Abstract: The present invention relates to an online method and system for estimating the manufacturing cost of a component. A preferred method embodiment of the present invention includes receiving a component model which includes quantitative driver(s) and cost algorithm(s) used to determine the estimated manufacturing cost, receiving values for each quantitative driver, determining the estimated manufacturing costs for the component based on the values for each quantitative driver and the cost algorithm(s), and transmitting the estimated manufacturing cost to a user. A preferred computer system of the present invention is configured to receive a component model which includes quantitative driver(s) and cost algorithm(s), receive values for each quantitative driver, determine the estimated manufacturing costs for the component based on the quantitative driver values and the cost algorithm(s), and transmit the estimated manufacturing cost to a user.

Abstract: Method for providing mortgage collateralized servicing (MCS) contracts to mortgage servicers as a tool to manage hedging risk. The MCS contracts of the present invention pays mortgage servicers for their services, while providing a “self-hedging” component that reduces (or eliminates) the need for the servicer to engage in additional investing and trading in derivatives in order to hedge against servicing contract risks. Such risks typically include default, delinquency, pre-payment, and interest rate fluctuations associated with mortgage loans. Additionally, the method preserves the tax and accounting treatment for mortgage servicing rights contracts preferred by servicers.

Abstract: The invention provides a computerized electronic auction payment system and method for effecting a real-time payment for an item won in an electronic auction by setting up and maintaining electronic auction payment accounts for prospective bidders and sellers. The prospective bidders provide funds to their electronic auction payment accounts maintained by the computerized electronic auction payment system, prior to being deemed as winning bidders, via direct deposit, using a credit card, or sending a check, money order, or other financial document to an operator of the computerized electronic auction payment system. In one embodiment, upon being deemed as a winning bidder, the winning bidder accesses a payment page, enters the total amount of funds to be transferred to the seller, and authorizes the computerized electronic auction payment system to effect a real-time payment by debiting his, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for producing statements that have charges for one or more service categories. The present invention enables a service provider to define which services appear on what statements for any given customer. Using the present invention, it is possible to include telephony, cable, video, and/or data services on the same statement, separate statements, or any combination of services on one or more statements.

Abstract: The enterprise healthcare management system and method includes a novel healthcare management system. The healthcare management system includes a server system connected to a plurality of enterprise facilities. A master index and a shared document repository on the server facilitate positively identifying patients and confidently associating that patient with proper medical records. The method of using the system also facilitates finding where in the enterprise a patient is located, and identifying available patient records. Healthcare practitioners also use the healthcare management system to access a patient treatment plan system, irrespective of which enterprise facility presently has the patient or which enterprise treatment plan system operates the patient treatment plan.

Abstract: Allocating subscription revenue may involve receiving usage information relating to usage of digital content (e.g., music, movies, text, images, games) in a digital content aggregation, identifying a coefficient relating to a subset of digital works in the digital content aggregation (e.g., author-specific subjective or objective factors, popularity ranking, historical factors, performance factors, etc.), and generating a revenue allocation for the digital content based on the coefficient and the usage information.

Abstract: A method for automatically processing a loan application where a real property is used as collateral is disclosed. The method comprises steps of (a) inputting the loan application into a computer system, (b) providing the address of a collateral property to an automated valuation model (AVM) system, (c) receiving valuation data for the corresponding property from the AVM system; (d) determining a maximum allowable loan (LoanCap) by applying a pre-set lending policy to the valuation data and information provided in the loan application, and (e) comparing a requested loan amount in the loan application to the LoanCap, so that, when the requested loan amount is within the LoanCap, the loan application can be approved, wherein the steps (b) to (e) are automatically carried out in the computer system. The computer system for automatically processing the loan application is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a computer-implemented method and system for performing interest calculations on account balances. The calculations may be based on time intervals of less than a day, and using time parameters defined in terms of seconds.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing traveler's checks at a user's home or business using the purchaser's own computer system to allow the user to obtain traveler's checks at any time, in any denominations and without having to travel to an issuer location. User information, including a user identifier and a quantity and face value of bearer notes to be issued, are received from a user at an issuer central controller. The issuer central controller generates at least one code for generating the bearer notes and transmits the code to the user. Bearer notes including the code are then generated. Preferably, the user has registered with the note issuer prior to issuance of the notes. During registration, information relating to the user, such as identifying information and an account identifier are received from the user and stored in a database. A user identifier is transmitted to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a construction payment process. One method embodying the invention can include electronically creating a primary budget for a construction project including at least one first line item, electronically assigning the at least one first line item to a participant of the construction project, electronically creating a secondary budget for the at least one first line item, the secondary budget created for at least one of a general contractor, a subcontractor, and a material supplier and including at least one second line item, and automatically reconciling the primary budget and the secondary budget before administering a draw.

