Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for constructing and maintaining a price structure for an e-commerce transaction relating to a complex product or service. A pricing tree is built of “price components” which include discrete revenues, price adjustments, taxes, and disbursements (such as royalties). Separate revenue streams, which may be allocated to different service providers, may have independent adjustment, tax, and disbursement treatments. Attributes may also be used in the calculation of separate components. Time-date adjustments and rate package adjustments are also supported. The system allows both automated calculation and accounting using the pricing tree. Transactions are supported by a modular e-commerce back-end platform.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a financial analysis for enhanced wireless communication services provides a financial analysis for a service provider or another user interested in the provision of enhanced wireless communications services. The method includes accepting user input related to an existing wireless communications service and a proposed enhanced wireless communications service. A reference database is accessed for reference to general market data related to the proposed enhanced wireless communication service and a standard adoption curve for adoption of the enhanced wireless communication service. The standard adoption curve is adjusted to obtain an adjusted adoption curve based on the accepted user-specific input. A graphical depiction of a financial analysis is presented to the user based on an evaluation of the adjusted adoption curve and the general market data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allow the computer based implementation of an auction of heterogeneous types of items wherein one or more types of the items may include plural items. At any point in the bidding process, the set of feasible assignments of the items, given the bidding state is the set of all possible allocations of the available quantity of the types of items to the bidders, subject to satisfying all the constraints on the assignment of the goods, the constraints on the bidding process and the constraints posed by the bidding state. Depending on the particulars of the bids, there may be one or more items (of one or more types) which are only included in the bid of a single bidder. The bidding is constrained such that once an item is uniquely spoken for, that bidder is guaranteed to receive the item. The item is said to be desired by only one bidder and such item is assigned to that bidder at the time. The auction continues until all items are assigned.

Abstract: A digital contents providing system selects second digital content to be reproduced along with first digital content which is selected by a user, depending on the individual information of a user such as age, sex, liking, and annual income, and sequentially reproduces the two digital contents as one reproducing stream according to reproducing control information specifying an order of reproducing the data included in both the first digital content and the second digital content.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing multiple investor accounts by rapidly computing and displaying the potential tax and gain/loss implications of proposed buy and sell transactions involving a single security. The invention allows users to identify criteria including tax selection liability rules and gain/loss rules for the proposed trades, and generate a trading (“What-If”) report identifying the tax lots in each account that would satisfy the selection criteria. A failure report identifying tax lots that do not satisfy the selection criteria allows the user to either transfer such tax lots to the trading report or defer trading using messages transmitted in the future as a reminder to review the proposed transaction at a more appropriate time.

Abstract: A method for ranking and allocating investment assets, the method including the steps of (a) classifying assets into discrete asset classes and obtaining index values for each of the asset classes; (b) determining a performance value for each of the asset classes based on the index values for a starting time period and at least three subsequent time periods for each asset class; (c) comparing the performance value of each asset class to one another and ranking the asset classes based on their performance values; and (d) allocating the investment assets among the asset classes based on the ranking of the asset classes.

Abstract: A method for cross marketing between companies. A first company conditions the grant of a discount for a second product at a second company on a purchase of a first product at the first company. The second company offers the second product for sale and stands ready to accept the discount on this second product as granted by the first company. The consumer may be notified of the discount. A credit may be deposited into an account of the consumer as an amount of property, a percentage of revenue, money, or some combination. Cumulative discounts may be aggregated on the purchase of a second product. A credit to an account benefiting the second company may be made in compensation for accepting the discount. The method may be used by departments within a company.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a home asset management account system is provided that combines a first mortgage account and an equity line of credit (LOC) and offers a periodic sweep feature between the first mortgage and equity LOC, a periodic property value review feature of the first mortgage, and a statement feature that provides a customer valuable information on the subject property estimated value and the relationship between the first mortgage and the equity LOC. The first mortgage and equity LOC results from a proprietary automated decisioning/pricing system, the periodic sweep feature, the periodic property value review feature, and a unique statement feature are bundled into a financial package available for customers.

Abstract: A rackmount system for a component may include outer slide members that couple with inner slide members. The outer slide members may be coupled to a rack with slam latches. The slam latches may couple with rails of the rack when the slam latches are placed against the rails. The inner slide members may be coupled to a component. The inner slide members may include tabs that engage slots in a chassis of the component to couple the inner slide members to the component. An inner slide assembly may include an inner latch that couples with the outer slide member to inhibit movement of the inner slide member relative to the outer slide member. The rackmount system may include a locking mechanism that locks the component relative to the rack.

Abstract: A shoe storage shelf assembly is suitable for mounting to an organizer system and has at least one storage shelf with a top side, an underside, a depth from front to back, and a width from side to side. The shelf is configured for use as a standard storage shelf in an organizer system. The assembly also has a pair of shelf support brackets each with a body having a rear end and an upward facing shelf support surface. The support surface is forwardly and downwardly inclined and has an upturned stop at a distal forward end. Connectors extend rearward from the rear end of the brackets and are configured to connect to uprights in an organizer system. The shelf can be inverted such that its top side rests on the shelf support surfaces with its front borne against the upturned stops.

