Abstract: The virtual account and token-based digital cash token protocols use a combination of blind digital signatures and pseudonym authentication with at least two pairs of public and private keys. A user has one master pair of private and public keys and many pseudonym pairs of private and public keys. The new protocols combine blind digital signature and pseudonym-based authentication. Blind digital signatures based on the master pair of keys are used to withdraw digital cash from the user's bank account under the user's real identity. A pseudonym pair of keys is used for depositing digital cash with a digital cash issuer. Pseudonym key pairs are used for spending the digital cash. Digital cash includes digital cash tokens in virtual accounts, which can be managed from a user's fixed or mobile computing platform.

Abstract: A financial transactions processing system includes a safe (cash automation machine) that performs transactions including at least one of receiving and distributing money. A controller, such as a teller computer, issues instructions to the cash automation machine to perform the transactions. A processor, such as a bank branch CPU, receives data from the cash automation machine and the controller relating to the transactions and analyzes the data. This data can include data relating to at least one of the following: number of transactions, duration of each transaction, type of each transaction, denomination of money distributed and/or received, and date and time of the transactions. The processor (bank branch CPU) can advantageously use this data in a number of ways, including at least one of the following: to accurately and effectively assign teller work schedules, perform or schedule maintenance or repairs, provide economic advantages, etc.

Abstract: A method for auctioning a lot, in which a plurality of messages are received from a plurality of bidders for the lot, with each message including a bid for the lot. A bid acceptance message is sent by SMS to each of the bidders notifying the bidder of the status of the bidder's bid. Each bidder is charged for sending the bid acceptance message. The bidder associated with the lowest unique bid for the lot is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for mitigating effects of a market spike caused by triggering and election of a conditional order in an automated matching system. The system includes evaluation logic which monitors conditional orders submitted to a trading engine compares a price of an order to a first predefined price range (“first range”) and delay logic which delays matching of the submitted orders when the price thereof lie outside of the first range. Pricing logic derives an opening price for use by the trading engine. Timing logic measures a time interval to delay matching of the orders until the opening price is within a predefined price range up to a maximum delay time set by a control center.

Abstract: A system and method for permitting real-time payment of healthcare charges from multiple sources of payment. A POS terminal is used to enter a patient ID and treatment code. A health insurance network receives the patient ID and treatment code and returns an estimated explanation of benefits (EOB) data packet that is used to display an EOB statement at the POS terminal, the display including information on a patient portion not covered by the health insurance plan. The EOB data packet is used to electronically process payment for the patient portion from a second payment source, such as an medical savings account (MSA), credit card account or banking account.

Abstract: A method and system for valuing structured-finance securities, such as, but not limited to, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS).

Abstract: A set of linked methods allows one to access derivative products (other than traditional futures and options) within an electronic futures exchange. In an embodiment of the invention, exchange members are given access to exact OTC ISDA type interest rate swap and FRA related exposures. Another In another embodiment, exchange members are given access to exact OTC ISDA type overnight index swap related exposures. In a further embodiment, exchange members are given convenient access to credit spread and\or interest rate swap embodiments via deliverable credit rate linked and swap rate linked bond-like futures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for paying a transaction amount at a point of sale (e.g. a physical point of sale or a virtual point of sale) are disclosed. The systems and methods are configured to monitor transaction information to identify eligible transactions at the point of sale. Alternative funding options may be presented at substantially the same time as a transaction is being processed at a point of sale. Based on the user's selection, a credit may be applied to the transaction account corresponding with at least a portion of the transaction amount from the alternative funding source.

Abstract: An automated bid proxy for online auctions transmits user-initiated bids to an online auction facility using dynamically adjusted bid times that vary from the user-specified or auction-specified bid times. This dynamic adjustment may advantageously distribute large bid loads over a time interval in order to reduce the peak load that is actually experienced by the automated bid proxy at times of high bid volume.

