Abstract: A first portion of data is selected. The first portion of data is capable of being converted from a human-readable format to an electronically readable format. The first portion of data is capable of being stored in an optical bar code. A printed publication includes the first portion of data in the human-readable format. The first portion of data is encrypted. The first portion of data is stored on the optical bar code. The optical bar code is incorporated into the printed publication. The first portion of data is read from the optical bar code using a bar code scanner without removing the optical bar code from the printed publication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for linking orders in electronic trading systems are provided. These systems and methods enable a trader to select two or more items that are to be linked and specify linking parameters for those items. Any desired set of items may be linked, and the linking parameters may include price adjustments, order sequencing instructions, automatic/manual execution controls, execution delays commands, and update frequency limits. Upon detecting a bid or offer for a linked item, the systems and methods may then determine a size and a price for each linked item based upon the size and the price of the bid or offer for the first linked item. In this way, the sizes and the prices for the other linked items may be propagated from the size and the price for the first item. Once the size and the price for each item is determined, the systems and methods may submit orders for the items in accordance with the linking parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anonymous electronic trading that allow a trader to hide his or her identity and inhibit trading interactions are provided. Using these systems and methods, a trader can, using various trading interfaces, control a level of trading anonymously and configure warnings that are provided to protect against inadvertent completion of potential-risk-involved trades.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronic trading that provide incentives to users of a trading system. The systems and methods may monitor a trading activity of the user and determine that the orders submitted by the user over a period of time exceed a first pre-determined threshold. Systems and methods also determine that a spread of the plurality of orders exceeds a second pre-determined threshold. Based on these determinations, the user is designated as qualifying for a special status, which entitles the user to incentives in trading. Systems and methods apply the incentives to an order submitted by the user. One such incentive provides the user with a priority in a trading queue, where orders submitted by the user are executed in advance of other orders in the trading queue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing incentives for gathering orders, making markets, and submitting block orders, and that enable linking of multiple auctions. First, the system determines whether the trader qualifies for an incentive. This determination may be made based upon characteristics, such as price, size, duration of orders submitted to the trading system. The incentives provided may include reduced transaction costs, cash payments, priority or exclusivity in trading, self execution of transactions. Before an order is eligible to be traded in an auction that is linked to another auction in the trading system, the order is preferably confirmed as qualifying to be auctioned in such a manner. If an order is confirmed, the auction is created and preferably linked to another auction based upon a characteristic of the order. Information from each auction also may be available to traders in the other auctions.

Abstract: A data processing system receives a continuous stream of real time transactional data regarding market transactions of fixed income securities. The incoming data is qualified and then used to determine the term structure of interest rates based on price information. The system provides linear interpolation techniques to complete an operative data set. This set is updated with current trade data, with term structure shifting using pivot points from newly qualified data. An index value for a pre-select portfolio of securities is then calculated and expressed in terms of price relative to par, yield to maturity and duration. In a specific implementation using U.S. Treasuries as the monitored security, the index value supports an automated trading function for futures and/or options contracts based on the change in value of the index. The index provides a more accurate barometer of market changes and a more useful tool in measuring portfolio management for plan sponsors.

Abstract: A first portion of data is selected. The first portion of data is capable of being converted from a human-readable format to an electronically readable format. The first portion of data is capable of being stored in an optical bar code. A printed financial prospectus includes the first portion of data in the human-readable format. The first portion of data is stored on the optical bar code. The optical bar code is incorporated into the printed financial prospectus. The first portion of data is read from the optical bar code using a bar code scanner without removing the optical bar code from the printed financial prospectus.

Abstract: A service is provided that verifies, repairs, and provides a resale mechanism for electronic merchandise over the Internet. A reseller sends in a request to sell electronic merchandise. The service provider may verify the authenticity of the merchandise. Next, depending on the reseller's requests, the service provider may verify the electronic merchandise and repair the electronic merchandise if the data is faulty. When the electronic merchandise is ready, the service provider may advertise the merchandise using a method specified by the reseller. Once there is a buyer, the service provider may notify the reseller, a transaction may occur, and the electronic merchandise and copyrights may be transferred from reseller to buyer.

Abstract: A first portion of data is selected. The first portion of data is capable of being converted from a human-readable format to an electronically readable format. The first portion of data is capable of being stored in an optical bar code. A printed publication includes the first portion of data in the human-readable format. The first portion of data is encrypted. The first portion of data is stored on the optical bar code. The optical bar code is incorporated into the printed publication. The first portion of data is read from the optical bar code using a bar code scanner without removing the optical bar code from the printed publication.

