Abstract: A method for facilitating simulated purchases by virtual representations of participants in computer-based simulations of items outside of the context of computer-based simulations, the method including receiving a simulated payment for an item for purchase, where the simulated payment is associated with a virtual representation of a participant in a computer-based simulation, where the item is available for purchase outside of the context of the simulation, and where the simulated payment is received outside of the context of the simulation, and providing a description of the item to a process of the simulation, where the description is provided subsequent to receiving the simulated payment, where and the description is provided in association with the virtual representation.

Abstract: A system for financial planning is disclosed. The system determines at least one financial strategy for assets to meet financial goals. The system determines an outcome for each of a plurality of financial strategies and selects at least one of the financial strategies to meet the financial goals using a software-implemented decision analysis and the outcomes for the financial strategies.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. In a market for a particular type of instrument, buy orders and sell orders are received from a plurality of traders. Each buy order has an associated bid price and each sell order has an associated offer price. A determination is made of whether the particular trading order is an outlying trading order by determining whether the particular trading order differs from at least one comparison price by more than a threshold value. If it is determined that the particular trading is an outlying trading order, a restrictive action is taken regarding the outlying trading order. For example, if a trader subsequently submits another trading order that would trade with the outlying trading order, an alert message may be sent to the trader and the subsequent trading order may be prevented from trading with the outlying trading order at least temporarily.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing access to a trading network is provided. A first network login request for a first user is received from a client application. The first network login request includes first authentication information. Based at least on the first authentication information, the first network login request is approved, which authorizes the first user to access the trading network. One or more associated users for which the first user is authorized to act as a proxy is identifying from a plurality of users. User profile information for one of the associated users is obtained and communicated to the client application. The user profile information includes information regarding the second user that can be used to allow the first user to engage in trading activity via the trading network on behalf of the second user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for offering debt recovery products to customers having delinquent accounts are disclosed. A debt recovery service retrieves delinquent account information corresponding to a customer. Based on the retrieved delinquent account information, the debt recovery service determines a set of debt recovery offers for the customer. The customer sends customer selection information to the debt recovery service. Customer selection information customizes a debt recovery product that corresponds to one of the set of debt recovery offers. The debt recovery service then creates a debt recovery account for the customized debt recovery product.

Abstract: A method and system which may be used to estimate the economic risk associated with a group of loans by determining a set of values of a first variable associated with a group of loans using a mathematical Gaussian copula function is disclosed. The described method includes determining a statistical dependency structure based on a Gaussian copula function between a predetermined first distribution of values of a second variable associated with the group of loans and a predetermined second distribution of values of the second variable associated with the group of loans, determining the set of values of the first variable using the statistical dependency structure, and estimating the economic risk associated with the group of loans based on the set of values of the first variable associate with the group of loans.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for analyzing waveforms to determine the existence of certain patterns in those waveforms. The existence of certain patterns can be used by investors to make decisions regarding the purchase or sale of stocks. The processes include a determination of the formation of a base, whether the pattern formed in the base is a cup or saucer, whether there is a double bottom in the base, if a base has broken out and if a handle exists on a cup, as well as other patterns.

Abstract: Using a user interface to allow payment for physical or virtual goods to be made through a physical object. A method may be practiced in a computing system including a user interface. The method includes detecting a payment physical object, and payment capabilities associated with the payment physical object. User input is received. The user input includes at least one of physically dragging a physical object to the detected physical object, or graphically dragging the physical or a virtual object to the detected payment physical object by dragging a graphical representation of the physical or the virtual object to the detected payment physical object. Payment for the physical or virtual object is facilitated using the payment capabilities associated with the payment physical object.

Abstract: An accounting system structured from a biller accounting device 100 connected to a database DB1 and a billee accounting device 200. Biller accounting device 100 sequentially receives input of billing data, some of which may be for appropriation in consolidated accounting, enters received billing data in database DB1, extracts any billing data not for appropriation from received billing data, outputs extracted billing data to billee accounting device 200, and excludes specified billing data entered in database DB1 from being appropriated. Billee accounting device 200 receives outputted billing data and notifies biller accounting device 100 of the receipt, and biller accounting device 100 excludes, as the specified billing data, billing data whose receipt is notified.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. In a market for a particular type of instrument, electronic data including buy orders and sell orders are received from a plurality of traders. Each buy order has an associated bid price and each sell order has an associated offer price. A determination is made of whether the particular trading order is an outlying trading order by electronically determining whether the particular trading order differs from at least one comparison price by more than a threshold value. If it is determined that the particular trading is an outlying trading order, a restrictive action is taken regarding one or more trading orders. For example, if a trader subsequently submits another trading order that would trade with the outlying trading order, an electronic alert message may be sent to the trader and the subsequent trading order may be prevented from trading with the outlying trading order at least temporarily.

