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 and method for product market analysis using consumer financial data obtains financial data associated with a given consumer. At least part of the consumer financial data is then stored by the process for product market analysis using consumer financial data, or another party/application, typically in accounts/locations associated with the given consumer. An electronic media based marketing device is then provided by a product marketer, the electronic media based marketing device being capable of activation. When a consumer activates the electronic media based marketing device at least part of the consumer financial data associated with the consumer is transferred to the product marketer. As a result, the product marketer obtains significant amounts of information for market analysis purposes such as creating a potential consumer profile and determining a target market for the given product an/or service.

Abstract: A system that manages development of software is described. During operation, this system aggregates status information and requirement information as a function of time, where the status information specifies the status of the development of the software and the requirement information specifies target requirements for the software. Next, the system dynamically determines a project estimate for the development of the software based on the status information and the requirement information.

Abstract: Financial data associated with one or more “contributing consumers” is obtained from one or more sources. The financial data includes data associated with specific financial transactions and the specific financial transactions are tagged as sharable by the contributing consumers. The financial data, and/or specific financial transactions are categorized by the contributing consumers, and/or associated with a specific purchase of a parent product and/or service. The financial data obtained from one or more contributing consumers is then aggregated, processed, and/or categorized, according to the parent product and/or service associated with the financial data. A “user consumer” then initiates a request for financial data associated with the purchase of a specified product and/or service.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the actual cost of a product and/or service includes a process for determining the actual cost of a product and/or service whereby financial data associated with one or more “contributing consumers” is obtained from one or more sources. The financial data includes data associated with specific financial transactions. The financial data, and/or specific financial transactions are categorized and/or associated with a specific purchase of a product and/or service. The financial data obtained from one or more contributing consumers is then aggregated, processed, and/or categorized, according to the identified and specific product and/or service associated with the financial data. A “user consumer” then initiates a request for financial data associated with the purchase of a specified product and/or service.

Abstract: A method and system for linking portions of digital media data during playback includes a process for linking portions of digital media data during playback whereby a user is provided the capability to link two or more digital media data tracks/segments of digital media data such that the linked digital media data tracks/segments of digital media data are treated as a single entity for playback purposes, thereby ensuring that the linked digital media data tracks/segments of digital media data are played back in an order desired/dictated by the user regardless of playback mode or which of the linked tracks is selected.

Abstract: A priority-based scheduling service may schedule appointments between service providers and service consumers by assigning a priority to an appointment request based on one or more factors. The scheduling service may take into consideration the history of the service consumer and the purpose or reason for the appointment request. In addition, preferences indicated by the service provider and service consumer may be taken into consideration by the scheduling service. A prioritized appointment request may be scheduled dependent upon how high or low a priority has been assigned to the request. The scheduling service may apply rules during the prioritizing and scheduling processes. Rules may be configured by the service providers. Once the appointment has been scheduled by the scheduling service, notification may be sent to the service provider and service consumer. Communication between the scheduling service, service providers and service consumers may be accomplished via a communications network.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a healthcare provider includes a process for selecting a healthcare provider whereby healthcare provider list data is obtained, along with various data regarding the healthcare providers on the healthcare provider list, and the data is stored in a healthcare provider database. When a healthcare consumer initiates a healthcare provider search request, one or more healthcare consumer criteria for acceptable/desired healthcare providers and/or healthcare services needed is obtained and used to search the healthcare provider database to identify one or more healthcare providers most closely meeting the healthcare consumer's criteria. The availability of appointments and/or estimated wait times for the identified one or more healthcare providers are then obtained.

Abstract: A computer system implemented method and process for forecasting the consequences of healthcare utilization choices whereby health data associated with a user is obtained and analyzed to determine disease risk factors. Any determined disease risk factors present in the healthcare data are then used to generate a healthcare utilization consequences report based on various user actions/inactions. The healthcare utilization consequences report can include healthcare recommendations, economic information, actuarial information and comparisons between implementing/not implementing the healthcare recommendations.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a method and apparatus for a portable medical alert mechanism stores health information on a portable electronic device and provides the health information to a health professional. In some embodiments, the health information may include information about a health condition, a health history, current medications, current medication dosages, allergies, or instructions. The health information may be on the portable electronic device and/or downloaded from a web-based application. In some embodiments, the health information may be selected and transferred to the portable electronic device by the system user from an external computer system. The health information stored on the portable electronic device may be periodically updated. The system user (or the portable electronic device) may have an indication of the presence of the health information on the portable electronic device (e.g., on a bracelet).

