Method and apparatus for benefit and financial communication

Claim 2

In a system for making available financial and employee benefit information of any one individual of a group of individuals, the system having a computer which stores a plurality of programs including a plurality of operating programs for carrying out the functions of the system and a plurality of program modules relating to the financial and employee benefit information of an individual and a data base including the financial and employee benefit information for each individual of the group of individuals, the improvement comprising the plurality of program modules including at least one predetermined program module for calculating at least one of a plurality of possible options in financial and employee benefits in response to a request of the individual, a computer terminal adapted to be connected to the computer and adapted to be operated by any individual of the group without formal training in operating a computer terminal to present financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal in response to a command of the individual, the computer terminal including means for presenting visual information to the individual operating the terminal; and means for receiving the command of an individual operating the terminal to (i) select a predetermined program module in the computer to present predetermined financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal; (ii) introduce data to the computer relating to the individual using the terminal which is not in the data base of the computer; and (iii) activate at least one predetermined program module to calculate at least one of the plurality of options in benefits for the individual by utilizing the data in the data base of the computer and the introduced data relating to the individual using the terminal.

Claim 3

In a system in accordance with claim 1 in which the computer terminal further comprises means responsive to the identification of an individual of the group who is to operate the terminal for activating the terminal.

Claim 4

In a system in accordance with claim 2 in which the activating means comprises means responsive to an input of the individual operating the terminal which corresponds to the identity of the individual in the database.

Claim 5

In a system in accordance with claim 1 in which the means for presenting visual information to the individual operating the terminal comprises: a screen for providing a visual display of information; and means connected to the computer and the database for converting information from the program modules and database into visual displays on the screen.

Claim 6

In a system in accordance with claim 4 in which the information converting means further comprises means for forming graphics representative of information from the program modules and database.

Claim 7

In a system in accordance with claim 1 in which the input receiving means comprises means responsive to manual contact therewith by the individual operating the terminal for producing an input therefrom.

Claim 8

In a system in accordance with claim 6 in which the input producing means comprises a keyboard.

Claim 9

In a system in accordance with claim 1 in which the means for receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal is further adapted to introduce data to the computer which initiates permutations of the program modules of the computer.

Claim 10

In a system in accordance with claim 1 in which the means for receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal is further adapted to introduce inputs which initiate interaction between the individual operating the terminal and the program modules of the computer.

Claim 11

In a system in accordance with claim 1 in which the means for receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal is further adapted to accommodate inputs which initiate transactions between the program modules of the computer.

Claim 12

In a system in accordance with claim 1 in which the program modules relating to employee benefit information comprise program modules relating to at least one of employee benefit planning, financial planning, and retirement planning.

Claim 13

In a system in accordance with claim 1 in which the data base comprises at least a portion of the information corresponding to that of the file of benefit information of an individual who is an employee.

Claim 14

In a system in accordance with claim 1 in which the computer terminal further includes means for producing a copy of at least a portion of the visual information of the presenting means.

Claim 15

In a system in accordance with claim 13 in which the computer terminal further comprises means responsive to an input of the individual operating the computer terminal for selectively activating the copy producing means.

Claim 16

In a method for making available financial and employee benefit information of any one individual of a group of individuals, the method being adapted to be carried out by use of a computer which stores a plurality of programs including a plurality of operating programs for carrying out the functions of the method and a plurality of program modules relating to the financial and employee benefit information of an individual, and a data base including the financial and employee benefit information for each individual of the group of individuals, the improvement in the method in which the plurality of programs includes at least one program module for calculating a plurality of projections of financial and employee benefits by performing predetermined calculations on variable data and comprising the steps of using a computer terminal adapted to be connected to the computer and adapted to be operated by any individual of the group without formal training in operating a computer terminal to present financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal in response to the command of the individual, the step of using the computer terminal including presenting on the computer terminal visual information to the individual operating the terminal; and receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal for (i) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to present predetermined financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal; (ii) introducing data to the computer relating to the individual using the terminal which is not in the data base of the computer; and (iii) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to make projections of financial and employee benefits for the individual by utilizing the data in the data base of the computer and data entered by the individual.

Claim 17

In a method for making available financial and employee benefit information of any one individual of a group of individuals, the method being adapted to be carried out by use of a computer which stores a plurality of programs including a plurality of operating programs for carrying out the functions of the method and a plurality of program modules relating to the financial and employee benefit information of an individual, and a data base including the financial and employee benefit information for each individual of the group of individuals, the improvement in the method in which the plurality of programs includes at least one program module for calculating a plurality of projections of financial and employee benefits by performing predetermined calculations on variable data and comprising the steps of using a computer terminal adapted to be connected to the computer and adapted to be operated by any individual of the group without formal training in operating a computer terminal to present financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal in response to the command of the individual, the step of using the computer terminal including presenting on the computer terminal visual information to the individual operating the terminal; and receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal for (i) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to present predetermined financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal; (ii) introducing data to the computer relating to the individual using the terminal which is not in the data base of the computer; and (iii) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to make projections of financial and employee benefits for the individual by utilizing the data in the data base of the computer and data entered by the individual.

