Systems, apparatus, and method re escrow data and documentation

Abstract

The apparatus and method implements, manages, and tracks on-line digital transactions via an escrow, including opening, servicing, real-time or near-real time status of the broker, title company, lender, vendor, buyer and seller, and closing of an escrow via a medium such as the internet. Multiple access methods are employed. The present invention provides computerization and internet type process implementation for escrow processes including, but not limited to, digital transaction coordination, digital status coordinators, seamless escrow transactions, on-line digital signatures, video signature authentication, digital certificate authentication, signature authentication, satellite and other wireless transmission of escrow transactions, voice digital instruction, the merging of voice with digital data transactions, set-top/WebTV digital escrow transmission, global digital escrow networking, and the like. The system includes appropriate data, application, and servers along with supporting LAN or WAN-based application to perform escrow services.

1 . An apparatus including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor for performing operations to enable an escrow process for personal or real property, comprising:
 associated with a telecommunications system, system components for causing said processor to   provide escrow processes including at least one of (1) sending documents or instructions for said escrow transaction to third party agents or principals for electronic or digital signature or that have been electronically or digitally signed, and (2) receiving documents or instructions for said escrow transaction from third party agents or principals for electronic or digital signature or that have been electronically or digitally signed, and   perform at least one of managing and closing,   wherein the managing includes receiving online the at least one electronically or digitally signed document,   wherein the closing is by verifying online that the at least one electronically or digitally signed document has been signed, submitting the at least one electronically or digitally signed document to a party involved in the escrow process, receiving or sending online confirmation of a close of escrow and of delivery of final loan documents, and releasing transaction funds.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to perform operations to enable an escrow process for personal or real property, comprising:
 associated with a telecommunications system, system components for causing said processor to   provide processes relating to an escrow transaction, said escrow processes including at least one of (1) sending any escrow-related document, contract, agreement, or instruction to a party or principal to be electronically or digitally signed, (2) enabling a party or principal to electronically or digitally sign any escrow-related document, contract, agreement, or instruction, and (3) receiving any electronically or digitally signed escrow-related document, contract, agreement, or instruction, and   perform at least one of managing and closing,   wherein the managing includes receiving online the at least one electronically or digitally signed document,   wherein the closing is by verifying online that the at least one electronically/digitally signed document has been signed, submitting the at least one electronically/digitally signed document to a party involved in the escrow process, receiving or sending online confirmation of a close of escrow and of delivery of final loan documents, and releasing transaction funds, and   wherein said system components include at least one digital computerization and internet type process implementation program module for authenticating an electronic or digital signature and/or identity of a principal or party.   
     
     
         3 . A computer program product, stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising instructions that, when executed on one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to perform operations to enable an escrow process for personal or real property, the operations comprising:
 via online communications at least one of (1) receiving or sending at least one escrow document to be signed electronically or digitally related to the escrow process, (2) sending digital instructions to a first party involved in the escrow process to electronically or digitally sign at least one escrow document, (3) implementing identity authentication on at least one escrow document to be electronically or digitally signed, (4) electronically or digitally signing at least one escrow document, and (5) providing for a variety of levels of security for access to at least one escrow document that is to be electronically or digitally signed;   tracking online a status of the electronically or digitally signed at least one escrow document;   managing by receiving online the electronically or digitally signed at least one escrow document; and   closing by at least one of verifying online that the electronically or digitally signed at least one escrow document has been signed, submitting the electronically or digitally signed at least one escrow document to a second party involved in the escrow process, and receiving or sending online confirmation of a close of the escrow process including that the at least one escrow document has been electronically or digitally signed.