12 Council members who have formed a new liberal voting bloc that intends to press the legislative body on issues of economic development, civil rights, labor and housing.
The group, which calls itself the New York City Council Progressive Caucus, is expected to make a formal announcement at Thursday's stated meeting. The caucus is comprised of seven freshman Council members, including Ms. Rose, and co-chaired by Brooklyn freshman Democrat Brad Lander and Melissa Mark-Viverito, a second-term Democrat who represents the Bronx and Manhattan.
It will be the first time such a group was formed in the City Council based solely on a shared ideology. The move by Ms. Rose, a Democrat who also ran on the Working Families line, represents a clear break from her more conservative Staten Island colleagues, and a departure from her more moderate Democrat predecessors.
"We believe that most New Yorkers want a more just, more equal city, " Ms. Rose said in a statement released Thursday. "We must plan a recovery that diversifies our economy and looks to narrow the growing economic divide between those doing well and working-class families."
The Progressive Caucus' first order of business will be to push for the passage of a law that would mandate paid sick days for all employees. The bill, first introduced last summer, has been re-worked after several lawmakers expressed concern about its potential financial impact on small businesses.
The bill's language now defines small business as one with fewer than 20 employees, double the amount that was included in the original text.
That change, however, won't sway Council Minority Leader James Oddo (R-Mid-Island) nor his GOP colleague Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore).
"It's up to the bill's proponents to convince me that this is not going to negatively impact small businesses that are still struggling," Oddo said.
Ms. Rose said the Progressive Caucus group also plans to address the Section 8 voucher crisis, economic development policy focused on quality jobs, in diverse economic sectors; and investing in underserved communities as a part of the budget process.


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Appliances are a major buying decision. Invest the time to find the best models at the best value for you.
Air Conditioners
Window, portable or through-the-wall air conditioners are a great investment to ensure you stay cool during the hot summer months.
Dishwashers are great time savers in the kitchen, plus they can also help you save on energy and water costs.
A freezer not only preserves food, it can also help save you money. If you like to shop in bulk or have a large family, a freezer is a must-have for your home.
Irons & Steamers
Do you need an iron or a clothes steamer? Both will de-wrinkle your clothes, but you have to decide which is best for you.
Range Hoods
A range hood or vent hood keeps your kitchen smelling fresh. Discover the variety of ventilation methods available for your kitchen.
Sewing Machines
Whether your sewing skills are beginner, basic or advanced, there's a sewing machine just right for you. Find your model and must-have features.
Dehumidifiers remove excessive moisture from your home, reducing mould and dampness, which can improve health and protect furniture.
A dryer is a vital part of your laundry system. Find out what you need to know before you purchase one of these around-the-house helpers.
Humidifiers provide the right amount of humidity to help improve your health, protect your furniture and investments, and save money on heating costs.
Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens have revolutionized cooking. Speedy and smart, they are a modern living must-have for the home and office.
Your refrigerator says a lot about you. Top mount, bottom mount, side-by-side; each type is made to suit individual cooking styles & food storage needs.
The stove is your kitchen's multitasker. It lets you boil, simmer, fry, roast and bake – sometimes all at once.


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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - A June 2014 wedding is being planned by Alexis Razzano and Anthony Barbara, both of Eltingville, who have announced their engagement.
The future bride is the daughter of Lorraine and Joseph Razzano. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Janet and Anthony Barbara.
Miss Razzano is a graduate of St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, Huguenot. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in speech and hearing sciences from Brooklyn College, where she plans to graduate in May with a master of science degree in speech-language pathology.
Mr. Barbara is a graduate of Monsignor Farrell High School, Oakwood, and earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from St. John's University, Grymes Hill. He is an internal wholesaler with AXA Equitable in Jersey City, N.J.


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The Dow Jones industrial average climbed more than 70 points today, and shares of Louisiana companies ended the day mixed.
Shares of Energy Partners Ltd., McMoRan Exploration Co. and Stewart Enterprises Inc. climbed. Superior Energy Services and Whitney Holding Corp. saw their shares decline.
The Dow closed out the day at 10,403.71, up 78.45.