Claim 18

In a method in accordance with claim 15 in which the step of presenting visual information to the individual operating the terminal comprises: displaying on a screen a visual display of information; and converting information from the program modules and database of the computer into visual displays on the screen.

Claim 19

In a method in accordance with claim 16 in which the step of converting information further comprises: means for forming graphics representative of information from the program modules and the database of the computer.

Claim 20

In a method in accordance with claim 15 and further comprising the step of activating the computer terminal in response to the identification of an individual of the group who is to operate the terminal.

Claim 21

In a method in accordance with claim 18 in which the step of activating the terminal is in response to the inputting of the identify of the individual in the data base of the computer.

Claim 22

In a method in accordance with claim 15 in which the step of receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal includes accommodating inputs which initiate transactions between the program modules in the computer.

Claim 23

In a method in accordance with claim 15 in which the step of selecting the program module related to the employee benefits comprises selecting a program module relating to at least one of employee benefit planning, financial planning, and retirement planning.

Claim 24

In a method in accordance with claim 15 in which the data base comprises at least a portion of the information corresponding to that of the benefits file of an individual who is an employee.

Claim 25

In a method in accordance with claim 15 and further comprising the step of producing a copy of at least a portion of the visual information being presented.

Claim 28

A system in accordance with claim 24 in which the means for presenting visual information to the individual operating the inputting means comprises: a screen for presenting a visual display of information to the individual operating the inputting means; and means connected to the computer and the screen for converting information from the program modules and the database of the computer into visual displays on the screen.

Claim 29

A system in accordance with claim 25 in which the information converting means further comprises means forming graphics representative of information from the program modules and the database.

Claim 30

A system in accordance with claim 25 in which the information converting means comprises means responsive to inputs at the inputting means for forming visual displays of the inputs which can be observed by the individual operating the system.

Claim 31

A system in accordance with claim 24 further comprising means for activating the system responsive to the identification of an individual of the group who is to operate the inputting means.

Claim 32

A system in accordance with claim 28 in which the activating means comprises means responsive to an input of the individual operating the inputting means which corresponds to the identity of the individual in the data base of the computer.

Claim 33

A system in accordance with claim 24 in which the inputting means comprises means responsive to manual contact therewith by the individual operating the inputting means for producing an input therefrom.

Claim 34

A system in accordance with claim 30 in which the input producing means comprises a keyboard.

Claim 35

A system in accordance with claim 31 in which the keyboard includes keys adapted to provide predetermined inputs relating to selected predetermined program modules.

Claim 36

A system in accordance with claim 24 in which the inputting means is further adapted to introduce data to the computer which initiates permutations of the program modules of the computer.

Claim 37

A system in accordance with claim 24 in which the inputting means is further adapted to introduce inputs which initiate interaction between the individual operating the inputting means and the program modules of the computer.

Claim 38

A system in accordance with claim 24 in which the inputting means is further adapted to accommodate inputs which initiate transactions between the program modules in the computer.

Claim 39

A system in accordance with claim 24 in which the employee benefits related to the financial and employee benefit information of a individual comprise at least one of employee benefit planning, financial planning, and retirement planning.

Claim 40

A system in accordance with claim 24 in which the data base comprises at least a portion of the information corresponding to that of the file of benefit information of an individual who is an employee.

Claim 41

A system in accordance with claim 24 in which the computer terminal further includes means for producing a copy of at least a portion of the visual information of the presenting means.

Claim 42

A computer terminal for making available financial and employee benefit information of any one individual of a group of individuals, the terminal being adapted to be connected to a computer which stores a plurality of operating programs for carrying out the functions of the system and a plurality of program modules relating to the financial and employee benefit information of an individual, including at least one program module that exectutes a predetermined set of mathematical operations on hypothetical data in order to make projections of financial and employee benefits, and being adapted to be operated by any individual of the group without formal training in operating a computer terminal to present financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal in response to the command of the individual, the terminal comprising means for presenting visual information to the individual operating the terminal; and means for receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal to (i) select a predetermined program module in the computer to present predetermined financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal; (ii) introduce data to the computer relating to the individual which is not in a data base of the computer that includes the financial and employee benefit information for each individual of the group of individuals; and (iii) select a predetermined program module in the computer to make projections of financial and employee benefits for the individual by utilizing hypothetical data from the data base of the computer and data entered by the individual.

Claim 43

A computer terminal for making available financial and employee benefit information of any one individual of a group of individuals, the terminal being adapted to be connected to a computer which stores a plurality of operating programs for carrying out the functions of the system and a plurality of program modules relating to the financial and employee benefit information of an individual, including at least one program module that exectutes a predetermined set of mathematical operations on hypothetical data in order to make projections of financial and employee benefits, and being adapted to be operated by any individual of the group without formal training in operating a computer terminal to present financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal in response to the command of the individual, the terminal comprising means for presenting visual information to the individual operating the terminal; and means for receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal to (i) select a predetermined program module in the computer to present predetermined financial and employee benefit information of the individual operating the terminal; (ii) introduce data to the computer relating to the individual which is not in a data base of the computer that includes the financial and employee benefit information for each individual of the group of individuals; and (iii) select a predetermined program module in the computer to make projections of financial and employee benefits for the individual by utilizing hypothetical data from the data base of the computer and data entered by the individual.