Abstract: The invention provides a computerized electronic auction payment system and method for effecting a real-time payment for an item won in an electronic auction by setting up and maintaining electronic auction payment accounts for prospective bidders and sellers. The prospective bidders provide funds to their electronic auction payment accounts maintained by the computerized electronic auction payment system, prior to being deemed as winning bidders, via direct deposit, using a credit card, or sending a check, money order, or other financial document to an operator of the computerized electronic auction payment system. In one embodiment, a prospective bidder authorizes the computerized electronic auction payment system to effect a real-time payment to the seller upon the prospective bidder being deemed the winning bidder (i.e., immediately following the conclusion of the auction). That is, without the winning bidder having to access a payment page via an Internet connection to a particular web site.

Abstract: A method of assessing patient flow through a hospital is disclosed. Through the collection of data regarding hospital statistics, a model can be built. Also, an hourly cost can be assigned to each care unit of the hospital for each patient. The model can be used to simulate the flow of patients through the hospital. Additionally, the model can be used to estimate a cost savings that would result from a purchase of patient monitoring equipment, or other resource changes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for data interchange provides a universal transaction mechanism for translating and sharing data, particularly financial data, thereby streamlining the exchange of financial information and approvals typically utilized in many brokerage transactions, including the verification of free funds through an electronic Letter of Free Funds in compliance with Regulation T and related government-mandated rules and requirements.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving information that establishes an identity of a user, and providing on-line access to customs information from an account-based database.

Abstract: A Value Analyzer system is a data-driven computer-facilitated financial model that provides accurate and consistent profitability calculations using account and event data stored in a relational database managed by a relational database management system (RDBMS), wherein the account data comprises attributes of the accounts being measured and the event data comprises attributes of account-related transactions. A selector function uses selection criteria to select accounts and events from the relational database in order to generate a number of inputs for profitability calculations.

Abstract: An electronic auction system known as the Yahoo! Auction System provides functionality that permits users to conduct auction transactions with various payment units, such as incentive points and credit points, as well as money. Points can be earned in a variety of ways and redeemed via online auctions. The Yahoo! Auction System includes a web server, a messaging server, a database server, and various databases including an account database for storing information about account balance, expiration date for each point or group of points, and redemption information. The Yahoo! Auction System provides different auction formats, such as Standard Auction, Dutch Auction, Progressive Auction, Buy-or-Bid Auction, and Declining Bid Auction. The Yahoo! Auction System reserves the bid amount associated any new valid bid in the bidder's account and unreserves those bid amounts that were previously reserved but are no longer the winning bid or otherwise displaced from the top bid positions.

Abstract: A hedged exposure and an associated hedging instrument can be accounted for to reduce periodic earnings volatility associated with the hedged exposure. The accounting to reduce the earnings volatility includes designating a portion of the value of the financial exposure as being hedged by the hedging instrument. The designated portion is determined based on a price sensitivity of the hedging instrument with respect to changes in market value of an underlying instrument. In each of a number of sequential periods, the portion of the financial exposure is redesignated based on changed price sensitivity of the hedging instrument. Periodic earnings volatility associated with a hedged exposure also can be reduced by dividing (for accounting purposes) the hedging instrument into a first part (also referred to as a designated part) and a second part (also referred to as a residue part).

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing a loan portfolio for variance are described. In an example embodiment, the method comprises the steps of identifying a milestone for at least one loan in the portfolio at a selected time of assessment, determining planned collections for the loan for the selected time of assessment, determining actual collections for the loan the selected time period of assessment, and populating a spreadsheet identifying a current milestone and a cumulative variance between planned collections and actual collections at the milestone for the loan.

Abstract: A process for generating a financial and liquidity estate plan for a client and defining a life insurance product for use therewith. The process includes determining the client's assets and defining a plurality of asset categories based on type and purpose of asset. The process also includes categorizing the client's assets in the defined categories. By performing liquidity analyses of the categorized assets, the process determines current estate liquidity and projected future estate liquidity of the client. The process further includes generating a plan for re-allocating the client's assets among the defined categories based on the liquidity analyses. The product defined by the process is a pre-paid, variable life insurance product having a death benefit that varies daily as a function of gains and losses on the invested cash 10 value of the product.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a method and apparatus for trading and clearing futures contracts using a clearing computer system. The apparatus includes providing a clearing computer system with an input device for receiving user input information including a base tick value and a trade price. The apparatus also includes a database for storing the user input information. The apparatus further includes a processor with programmable circuitry for calculating a settlement amount based on the user input information. Certain embodiments of the apparatus include a trigger for computer-assisted transfer of funds based on the settlement amount and an output for outputting at least one of the user input information and the settlement amount.