Abstract: A system and method are provided to implement real-time bidding using instant messaging. In one embodiment, real time messaging may be provided through IM messaging via an IM server over the internet, between a client and a web-based commerce system. The IM server may be provided by various service providers. In another embodiment, real-time messaging between a client and a web-based commerce system may take place over a P2P network provided by a service provider e.g. Skype. The real time messages may include notification messages communicated from the commerce system to a client. A notification message may include an outbid alert message. The real time messages may include re-bid messages communicated from a client to the commerce system.

Abstract: Retail consumers may hedge the price of volatile commodities such as gasoline via the advance purchase of a policy, which may be represented by a hedge card. The card may be priced to cover uncertainty in the price of the commodity over a defined future period, plus a small profit for the card issuer, optionally plus a pre-paid residual cash value. The card may permit the purchase of a defined amount of the commodity at a price not to exceed a defined ceiling over the defined future period. The card issuer may contact with one or more fuel providers to apportion the risks and benefits of the hedge card. In the alternative, the card issuer may contract with the consumer only, and may rebate commodity purchase amounts in excess of the defined price ceiling directly to the hedge card holder.

Abstract: The present invention shares revenue in an Internet printing system comprising a search engine provider, a host computer capable of browsing the Internet, and an advertisement sponsor. A user of the host computer registers with the search engine provider as a participant in an Internet advertisement revenue sharing system managed by the search engine provider. The user of the host computer conducts a search utilizing a web page of the search engine provider and the search results in a search result page being displayed on a browser of the host computer. The user of the host computer selects an option to print the displayed search result page on a printer connected to the host computer. The host computer generates print data to print out the search result page together with advertisement data and submits the generated print data to the printer for printing.

Abstract: There is provided a rebalancing tool and method that enables an advisor to monitor client account performance against a client account model, receive alerts out-of-balance client accounts, and preview rebalancing hypothetical results. The rebalancing tool enables the advisor to perform the steps of creating a client model via a web interface and compare the client account against the client model at the asset class level. The rebalancing tool can display out-of-balance client account alerts and out-of-balance client accounts on a rebalancing tool page, and enable a user to test a rebalancing hypothetical that includes modifications to the percentage asset allocation or percentage tolerance threshold at the asset class level, and planned trades to the client account. The rebalancing tools enables a user to prepare rebalancing hypothetical results that may then be presented to the client for approval.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to creating virtual data of an effective obligor number N based on setting information, determining ratings after transition of the virtual data for a plurality of scenarios according to rating transition data representing transition of each rating, calculating a risk amount for each of the scenarios based on the rating after transition of the virtual data and specifying a risk amount corresponding to a confidence level as a predicted risk amount of the virtual data, setting a minimum effective obligor number N among the effective obligor numbers N when predicted risk amounts smaller than an allowable risk amount are specified, as a diversification object number, and calculating a credit limit based on the set diversification object number and a total credit.

Abstract: A method for considering constraints imposed by the bidders in auctions for multiple items. The invention discloses representative examples of such constraints. We demonstrate that a winner determination problem may be formulated as an integer program, and may be solved by commercially available software packages. This invention includes both a business process of auctioning multiple items with constraints specified by the bidder, and a computer implemented method for determining winners in such an auction.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a cost of workers compensation insurance for a selected time period based upon monitoring, collecting and communicating data representative of the risk's business characteristics, whereby the cost is adjustable by relating the business characteristics to predetermined standards. The system predetermines a risk profile and a base cost of workers compensation insurance based on said risk profile, monitors a plurality of data elements representative of an operating state of the risk or a payroll modification during the selected time period, collects selected data elements out of the plurality of data elements when said ones are determined to have a pre-selected relationship to the risk's business operations, consolidates the selected ones for identifying a surcharge or discount to be applied to the base cost, and produces a final cost for the selected time period from the base cost and the surcharge or discount.

Abstract: A system/method implemented at an insurance company estimates a final premium charge and more accurate real time estimate during the lifetime of the policy for workers compensation insurance associated with a risk based on: receiving real-time payroll data associated with the risk; monitoring the received real-time payroll data to identify and record raw data elements that have an identified relationship with any of, or a combination of, the following: the risk's business operation, insurability of the risk, character of the risk, or rating parameters associated with the risk's policy; and determining the final premium charge of workers compensation insurance for the risk based on a premium modification that increases or decreases a premium charge based on an evaluation of the recorded raw data elements.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a business's operational characteristics and employee classifications, in real time, to obtain increased amounts of data relating to the total compensation for purposes of providing a more accurate determination of a cost of insurance for the risk, on a real-time basis, and to bill such charges directly to the risk according to their unique finance plan in direct relation to their payroll cycle.

