Gui-based wallet program for online transactions

Abstract

Provided is a method and a GUI-based software application that acts as a wallet with network interconnectivity for enabling a user to securely and seamlessly conduct transactions with his or her online financial transaction program by means of a computer or a wireless handheld device without having to depend on an Internet browser.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 237,060, which was filed on Sep. 24, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to online, Internet-based financial transaction programs and commercial systems and more particularly to conducting online financial transactions with an Internet browser independent software application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]With the advent of the Internet and online electronic commerce (e-commerce), financial transaction programs that allow users to seamlessly purchase products, transfer funds and conduct transactions over an Internet connection have been in high demand.[0004]Traditional methods of executing financial transactions have been limited to a user providing his or her credit card, debit card, or checking account number on a commercial website, or using checks, money orders...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Provided is a method and a GUI-based software application that acts as a wallet (“GUI Wallet”) with network interconnectivity for enabling a user to securely and seamlessly conduct transactions with his or her online financial transaction program by means of a computer or a wireless handheld device without having to depend on an Internet browser.

[0014]On a second tab of the GUI Wallet, the user is presented with a plurality of buttons representing different types of transactions that can be performed with an online financial transaction program. These buttons may comprise transferring money, accepting payments or transfers, checking balances of accounts, paying for bills and converting currencies. Since the user has already logged in, all the relevant user ID and financial information is stored and ready for use. This enables a convenient means of performing financial transactions without having to re-enter login information and without having to rely on an Internet browser.

Problems solved by technology

Traditional methods of executing financial transactions have been limited to a user providing his or her credit card, debit card, or checking account number on a commercial website, or using checks, money orders and other forms of paper-based payments.

However, these means of executing financial transactions are often cumbersome, slow, and inconvenient, requiring a user to remember a multitude of account numbers, login data and passwords.

This often results in significant time delays for payment processing.

Furthermore, security and fraud concerns are prevalent.

For instance, a user is often reluctant to provide sensitive credit card or debit card information over an Internet connection, regardless of how “secure” an Internet connection claims to be.

However, many of these financial transaction programs are limited in that users are dependent on an Internet browser in order to browse to a main website, enter their username and password data and access their account information in order to execute financial transactions such as paying for purchases, transferring money or checking account balances.

Users are limited in that they are dependent on a computer with Internet access and an Internet browser, or a wireless handheld device (e.g. cell phone, BlackBerry, PDA) with an Internet browser application installed.

Problems arise if the Internet browser is broken.

Furthermore, the level of user convenience for a given Internet browsing experience is limited to the specifications of the Internet browser.

No Widget allows for direct interaction with the external world.

In other words, a user cannot use a Widget to transfer money from his / her bank account, withdraw funds, pay for bills, or perform other financial transactions that have an impact on the world outside of the user's computer.

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