Abstract: A data processing system for implementing transaction management of auction-based trading for specialized items such as fixed income instruments. The data processing system provides a highly structured trading protocol implemented through a sequence of trading paradigms. The system employs a distributed computer processing network linking together a plurality of commonly configured program controlled workstations. The protocol and its program controlling logic enhances trading efficiency, rewards market Makers, and fairly distributes market opportunity to system users.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing on line chat help to an applicant. An application identifier and a chat applet are inserted into a web page. The web page is sent to the applicant. The chat applet is configured to determine based on an event that the applicant could benefit from online chat and, upon such determination, to send a request to a chat server for a connection and to include the application identifier with the request.

Abstract: A method for selectively blocking a remote purchase request based on previous remote purchase requests. The method starts with receiving and storing, in a memory subsystem, information from purchase request information sets including, for each purchase request information set, an origin, a card number and an item. Also, a current remote purchase request information set including an origin, a credit card number and an item is received and stored. The current remote purchase request information set is compared with the stored information sets and the current remote purchase request is blocked if the comparison meets any one of a predetermined set of criteria wherein at least one criterion includes a condition that the purchase request origin of the current purchase request match a purchase request origin of a purchase request information set stored in the memory subsystem, for which the card number is different.

Abstract: A method for protecting an item of software, wherein at least one challenge means is associated with said protected item of software, and at least one response means accesses one private keying material. The challenge means has no access to said private keying material. The response means proves to the challenge means that the response means has access to the private keying material using an asymmetric probabilistic proof, e.g., zero knowledge proof. The challenge means validates this proof using the public keying material that corresponds to the response means' private keying material.

Abstract: A computer system and methods for management and control of annuities and distribution of annuity payments is presented which enables transfer of funds between annuities, whether variable or fixed, without incurring payment discontinuity, while providing for allocation of interest risk, investment risk, and mortality risk between insurer and insured.

Abstract: An advertisement system and method are provided for inserting into an end user communication message a background reference to an advertisement. In some embodiments, the background reference causes an advertisement image to be tiled, or watermarked, across an end user screen behind the text of an e-mail message or public posting. A message server inserts the background reference after receiving a message originally sent from an end user originator and before sending the message to be delivered to an end user recipient. When necessary, the message server will convert at least a portion of the message into a proper format, such as HTML, before inserting the background reference to an advertisement, which is preferably selected in accordance with end user recipient demographic information and/or ad exposure statistics.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electronically forwarding an online gift are disclosed. The method permits a first recipient to forward a gift to a second recipient. Prior to shipment of the gift to the first recipient, the first recipient receives notice of the gift and may use a web browser communicating with a server to forward the gift to the second recipient by supplying contact information for the second recipient. The system includes a computerized network environment designed and configured to implement the claimed method. A computer readable medium containing instructions for implementation of the claimed method is further disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to the formulation and trading of investment contracts are described. An ordering party inputs contract data relating to a phenomenon. The phenomenon has a range of future outcomes and a future time of maturity. The contract data includes a set of probabilities of occurrence for each outcome within the range, and a consideration due a counterparty at or after the time of matching. At least one counterparty inputs registering data that includes a set of probabilities of occurrence for each outcome in the range. A data processing means prices and matches a contract for the phenomenon from the contract data and registering data.

Abstract: A computer system for supporting a plan of counterclaim insurance provided to professionals, optionally along with professional liability insurance, deters frivolous professional malpractice claims. The insurance plan pays expenses, for example, of counterclaims for malicious prosecution when a frivolous claim has been made and tried to a judgment for the accused professional, and an independent review concludes that the claim was frivolous. The names of covered professionals are posted on a publicly accessible database. If potential plaintiffs or their attorneys find a potential defendant's name on the database, they may be deterred from filing weaker claims that might be viewed as frivolous. Upon approval of an applicant for counterclaim insurance, the applicant's name is posted to a public database, which may be accessible through the Internet, including the World Wide Web, or alternatively through a dial-up facility.

Abstract: A computer system and method uses one or more virtual wish lists of one or more shoppers over a computer network. One process extracts information from online address books or other personal databases, and creates lists of recipients for whom a shopper wants to purchase products. A second process obtains virtual wish lists of recipients by observing their visits to online stores, and other online behavior. Recipients are asked for permission to make this data available to other shoppers, online stores, and other Web sites. Recipients can modify their virtual wish lists, and selectively approve of their use by other shoppers, etc. A third process creates shopping lists for the recipients, and generates lists of recommended products for shoppers to buy for intended recipients.

