Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction.

Abstract: A data feed is monitored to determine whether a condition is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, an alert is initiated to attract a user's attention. Thereafter, playback mode is entered causing the example system to playback a short period of time-compressed data that occurred just prior to the event occurring to set context for the user. Once the playback signal has caught up with the real-time data feed, the data is output at normal levels. Other configurations, which are described herein, are also possible.

Abstract: A method of paying for a product is traded from a seller to a buyer, wherein a bill of exchange is issued by the seller and accepted by the buyer. The bill of exchange can be payable at a certain future date to the order of the seller at a first financial institution and drawn on the buyer at a second financial institution and becomes a negotiable instrument at the certain future date without reference to the transaction. The method can include: originating the bill of exchange from an originator who is not the seller; signing of the bill of exchange by the buyer then the seller and the seller then issuing of the bill of exchange. The method can also include negotiating the bill of exchange after issuance and on or after the certain future date to effect payment. The bill of exchange can be issued and accepted before a triggering event.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the performance of a family of target date funds. A model of the family is constructed using realized rates of return (“returns”) for an evaluation period for each of the funds. The returns for each fund are assigned to the periods of the model corresponding to the periods during which the return was realized by the fund. An estimate of the wealth generated by the family may be determined as a function of the returns assigned to the model and a pattern of contributions. A benchmark portfolio may be selected and used to construct a model of the benchmark portfolio having the same number of periods as the model of the family. The model of the benchmark and the pattern of contributions may be used to determine wealth generated by the benchmark portfolio, which may be compared to the estimate of wealth generated by the family.

Abstract: One or more proxy bidders is associated with a rule which determines a time to place a bid. The proxy bidder places a bid at the determined time, instead of immediately after the bidder's prior bid is exceeded. Such rules may be selected for all proxy bidders to encourage a desired auction behavior. By controlling the placement of bids based on rules associated with the desired auction behavior, bids may be placed in a manner that seems natural and competitive to bidders in the auction when, in fact, they are placed in accordance with the selected rules. The desired auction behavior may be selected statically for an auction or dynamically during the auction. Historical auction data maybe analyzed to characterize the behavior of an auction, such as the average period of time between bids and the average increment between bids. Rules may be generated to correspond to a behavior so as to provide the same average time and increment between bids.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for enabling online retail fixed income. A fixed income online retail enabling mechanism analyzes a request received from a user to determine the requested operation related to online retail fixed income. If the request is for visualizing information related to securities in one or more fixed income capital markets, visual representations are constructed using color codes and real value ratings converted from corresponding ratings issued from different sources and presented to the user. If the request is for managing account information, the fixed income online retail enabling mechanism facilitates the needs of managing accounts. If the request is related to conducting a transaction related to fixed income securities, the fixed income online retail enabling mechanism performs operations to trade securities in one or more fixed income capital markets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for modifying the terms of a loan and for providing for a shared appreciation loan program. For example, in one embodiment the amount owed on an existing HELOC is split into two portions. A qualifying borrower can defer the obligation to pay interest and payments on a portion of the HELOC in exchange for sharing up to 50% of the future appreciation in the real property that serves as the underlying security for the HELOC. This mortgage plan can provide an incentive for the borrower to remain in the home since the borrower may be able to share in the appreciation of the home even if the home never appreciates beyond the full amount owed on the home, while at the same time preserving the borrower's financial commitment rating and reducing the borrower's monthly payment.

Abstract: Systems, gateway computers, and methods for using a gateway abstraction layer and application platform interfaces for conducting service transactions are disclosed. A gateway abstraction layer computers can receive service requests in multiple message formats or communication protocols, transform those service requests into other message formats to process the service using one or more networks or third-party service providers. The results of the service request can then be translated back to the message format in which the original service request was received. The gateway abstraction layer can be maintained using update messages received from service providers.

Abstract: A delivery system and method allow a financial institution to provide financial services to a plurality of remote devices. The system is comprised of a set of re-usable global components which are modular and are organized into services sets. The system and method operate in sessions and, for instance, employ a dialog component for gathering information from a customer, a rule broker component for providing answers to the various legal and regulatory rules in a particular country, a language man component for selecting appropriate language, a transaction executor component for performing transactions, and a presentation manager component for formatting outputs to the customer. The system and method provide state-of-the art interfaces that can be configured and delivered to the customer in a globally consistent format that is based on the customer's account profile, various languages, various currencies, different legal regulatory requirements, as well as, different sets of business products.