Abstract: A centralized payment processing system is disclosed, which gives the user the ability to create payment outputs in a centralized environment. The centralized payment processing system includes embodiments in the form of a computer-readable medium, a method, and a means for processing payments, for example. The computer-readable medium includes computer-executable instructions to be executed by a computer. When these instructions are executed, they configure the computer to run a centralized payment processing system which is configured to receive a batch of obligated payments from a database, user interface, or other data source. The system is further configured to group some of the obligated payments into first, second, and potentially additional sets of obligated payments to be paid using first, second, and potentially additional payment methods.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluation of simulated hedging relationship assignments. A processor may, in response to an inputted selection of a simulated hedging relationship assignment, calculate at least one effectiveness value for the simulated hedging relationship assignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for a card that allows a cardholder to set up auto-charge payment of dues and fees to a series of clubs, merchants or service providers. The card also may be used for other transactions that accept credit cards. The apparatus includes a database containing information of the associated clubs, merchants and service providers, so that applicants and cardholders can easily configure auto-charging for multiple business concerns in one sitting. The apparatus may process auto-charge transactions in an automated fashion without requiring a cardholder to submit payment authorization or the business concern to submit a charge for each payment. Inconvenience and administrative costs to the cardholder and the business concern are reduced. The system and method provide a competitive advantage to the associated business concerns to secure the initial account and then to maintain it.

Abstract: A method for authorizing purchases by an owner of an account previously established with a bank where the owner wants to purchase an item from a merchant.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying and retaining customers who are likely to terminate an existing loan contract at a date earlier than the loan termination date identified in the loan contract are disclosed. The method includes the steps of using an early termination model to identify customers likely to terminate an existing loan contract at a date earlier than the loan termination date identified in the loan contract, notifying those customers of new loan opportunities at competitive loan interest rates and attempting to cross sell new loans to the customers before the customer early terminates their existing loan.

Abstract: A computerized system and method process financial securities and instruments to accurately determine and optimize the after-tax proceeds an investor could expect to have at the end of a holding period for each of a set of investment strategies and determines an optimal strategy for maximizing such after-tax proceeds.

Abstract: A collections prioritization method and system for use in a financial services business is disclosed. The system is configured to generate a collection priority value from information stored on the system and queue the accounts for collection action based on the priority value and user entered filtering criteria. In one embodiment, the system is further configured to generate a report on the efficiency of collection by a collector.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling adults to perform stock market transactions on behalf of minors and other young persons who have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the stock market. The method comprises enabling an adult to set up and put money into a custodial account that can be accessed by the minor, enabling the minor to make a stock transaction request, notifying the adult of the stock transaction request, and enabling the adult to fulfill the stock transaction request on behalf of the minor. The method can also include instructing the minor on the stock market and evaluating the minor's knowledge of the target stock before transmitting the stock transaction request to the authorizing adult.

Abstract: An Internet billing method comprises establishing an agreement between an Internet access provider and a customer, and an agreement between the Internet access provider and a vendor, wherein the Internet access provider agrees with the customer and the vendor to bill the customer and remit to the vendor for products and services purchased over the Internet by the customer from the vendor. The provider creates access to the Internet for the customer. When the customer orders a product or service over the Internet from a vendor, transactional information transmitted between the customer and the vendor is also transmitted to the provider. The provider then bills the transaction amount to the customer and remits a portion of the transaction amount to the vendor, keeping the differential as a fee for providing the service. As a result of this method, there is no need for any customer account numbers or vendor account numbers to be transmitted over the Internet, thereby maintaining the security of that information.

Abstract: A hidden image game piece and a method by which a hidden image game piece is produced. A first pattern of colored ink is deposited on a transparent or highly translucent substrate at 110-180 density, forming the image which is to be hidden. Then a second pattern of colored ink, of a different color than first pattern's ink, is deposited upon the substrate on top of the first pattern, at 90-170 density. When the game piece is flooded with additive light of the same color as the second pattern's ink, the previously concealed image, composed of the first pattern's ink, becomes perceptible. Because a transparent or highly translucent substrate is used for the game piece, and because the density of the ink application is controlled within specific ranges, this game piece may he used with a computer monitor, or with other low-intensity sources of additive light.