Abstract: A procedure is a template that specifies trigger conditions and what to do when the trigger conditions occur, or do not occur within a specified time. Generally, a procedure corresponds to an order handling strategy used by a trader. A menu of standard procedures exist, and custom procedures are accommodated after being qualified for use in the present system. An interest represents an intent to trade. In contrast, an order is a definite commitment to buy or sell a certain amount. Generally, an institution or professional trader will know that they wish to trade when conditions are right, but will not be quite ready to submit an order. The institution or trader thus represents untapped market liquidity. By representing such liquidity as interests, the liquidity can be more efficient coupled to markets.

Abstract: A method and system for financial modeling to predict the amount of liquidity needed to support a portfolio of assets that is being financed in the commercial paper market, or any other market that is sensitive to the provision of liquidity. As the ability to access these markets is related to the rating of the assets, the model simulates rating movements over time and uses historical funding information of like assets to make estimates of future funding needs. Many aspects of the funding (draw) process are simulated (i.e., likelihood of draw, likelihood of continuing draw, and extent of draw amount). The result of the model is an estimate of reduced liquidity needs that is less than if the underlying assets were guaranteed individually, providing economic savings for the liquidity provider. A model is also described that predicts the required characteristics of a group of institutions jointly functioning as liquidity provider to the pool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating transactions to determine if suspicious activities are possibly present. Various methods include providing a reference designator list with information associated with one or more suspicious activities. Using the reference designator list, a first and a second transaction systems are evaluated. Various systems include two or more transaction systems utilizing information from a fraud detection system.

Abstract: A computerized accounting technique is provided. A record of a first type of transaction is identified based upon a record of a second type of transaction. The first type of transaction is a different type of transaction than the second type of transaction. Data is added to the record of the second type transaction based upon the identity of the first type transaction. Based upon this added data, the record of the second type transaction is reconciled with another record representing the second type transaction.

Abstract: In the context of computer-based auctions, innovations in proxy bids and auction formats are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a bidder can program a data processing system to enter one or more bids by proxy. The capabilities offered by the data processing system include: determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on the identity of one or more bidders in an auction, or determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on the absence of one or more bidders from an auction, or determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on the bid variables in one or more other bids, or determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on the results of another auction, or determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on default values, or waiting a specific or random amount of time before entering a bid in behalf of a bidder, or any combination of these.

Abstract: Members vote on which investments within an agreed upon list of investments they believe should be bought and sold. Members can be general members or experts. Records of each member's voting history are retained and compared against market data showing actual gains and losses associated with each investment. Members whose votes are consistent with actual performance (they made good selections) are given higher weights; members whose votes are inconsistent with actual performance (they made bad selections) are given lower weight. Investment assets are bought and sold based on the collective vote of the members. Members are rewarded for a good voting record by receiving an additional share of the incremental profit of the collective investment.

Abstract: An equipment enclosure for housing electronic components includes a front assembly having a front frame, the front assembly defining a front of the enclosure, and a rear assembly having a rear frame. The enclosure further includes at least two side brace members, each side brace member having a first end and a second, opposite end. A first connector is configured to releasably connect the first end of one of the side brace members to the front frame. A second connector is configured to releasably connect the second end of the one of the side brace members to the rear frame. Other embodiments and methods are further disclosed.

Abstract: A store apparatus stores a point calculation method that is applied usually, and stores also specific combinations of commodities names, as well as a specific point calculation method that is applied to those specific combinations. When an order of commodities is received from an ordering apparatus, it is judged if those commodities are one of the specific combinations of commodities When it is one of the specific combinations, points are calculated using the specific point calculation method. By making the specific point calculation method more advantageous to customers than the usual point calculation method, it is possible to excite customers' will to purchase the specific commodities.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications carrier operates a commerce platform in a trusted domain, which may store sensitive information associated with a consumer. During a credit card based transaction, a merchant's POS terminal sends transaction information to an acquirer. The acquirer recognizes the transaction type and responds by routing the transaction information to the commerce platform. The commerce platform validates the transaction by verifying the identity of the user. When the transaction is validated, the commerce platform notifies the acquirer, which initiates a clearing process. When the transaction clears, the acquirer notifies the commerce platform and signals the merchant's POS terminal to output a paper receipt. The commerce platform stores a digital receipt of the transaction and signals the wireless device to output a confirmation message to the consumer. The consumer's credit card number and other sensitive information may be restricted to the trusted domain, which excludes the merchant.

Abstract: A computer network and method for electronically trading derivatives. One preferred method of trading includes providing indicative quotes to market participants (which typically includes subscribers, but may also include market makers) to provide a non-binding indication of how the market makers are likely to price the particular derivative. A participant may then submit an RFQ, which is a request for a binding quote for the derivative. The RFQ preferably causes the current order book to be displayed on all subscribers' terminals, typically in the form of a row indicating the derivative of interest along with the current binding bid and binding ask prices. The indicative bid and ask prices may also be displayed, as well as the quantity (if any) requested in the RFQ. Market participants may then elect to submit an order for the corresponding derivative. Typically, the market participants will await an indication that a market maker has submitted a binding quote.

Abstract: A method for detecting a tracking error in a process of tracking a groove track on a recording medium includes the steps of: irradiating a first light spot onto a groove track on a recording medium as a focused light beam for carrying out recording, reproducing, or erasing of information on the groove track of the recording medium; and irradiating a second and a third light spots onto an area around the groove track on the recording medium as focused light beams simultaneously with the irradiation of the first light spot, the second and third light spots are irradiated onto an area around the groove track on one side of the first light spot in a manner such that each of the second and third light spots covers both an inside and outside of the groove track.