Abstract: An Automated Teller Machine, ATM. Persons with physical disabilities sometimes have difficulty negotiating an ATM. Under the invention, two persons are involved in an ATM transaction. One person is equipped with a communicator, such as a cell phone, which contacts an ATM. That person enters necessary transaction data, such as a PIN, a desired cash amount, and so on, using the cell phone. The other person collects the cash dispensed, and any documents, at the ATM itself. This approach eliminates a need for one person to entrust an ATM card and PIN to another person. In another embodiment, the person located at the ATM was previously given a token or passcard by the customer. That person presents the token to the ATM, which prompts the ATM to call the cell phone of the customer, thereby initiating the transaction.

Abstract: A rule generation system facilitates the dynamic generation of rules for an insurance claim processing computer system. The rule generation system includes various modules and graphical user interfaces that provide a streamlined mechanism for creating new rules for the insurance claim processing architecture. The rule generation system may include various levels of usability that distinguish between an advanced user of the rule generation system and basic user that uses the generated rules. The rule generation system may also include graphical user interfaces directed to adding, editing, removing, or maintaining rules for the insurance claim processing computer system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enrolling a voiceprint in a fraudster database, the method comprising: a) defining a fraud model comprising at least one hypothesis indicative of a fraudulent transaction; b) processing audio data based on the fraud model to identify at least one suspect voiceprint in the audio data suspected of belonging to a fraudster; and c) enrolling the at least one suspect voiceprint in the fraudster database.

Abstract: An system for and method of repurchasing stock is presented. The system and method improve upon prior art techniques by limiting risk to an investment bank that enables an accelerated stock repurchase. More particularly, such risk is reduced in the event that the repurchasing company announces higher than expected dividends on the stock during the term of the accelerated repurchase transaction.

Abstract: A method for designating accounts for funds from a check to be deposited is described. The method includes receiving, at a processing center having a processor, a direct deposit government entitlement check from a government entity to be deposited. The check may include an identifier. The method further includes comparing the identifier with a customer database to determine that funds from the check have been designated to be divided into sub-amounts and deposited into a plurality of accounts. Each of the plurality of accounts has account type and an associated expenditure designation. The method then receives a report of a total amount deposited from the check for each type of associated expenditure designation and each account type.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the creation and promotion of creative works involves displaying or providing information about one or more undeveloped creative works, and receiving and processing requests for purchases of benefits relating to selected ones of the undeveloped creative works. Patron information is stored in a manner associated it with work under development selected by the user. Monetary amounts received from patrons relating to the undeveloped works are aggregated and, at a certain point, made available to the producer of the work to be developed. Patrons may be notified concerning availability of the selected and previously purchased benefits relating to the patron's sponsorship of the particular work. The benefit may be redeemed or obtained in a variety of different manners, depending upon the nature of the benefit.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method of (or apparatus for) facilitating the display of items of multiple transaction types in a commingled listing. The display of items of multiple transaction types in a commingled listing may include items which are being offered by a specific Seller at a network based commerce facility.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a private label promotion card as a bank product, being issued and managed by the bank and using an open payment network for purchase authorization and payments. A bank computer processes activation information for a promotion card and receives funds into an account at the bank on behalf of a retailer for payment for the promotion card, perhaps at a discount to a customer value of the promotion card. The bank computer authorizes purchase requests to use one or more activated promotion cards as payment for a consumer purchase from the retailer via an open payment network and transfers funds to the open payment network to satisfy the authorized consumer purchase. Upon expiration, the bank computer sweeps the account of the remaining value for expired promotion cards to thereby establish a credit for the bank.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing trading using an eVWAP price in an illiquid market are provided. In an illiquid market there may be little or no actual trades. During a trading period, the eVWAP price is therefore determined from not only trades, but also unmatched bids and offers. The eVWAP price is determined when new information becomes available or at a specified time interval. The final eVWAP price is determined when the sampling period ends. Once the final eVWAP price is determined, the value of the final eVWAP price is published for use as a price to settle a contract.

Abstract: The invention enables a system user to create a scenario that includes an analysis resolution, portfolio component data and analysis environment data. Once the scenarios are established, the system user can conduct processing/modeling/analysis in order to optimize the portfolio allocation data—effectively maximizing the return on the component investments, while minimizing the risk exposure for the portfolio. In achieving the optimization, the system can process stored user or system defined scenarios based on a series of modeling/analysis system modules. Further, it is possible for a system user to model, analyze and compare multiple scenarios historically or prospectively. The system may provide wealth outcome analysis which allows a user to determine likely long term outcomes of a particular investment plan, while accounting for the tax consequences of the chosen plan. In an implementation, the system is configured to store the modeling/analysis results and generate a scenario report.

Abstract: A system to disseminate attributable interest information includes an internal interface that receives attributable interest messages concerning a specific security that is traded on a computerized trading system. Each attributable interest message includes a lot size, a per unit value, and a market participant identifier. An interest grouping process groups the attributable interest messages according to their per unit values, forming a plurality of price level groups. An external interface publishes, over an information bus, the attributable interest messages included in one or more selected price level groups that are chosen from the plurality of price level groups.