Abstract: A method, system and computer program to monitor securities market activity to seek out imbalances in market activity that could lead to a price change in a particular security. Level 1 and/or level 2 data is analyzed to track the activity of market makers and to derive indicators of momentary upward or downward price pressure. The indicators can be displayed to a user.

Abstract: A payment system for spending accounts is provided. The payment system includes a qualified vendor system, such as a point of sale system at a doctor's office, that generates purchase data and point of sale data, such as a co-pay amount, a credit card number, and a point of sale device identifier. An account management system receives the purchase data and point of sale data and generates authorized purchase data, such as by determining whether payment of co-pay can be automatically authorized based on pre-qualification of the doctor's office as an authorized source.

Abstract: In the automation of project risk identification, various qualitative and quantitative measures are combined to report a project's risk level, areas, and mitigation in an automatic and objective manner. The software package includes a risk assessment and report framework and a risk engine, a portfolio analysis, a project plan validator, an integrated project management office toolkit and process asset library, and an integrated skills tracking, locating and availability module with a skills engine.

Abstract: A process and a device for conducting electronic transactions provides a more effective and efficient way to make a payment over the Internet. This process and device could be used to pay, for example, a Police Administration Ticket or Police Administration Citation via the Internet.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the subject invention overcome the limitations of known trading interest targeting and execution systems by (1) enabling market participants to limit targeting of trading interests to only those other market participants likely to have a significant contra-interest; (2) enabling market participants to ensure that other market participants' disseminated trading interests are legitimate; and (3) enabling auctions among trading interests targeted and validated in this manner. Software of a preferred embodiment identifies likely contra-interests by analyzing information from various sources regarding certified trading interests. Preferred embodiments that route and otherwise manage orders based on trading interest information are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method (100) of rating a consumer in connection with a transaction initiated by the consumer and requesting credit from a credit issuer (28). The method (100) includes the steps of: providing a merchant-based consumer/transaction data set (16) to a central credit issuer database (20); providing a third party credit history data set (24) to the central credit issuer database (20); providing a credit issuer credit history data set (30) to the central credit issuer database (20); determining a consumer rating index variable (12) based upon a scoring formula (34) utilizing at least one data field from the provided data sets; and presenting the consumer rating index variable (12) to the credit issuer (28). A system (10) and apparatus (50) for rating the consumer in connection with this transaction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and administering trusts over the Internet. A grantor accesses a website over the Internet that is served by a trust account administration server. The server checks the identity and creditworthiness of the grantor, and then establishes a trust account. The trustee and beneficiary of the trust are electronically notified of the trust. A trust account administration server can also electronically notify the beneficiary of any demand rights that arise for gifts to the trust, and can permit distributions of the gifts if exercised. The beneficiary can also set up a family home page, and solicit contributions from friends, family, and other parties, for example on gift-giving events. The trust can include educational accounts, such as Qualified Tuition Plan and Educational Individual Retirement Account accounts.

Abstract: The method and system of the invention is directed to a process for the optional acquisition of receivables. The method of the invention, which may be characterized as an Optional Purchase Commitment (“OPC”) is a process by which a potential grantee, for example a buyer, may pay for the right, but not the obligation, to acquire receivables from a grantor, for example a seller. The OPC process of the invention enables a grantor of such receivables, typically a credit grantor, to estimate the amount of its future receivables and enter into OPC agreements to convey those expected receivables under a fixed arrangement at a specific time in the future to a grantee, for example a buyer. A grantor, a grantee, or a third party acting on behalf of either a grantor or a grantee, or independently, may initiate the OPC process of the invention. The OPC process may be utilized in conjunction with existing marketing processes. The OPC process of the invention provides a time horizon or option period.

Abstract: This invention is a contactless label chipcard including payment and identification information and a check-out system including a contactless reader for reading and updating payment information stored in that label chipcard. The contactless label chipcard is attached to a product, and the system further includes a device for reading and initiating updating of the payment status resident on the chipcard. The device includes the contactless reader for reading information stored in the contactless label chipcard, and a component for generating an invoice based on the information received from the contactless label chipcard. Further, the device includes a component for checking payment of the invoice and a component for initiating update of the payment status. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A wound dressing is formed from a covering release layer, a dressing layer, an indicator layer, a transparent or translucent indicator bonding layer and a transparent or translucent outer covering. The indicator layer contains a dye which changes color on contact with water. When the dressing layer becomes saturated, water permeates the indicator layer and triggers a color change. The color change is visible through the indicator bonding layer and outer covering and shows a carer that the dressing needs to be replaced.

