Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating bidding on images. The techniques may include receiving bids includes presenting a first image and a bid associated with the first image. The first image is similar to a second image for which a bid is to be submitted for presenting sponsored content based on the second image. A bid is received for presenting a sponsored-content item based on the second image. The received bid is stored in association with second image and a sponsored-content item based to be presented based on the bid and the second image.

Abstract: A methodology, system and business model are disclosed for facilitating a fully automated buyer's auction in which the major types of transaction costs are significantly reduced by providing the buyer and the sellers with near-perfect information about one another, including information about buyer preferences and competing sellers' offers. The system implements a buyer's auction with multidimensional bidding that minimizes market intelligence, search, bargaining and transaction execution costs and thus creates more competitive, frictionless markets. Buyers and sellers can efficiently conduct the buyer's auction within a unified environment, thereby minimizing buyer integration costs as well. The buyer's auction generates commercially marketable proprietary information and a revenue stream for the auctioneer providing such a service.

Abstract: Methods and corresponding systems are provided for providing and administering deferred annuities with an annuity reset feature that provide periodic income payments to an annuitant for a term beginning at a start date. The methods include the step or steps of: receiving annuity information for an annuitant; determining at a first date one of a purchase price and an amount of at least one income payment due to the annuitant at the start date. The purchase price or the amount of at least one income payment due the annuitant includes a fee for the annuity reset feature that resets at least one variable of the annuity at a reset date later than the first date if the at least one variable of the annuity at the reset date is more beneficial to the annuitant than at least the first date; and offering the annuity with the reset feature to the annuitant.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a proof of mailing service include receiving from a user a designation of a recipient to receive an item to be mailed, and receiving a free-form description of the item. Postage indicia is printed bearing an amount of postage for a mail piece containing the item. In response to the mail piece being processes by a postal authority, a transmission from the postal authority containing a scanned image of the mail piece is received. The recipient is then sent a notification that the item has been mailed, and the notification includes the free-form description of the item and access to the scanned image.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for managing and collecting receivables are disclosed. Such a method includes providing at least one pre-existing account with first account information, the first account information having first account party data and providing at least one new account, each new account comprising new account information, the new account information having new account party data. The method also includes determining whether the first account party data of the pre-existing account matches the new account party data of the at least one new account and if so, tying the at least one new account with the matching pre-existing account to create a tied account. The method further includes calculating a score for any unmatched new account and any tied account based on at least one financial parameter and applying one or more collection strategies.

Abstract: Price improvement in credit screened trading systems is achieved by entering a maximum price improvement (MPI) amount with a maker quote. The system prepares separate quote queues for each trading floor including only quotes where bilateral credit exists. Quotes are arranged using Price, MPI, time priority. When a quote is dealt, a dealable price improvement is calculated as the amount of the MPI required to improve the dealt quote's position in the queue.

Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes determining a premium for a life insurance policy. One or more methods and systems include combining a determination of a mortality risk with a determination of a future lapse risk for an individual to yield the premium for the life insurance policy.

Abstract: A system and appertaining method are provided in which a brokerage firm transmits confidential information about security trading intentions to an anonymous server that follows through on a trade only if there is a likelihood that the trade can be completed. Pricing inputs are obtained that help a price engine determine pricing information for securities. The trade itself is executed by a primary trading system. If the trade is not completed, then the confidential information is not shared with a market maker or other purchasing or selling entity. When security is low and trust is high, for speed purposes, among other things, the anonymous server may be located with a market maker. When security is high and trust is low, any or all of the anonymous server, price engine, and primary trading system can be collocated on site with the broker in a secure environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods to facilitate allocation of find assets amongst asset classes including: equity inverse assets, precious metal assets, commodities and hard assets, international equity, international fixed income, domestic fixed income and domestic equity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for trading financial instruments through multiple trading intermediaries are described.