Abstract: An online Gift Registry Service provides registration of information for a gift registrant and allows access to the registry by potential gift giver users. In addition, users can tag items of interest at participating Service Provider (SP) sites and the SP sites will register these items with the Gift Registry Service on the user's behalf. It further provides a streamlined checkout process for purchasing these gift items with the registered SP sites (e.g. World Wide Web sites) over a distributed public network. Users and Service Providers (SP) initially register with the Gift Registry Service and are provided additional functionality. For users, a reminder service is provided to notify individuals automatically upon the trigger of certain events, such as important dates or product sales from online merchants.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transforming scoreable transaction data into financial data features are disclosed. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method transforms transaction data into a financial data feature for assessing credit risks. The financial data feature is extracted from the transaction data. The method involves obtaining the transaction data from a data source, and performing a set of operations on the transaction data to transform the transaction data into the financial data feature. The set of operations is selected only from a predefined set of classes of operations which are interrelated by a predefined order of precedence. Each operation in the set of operations is performed in an order based on the predefined order of precedence of a class associated with each operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for automatically trading real investment items desirably on at least one trading exchange based on predetermined conditions. The present invention includes a data interface for receiving investment data identifying at least one item capable of being traded and containing information uniquely associated with the item. An individual trading computer receives predetermined trading criteria for making a trade. The individual trading computer receives the investment data and the predetermined trading criteria. The individual trading computer then analyzes the investment data with the trading criteria and outputs a trade request signal desirably with no manual intervention in response to the analysis determining that the item should be traded.

Abstract: An event reporting program (48) is provided which electronically records information critical to reconstructing events occurring during an emergency incident. The event reporting program (48) includes an event recording component (204) for recording events as they occur during the incident, and a post-processing component (206) for further processing the events recorded by the event recording component after completion of the incident. The event recording component (204) enables an emergency service provider to input a plurality of event records (148) describing each event as it occurs and the time at which each event takes place. The event recording component also enables an emergency service provider to input a predefined protocol of expected event records. Each expected event record (148) identifies an event which is expected to occur during the incident and a time at which the event is expect to occur.

Abstract: An electronic gift certificate system is disclosed which distributes electronic gift certificates in the form of e-mail documents that include hyperlinks for automating the redemption process. When a gift certificate recipient selects such a hyperlink, the recipient's computer automatically transmits a claim code to the merchant's Web site, and the site responds by automatically crediting the recipient's personal account with the gift certificate amount. When the recipient subsequently makes a purchase from the merchant's Web site, the recipient's account balance is automatically applied to the purchase price.

Abstract: A financial communications network incorporating a data health monitor is provided that includes a plurality of data sources, a plurality of data collection system, a client site terminal and a network connecting these components. Each data collection system includes a processor for receiving and formatting financial data received from the data sources, wherein the formatted financial data has a data field including a first data source identifier identifying the data source of the formatted financial data and a first system identifier identifying the data collection system formatting the formatted financial data. The collection system also include a status code generator for generating and transmitting a status code, and a heartbeat signal generator for generating and periodical transmitting a heartbeat signal. Based on information in data fields, status codes, and heartbeat signal, client site terminals select a real-time or stale display mode for displaying the financial data.

Abstract: A virtual private network service provider is used to transfer data over a data network to a final destination, with third-party billing. The method comprises the steps of: prompting the user at a data terminal to select a destination, password, and call type; sending a set-up message to the data network; selecting a virtual private network provider through the data network; the virtual private network provider giving an encryption key to the user, and then prompting the user for a password and a user identification; encrypting the password, and sending the user identification and the encrypted password to the virtual private network provider; the virtual private network provider decrypting the encrypted password, and verifying the password; the virtual private network provider providing an authorization code; and the data terminal transferring the data through the data network to the final destination, using the authorization code.

Abstract: A method for transacting business electronically includes storing first information in a database management module, reading the first information in the database management module by a network server module, providing a client customized interface with the first information by the network server module, providing client information and product information to a file transfer module responsive to a client ordering a product, and transferring a product to a client by the file transfer module.

Abstract: A digital information recording apparatus to record digital information to protect copyright of digital information that includes at least first digital information and first copy control information. The digital information recording apparatus records the digital information based upon the first copy control information, which denotes one of: a copy inhibition prohibiting copying of said first digital information; a limited copy permission authorizing a predetermined number of times of copying of said first digital information; and an unlimited copy permission authorizing unlimited copying of said first digital information.

Abstract: A network-based sales system includes at least one buyer computer for operation by a user desiring to buy a product, at least one merchant computer, and at least one payment computer. The buyer computer, the merchant computer, and the payment computer are interconnected by a computer network. The buyer computer is programmed to receive a user request for purchasing a product, and to cause a payment message to be sent to the payment computer that comprises a product identifier identifying the product. The payment computer is programmed to receive the payment message, to cause an access message to be created that comprises the product identifier and an access message authenticator based on a cryptographic key, and to cause the access message to be sent to the merchant computer.