Claim 44

In a system for making available information relating to financial transactions with a business organization of any one individual of a group of individuals who have financial transactions with the business organization, the system having a computer which stores a plurality of programs including a plurality of operating programs for carrying out the functions of the system and a plurality of program modules relating to information concerning the financial transactions of an individual with the business organization, and a data base including information relating to the financial transactions of any one individual of the group of individuals with the business organization, the improvement comprising a computer terminal adapted to be connected to the computer and adapted to be operated by any individual of the group without formal training in operating a computer terminal to present information of financial transactions of the individual operating the terminal in response to the command of the individual, the computer terminal including means for presenting visual information to the individual operating the terminal; and means for receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal to (i) select a predetermined program module in the computer to present information relating to financial transactions of the individual operating the terminal; (ii) introduce data to the computer relating to the individual using the terminal which is not in the data base of the computer; and (iii) obtain projections of finances for the individual from the computer by entering hypothetical data into the computer through the terminal.

Claim 45

In a system for making available information relating to financial transactions with a business organization of any one individual of a group of individuals who have financial transactions with the business organization, the system having a computer which stores a plurality of programs including a plurality of operating programs for carrying out the functions of the system and a plurality of program modules relating to information concerning the financial transactions of an individual with the business organization, and a data base including information relating to the financial transactions of any one individual of the group of individuals with the business organization, the improvement comprising a computer terminal adapted to be connected to the computer and adapted to be operated by any individual of the group without formal training in operating a computer terminal to present information of financial transactions of the individual operating the terminal in response to the command of the individual, the computer terminal including means for presenting visual information to the individual operating the terminal; and means for receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal to (i) select a predetermined program module in the computer to present information relating to financial transactions of the individual operating the terminal; (ii) introduce data to the computer relating to the individual using the terminal which is not in the data base of the computer; and (iii) obtain projections of finances for the individual from the computer by entering hypothetical data into the computer through the terminal.

Claim 46

In a method for making available financial and employee benefit information relating to financial transactions with a business organization of any one individual of a group of individuals who have financial transactions with the business organization, the method being adapted to be carried out by use of a computer which stores a plurality of programs including a plurality of operating programs for carrying out the functions of the method and a plurality of program modules relating to the information concerning financial transactions of an individual with the business organization and a data base including information relating to the financial transactions of any one individual of the group of individuals with the business organization, the improvement in the method in which the plurality of programs includes at least one program module for offering benefit information options that can be selected by the individual, at least one program module for presenting benefit information of the individual by outputting predetermined information and data relating to the individual, at least one program module for initiating financial transactions in response to data introduced by the individual, and at least one program module for calculating a plurality of projections of financial and employee benefits in response to a request of the individual and comprising the steps of using a computer terminal adapted to be connected to the computer and adapted to be operated by any individual of the group without formal training in operating a computer terminal to present information relating to the financial transactions with the business organization of the individual operating the terminal in response to the command of the individual, the step of using the computer terminal including presenting on the computer terminal visual information to the individual operating the terminal; and receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal for (i) selecting a benefit information option from among the choices offered by the method; (ii) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to present predetermined information relating to financial transactions with the business organization of the individual operating the terminal; (iii) introducing data to the computer relating to the individual using the terminal which is not in the data base of the computer; (iv) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to initiate financial transactions; and (v) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to make projections of financial and employee benefits for the individual in response to the request of the individual.

Claim 47

In a method for making available financial and employee benefit information relating to financial transactions with a business organization of any one individual of a group of individuals who have financial transactions with the business organization, the method being adapted to be carried out by use of a computer which stores a plurality of programs including a plurality of operating programs for carrying out the functions of the method and a plurality of program modules relating to the information concerning financial transactions of an individual with the business organization and a data base including information relating to the financial transactions of any one individual of the group of individuals with the business organization, the improvement in the method in which the plurality of programs includes at least one program module for offering benefit information options that can be selected by the individual, at least one program module for presenting benefit information of the individual by outputting predetermined information and data relating to the individual, at least one program module for initiating financial transactions in response to data introduced by the individual, and at least one program module for calculating a plurality of projections of financial and employee benefits in response to a request of the individual and comprising the steps of using a computer terminal adapted to be connected to the computer and adapted to be operated by any individual of the group without formal training in operating a computer terminal to present information relating to the financial transactions with the business organization of the individual operating the terminal in response to the command of the individual, the step of using the computer terminal including presenting on the computer terminal visual information to the individual operating the terminal; and receiving an input of an individual operating the terminal for (i) selecting a benefit information option from among the choices offered by the method; (ii) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to present predetermined information relating to financial transactions with the business organization of the individual operating the terminal; (iii) introducing data to the computer relating to the individual using the terminal which is not in the data base of the computer; (iv) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to initiate financial transactions; and (v) selecting a predetermined program module in the computer to make projections of financial and employee benefits for the individual in response to the request of the individual.