Abstract: Anonymous transactions regarding prepaid negotiable instruments may be conducted. An anonymous account may be provided that is identified by an account number. Upon verification of a PIN and the account number, an individual is authorized to make an initial deposit of funds into the anonymous account, representing a pre-payment for negotiable instruments. The individual is thus authorized to request the issuance of negotiable instruments in an amount not exceeding the initial deposit of funds. When the issuance of negotiable instruments has depleted the initial deposit of funds, the anonymous account is closed. However, the anonymous account may be converted into a non-anonymous account, capable of accepting subsequent deposits, if the individual provides personal identifying information.

Abstract: A system determines neuro-response stimulus and stimulus attribute resonance. Stimulus material and stimulus material attributes such as communication, concept, experience, message, images, audio, pricing, and packaging are evaluated using neuro-response data collected with mechanisms such as Event Related Potential (ERP), Electroencephalography (EEG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Electrocardiograms (EKG), Electrooculography (EOG), eye tracking, and facial emotion encoding. Neuro-response data is analyzed to determine stimulus and stimulus attribute resonance.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to determining a listing date, an expiration date and the cash settlement price of a futures contract, i.e. a Treasury Futures, for the delivery of the most recently issued, referred to as an on-the-run, US treasury Note of a particular maturity by reference to the U.S. Treasury Auction cycle and the difference between a resultant industry surveyed swap rate and a resultant industry surveyed swap spread of the respective tenors (time remaining until maturity) of the on-the-run treasury futures.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium that facilitate the reception of usage data about the utilization of an intelligent home system and insurance claims data and recommend intelligent home system products based on the claims data. The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitate the analysis of the claims data to determine whether to recommend intelligent home system products and which, if any, intelligent home system products to recommend. Recommendations may be generated by comparing a user's usage data to the claims data. Recommendations may be generated by comparing the usage data to products related to the claims submitted by one or more similar claimants in the claims data. Recommendations may be presented to a user if the intelligent home system.

Abstract: A method of managing financial products is disclosed. The method includes receiving transaction parameters associated with a financial transaction, determining a standardized financial product, wherein the standardized financial transaction reflects the transaction parameters associated with the financial position, calculating a net present value position between the financial position and the standardized financial product, and clearing the net present value position through a clearing party.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer-implemented method for reducing funding burden on a credit issuer by offering an early payment rewards program to qualified card holders. The method may include identifying card holders having a payment history illustrating payment of an entire credit balance each month, determining whether each of the identified card holders generates an account-related fee total not exceeding a pre-selected threshold, and selecting the card holders having a history of payment of the entire credit balance each month and generating account-related fees not exceeding the pre-selected threshold. The method may further include offering the early payment rewards program to the selected card holders, wherein upon enrollment in the early payment rewards program the selected card holders receive rewards for early payment behavior.

Abstract: A computer system for offering property for exchange over a computer network includes a master database for storage of information pertaining to the property that is located on at least one master server which can be accessed by an exchangee, e.g. through a browser. The system further includes local agent databases which store information pertaining to property offered for exchange by a particular exchanger. An agent server accesses the master server so as to transfer information stored on an agent database to the master database. The computer system also includes an exchange management program adapted to record information relating to the stages of exchange of property between the exchanger and the exchangees, wherein the exchangees access the master server and request particular information from the master database pertaining to the property.

Abstract: A facility procuring information about a distinguished property from a user knowledgeable about the distinguished property that is usable to refine an automatic valuation of the distinguished property is described. The facility displays information about the distinguished property used in the automatic valuation of the distinguished property. The facility obtains user input from the user adjusting at least one aspect of information about the distinguished property used in the automatic valuation of the distinguished property. On a later day, facility displays to the user a refined valuation of the distinguished property that is based on the adjustment of the obtained user input.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to fulfill customer trading orders in an illiquid two sided market. Request for cross functionality may be implemented in a trading environment using a trading engine for the matching of trades involving financial instruments. Request for cross functionally integrates the benefits of a dual bid-ask continuous trading market model with the price and quantity trade matching systems and methods.

Abstract: A system and a method for automatically submitting Web pages to a search engine, which is preferably used for submitting dynamic Web pages, but may optionally be used for any type of Web page. The present invention features a gateway server for providing these Web pages to the search engine, either directly or optionally through an autonomous software search program. Optionally and more preferably, the gateway server modifies the Web page before serving it to the autonomous software search program and/or search engine.

Abstract: Neuro-response data including Electroencephalography (EEG), Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is filtered, analyzed, and combined to evaluate the effectiveness of stimulus materials such as marketing and entertainment materials. A data collection mechanism including multiple modalities such as, Electroencephalography (EEG), Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Electrooculography (EOG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), etc., collects response data from subjects exposed to marketing and entertainment stimuli. A data cleanser mechanism filters the response data and removes cross-modality interference.