Abstract: A data driven and forward looking risk and reward appetite methodology for consumer and small business is described. The methodology includes account level historical data collection for customers associated with accounts as part of a portfolio. The account level historical data is segmented into groups of customers with similar revenues and loss characteristics. Segmented data is decomposed into seasoning, vintage, and cycle effects. Statistical clusters are formed based upon the data and effects. A simulation is applied to the statistical clusters and prediction data is generated. A simulation strategy to forecast and simulate revenue and loss volatility is developed. Efficient frontier curves of risk (e.g., return volatility) and reward (e.g., expected return) are created for the current portfolio under various economic scenarios.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of creating insurance with a switching device that limits the liability of the insurer.

Abstract: A trading platform and trading method that allows access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of determining a renewal deductible for an insurance policy includes providing a computer having a processor, determining that a default deductible is less than a current deductible, and determining that a new deductible indicator is negative. The method includes retrieving, using the processor and an available deductible key reference, a plurality of available deductibles from a third table and determining, using the processor, that the plurality of available deductibles does not include the current deductible. The method further includes setting the renewal deductible equal to the available deductible of the plurality of available deductibles higher than and closest to the current deductible if the next higher deductible indicator is in a positive state and setting the renewal deductible equal to the available deductible of the plurality of available deductibles less than and closest to the current deductible if the next higher deductible indicator is in a negative state.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for generating and presenting foreclosure bid instructions are described. A connection to a foreclosure bid computer is established through a data processing network. Loan identification information is received from the user and foreclosure bid information relating to the loan is retrieved. Loan information is received from the user relevant to generating a foreclosure bid for a property. The information received from the user, as well as the retrieved foreclosure bid information, is processed in order to compute a foreclosure bid amount calculated to yield appropriate net proceeds from the sale of the property. A set of foreclosure bid instructions including the computed bid amount is generated, and presented to the user over a data processing network interface.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for handling post transactional credit disputes in real-time via a variety of transactional environments and architectures. The system includes one or more workstations linked to a communication channel and one or more servers with at least one having capability of displaying a plurality of pre-existing dispute handling forms. A party in dispute may access the forms, choose an appropriate dispute handling form, provide data in the pre-defined requested fields on the form, and transmit the form over the communication channel to a server for processing. A server accepts a User ID and password from a user, retrieves and displays a set of dispute handling forms, receives input entered on the forms, routes the forms to a second user in dispute, and makes the forms available for viewing to the second user. The program may further index the data entered on the forms using a code-based method.

Abstract: A trading platform and trading method that allows access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Electronic trading systems and methods are provided that permit traders to submit price improvement orders that are traded at predetermined pricing increments and that maintain a position in a trading stack based on the size of other orders already existing in the stack at the time the order is submitted. This type of price improvement relates to neutral price improvement according to the invention. Neutral price improvement represents an option that permits a trader to opt out of being subjected to the trading rules and/or scheme governing a particular feature (e.g., price improvement), yet still permit traders to engage in competitive trading. In such a system, the trading rules may be applied generally to all orders in the system, except for orders submitted with the neutral price improvement option.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a computer readable medium and a method for determining a spectrum index value as a function of financial data for a plurality of selected publically traded companies and spectrum-related data for the selected companies.

Abstract: A method for managing redemptions, the method comprising: receiving, a request to redeem shares of a fund for a given market participant (MP), comprising a number of shares to redeem or a value-specifying parameter; communicating before a strike time an identification of a set of assets to distribute including a number of each one of the assets, to a MP representative, which MP representative is restricted from liquidating and disclosing the set of assets; calculating, a true-up amount, based on a monetary value at the strike time of the set of assets and either the monetary value as of the strike time of the number of shares requested to be redeemed, or the monetary value as of the strike time comprising a number of shares approximated by the value-specifying parameter, causing a transfer of all or a portion of the set of assets to the MP representative.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system to estimate demand, pricing, allocation and aftermarket demand for public offerings via a simulation auction using collaborative forecasting. The simulation auction incorporates features to enhance participant knowledge about a particular company and its proposed auction. The simulation auction may be used to collect information regarding likely or equilibrium pricing of actual offerings, as well as to generate demand curve provides for different types of participants (e.g. retail and institutional investors).