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MARQUETTE - Material manifestations of history can come in many forms, such as arrowheads, fossils, photographs and books.
Perhaps the most grandiose of these, tough, are the preserved - and even under-preserved - buildings that were the homes to noteworthy people and events.
The Upper Peninsula has its share of history, from the copper mining boom in the Keweenaw Peninsula to the stories unique to every village, town and city. So, it has its share of historical buildings as well.
Article Photos
The old Savings Bank building, located at the corner of Front and Washington streets in Marquette, is an example of a preserved historic structure. (Journal file photo by John Pepin)
The owners spent several years returning the exterior and interior to their original grandeur. (Journal file photo by John Pepin)
Dan Truckey, director of the Beaumier Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University, recently spoke on the topic during an "Afternoons at the Museum" talk at the Michigan Iron History Museum in Negaunee Township. The heritage center also hosted a recent exhibit called "Lost and Found: Historic Structures of the Upper Peninsula."
"We think of historic structures as buildings like the bank building on the corner, but things such as railroad trestles are historical structures as well," Truckey said. "And when they tore down that trestle, Marquette was kind of split between people who are like, 'Oh, thank God they finally tore down that ugly trestle in Marquette' and other people who were really upset about it, because they felt like we'd lost a part of our history in Marquette, and also just the sense of place, which is really what this is about."
At the same, he said Marquette has done a great deal to save its downtown in the last decade, which has been a benefit to the community.
However, that hasn't always been the case, said Marquette historian Jim Koski.
"Actually, at one time Marquette did not do a very good job of preserving its buildings because from probably 1965 to 1975 - I haven't counted the exact number - somewhere between 15 and 20 sandstone buildings were torn down in the name of urban renewal, either for parking lots or for big, anonymous glass buildings," Koski said.
Koski called this the "great sandstone purge" because people didn't have an appreciation for the "old" material.
"Thankfully, that stopped," he said. "Now everyone is striving very hard to save all the sandstone buildings."
In fact, the preservation movement is growing as a whole, Koski said.
"I really do believe that the historic preservation movement is perhaps stronger than it's ever been as we're coming to realize the architectural gems that we have lying in our midst," he said.
Koski said one of the most notable buildings is the First United Methodist Church on the corner of Ridge and Front street that's one of the oldest major buildings in Marquette, with it being built in 1875. Another old building, the former City Hall on Washington Street that was built in 1894, was going to be a victim of the sandstone purge but was saved and now is an office building, he said.
Koski said the city's sandstone buildings are a tourism draw.
"It's one of the very few places in the country where you have a concentration of well-preserved sandstone buildings," he said.
However, saving historical structures goes beyond the structures themselves.
"When we save historical structures, we're saving the historical integrity of a community and creating a meaningful link to a community's past and as I mentioned before, a sense of place," Truckey said.
Saving historical structures also contribute to the quality of life of a community, he said, by providing a more attractive and culturally vibrant life.
Unfortunately, America over the last 50 years has been actively trying to homogenize its urban, and even suburban, landscapes, Truckey noted, although Americans more and more have the desire to live in historically preserved areas.
"Historic preservation is good for business," he said. "Americans are leaving suburban communities in vast numbers to go to cities and rural communities that have more of a sense of place, because they're tired of the homogenization of a culture."
One building that adds to the local historical landscape is the Luce County Historical Museum in Newberry, located in the old combination jail and sheriff's residence. Truckey acknowledged Victorian homes such as this structure have many small rooms, which makes them difficult to use as museums since they were built as homes.
"They tend to make their curators pull their hair out, but at the same time, it's great that they've been saved, and they're beautiful, important buildings that need to be saved, and they're a big part of their community history," he said.
That's not to say restoring historic buildings is always easy. For one thing, Truckey pointed out they can be located on private property or the restorations come with high price tags.
Also, people can be hesitant to move a historic building from its original spot, but sometimes that location is not the best place for the structure itself, Truckey said.
"It's not near anything, or maybe it's going to be destroyed if it doesn't get moved," he said.
An example is the small Dompierre House in Michigamme was one of the first structures in town, but had to be moved to its current location to save it. Truckey said the home was going to be destroyed, but the Michigamme Historical Society and the community decided to restore it and move to the main street in town.
The future of the old Lower Harbor Ore Dock in Marquette is in question, although the city has ordered a feasibility study regarding the structure.
The ore dock is perhaps the iconic structure of Marquette, Koski said.
"It's what everyone looks at," he said. "It's what everyone will stop and stare and take a picture of."
And taking it down would be like removing the lighthouse or St. Peter Cathedral, two other Marquette landmarks, he said.
The former Holy Family Orphanage at the corner of Altamont and Fisher streets in Marquette might be too far gone to be renovated, Koski acknowledged, but he expressed the hope that if the building is torn down, the porch would be preserved.
"I realize from an economic point of view that saving some old buildings just isn't feasible, but if you can save a part of the history, I mean, at least that's a much bigger step than turning it into rubble and dust," Koski said.
Courthouses - typically stately structures that are the sites of many notable past legal events - also often are saved and are important parts of the community. Truckey mentioned as two examples the Dickinson County Courthouse in Iron Mountain and the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie.
Other buildings, often with ornate architecture both inside and outside, are churches, and they too, Truckey said, are cherished within their communities.
One parish's successful effort to save its church involved the immaculate Conception Church in Iron Mountain, he said. In the case of the former St. Anne's Church in Calumet, the building sat empty for many years and was slated for demolition. The community decided to save it and now it is the Keweenaw Heritage Center, located in the Keweenaw National Historical Park. According to the National Park Service, the structure was built in the Gothic Revival style out of local Jacobsville sandstone.
"Someone once told me that if you ever wanted to look at the comparative prosperity of a community, look at their churches, because they're kind of a collective effort," Koski said, with rich and poor people alike donating to the cause.
Down the street from the Keweenaw Heritage Center is the famous Calumet Theatre, which at one time was threatened to be demolished as well, Truckey said.
In fact, Calumet has been rejuvenated in the last 20 years due to historic preservation, he said.
"I remember visiting there in the 1980s and saying, 'This town is dead. It's beautiful, it's amazing what's here, but this town is dead,' " Truckey said.
But with the combination of local resources, the historical park being designated there and a community that realized - unlike many communities in the U.P. - the mines aren't coming back, the focus changed to preservation of the area's amazing history and incredible structures, Truckey said.
"It's a much more vibrant community than it was because of that," he said. "They saved the Calumet Theatre. They wrote grants, the community raised money and now it is the point of pride in the community. It's a beautiful place. They have productions. It's a tourism destination."
In fact, Truckey pointed out the entire Keweenaw area is on board with historic preservation.
"The Keweenaw County Historical Society has done an amazing job restoring the Delaware mining district area buildings," he said. "It's just been a huge rejuvenation and it's been so important, and is a great example of what can be done."
That said, Truckey stressed a community needs a sense of vision.
"We've seen it across the United States," he said. "We've seen it all over the world. The places that save historic structures and their districts are much more prosperous and have a greater sense of place, a better quality of life and a greater connection to their past and their pride."
Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is firstname.lastname@example.com.


