Abstract: A system and method is disclosed enabling a customer payor to make payment to a payee in a networked environment using a credit card, revolving credit, or other credit account. The payment system may provide for online receipt and review of bills, and may allow a customer payor to optionally select one or more alternative secondary accounts for payment in the event that payment cannot be made from a primary credit account. The secondary account may be another credit account, a checking account, a brokerage account, or another type of account. Actual payment may be accomplished by electronic settlement of a credit transaction, electronic funds transfer, or by printing and physically delivering a paper check. A customer payor using the system and method may receive notification concerning the success or failure of the transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an optical probe capable of communicating identification information to a patient monitor in addition to signals indicative of intensities of light after attenuation by body tissue. The identification information may indicate operating wavelengths of light sources, indicate a type of probe, such as, for example, that the probe is an adult probe, a pediatric probe, a neonatal probe, a disposable probe, a reusable probe, or the like. The information could also be utilized for security purposes, such as, for example, to ensure that the probe is configured properly for the oximeter, to indicate that the probe is from an authorized supplier, or the like.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving streamed, real time quotes with respect to financial instruments. The system applies a spreadsheet based investment strategy to the real time quotes, generating electronic orders based on the results of the investment strategy analysis and transmitting the orders for real time execution. The system generates a unique order identifier that allows users to actively track the status of orders in real time. This unique order identifiers can be shared with other users so that other trading strategies can be developed to execute upon the successful execution of the order (e.g., hedging).

Abstract: As banking transactions are processed by a bank teller, all of the relevant information with respect to the transaction (e.g., dollar amount) is captured in an electronic file. Each of the electronic files from the various branches of the bank are forwarded to a central back office processing center where the electronic files are combined into a single Transaction Repository. At the end of the branch day, all of the paper associated with the transactions is forwarded from the branches to the back office processing center. The paper transactions are imaged in the conventional manner and the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) data is read from the paper. The present invention then automatically correlates the images and MICR data captured from the paper with the complete transaction record contained in the Transaction Repository. Most of the conventional back office processing can now be performed without the need to perform character recognition and without the need for excess human intervention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and system for effectuating an electronic payment between a payor and a payee using an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) network. The method is implemented by a system having multiple processors. The payor may hold a payor account at a payor institution and the payee may have a payee account at a payee institution. The method includes generating a payment authorization identifying the payee institution, the payee account, and an amount of the payment and transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution. The method further includes debiting the payor account by the amount of the payment; transmitting from the payor institution to the payee institution through the EFT network an EFT credit message representing a credit in the amount of the payment; and crediting the payee account in the amount of the payment in response to the receipt of the EFT credit message.

Abstract: A system for and method of using a financial instrument to take a view on a price-to-earnings ratio for a set of one or more equities. The system and method may be used to commodify the price-to-earnings ratio for one or more equities, such a as a stock or an index. The system and method may include a financial instrument that allows a user to take a view on an earnings, or ratio comprising price and earnings, for underlying equities.

Abstract: As banking transactions are processed by a bank teller, all of the relevant information with respect to the transaction (e.g., dollar amount) is captured in an electronic file. Each of the electronic files from the various branches of the bank are forwarded to a central back office processing center where the electronic files are combined into a single Transaction Repository. At the end of the branch day, all of the paper associated with the transactions is forwarded from the branches to the back office processing center. The paper transactions are imaged in the conventional manner and the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) data is read from the paper. The present invention then automatically correlates the images and MICR data captured from the paper with the complete transaction record contained in the Transaction Repository. Most of the conventional back office processing can now be performed without the need to perform character recognition and without the need for excess human intervention.

Abstract: A system for and method of using a financial instrument to take a view on a price-to-earnings ratio for a set of one or more equities. The system and method may be used to commodify the price-to-earnings ratio for one or more equities, such as a stock or an index. The system and method may include a financial instrument that allows a user to take a view on an earnings, or ratio comprising price and earnings, for underlying equities.

Abstract: A system and method for funding a collective account via aggregating usage of electronic tags is disclosed. The system and method promotes the use of electronic tags, and the funding of collective accounts that may be associated with charitable or other philanthropic causes. Further benefits may be realized by replenishing the prefunded account that serves as the source of funds for the electronic tag to an affinity account that also benefits the charitable or other philanthropic cause.

Abstract: A system and method for funding a collective account such as a charitable account includes issuing a plurality of financial instruments, linking the financial instruments to the collective account, aggregating individual financial instrument usage, calculating a bonus or other reward based on the aggregate financial instrument usage and funding or distributing the reward to the collective account. According to the invention, members of a civic, charitable, political or other entity may generate collective rewards or other benefits which may be attributed to the designated organization.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving streamed, real time quotes with respect to financial instruments. The system applies a spreadsheet based investment strategy to the real time quotes, generating electronic orders based on the results of the investment strategy analysis and transmitting the orders for real time execution. The system generates a unique order identifier that allows users to actively track the status of orders in real time. This unique order identifiers can be shared with other users so that other trading strategies can be developed to execute upon the successful execution of the order (e.g., hedging).

Abstract: A loan syndication tracking and management system and method provides a user with access to specific details related to a syndicated loan. The system and method coordinates investor, borrower and resource information, in addition to features related to the overall structure of a syndicated loan. Users access the system with various levels of permissions to view, add, update or delete information according to their allotted permissions. The system permits multiple users to access the information for efficient handling of approvals and requests related to multiple investors and borrowers, in addition to handling institution interchanges and notifications. The system and method keeps a record of all transactions and changes for review, reporting or regulatory purposes. The administration of a syndicated loan transaction is simplified while providing advanced features such as support for loan trading.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for a call routing system is disclosed whereby the call routing service provider is associated with a series of partners. By providing a system supporting not only the main user, but also the partners, efficiencies are gained through cost-spreading. Agents can be qualified to field calls for multiple business entities. Cross-selling and proactive servicing based on caller demographic and profile data can be effectuated. The system employs a centralized or global bank of shared Interactive Voice Response (IVR) units so that unnecessary post-routing and call site interflow are reduced. The system comprises a central server system that interfaces with a long distance provider so that route requests are received, caller data is retrieved from one or more databases, routing and handling strategies are developed, load balancing is effectuated, and calls are appropriately routed to one of a plurality of geographically separated call center systems with queues staffed by agents.

Abstract: In a client-server architecture, a semi-persistent connection between the client and the server allows delayed or asynchronous transmission of a cookie or token. Delayed or asynchronous transmission of the cookie allows initial web page generation and display while awaiting a slow cookie, such as a cryptographically generated cookie that might be used for single-session sign-on. A technique for determining whether the client has received the cookie is also provided.