Abstract: A method and apparatus for funding a future liability of uncertain cost which includes: considering the present cost of a liability and the projected due date of the future liability; estimating the future liability of uncertain cost; and administering a trust in a manner that reduces the uncertain cost of the future liability. The estimation of the future liability may be based on the expected due date of the liability and the escalation rate of the liability associated with a specified index. Administering the trust may include issuing floating rate zero coupon notes to generate trust assets and investing those assets in a manner that reduces the uncertainty of the cost of the future liability.

Abstract: A global animation system includes: a pool of reusable characteristics for at least one character or feature; and a pool of available artists, wherein a member of the pool of available artists selects at least one reusable characteristic from the pool of reusable characteristics to create a character or feature. A method for managing an animation project includes: obtaining an animation project; disassembling the animation project into at least one individual task; assigning the at least one individual task to an artist, wherein the artist completes the at least one individual task using at least one characteristic stored in a pool of reusable characteristics.

Abstract: A subscriber to a wireless service provider can make calls in a conventional manner, and can receive calls from a caller in a mode in which the caller rather than the subscriber is charged. More particularly, a request for connection to the subscriber from the caller is received by an administrating server which determines if the call can be charged to the caller and then generates such a charge. Preferably the administrating server is part of a payment platform provided to generate an account for the subscriber to pay for outgoing (and, selectively, incoming) calls.

Abstract: A wide area communication network includes at least two hub sites which are interconnected by a communication backbone Each hub site provides wireless coverage in at least one sector. At least two remote sites reside in each sectors and are coupled to a corresponding hub site via a point to multi point broadband wireless system. The network preferably includes at least one service node which is accessible to the remote sites via the hub sites and backbone.