Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-based system that provides a method for real time data storage and retrieval for the purpose of verifying and validating sales transactions and product return/warranty repair eligibility. An electronic product registration system is provided which stores information on purchased products and which enables a retail store or the like to verify compliance with return policies prior to accepting a product for return or replacement, thereby reducing improper or fraudulent product returns under warranty, while also providing related functionality to third parties such as law enforcement agencies and the like.

Abstract: An image of at least one object (14) is captured. An object class selection is received from a menu (70) of a plurality of object classes. At least one task menu specific to the object class selection is provided. A task selection is received from the at least one task menu. A task associated with the at least one object (14) is facilitated based on the image and the task selection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-implemented method and system for providing user requested music. The method comprises of receiving user input that defines a plurality of music search parameters. Some of the music search parameters may describe music content attributes. Thereafter, the process searches for music samples based upon the user provided search parameters. The process then presents music samples to the user. The method also determines if the user wants to buy any of the presented music samples, a set of music samples similar to the music purchased and/or a set of music samples different than the music bought.

Abstract: A transaction structure for issuing a debt instrument. The transaction structure includes a first entity and a second entity. The first entity transfers an asset in exchange for receiving a beneficial interest in the asset, then issues the debt instrument. The debt instrument is backed by a market value of the asset. The second entity issues the beneficial interest in the asset in exchange for receiving the asset. The market value of the asset is determined by a clearing price of a Dutch auction.

Abstract: A trading process wishing to perform market depth discovery sends a trial order to a market process. The trading process and the market process are both operative on a platform. The market process receives the trial order and enters the trial order into its order book. When responding to market inquiries from trading processes, the market process ignores the trial order. At some point, the market process selects the trial order for pairing with an active contra-side order, as if the trial order was a regular order, and sends a pairing report for zero shares to the trading process that originated the trial order. The market process then removes the trial order from its order file, and pairs the regular orders in its order file such that their pairing priority is unaffected by the trial order.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems and methods for providing optimal hedge portfolios that minimize single stock idiosyncratic risk for a given level of transactional costs. This is accomplished by deriving hedge portfolios with the maximum effective n for various levels of transaction costs. In one exemplary embodiment the maximum effective n portfolios are derived by starting with a sample portfolio, such as a capital weighted index, and using a hill climbing algorithm to iteratively modify the sample portfolio to map out the optimal effective n portfolios.

Abstract: A communication portal configured to provide information regarding mortgage backed securities that have incoming cash flows backed by the excess servicing fees of the plurality of adjustable rate mortgages is described. The communication portal may be configured to display a user prompt to receive information regarding the excess servicing fees and reports regarding the mortgage backed securities that have incoming cash flows backed by the excess servicing fees of the plurality of adjustable rate mortgages. The communication portal can be accessible online.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic transaction recording system for accumulating data from printer devices comprising a mobile access unit containing content which is to be printed, a printer device which receives the content from the mobile access unit and prints the content in response to a authorization process, a billing manager coupled to the printer device and the mobile access unit for determining the amount of printer usage and associating a predetermined amount of token values with the costs of printing and generates an accounting of usage based on a predetermined measure of usage and a billing system for maintaining accounting records of user and associating user account information with the predetermined measure of usage and stores account information in an account records database.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention concern finding correlations between related traded items, such as securities, commodities, currencies, or contracts. The pricing information of multiple traded items from one or more markets is analyzed and a user is provided with a listing of pairs or larger groups of traded items which are most closely correlated. Another embodiment of the invention is a system and method for finding the most related traded item to a particular predefined item. Another embodiment of the invention is a system and method for finding the traded item whose trading history is closest to a predefined curve.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a construction payment process. One method embodying the invention can include evaluating financial risk associated with a construction project by electronically aggregating construction project data associated with participants in a construction project, the data aggregated from a software application that manages payment workflows for the construction project; establishing financial metrics based on the project data; and evaluating at least one of either the metrics or the project data to determine financial risk associated with the project.

Abstract: A method and system for the determination of optimal pricing and allocation of securities in an open, competitive environment. The method and system may also be used in developing pre-markets of other items that are difficult to price and allocate in a competitive manner, such as the underwriting/securitization of contracts for property; future revenue/earning streams from an asset and/or group of assets; underwritten insurance portfolios, intellectual property and other goods and services. The system of price optimization and allocation is accomplished by interactive feedback of information using a display and including competitive participation of individual members of the public (and/or their agents) or institutional buyers over a data network e.g., the Internet, uncovering the nature and identification of demand in a self-organizing fashion. Demand emerges through participants' interaction with the system and with each other, via a graphically-supported, interactive reservation process.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a selection of a first object. The first object is associated with a value, and receiving the first object is controlled by one or more parameters. The first object is used to select a second object, thereby affecting the state of the first object. The second object is obtained using the first object. An effect the obtaining of the second object has on the first object is determined, and the value associated with the first object is revised based on the effect.