Abstract: The invention is systems and methods for transferring items with restricted transferability. Initially, the systems and methods wait for a first consumer to make a request to transfer an item after having purchased the item from a provider. The systems and methods then send a request to transfer the item to the provider. This request may indicate inducements to the provider to authorize the transfer. If the transfer is authorized, the systems and methods then present information regarding the item to other consumers. This information may be presented as part of a bidding interface or as part of an advertising interface. Once the second consumer submits a winning bid for the item when the information is presented in a bidding interface, or an acceptable offer when the information is presented in an advertising interface, the transfer of the item can then be completed with or without the assistance of an intermediary.

Abstract: The present invention is systems and methods for trading. In accordance with these systems and methods, a plurality of trader work stations that are connected to a central server may be provided. Through the work stations and central server, the systems and methods may perform participant qualification, instrument creation, bid/offer entry and response, when hit and take, workup, price retention, price improvement, request for market, bid/off restoration, price generation, position conversion, marking to market, and delivery functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anonymous electronic trading that allow a trader to hide his or her identity and inhibit trading interactions are provided. Using these systems and methods, a trader can, using various trading interfaces, control a level of trading anonymously and configure warnings that are provided to protect against inadvertent completion of potential-risk-involved trades.

Abstract: A trading system determines whether a pending trade between a trader and a counterparty exceeds one or more warning limits, and may process the pending trade based upon specifications by the trader and counterparty, which specifications indicate how each party wants to process over-warning-limit pending trades.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anonymous electronic trading that allow a trader to hide his or her identity and inhibit trading interactions are provided. Using these systems and methods, a trader can, using various trading interfaces, control a level of trading anonymously and configure warnings that are provided to protect against inadvertent completion of potential-risk-involved trades.

Abstract: The present solution addresses the displaying of multiple levels of information in a constrained display footprint in a manner that allows a user to be vigilant over the information. Systems and methods are described herein for organizing data and information queries against data sources in a relational display with hierarchical grids, linked to query results, score displays, and alert monitoring. In an embodiment of the present solution, a system allows an analyst to view results and status from monitoring numerous and persistent queries against real-time data streams. Many of these queries may be inter-related and composed in a way to comprehensively analyze a problem. To display, monitor, and interact with a collection of queries, the present solution provides a relational display that makes use of a set of grids via a feature referred to as “grid of grids”. The grids may be arranged in a hierarchy of any number of levels.

Abstract: A trading system allows a trader and/or counterparty to control whether the trader and/or counterparty wants to continue to be able to trade with the other when a pending trade between the trader and counterparty exceeds one or more warning limits.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronic trading that provide incentives for gathering orders, making markets, and submitting block orders, and that enable linking of multiple auctions are provided. These systems and methods may first determine if the trader qualifies for an incentive. This determination may be made based upon one or more characteristics, such as price, size, duration, etc., of orders submitted to the trading system by the trader. Once the trader has been determined as being eligible for one or more incentives, the incentives that are provided may include reduced transaction costs, cash payments, priority or exclusivity in trading, self execution of transactions, etc. Similarly, before an order is eligible to be traded in an auction that is linked to another auction in the trading system, the order is preferably confirmed as qualifying to be auctioned in such a manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time interactive wagering on event outcomes are presented. Clients are first qualified and given wagering limits before being allowed to interactively wager on event outcomes. Event outcomes may be based on, for example, financial markets and indices, sporting and entertainment events, casino performances, and natural phenomena such as weather and earthquakes. Events on which wagers can be placed include both those with known and unknown outcome probabilities, and wagers can be a fixed-odds type or a spread-bet type. Wager transactions, including acceptances and confirmations, are executed in real time. Clients can customize displays of events on which they are authorized to wager. Real-time client credit management, automatic dealer hedging, automatic price-spread adjustments, and automatic client and dealer defined wagering limits are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is systems and methods for transferring items with restricted transferability. Initially, the systems and methods wait for a first consumer to make a request to transfer an item after having purchased the item from a provider. The systems and methods then send a request to transfer the item to the provider. This request may indicate inducements to the provider to authorize the transfer. If the transfer is authorized, the systems and methods then present information regarding the item to other consumers. This information may be presented as part of a bidding interface or as part of an advertising interface. Once the second consumer submits a winning bid for the item when the information is presented in a bidding interface, or an acceptable offer when the information is presented in an advertising interface, the transfer of the item can then be completed with or without the assistance of an intermediary.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronic trading that provide incentives for gathering orders, making markets, and submitting block orders are provided. These systems and methods may first determine if the trader qualifies for an incentive. This determination may be made based upon one or more characteristics, such as price, size, duration, etc., of orders submitted to the trading system by the trader. Once the trader has been determined as being eligible for one or more incentives, the incentives that are provided may include reduced transaction costs, cash payments, priority or exclusivity in trading, self execution of transactions, etc.