Abstract: In one aspect, a programmable load forming system is programmed to perform the method of downloading a calculated path from the computer to the robot controller, moving one or more bundles along the calculated path to position the one or more bundles in a predetermined stacking position of a stacking pattern using the robot, and determining if the robot has completed moving along the calculated path. The calculated path is defined, in part, by the stacking pattern and other parameters such as, for example, bundle geometry, bundle levelness, bundle compressibility, among other parameters. In another aspect, the system is programmed to perform a method of sensing the top of a bundle and controllably placing a bundle. Additional aspects are directed to systems and methods of safely operating the robot and an inventive hopper design for holding bottom/tie sheets.

Abstract: A variator torque control system adjusts a variator output so that the actual output torque of the variator closely matches an expected output torque. In an example, pressure values of an existing torque control map are supplemented in real time with calculated pressure supplement values based on the current operation of the variator. The pressure supplement value for each mapped pressure value may be derived based on a prior application of the same or another map value.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a stock index for a group of investment management companies is disclosed. The method may include obtaining first trade information for each security representative of the group of investment management companies during a first time period, aggregating the first trade information for a predetermined time period, storing the aggregated first trade information, calculating from the aggregated first trade information an index for the group of investment management companies, determining a standardized measure of the index based on the aggregated first trade information obtained in the first time period, and periodically recalculating the index based on second trade information for each security representative of the group of investment management companies during a second time period.

Abstract: A method controls a friction clutch disposed between an internal combustion engine and a change speed transmission. The friction clutch is controlled in such a way that it transmits an average coupling torque of the internal combustion engine and does not transmit periodically occurring peak values of the coupling torque. In addition, a control unit is programmed to carry out the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods of capital-adequacy filing and assessment for determining compliance with capital-adequacy rules include an authorized-entity computer and a processing computer in electronic communication with the authorized-entity computer. Such systems and methods can include an analysis-rule-configuration component, a data-reception component and a rules engine.

Abstract: A manually-assisted computer and communications apparatus is provided for periodically fixing a price of a currency or commodity. Successive rate samples of said currency/stock/commodity are received from a plurality of sources (80) over a period of time, recorded and filtered automatically (90) by reference to said historical record and predetermined validation criteria so as to categorise certain samples as valid or erroneous. The received & filtered samples are combined periodically (105-115) so as to derive a fixed rate, which is then released (120) to users. The filtering means distinguishes between rate samples of different contributors within the samples received from a given source, and also receives (OTR1) trading rates generated by an online trading system, in addition to rates quoted by other contributors. Trading rates are applied in said fixed rate in preference to quoted rates.

Abstract: Systems and methods of remittance processing where a merchant database is provided that includes one or more alteration rules that are associated with a particular payee. A consumer account number associated with a payor is received and altered into a modified consumer account number, where the alteration is performed in accordance with one or more of the stored alteration rules. The modified consumer account number may then be transmitted to the particular payee to be utilized, for example, when processing a payment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe an electronic method for processing stranded payments and lockbox payments at the same designated payment location. The method includes receiving a stranded payment at a non-designated payment location, and electronically scanning the stranded payment at the non-designated payment location. The scanned information is transmitted, in a secure manner, to a designated payment location remote from the non-designated payment location. The stranded payment and a lockbox payment are cleared, in the same electronic workflow, the transmitted information is used in the clearing process. Embodiments of the invention also include updating, for each stranded and lockbox payment, the accounts receivable system of the customer receiving the stranded or lockbox payment, and transmitting a response indicating the final status of the clearing of the stranded payment to the non-designated payment location.

Abstract: A method and system for minimizing fund transfers to and/or from a plurality of government-backed, interest-bearing aggregated deposit accounts.

Abstract: A margin requirement is computed while trading. The margin requirement may be calculated while trading because the preferred system takes into account working orders to generate the margin requirement. The on the fly possibility allows the preferred system to provide pre-trade risk calculations, but can also be used to provide post-trade calculations. A generic spread number and the maximum number of outright positions are determined. Using the spread positions and the maximum number of outright positions, a spread margin and an outright margin are calculated, which when summed provide a total margin requirement. Limits based in part on the total margin requirement may be imposed on one or more traders.

Abstract: A system for supervising the landing of an aircraft by a supervisor in a control station, each of the aircraft being incapable of being controlled by any personnel onboard, the system comprises a control station and onboard aircraft control apparatus. The station includes an input device, responsive to the supervisor, for producing a control signal for controlling the landing of the aircraft; and a transmitting device, coupled to the input device, for communication with the aircraft. The aircraft apparatus includes a receiving device for communication with the station; a logic device, coupled to the receiving device, for controlling the aircraft which is programmed to pilot the aircraft to the vicinity of the airfield. The control signal is selected by the supervisor, based on the supervisor's observations of the aircraft and is transmitted to the logic device; in response thereto, the logic device controls the aircraft.

