Financial Transaction Categorization via User Input Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current financial management systems rely on user-specific categorization lists for financial transactions, which are limited in scope and only applicable to individual users, lacking a comprehensive and accurate categorization framework that leverages collective user input.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that modifies financial transaction categorization lists based on input from multiple users, creating a shared list of categorizations by aggregating and refining user inputs using frequency and segmentation rules, making these categorizations accessible to a community of users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user-specific categorization lists are used for financial transactions, then individual user customization is improved, but comprehensiveness and accuracy of categorization framework deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual user customizationVSAvoidcategorization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual user categorization lists with a master categorization list to create a shared categorization framework. User-specific modifications are aggregated and integrated into the master list, which is then made available to all users. This combining approach maintains individual customization capabilities while leveraging collective user input to improve overall categorization accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If user-specific categorization lists are used, then individual user preferences are preserved, but the system lacks a comprehensive categorization framework

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual user preferencesVSAvoidcomprehensive categorization framework
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where individual user categorization lists are contained within and integrated into a larger master categorization list. The master list serves as the outer container that aggregates data from multiple users, while individual user lists remain as inner components that maintain their specific preferences. This nested arrangement allows both individual stability and system-wide comprehensiveness to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If static pre-defined categorizations based on SIC codes are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but categorization accuracy and relevance to user needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidcategorization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, pre-defined categorization system into a dynamic one that evolves based on user interactions. The master categorization list is continuously updated and refined as users provide input through their individual categorization lists. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain relative simplicity in structure while significantly improving categorization accuracy through adaptive learning from collective user behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If individual user input is used to modify categorization lists, then user-specific accuracy is improved, but the benefit is limited to isolated individual users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-specific categorization accuracyVSAvoidsystem-wide benefit
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback loop where individual user categorization inputs are collected, processed, and integrated into the master categorization list, which then benefits all users including the original contributor. User modifications to their personal lists provide feedback that refines the master list, creating a continuous improvement cycle that amplifies individual contributions into system-wide enhancements, thereby multiplying productivity and benefit across the entire user base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8346664B1Method and system for modifying financial transaction categorization lists based on input from multiple users
Publication Date: 2013.01.01 INTUIT INC
  • US8346664B1 patent drawing
  • US8346664B1 patent drawing
  • US8346664B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for modifying financial transaction categorization lists based on input from multiple users whereby, when a given user of a computing system implemented financial management system modifies their own list of possible categorizations for a given financial transaction, data indicating the given user's modification of the given user's own list of possible categorizations for a given financial transaction is obtained by the computing system implemented financial management system. The obtained data indicating the given user's modification of their own list of possible categorizations for a given financial transaction is then used by the computing system implemented financial management system to create and/or modify a shared list of possible categorizations for a given financial transaction. The shared list of possible categorizations for a given financial transaction is then made available to, and/or used by, a community of users of the computing system implemented financial management system.