Abstract: A virtual pooled account is used in operating a system having multiple financial partners. In a specific implementation, the system is a mobile banking system. Instead of maintaining separate general ledgers for each financial institution, the system will keep one general virtual pooled account. This will reduce the settlement and operational costs of the system. The owner of the virtual pooled account will receive the float on the virtual pooled account, and this float will be distributed to the multiple financial partners according to a formula.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calculating a value of a credit hybrid. The value of the credit hybrid is determined based on a model of the forward hazard rate that is based on a stochastic differential equation that includes a jump term for the hazard rate. The jump term may be based on a non-negative function of the hazard rate and a Poisson process. In addition, the stochastic differential equation may include a drift term for the hazard rate and a Brownian motion term for the hazard rate. The value of the credit hybrid may be determined by calibrating the model using calibration data and then calculating the value of the credit hybrid using the calibrated model. Both the calibration and the valuation steps may utilize Monte Carlo simulations.

Abstract: A method and system for resolving disputes between parties involved in a network-based transaction is described. One aspect of the present invention seeks to automatically facilitate the restitution of value to parties of the transaction, for example, facilitated by a network-based commerce platform or involving a network-based payment service, where a dispute has arisen with respect to the transaction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a financial instrument issued to a customer includes an account and a guarantee of a protected value. The account has an account balance that changes over time, wherein at least part of the account balance is based on an initial deposit into the account. The protected value is fixed at the time of a particular event at a value at least equal to the greatest of the initial deposit, the account balance at the time of the particular event, and the highest value of the account balance on at least one anniversary of a customer specific date between the date of the initial deposit and the time of the particular event. The customer specific date is specific to the customer, determined no later than the time the financial instrument is issued, and independent of any transaction specific date related to the financial instrument.

Abstract: Investment return on a liquid or illiquid asset is increased by granting the right to pledge the asset to an entity that can deploy the asset more efficiently than its owner. Using the committed assets—and the resulting ability of the entity to pledge those assets and borrow capital at advantageous rates—the entity can transact for greater profits than the asset owner could otherwise earn. The entity's credit rating may be based, at least in part, on a third-party guarantee of the asset's value. The credit rating may also be based on other characteristics of the entity. The entity may obtain pledges of multiple assets from multiple owners, all of whom share in the profits of the transactions. If there are losses, the pledged assets can be sold, or the owners can contribute to the entity to pay off the losses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer system and a method for managing a financial transaction between an issuer of a note and an investor buying the note, wherein the note is exchanged into one or more exchange traded items of the issuer's portfolio. The computer system comprises an index database for storing data relating to a specific time varying benchmark index, an item database for storing data relating to the exchange traded items to be exchanged, a calculating unit for calculating an exchange ratio between the note and at least one exchange traded item to be delivered to the investor based on at least a current level of the benchmark index and a current price of the at least one exchange traded item, and a transaction unit for delivering at least one exchange traded item in accordance with the exchange ratio to the investor upon an exchange request of either the issuer or the investor or upon maturity of the note.

Abstract: A computerized CSD-system includes an instruments register in which the instruments have attributes which define them. The instruments are configured in a hierarchical multi-level structure. A first instrument on a first level in the hierarchy is linked to instruments on a second, lower level in the hierarchy. The link between instruments on the first and second levels of the hierarchy is defined by all of the attributes in the instruments on the second level also included in the instrument on the first level to which the instruments on the second level are linked. An amendment to an attribute in an instrument causes the same amendment in the same attribute of those instruments which are linked to the amended instrument and which are on lower levels in the hierarchy than the amended instrument. Each instrument is only allowed a link to one instrument above it.

Abstract: A method and system for creating an equity exchange fund for public and private entities are provided. The method includes the steps of receiving an application to participate in the fund from at least one investor, the investor having a position in at least one commercial entity; evaluating the entity based on at least one predetermined criteria; if the entity is acceptable, performing a valuation of the position in the entity; and determining a number of shares of the fund to be exchanged for the position in the entity. The determining the number of shares step includes determining a future value of the position at a scheduled date of liquidation of the fund; dividing the future value of the position by a total current fund value plus the future value of the position to determine a ratio; and multiplying a number of shares of the fund by the ratio.