Kenneth W Schwenke

US Patent:

20040059633, Mar 25, 2004

Filed:

Jul 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/621735

Inventors:

Andrew Rankin - Falls Church VA, US
Brian Williams - Arlington VA, US
Kenneth Schwenke - Bryn Mawr PA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/015000

Abstract:

An improved dining system that enables students in the vicinity of a campus to dine at a variety of dining establishments located on- or off-campus, using account reconciliation to transfer funds to the dining establishments based upon use. Students and their parents have 24 hour web access to their accounts, which may be reviewed for accuracy and to make sure the account is appropriately used. Through the web interface, funds may be added to the accounts, and even may be pre-authorized for automatic replenishment depending upon pre-established account parameters. Unused funds may be refunded from the account upon demand. The accounts may be set up so that parents have supervisory control over their account, that is, so that they may control the disbursement of funds and/or limit which dining establishments are available to the student. The overall dining system is easily administered by an authorized administrator through a secure administration web interface.