System and Method for a Frame-Based Internet Enabled User Interface

Abstract

A system and method for a frame-based internet enabled interface. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for a client-side frame based internet enabled interface. The system comprises a first frame and a second frame in a window. The first frame encapsulates a resource from a third-party internet based service. The resource is requested by a user through an internet enabling software. In addition, the second frame comprises user-specific information that is related to content provided from the resource.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS[0001]The present application is a divisional application of co-pending application Ser. No. 10 / 699,492, filed Oct. 31, 2003, and entitled: “System and Method for a Frame-Based Internet Enabled User Interface”. Priority is claimed to the filing date of the parent application, and the entire disclosure of the parent application is incorporated at least by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of aggregation services. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate generally to client side credential based deep-linking to a third-party internet based service.[0004]2. Related Art[0005]Bill payment on-line over the Internet has the potential of making the task of paying monthly bills simpler, easier, and more satisfying than the traditional method of paying bills through the mail. Payment of bills over the Internet in the conventional art takes ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a system and method for a frame-based internet enabled interface. This interface combines the advantages of a bill consolidation model and a direct billing model. The system includes a first frame that encapsulates a resource from a third-party internet based service requested by a user through an internet enabling software. The first frame also includes user-specific information related to the content provided from the resource. A second frame is provided for display to the user, which includes graphical user interface control elements and information related to the user's interaction with the third-party internet based service. The system can observe and capture information from the third-party internet based service and store it for later access by the user. The consolidated bill management service combines the advantages of a bill consolidation model and a direct billing model, providing aggregated information associated with a user in a frame-based internet enabled user-interface.

Problems solved by technology

Both of these models unsatisfactorily address the issue of consolidating all the bills of a client at one convenient location for paying bills.

However, problems with a bill consolidation model include costly infrastructure setup, the inability to view details of a bill, a delayed clearing time for payment of a bill, and a single source for payment.

In particular, one problem associated with a bill consolidator model is that only those billers that actively participate in the model can send out bills and receive payments on those bills through the bill consolidator model.

Setting up the infrastructure is time consuming and costly for the biller.

In addition, in a bill consolidation model, the client does not have an opportunity to view bills in full.

This is unacceptable in an electronic payment model, as the convenience stems from avoiding sending out bills through the mail.

In addition, since the client has set up an electronic payment system with a biller, that biller probably will not duplicate billing by sending out a bill through the mail in an effort to save costs.

Further, in a bill consolidation model, the clearing time for payment of a bill by the bill consolidator is usually delayed.

In addition, there is no assurance by the biller to a client that a bill has been accepted as paid.

Moreover, in a bill consolidation model, there is only a single funding source for the payment of a bill.

As such, a client cannot choose which multiple forms of payment to pay a bill in a bill consolidation model.

While there are many advantages to the direct billing model, the one great disadvantage that overshadows the advantages is that the direct billing model does not provide consolidation.

In addition, the client can dispute bills over the direct billing model.

However, the disadvantage to the direct billing model is that there is no consolidation of a bills to a particular client.

As a result, the bill consolidation model is too focused on payments only and cannot provide the richness of billing information desired by a client when reviewing and paying bills.

Also, the direct billing model is severely limited by providing billing services only to a single account.

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