IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,367,515
Granted Patent B1
US 12,367,515 · App. 18/214,823 · Granted Jul 22, 2025

Facilitating payments for users

Inventors: Douglas Justin Shearer (Alameda, CA); Matthew Allen Todd (Oakland, CA)
Assignee: Block, Inc.
G06Q30/04G06Q20/202G06Q20/322G06Q30/0224
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,367,515
App. No.
18/214,823
Granted
Jul 22, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

In some examples, a payment service receives transaction information of transactions performed between a plurality of users of the payment service. The payment service determines terms for a first user to finance, for a second user, at least part of an amount of a payment. The terms are determined based on at least one of: a) transaction information associated with the first user; (b) transaction information of at least one related user; or (c) transaction information associated with the second user. The payment service transmits the terms to the first user and the second user. The payment service subsequently receives funds from the second user, and provides the funds to the first user as repayment for at least the part of the amount of the payment financed by the first user.

Claims (52)

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by one or more processors of a payment service, transaction information of transactions performed between a plurality of users of the payment service, wherein a respective computing device is associated with each respective user of the plurality of users, wherein an application executable on the respective computing device configures the respective computing device to send the transaction information to the payment service, wherein the payment service is configured to facilitate payments between the users;

receiving, at the one or more processors of the payment service and via the respective computing device of a first user, an indication of a payment generated by the first user and payable by a second user;

determining, by the one or more processors of the payment service, terms for the first user to finance at least part of an amount of the payment for the second user, wherein the one or more processors determine the terms based on two or more of:

(a) at least a portion of the transaction information associated with the first user;

(b) at least a portion of the transaction information of at least one related user of the plurality of users; or

(c) at least a portion of the transaction information associated with the second user;

transmitting, by the one or more processors of the payment service, the terms to the respective computing device of the first user and the respective computing device of the second user;

withholding at least a portion of the amount from one or more subsequent transactions processed for the second user;

subsequently receiving, by the one or more processors of the payment service, electronic funds via the respective computing device of the second user, the electronic funds including the portion withheld from the one or more subsequent transactions; and

providing, by the one or more processors of the payment service, the funds to an account of the first user as repayment for at least the part of the amount of the payment financed by the first user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the funds are provided to the first user as a plurality of payments over time.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the terms based in part on a plurality of weights indicated by the first user, the plurality of weights indicating importance of a plurality of factors for determining the terms.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of weights comprise:

a first weight indicating importance of quick repayment; and

a second weight indicating importance of full repayment.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the terms based on one or more signals received from one or more additional services, respectively, comprising at least one of an inventory service, a payroll service, an appointment service, a feedback service, or a pickup/delivery service.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the terms are based in part on payment histories of a plurality of other users that are located geographically proximate to the second user.

7. A system comprising:

one or more processors of a payment service configured to execute computer-readable instructions to:

receive transaction information of transactions performed between a plurality of users of the payment service, wherein a respective computing device is associated with each respective user of the plurality of users, wherein an application executable on the respective computing device configures the respective computing device to send the transaction information to the payment service, wherein the payment service is configured to facilitate payments between the users;

receive, via the respective computing device of a first user, an indication of a payment generated by the first user and payable by a second user;

determine terms for the first user to finance at least part of an amount of the payment for the second user, wherein the terms are based on two or more of:

(a) at least a portion of the transaction information associated with the first user;

(b) at least a portion of the transaction information of at least one related user of the plurality of users; or

(c) at least a portion of the transaction information associated with the second user;

transmit the terms to the respective computing device of the first user and the respective device of the second user;

withhold at least a portion of the amount from one or more subsequent transactions processed for the second user;

subsequently receive electronic funds via the respective computing device of the second user, the electronic funds including the portion withheld from the one or more subsequent transactions; and

provide the funds to an account of the first user as repayment for at least the part of the amount of the payment financed by the first user.

8. The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the funds are provided to the first user as a plurality of payments over time.

9. The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to determine the terms based in part on a plurality of weights indicated by the first user, the plurality of weights indicating importance of a plurality of factors for determining the terms.

10. The system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of weights comprise:

a first weight indicating importance of quick repayment; and

a second weight indicating importance of full repayment.

11. The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to determine the terms based on one or more signals received from one or more additional services, respectively, comprising at least one of an inventory service, a payroll service, an appointment service, a feedback service, or a pickup/delivery service.

12. The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the terms are based in part on payment histories of a plurality of other users that are located geographically proximate to the second user.

13. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a payment service, configure the one or more processor to:

receive transaction information of transactions performed between a plurality of users of the payment service, wherein a respective computing device is associated with each respective user of the plurality of users, wherein an application executable on the respective computing device configures the respective computing device to send the transaction information to the payment service, wherein the payment service is configured to facilitate payments between the users;

receive, via the respective computing device of a first user, an indication of a payment generated by the first user and payable by a second user;

determine terms for the first user to finance at least part of an amount of the payment for the second user, wherein the terms are based on two or more of:

(a) at least a portion of the transaction information associated with the first user;

(b) at least a portion of the transaction information of at least one related user of the plurality of users; or

(c) at least a portion of the transaction information associated with the second user;

transmit the terms to the respective computing device of the first user and the respective device of the second user;

withhold at least a portion of the amount from one or more subsequent transactions processed for the second user;

subsequently receive electronic funds via the respective computing device of the second user, the electronic funds including the portion withheld from the one or more subsequent transactions; and

provide the funds to an account of the first user as repayment for at least the part of the amount of the payment financed by the first user.

14. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 13 , wherein the funds are provided to the first user as a plurality of payments over time.

15. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 13 , wherein execution of the instructions further configure the one or more processors to determine the terms based in part on a plurality of weights indicated by the first user, the plurality of weights including a first weight indicating importance of quick repayment, and a second weight indicating importance of full repayment.

16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 13 , wherein execution of the instructions further configure the one or more processors to determine the terms based on one or more signals received from one or more additional services, respectively, comprising at least one of an inventory service, a payroll service, an appointment service, a feedback service, or a pickup/delivery service.

17. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 13 , wherein the terms are based in part on payment histories of a plurality of other users that are located geographically proximate to the second user.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: SHEARER, DOUGLAS JUSTIN; TODD, MATTHEW ALLEN
To: SQUARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 071898/0551 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2023
From: SHEARER, DOUGLAS JUSTIN; TODD, MATTHEW ALLEN
To: SQUARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 064084/0276 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 27, 2023
From: SQUARE, INC.
To: BLOCK, INC.
Reel/Frame 064144/0177 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17128911 · Dec 21, 2020
Continuation 15722003 · Oct 2, 2017
Continuation 14675257 · Mar 31, 2015
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