Abstract: A system that performs a financial transaction on behalf of a user is presented. During operation, the system receives parameters for the financial transaction. Next, the system analyzes the parameters to determine financial benefits of using one or more subsets of financial sources from a set of financial sources associated with the user to fulfill the financial transaction. The system then selects a subset of financial sources which substantially maximizes the financial benefits for the user. Next, the system uses the selected subset of financial sources to fulfill the financial transaction on behalf of the user.

Abstract: A system that authorizes a financial transaction is presented. During operation, the system receives a request to authorize accounts associated with one or more financial instruments to be used to fulfill the financial transaction. Next, the system determines a transaction location at which the financial transaction is being performed. The system then determines whether the accounts are authorized to be used at the transaction location. If so, the system authorizes the accounts to be used to fulfill the financial transaction.

Abstract: A system that determines a standard payee name for a payee is presented. During operation, the system receives a non-standard payee name, wherein the non-standard payee name can be a user-defined payee name, which is defined by a user, or a normalized payee name, which is defined by a financial institution. Next, the system determines whether the non-standard payee name is associated with the standard payee name by using the non-standard payee name to search through data structures containing associations between one or more of the following: user-defined payee names and normalized payee names; user-defined payee names and standard payee names; and normalized payee names and standard payee names. If the non-standard payee name is associated with a standard payee name, the system can perform specified actions.

Abstract: A system that automatically classifies a financial transaction as a recurring financial transaction based on classification data obtained from a set of users is presented. The system can also determine the frequency at which the recurring financial transaction repeats. If the financial transaction is classified as a recurring financial transaction, the system can mark the financial transaction as a recurring financial transaction. Alternatively, the system can notify the user that the classification data indicates that the financial transaction can be classified as a recurring financial transaction.

Abstract: A system that determines a standard payee name for a payee is presented. During operation, the system receives a non-standard payee name, wherein the non-standard payee name can be a user-defined payee name, which is defined by a user, or a normalized payee name, which is defined by a financial institution. Next, the system determines whether the non-standard payee name is associated with the standard payee name by using the non-standard payee name to search through data structures containing associations between one or more of the following: user-defined payee names and normalized payee names; user-defined payee names and standard payee names; and normalized payee names and standard payee names. If the non-standard payee name is associated with a standard payee name, the system can perform specified actions.

Abstract: A system that authorizes a financial transaction is presented. During operation, the system receives a request to authorize accounts associated with one or more financial instruments to be used to fulfill the financial transaction. Next, the system determines a transaction location at which the financial transaction is being performed. The system then determines whether the accounts are authorized to be used at the transaction location. If so, the system authorizes the accounts to be used to fulfill the financial transaction.

Abstract: A system that performs a financial transaction on behalf of a user is presented. During operation, the system receives parameters for the financial transaction. Next, the system analyzes the parameters to determine financial benefits of using one or more subsets of financial sources from a set of financial sources associated with the user to fulfill the financial transaction. The system then selects a subset of financial sources which substantially maximizes the financial benefits for the user. Next, the system uses the selected subset of financial sources to fulfill the financial transaction on behalf of the user.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods and systems for buying and selling goods and services over a peer-to-peer network. Multiple client devices are connected as peer nodes within a P2P network. Active P2P network nodes register with a server as they come online. The server stores information about the types of goods and services that are available from each registered peer and the routing information needed to contact that peer. A peer acting as a buyer, referred to herein as a buyer, can query the server and receive a list of peers with offerings of a desired type along with the necessary routing information for those peers. The buyer can then query each peer on the list and receive details about that peer's offerings. The buyer can choose to execute a sales transaction with a selected peer if that peer's offerings meet with the buyer's approval.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods and systems for isolating and capturing an image of an inventory item from an image that contains multiple items and/or extraneous space. The user interface allows the user to import an image into an application, identify one or more regions of the image as corresponding to separate inventory items, and create inventory records corresponding to those items or update existing inventory records to include the images of those items.