Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. A first offer for a particular instrument in a particular market is received from a first market maker at a first offer price. A first bid for the same particular instrument in the same particular market is received from a second market maker at a first bid price, the first bid price being higher than or equal to the first offer price. As a result of the first bid price being higher than or equal to the first offer price, the first offer price is automatically increased to a price higher than the first bid price such that a trade is not executed between the first offer and the first bid. In some embodiments, such method may be used to protect market makers from unwanted trades caused by inherent latency in the market makers' pricing engines and/or networks.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for enabling 2-way mobile interactions between merchants and consumers using text messaging (short message service (SMS) messaging). The system supports an SMS text keyword (or keywords) per merchant, which consumers can text to an SMS short code expressing a particular intent. The merchant's account on the system can then respond with specific information back to consumers depending on rules defined on the system for each word or sequence of words being sent in the SMS message. Consumers can be sent subscription text messages based on the intent of the consumer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing multiple real-time pricing quotes based on optional consumer variables is disclosed. A user accesses a web site and is provided with a web page enabling the user to choose a product with multiple optional features. Upon selection of the product and desired features, the user is provided with pricing information for the selected products and features and provided with the option to modify the product be selecting different features. Upon selection of the modification, the user is provided with a web page simultaneously displaying the original selection and associated feature prices and the modification and associated feature prices.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the predictability, scalability and cost effectiveness of online advertising with voice over IP connectivity and event tracking technologies. A service provider maintains a list of merchants who have offered to pay for customer VoIP calls to their establishment. The service provider maintains a real time connection with this merchant list and renders an advertisement in a distinguishing way in real time. A potential customer who views this advertisement on a web page may establish a VoIP call session with a merchant by selecting a free click-to-call link on the web page. When the customer places the call, the service provider pays for the call. Merchants in turn pay the service provider for displaying the ads that generated the calls on a price per call, price per impression or fixed fee basis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the management of assets within an enterprise. Management of assets includes the creation of assets, the derivation and lineage of assets and asset composition. In addition, the creation of artifacts by the assets is provided. Assets and artifacts are maintained within a repository that is accessible throughout the enterprise. In addition, rules are provided for the composition and usage of all assets within the enterprise.

Abstract: A system is provided for administering fixed income immediate and deferred payments in any of a plurality of different payout schemes selected by a purchaser to accommodate varying retirement income needs. The system can be configured to administer an immediate income annuity where payments start within one year and the system can also administer a deferred payout annuity through a single dual natured payout contract. Additional options available for administration by the system include options to permit the contract owner to change the annuity commencement date and the ability to commute future period certain periodic payments into a single lump sum payment.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for providing rewards to consumers using short message service (SMS). The system receives a text message from a consumer containing a reward keyword and a reward code and determines whether the message is a qualifying message. After receiving a certain number of qualifying messages, the system sends a reward message to the consumer enabling the consumer to receive a reward. Rewards can be based on customer referrals or merchant loyalty.

Abstract: An advertisement optimization approach is presented, which utilizes multivariate testing to correlate characteristics of an advertisement to favorable responses received from an environment to which the advertisement was provided. As one example, a text based webpage advertisement may be tested to optimize a variety of different characteristics of the advertisement for response metrics such as click-through rate and conversion rate. Additional approaches are described, whereby advertisements may be tested and optimized across a plurality of different media formats, including both electronic and non-electronic media.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for aggregating demand for a merchant using short message service (SMS). The system receives a text message from a consumer containing a merchant code and a request for a discount, the merchant code being associated with a merchant. The system determines whether the merchant has an available discount. If a discount is available, information about the discount is sent to the consumer. If a discount is not available, a text message is sent to the consumer indicating a level of demand for discounts from the merchant, the text message to be shown to the merchant.

Abstract: A method for achieving uninterrupted interactivity for user watching a video yet clicking on an advertisement is provided. A method for delayed interactivity is provided herein. Delayed interactivity is implemented in the form of delayed insertions. When a user clicks on an object in hypervideo, presentation of or any action on the related information is deferred rather than played immediately. Delayed interactivity also is implemented in the form of video bookmarks. When a user clicks on an actual advertisement, related information is stored, i.e., bookmarked, along with video content. In this way, the user can pursue the related information at a later time and at the user's convenience.

Abstract: In electronic trading venues, there may be orders for which the full information is not publicly displayed. For example, the full quantity of an order available for trading or the most aggressive price at which an order can be traded may not be made public. A system and method are disclosed that facilitates trading based on this non-public information. A first order associated with a financial instrument is placed at a venue to probe for non-public information related to the financial instrument. The results of the probe may then be used to place a second order at the venue that takes advantage of any discovered non-public information.