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TORONTO -- Update on Detroit Red Wings center Stephen Weiss:
General manager Ken Holland said Weiss has opted to undergo surgery for a sports hernia. The date for the procedure hasn't been set, but Holland said Weiss should return just after the Olympic break (Feb. 9-25).
Weiss saw a specialist, Dr. William Meyers, in Philadelphia on Friday. He diagnosed the issue that apparently had been bothering the veteran center for some time. He missed six games last month with what he thought was a groin strain.
-- Download the Detroit Red Wings on MLive app for iPhone and Android


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Taiwan News, Staff Writer
A Malaysian-dominated group which won the bid for the NT$80 billion (US$2.6 billion) development project near the Taipei Railway Station failed to deposit a performance bond of NT$1.89 billion (US$63.6 million) by the February 21 deadline, causing major embarrassment to the Taipei City Government amid allegations of illegal activities.
The Taipei Prosecutors Office led raids on more than 20 locations in Taipei Wednesday morning, including the offices of the finance chief and of the councilor, according to media reports. Lai is a prominent member of the ruling Kuomintang and often acts as an attorney in court cases involving party leaders.
Prosecutors suspected she had received bribes from a bidder for the project, while Chiou could have leaked details about the tender, reports said. He reportedly met with representatives of a Japanese business group during a government trip to Japan last September, just three days before the city issued a tender for the project, reports said. Chiou denied his trip bore any relation to the Twin Towers.
The homes and offices of several company managers were also searched, while investigators requested to see documents at the Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems, reports said. An unspecified number of individuals were reportedly taken in for questioning about allegations of corruption and other illegal practices surrounding the project.
Last year, a city councilor alleged that organized crime was involved in the bidding for the Twin Towers, which are expected to dominate the skyline west of the Taipei Railway Station. The buildings, 76 floors and 56 floors high respectively, are expected to become the focus of a new transportation hub in central Taipei linking railway, high speed rail, subway and bus lines with the new mass rapid transit line to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The recent problems could have an impact on the Twin TowersŌĆÖ expected completion date in 2018, reports said.