Abstract: A method of and system for evaluating an appraisal value associated with a loan are disclosed. The method includes receiving an appraisal value and at least one of foreclosure sale data and purchase money transaction data associated with a loan in a computerized system. The method also includes estimating the accuracy of the appraisal value based the at least one of foreclosure sale data and purchase money transaction data. The system includes memory configured to store an appraisal value and at least one of foreclosure sale data and purchase money transaction data associated with the loan. The system also includes a processor coupled to the memory and operable to execute programmed instructions, wherein the programmed instructions are configured to estimate the accuracy of the appraisal value based on the at least one of foreclosure sale data and purchase money transaction data.

Abstract: Techniques for processing of recurring payments are provided that do not require merchants to update consumer account information when a consumer is issued a new account number for a payment card or the like. For example, when a consumer is issued a new account number by an issuer, the new account number can be provided to a payment processing network. A server computer in the payment processing network then identifies any recurring payments associated with the user's old account number and provides the consumer with a list of merchants for which the consumer had established recurring payments associated with the old account number. The consumer is then provided the opportunity to select those merchants for whom the consumer wishes to continue the recurring payments using the new account number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for battery power management in an emergency vehicle having its engine off and warning lights on is disclosed. The method may include monitoring a voltage level of a battery of the emergency vehicle, determining if the battery voltage level is below a predetermined threshold, wherein if it is determined that the battery voltage level is below the predetermined threshold, automatically starting the emergency vehicle's engine to charge the battery, determining if the emergency vehicle's battery is charged, wherein if it is determined that the emergency vehicle's battery is charged, automatically turning off the emergency vehicle's engine, wherein the monitoring of the battery voltage level is resumed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a transmission arrangement for changing gears in a transmission with a hydrostatic transmission and a manual gearbox (4) connected downstream from it. First the output torque of a hydrostatic motor (9) is reduced. After the reduction of the output torque of the hydrostatic motor (9), an engaged gear (12, 13) of the manual gearbox (4) which is connected downstream is disengaged. An output rotational speed of the hydrostatic motor (9) corresponding to the gear (13, 12) to be engaged is determined. The gear ratio of the hydrostatic transmission is then adjusted, so that the output rotational speed of the hydrostatic motor (9) is higher than the determined corresponding output rotational speed. After this increased output rotational speed is reached, the gear (13, 12) to be engaged is engaged.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, a DVP repo and tri-party repo hybrid transaction is provided as well as a process for facilitating and processing such a hybrid transaction, referred to herein as a “tri-party hybrid repo” transaction.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and systems including program instructions are provided for use with benefit planning. A method embodiment includes providing terms for a number of benefit plans available to a potential participant. The embodiment also includes receiving an estimate of benefits to be used by the potential participant. The embodiment further includes displaying together an estimate of expenses to be incurred by the potential participant under each of the benefit plans based on the terms and the estimate of benefits to be used.

Abstract: A catastrophic hazard protection (CHP) mortgage may be provided on real property or structure(s) on the real property of a owner. The CHP mortgage may be structured to include financial protection in the event that one or more structures of the real property is damaged by a catastrophe such as a hurricane or earthquake. The owner may pay an increased interest rate on the CHP mortgage. If catastrophe damage occurs, the principal amount of the CHP mortgage may be reduced by the lesser of the value of the damage or the principal balance. Alternatively, the owner may receive a payment equivalent to the lesser of the value of the damage or the principal balance. A CHP mortgage may be implemented electronically. Additionally, catastrophic hazard protection may be added onto an existing mortgage.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automatically maintaining identity relationships among disparate enterprise information systems. The apparatus comprises a synchronization hub comprising an identity relationship repository, a relationship service module, a consistency module, and an adjustment module. The relationship service is configured to access a target relationship entry using a unique key from a source business object, wherein the source business object is representative of changes made in a source enterprise information system. The various components and modules of the synchronization hub cooperate to determine identity relationships that need updating and to propagate identity relationship changes to one or more destination enterprise information servers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a liquidity-based commodity index in which historical liquidity-related data for a commodity is used to determine whether to include a commodity in an index and also used to weight commodities in the index. Liquidity of a commodity is calculated based on an average daily dollar value of contracts traded for the commodity. The commodity liquidity is compared to a liquidity threshold to determine that the commodity should be included in the index. A liquidity factor is calculated for each commodity included in the index and is also used to weight the commodity in the index.