Abstract: A seller may use an existing product catalog in a seller business information management system to generate an auction and populate auction parameters to expedite and facilitate the auction creation process. The information in the product catalog may be used to provide auction parameters (populate auction fields) in addition to adding a product and/or service to the auction. An auction profile may also be defined for a seller and may contain data or rules for generating an auction that may be used to provide additional default values for the auction. One or more auction profiles may be associated with a seller. The seller selects a product from the catalog and chooses a create auction option resulting in an auction being generated from the product information and the profile, if one exists. The seller may then modify the auction parameters and add or drop products before saving the auction.

Abstract: A system for computing option prices for tangible depreciating items is described. Describing information of the tangible depreciating item is determined. Historical sales data of sold tangible depreciating items from marketplaces are collected. A present resale value of the tangible depreciating item is computed based on the historical sales data. A depreciation rate of sold tangible depreciating items having similar attributes as the tangible depreciating item is extrapolated from the historical sales data. A predicted resale value of the tangible depreciating item is computed based on the computed present resale value and on the extrapolated depreciation rate.

Abstract: An alert system that notifies an Exchange's staff of a trade that appears to be outside of an expected market range of prices includes an input device, determination logic, evaluation logic, and alert logic. The determination logic derives a theoretical no-bust range of prices based on data received from the input device. The theoretical no-bust range of prices are prices above and below a synthesized market price, within which an erroneous trade cannot be cancelled. The evaluation logic monitors trades and compares those trades to the theoretical no-bust range of prices. The alert logic notifies the Exchange's staff when the evaluation logic identifies a potentially erroneous trade that lies outside the theoretical no-bust range of prices. A method of notifying the Exchange of a trade that potentially lies outside of an expected range of prices includes monitoring an input range of prices and deriving the theoretical no-bust range of prices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing enhanced service using public records are described. A financial institution may obtain property data from public records regarding a property associated with a customer. The retrieved property data may be compared with existing customer data. The customer may be alerted and financial data associated with the customer may be modified based on the retrieved property data. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of marketing items comprising: publicizing an auction to sell at least one item, accepting a preset number of price bids for the items, applying at least one cancellation rule to selectively cancel zero or more bids, selecting one or more bids closest to a preselected low sum to receive the item, wherein the low sum is less than 1% of a list price of the item.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for managing risk associated with a Hedge Fund is disclosed. Information relating to Hedge Funds is gathered and stored as data in preparation for a risk inquiry search relating to a Hedge Fund. Documents and sources of information can also be stored. A subscriber, such as a Financial Institution, can submit a Hedge Fund descriptor for which a risk inquiry search can be performed. The risk assessment or inquiry search can include data retrieved resultant to augmented retrieval methods. Scrubbed data as well as augmented data can be transmitted from a risk management clearinghouse to a subscriber or to a proprietary risk system utilized by a subscriber, such as a risk management system maintained in-house. Risk inquiry searches can be automated and made a part of standard operating procedure for any transaction conducted by the subscriber in which a Hedge Fund is involved.

Abstract: An automated method is provided for processing large deposits that exceed an established deposit insurance limit so that the large deposits are fully insured. The large deposits are received from a plurality of unaffiliated banks from their respective depositors. Orders are received at a processor from the plurality of banks to process large deposits. The processor automatically compares each order to a preset maximum order amount. Each of the large deposits for each order are partitioned using the processor into a plurality of deposit portions if the order does not exceed a preset maximum order amount. The partitioning is performed in a manner so that each deposit portion does not exceed the established deposit insurance limit. The processor assigns at least some of the deposit portions for each of the large deposits for each order to at least some banks that are unaffiliated with the bank that received the large deposit for deposit therein if the order does not exceed the preset maximum order amount.

Abstract: An insurance enrollment and underwriting method includes comprising providing a first user interface with one or more controls for enabling a user to specify one or more health conditions in an enrollment application for pet health insurance. Data representing one or more health conditions specified through the first user interface is received and electronically processed, flagging each condition as a condition that is acceptable, precluded, or for manual review.

Abstract: An automated method is provided for processing large deposits that exceed an established deposit insurance limit so that the large deposits are fully insured. The large deposits are received from a plurality of unaffiliated custodians from their respective depositors. A processor receives orders from the plurality of custodians to process large deposits. The processor partitions each of the large deposits for each order into a plurality of deposit portions in a manner so that each deposit portion does not exceed the established deposit insurance limit. The processor then assigns at least some of the deposit portions for each of the large deposits for each order to at least some custodians that are unaffiliated with the custodian that received the large deposit for deposit therein.