Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention provides a system for authenticating identities of a plurality of users. In one embodiment, the system includes a first handheld device including a wireless transceiver which is configured to transmit authentication information, a second device including a wireless receiver, where the second device is configured to receive the authentication information.

Abstract: A first acquirers receives, via a payment network configured to facilitate transactions between multiple issuers and multiple acquirers, an authorization response flagged with a flag. The flag indicates that clearing of a first transaction, associated with the authorization response, is to be suspended. The first transaction initially has an uncertain amount, and is associated with a first payment account, of a first user, associated with a first issuer. Subsequent determination of a final certain amount for the first transaction is awaited. Upon determination of the final certain amount, the first one of the acquirers proceeds with clearing the first transaction, based on the final certain amount. The steps are repeated for at least a second acquirer and at least a second transaction. The second transaction is associated with a second payment account, of a second user, associated with a second one of the issuers.

Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A VOLATILITY EXPIRATION INDEX PLATFORM (“VEIP”) transforms user and market data inputs via VEIP components into Vol Ex Index publication and Vol Ex Index instrument communications outputs. A current reference security price may be determined for a reference security. A plurality of option strike prices may be derived from the current reference security price. Implied volatility and delta may be determined for options associated with each derived option strike price and used to calculate a delta-weighted implied volatility for each derived option strike price. A weighting for each derived option strike price may be determined and used along with the delta-weighted implied volatilities to calculate a volatility expiration index value for the reference security. Using the volatility expiration index value, a volatility expiration index financial instrument may be generated and introduced into a financial instrument exchange market.

Abstract: A computer system, computer program codes and computerized methods certify with privacy protection whether a particular check has been legitimately issued, cashed or deposited. As a result of the certification, all types of fraud associated with checks are prevented.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making a financial payment to a payee via a stored value (SV) card utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). The mobile device communicates wirelessly with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user information and transaction information. A user enters information via the mobile device identifying a payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction that includes information corresponding to the identified payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile payment instruction is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS generates an MFTS payment instruction to a payment instruction recipient that can issue a new stored value card and/or reload funds onto a pre-existing stored value card.

Abstract: In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method for processing and optimizing selection of placement, of advertising content related to a brand, in websites of a network is provided. The computer-implemented method is processed by a server in response to communication from a user that is connected to the server over the Internet. The method includes receiving from the user, attributes of an advertisement to be placed on a brand-centric website that relates to the brand, and also receiving selections for types of websites to place the advertisement. The types of websites do not have to be brand-centric websites, but should include content related to the brand. Then, the method includes obtaining metrics from selected websites and historical performance for similar advertisements when placed on the selected websites. The method includes processing the obtained metrics and historical performance to preliminarily define an advertising model.

Abstract: Systems and methods of allocating transactions among business objects are described. The systems and methods include storing transaction data characterizing the plurality of transactions, producing a plurality of generated allocation rules, using relationships between nodes of a data structure, and executing a plurality of queries on the stored transaction data, using the plurality of generated allocation rules.

Abstract: In a method and system for creating an extensible media player, a multimedia player application is instantiated on a client system. A presentation data file is transmitted to the client system from a server. The presentation data file includes a playlist of timelines, with at least one multimedia file being played or at least one application being executed for each timeline. The presentation data file is parsed to activate an advertising manager module. The activated advertising manager module instantiates an advertising plug-in. The advertising plug-in connects to an advertising network and downloads select advertising policies and dynamically schedules advertisements for the timelines. Upon the occurrence of an event generated by a timeline, the advertising manager module inserts a blocking module to block execution of the timeline. An advertisement is dynamically retrieved and rendered in an advertising display overlaying a multimedia player application display.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely exchanging weighment information via a wireless device, such as a cell phone, pertaining to a vehicle, such as truck, at a vehicle weight station. The system and method may include determining a present location of a vehicle to be weighed, verifying identification information of the vehicle to be weighed and receiving a vehicle weight from a server remote from the wireless device. The system and method may also include exchanging payment information between one or more servers and a wireless device.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for processing payment transactions that are conducted using a mobile payment device that includes a contactless element, such as an integrated circuit chip. The invention enables one or more of the operations of activation of a payment application, transfer of transaction data, updating of account records, setting or re-setting of a payment application counter or register, or transfer or processing of a script, command, or instruction, with these functions being performed with minimal impact on a consumer. This is accomplished by introducing a pre-tap and/or two-tap operation prior to, or as part of, the transaction flow.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for determining compliance of at least one financial control. Specifically, the method comprises obtaining the at least one financial control where the at least one financial control is associated with at least one revenue generation process, selecting at least a portion of sample data associated with the at least one financial control, generating at least one test result by testing the at least one financial control using the at least a portion of the sample data, and determining at least one maturity level associated with the at least one financial control according to the at least one test result, the at least one maturity level for determining compliance of the at least one financial control with at least one regulation.