Abstract: In various embodiments, sellers and buyers may interact with a price determination application and/or electronic marketplace to buy/sell items for tax deductions to increase the tax deduction benefit for the sellers and buyers. For example, donating an item may have a tax benefit to a seller that is less than the tax benefit to a higher income bracket buyer. The electronic marketplace may facilitate a sale of the items to the buyer who may then donate the items for the tax benefit. In some embodiments, an item distribution service may sell items from multiple sellers to buyers according to a calculated price/distribution to increase the tax benefit to the sellers/buyers. In some embodiments, the items may not be delivered to the buyer by the seller, but may instead be routed to a charitable organization for donation in the buyer's name after ownership is transferred to the buyer.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a system and method for providing consumers marketing devices based on their use of supplementary income includes obtaining consumer financial data associated with a given “consumer” from one or more sources. At least part of the consumer financial data is then analyzed to determine if the given consumer typically receives supplementary income and, if so, how the consumer typically treats any supplementary income received. A supplementary income profile is then created for the given consumer. Data representing the supplementary income profile for the given consumer is then stored and at least part of the data representing the supplementary income profile for the given consumer is provided to one or more product marketers. One or more product marketers then provide a marketing device to the given consumer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing family health history data includes a process for providing family health history data whereby, all, or part of, a family member's health data is obtained from, but not limited to, any of the following sources: the family member and/or agents of the family member; one or more other family members, one or more healthcare providers; one or more healthcare insurance plan providers; one or more healthcare benefit program administrators; one or more financial institutions; and/or any other source of a family member's health data. All, or part of, the family member's health data is then provided to other family members, healthcare providers for family members, state and/or private agencies, and/or any other party as designated by the family member, and on a selective access basis, as designated by the family member, for use as family health history data by the designated parties.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a calculation system may be used by a merchant to determine a merchant fee associated with a credit card transaction. The calculation system may consider various characteristics for the transaction to determine merchant fees associated with the transaction. For example, the calculation system may consider the relative security of the transaction, the length of time the transaction has been in an open batch, whether the credit card information is swiped or keyed in, whether address information for the transaction was verified, etc. The calculation system may analyze credit card transactions in real time and/or may analyze past merchant fee statements to determine the merchant fees associated with one or more past transactions. In some embodiments, the calculation system may be used by a card processor to analyze data from a merchant to determine a competitive rate/fee to offer the merchant.

Abstract: A method and system for providing relevant search results using financial data includes a process for providing relevant search results using financial data whereby a user's financial transaction data is obtained from one or more sources. A user then initiates a network search using one or more network search parameters such as one or more keywords and/or phrases. The scope of the one or more network search parameters, and therefore the scope of the network search, are then determined and/or modified based, at least in part, on the user's financial data.

Abstract: A system and method for price setting based on environmental impact whereby the environmental impact of a product and/or service is determined based on defined parameters. An environmental impact of a given product and/or service is also determined for various levels of consumption of the given product and/or service. An environmental impact goal is then established for the given product and/or service. An environmental impact goal level of consumption of the given product and/or service is then determined that will yield the desired environmental impact goal. An environmental impact goal price-point for the given product and/or service that will yield the environmental impact goal level of consumption that, in turn, will yield the desired environmental impact goal is then determined. The price of the given product or service is then set at the environmental impact goal price-point for the given product and/or service using one or more of various price setting mechanisms.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that facilitates exchanging assets between online virtual worlds. During operation, the system receives a first asset from a representative of a first player who controls the first asset in a first virtual world, and receives a second asset from a representative of a second player who controls the second asset in the second virtual world. Next, the system provides the first asset to a representative of the second player in the first virtual world, and provides the second asset to a representative of the first player in the second virtual world.

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 manages development of software is described. During operation, this system aggregates status information and requirement information as a function of time, where the status information specifies the status of the development of the software and the requirement information specifies target requirements for the software. Next, the system dynamically determines a project estimate for the development of the software based on the status information and the requirement information.

Abstract: A testing system, also known as a call generator, generates telephone calls to test telephone equipment. The call generator includes a processor, a memory for storing processor procedures and test cases, and a communication interface. The procedures include a test case procedure for calling a system under test (SUT), interacting with the SUT, and accessing voice mailboxes located in the SUT. The call generator sends messages to the SUT. Then the call generator calls the SUT to once again access the voice mailboxes, and retrieves the stored messages. The call generator compares the retrieved messages with the delivered messages, or parameters representative of the delivered messages, to verify the retrieved messages. The call generator also has the capability to store, communicate, and verify other types of electronic information including facsimiles and electronic mail. The call generator may also operate on a network for communicating test cases and other database information to and from other users.