Abstract: Self-adhesive shaped body which is adapted to the anatomy, has a proprioceptive effect and is intended for medical purposes, having a bond strength of from 1 N/cm to 25 N/cm, an extensibility of more than 10%, a thickness of more than 0.5 mm and a resilience of more than 50% for a tensile stress of 5 N/cm2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suit for problems associated with orthostasis which is comprised of a pair of trousers made of a slightly stretchable textile material. A plurality of essentially linear or wavy strips (14, 15) are inserted along the entire length of the trousers. Said strips are made of double-walled, liquid-tight, slightly stretchable textile material. The two layers of this material are connected to one another at connection points. This results in the production of cavities which are filled with a liquid. Suspenders (11) hold the trousers and are simultaneously constructed as reservoirs (12) for the liquid. In order to increase the pressure on the abdominal region, a flat bladder (13) can be placed in the trousers and, like the strips (14, 15), can be supplied with fluid from the reservoirs (12). As a result, liquid columns are produced which extend over a large portion of the body height. Said columns build up a compensating pressure on the legs and the lower abdomen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wound dressing that includes a carrier layer which is coated on one side with an adhesive elastomer (3). According to the invention, the carrier layer has the form of a laminate which consists of a plastic film (1) and a material (2) that has an irregular surface structure.

Abstract: A skin stabilization system is formed from lamination elements consisting of fabric layers bonded to plastic layers which in turn are laminated to the outer surface of the user's skin by adhesively attaching them thereto. The lamination elements resist tension, compression and bending forces and are used to strengthen or stabilize the skin to reduce deformation. The lamination elements can be applied as a single unit or interconnected to other lamination elements by extending the fabric portions of the laminate. The skin stabilization system can be used as a nasal dilator. As a nasal dilator, a lamination element is applied to each side of the nose between the bridge and the cheek, which in turn causes the center of the lamination element to lift the soft outer skin of the nasal passage and prevent any deflection that restricts breathing through the nasal passages.

Abstract: The orthosis (1) is designed to apply degressive compression to all or part of the leg starting from the ankle. The orthosis has a knitted compressive tubular portion (2) of varying section formed by a leg portion of an elastic stocking that does not have a foot or a heel, said compressive-tubular portion being extended at its bottom end by a knitted non-compressive tubular portion (3) suitable for covering at least a portion of the foot, without compressing it, and made for example using a stitch of the plain moss type.

Abstract: Method and device for operating a bicycle having a sprocket and pedals connected to the sprocket for rotating the sprocket during downstrokes and upstrokes of the pedals. The method and device include elastic members worn on the legs such that the elastic members will stretch on the downstroke of the pedals to generate energy and contract on the upstroke to release the energy for assisting the legs to rotate the pedals and in turn the sprocket. For a given cycle and cyclist, greater speeds of the cycle may be obtained by the cyclist. The elastic members are constructed and dimensioned such that about 3 to 12 pounds of tension is created in them during the downstroke of the pedals. Similar members may be worn on the feet to generate energy and transfer it to the feet again to enhance speed of operation of the bicycle.

Abstract: Ready-made bandage with a self-adhesive coating on at least one side, for restricting stretching or bending of the metacarpophalangeal joint and/or of the wrist, wherein, at the head area (13) of an oblong strip (1), a short rein (41, 42) is arranged on at least one of the two longitudinal sides, encloses an angle of between 30° and 150° with the oblong strip (1) and is applied on the finger in question.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for rubbing away by abrasion, selected skin areas of a person's foot or feet in a shower or bath area. An elongated base portion of the device has on a bottom side thereof a plurality of suction cups attached to the bottom side to provide a secure grip to a shower or bath tub floor. The top side of the elongated base portion has an abrasive material attached thereto which functions to permit abrading away of selected skin portions of a person's foot. This abrasive material is also located on two elevated side wall portions that are attached (one to a side) to both sides of the device to permit side portions of a person's foot to receive the abrading operation.

Abstract: A nose pack includes: a moisture-permeable base sheet, and a film-forming cosmetic substance contained in and carried by the base sheet; the base sheet having a slit in a lower portion thereof for defining an opening such that an upper edge of the opening is applicable to at least an apex portion of a nose.

Abstract: A hydrocolloid gel composition, especially a wound gel composition, which comprises: a) a water insoluble, water swellable cross-linked cellulose derivative; b) an alginate; and c) distilled water in a sufficient amount to make up the difference between the amount of ingredients a)+b) and 100% and wherein the gel comprises from 0.05 to 5.00% by weight of alginate, shows better absorption capacity than known gels, accelerates the healing by serving as a slow-release system for active ingredients promoting wound healing.