Abstract: A system and appertaining method are provided in which a brokerage firm transmits confidential information about security trading intentions to an anonymous server that follows through on a trade only if there is a likelihood that the trade can be completed. Pricing inputs are obtained that help a price engine determine pricing information for securities. The trade itself is executed by a primary trading system. If the trade is not completed, then the confidential information is not shared with a market maker or other purchasing or selling entity. When security is low and trust is high, for speed purposes, among other things, the anonymous server may be located with a market maker. When security is high and trust is low, any or all of the anonymous server, price engine, and primary trading system can be collocated on site with the broker in a secure environment.

Abstract: A method is provided of operating a self-service check depositing terminal to provide an acknowledgement receipt. The method comprises identifying a depositor, receiving one or more checks from the depositor, generating a check deposit receipt associated with the transaction, obtaining an electronic mail (email) address associated with the identified depositor, attaching the check deposit transaction receipt to the email, printing an acknowledgement receipt which contains the email address, and delivering the printed acknowledgment receipt to the depositor. In another embodiment, the printed acknowledgement receipt may contain a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) associated with the check deposit receipt.

Abstract: A system and method for the online settling of a transaction is provided. The system includes a server configured to determine a set of curves or planes defining acceptable settlement conditions for the financial transaction, enabling the user to select an acceptable settlement condition using interactive controls or computer implemented controls engageable by the user, such as sliding selectors or rotatable dials or the like, or controls enabling placement of points on a curve or curves. In certain instances, movement or engagement of one control may result in movement or alteration of another control, reflecting interaction between the parameters being controlled as dictated by rules established on behalf of the party to the transaction. The result, once the computer implemented controls present an acceptable settlement condition for the user, is a settlement condition wherein both user and the party to the transaction resolve the transaction on jointly acceptable terms.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a computer system and process for use in a trading system are provided that allow trading entities to compress trade records while simplifying the reconciliation process. Advantageously, compressed trade records are processed by a custodian firm, while uncompressed reconciliation data are processed by a central counterparty. In some embodiments, a computer system and process are provided that allows trading entities to compress trade records across markets. Advantageously, compression across markets provides a larger pool of eligible trade records for compression, increasing the number of compressible trades, and thus reducing fees paid by the trading firm and the amount of data transmitted.

Abstract: A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle includes coupling the electric vehicle to an energy delivery point via a connector, receiving a unique identifier of the electric vehicle via the connector, determining an account associated with the identifier, delivering an amount of energy to the electric vehicle via the connector, and determining a transaction amount based on the amount of energy delivered to the electric vehicle by the energy delivery point.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer systems, and computer program products are provided for determining specified matrices. The matrices may be associated with financial institutions and the financial affairs in a banking practice. In one implementation, a base matrix is formed which may be used to create the specified matrices when processing mass data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting fraud detection information are presented. In one example, a computer system analyzes empirical data to detect potentially fraudulent activity and alerts users of the potentially fraudulent activity via a fraud detection user interface. The fraud detection user interface determines a set of user interface components to suitable to present the potentially fraudulent activity and presents facts associated with the potentially fraudulent activity to a user for further analysis and investigation.

Abstract: A method of and system for terminating or assigning outstanding OTC derivative transactions between a plurality of financial institutions (banks). The system comprises: a processing station arranged to receive transaction data describing a plurality of transactions from a plurality of banks via the Internet. The processing station comprises: a linking module for linking different versions of the same transaction received from different parties to that transaction; an analysis module for determining a set of linked transactions between a plurality of different banks, wherein each bank has debts and claims towards other banks in the set; a calculation module arranged to calculate an aggregated value of each set of linked transactions and select the set of linked transactions which has an aggregated value within bank-specified tolerance limits acceptable for executing a termination; and an execution module for executing a termination or assignment of the selected set of linked transactions.

Abstract: A reprice-to-block order and related market center and process are disclosed which automatically reprice a posted limit order to the price of a block trade executed at an inferior price on a market away from the market center that posted the limit order.