Abstract: A system aggregates data collected from independently owned and controlled networked sensors and controls into content channels. The system allows for anonymous subscription to content channels and sensor data by channel client, other sensor owners, and service providers who bid for the right to advertise services to content channel clients based on sensor data patterns for which the service providers can provide particular insight.

Abstract: A system comprises at least one financial information management system storing financial data, the financial data including transaction data and account data for at least one account; a data aggregation system operative to retrieve data from the at least one financial information management system, to age the data relative to an aging date based on an account characteristic in addition to or instead of a transaction date, and to aggregate the aged data according to one or more predetermined rules; and a report generation system operative to generate reports from the aged and aggregated data.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying benefit coverage including a plurality of benefit codes of an insurance plan, the insurance plan for use in adjudicating one or more insurance claims. The system and method including accessing a set of benefit codes structured in a plurality of benefit containers including a primary benefit container and a plurality of secondary benefit containers, each of the plurality of secondary benefit containers being coupled to the primary benefit container by a respective benefit container reference, each of the plurality of secondary benefit containers containing one or more benefit codes adapted for processing a claim content of the one or more insurance claims, each of the one or more benefit codes being coupled to their respective secondary benefit container by a respective benefit reference, the set of benefit codes defining a benefit hierarchy.

Abstract: The instant invention relates generally to a group of computer-based methods preferably utilized in an implied alpha model and investor preferences to detect and address a preference drag problem. The computer-based method starts with an implied alpha model, which is derived from an existing portfolio. An implied alpha model can be treated as a preference aggregation when its factors represent investors' preferences on the portfolio. In this case, the model is also called an implied preference model. After an implied preference model is developed from a portfolio, a drag problem can be detected by checking whether the model has persistent and negative returns. If a drag problem exists in a portfolio, it can be solved by modifying the portfolio under assistance from the model.

Abstract: A method for identifying an origin of fraudulent activity including receiving a first affirmative fraud flag from a first user for a financial transaction associated with a first user account and obtaining financial transaction information for the first user account, which includes a first financial transaction entry listing a payee and a first time. The method further includes receiving a second affirmative fraudulent flag from a second user corresponding to a financial transaction and a second user account and obtaining financial transaction information for the second user account, which includes a second financial transaction entry listing the payee and a second time. The method further includes determining an intersection between the first and the second financial transaction entries, identifying a potential origin of fraud from the intersection, and alerting the first and the second user of the potential origin of fraud.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method controls commercial transactions involving a portfolio of financial products by conducting business operations related to commercial transactions between a bank and consumer involving purchase and utilization of the financial products, collecting transactional data related to the financial products, and providing a centralized modeling and optimization tool to predict customer response to changes in an attribute of a financial product under evaluation based on the transactional data and to optimize the variable of the financial product under evaluation. The modeling and optimization tool is configurable to evaluate the financial products in the portfolio under KPIs and business rules selected according to the financial product under evaluation. The optimized variable is transmitted to the bank.

Abstract: This invention proposes a method to obtain the cost of transmitting a set of data from a transmitting means (2, 3, 16) to a receiving means (2, 3, 16) via a network (4), which consists of creating and sending with the set of data itself a data item, called a ticket (19, 23), used to determine the volume and/or the value of said set of data transmitted. Using said ticket, the receiving means can take into account the cost of executing said set of data thereby simplifying the billing. This invention also concerns the systems used to implement said method especially in cellular packet radiocommunication networks.

Abstract: A method for managing business rigor for a financial institution includes receiving business rigor data based on activities to implement a plurality of core products. A performance table, unit cost report, and summary report are created or updated based on the business rigor data. The performance table may include data based on an analysis of the business rigor data; the unit cost report may include a cost report based on the performance table data; and the summary report may include a report based on the unit cost report. The summary report is presented in order to improve the business rigor data.

Abstract: One inventive step includes facilitating obtaining a payment file associated with a buyer (for example, directly from the buyer, or from a third party partner). The file includes data specifying a first form of payment from the buyer to a first biller and data specifying a second form of payment, different than the first form of payment, from the buyer to a second biller. Other inventive steps include facilitating appending first stored data to the data specifying the first form of payment to the first biller, to effectuate payment to the first biller by the first form of payment; and facilitating appending second stored data to the data specifying the second form of payment to the second biller, to effectuate payment to the second biller by the second form of payment.