Abstract: A method of detecting alert conditions includes receiving an electronic market event message for a new quote from a market participant, requesting a previous quote for the items, and determining whether the new quote is higher or lower than the previous quote. The method also includes sending an electronic alert from the alert engine in response to the new quote being a bid and higher than the previous quote.

Abstract: Systems and processes for more accurate mortgage scoring are described. A proportional hazards model is employed in which not only the occurrence of an event, but also the time to an event such as default of a loan, is considered. In this approach, a hazard rate can be viewed as the chance that an observation will experience an event in the next instant. There are two components to the response, and a binary variable is utilized to indicate whether the event was observed or not, and a time variable. As a result, the number of loans used for modeling is greatly increased, and the time it takes to observe the event, a valuable piece of information in itself, is included in the process. In addition, nonlinear effects are advantageously modeled in a continuous fashion using hat functions to map a series of independent variables. This approach typically yields smaller prediction errors near boundary points.

Abstract: A system for generating market pricing information for a non-fungible target item includes one or more databases containing historical pricing information for at least one reference item, historical pricing information for at least the target item, and market pricing information for at least the reference item. A pricing engine determines a pricing differential between the target item and the reference item that reflects historical pricing information for the target and reference items. The pricing engine applies the pricing differential to the market pricing information for the reference item to generate market pricing information for the target item. The market pricing information for the reference item may include a substantially real-time current market price for the reference item, and the market pricing information for the target item may be generated in the form of a substantially real-time current market price quote for the target item for communication to a market participant.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a parameter for an item in an electronic order processing system is provided. The method has a first step of associating a calculation code with the item. The second step of the method is applying the calculation rule to the item to produce an amount. The third step of the method is providing the amount to an output device. Each operation within each of the first step, the second step and the third step may be modified and flow of execution amongst the first step, the second step and the third step remains the same.

Abstract: A transaction control system (1) generates presentation objects (19-22) which reside on front-end terminals. The control system (1) also comprises a business rules layer (16), a transaction layer (17), and an external interface layer (18). A transaction processing module (M1-M4) is created by a control system generating a presentation object and transferring it to a relevant front-end terminal and also instantiating a business object (23-25), a transaction object (27-29), and an external interface object (30-32). Development of transaction processing modules is therefore very simple and the module is versatile and may be easily modified.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for billers and payers to manage accounts receivable for business-to-business payments using a third-party intermediary. The system enables billers to be paid faster and payers to delay payment, while also minimizing the risk of default to the intermediary. The advantages of the present system and method stem from direct authorization by the payer to the intermediary, a nonrepudiable commitment by the payer, and dual recourse for the third-party intermediary, without the need for explicit payment contracts between billers and payers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing prospectus data are provided. These methods and systems utilize electronically readable media incorporated into a printed financial prospectus to provide access to data in an electronic format. A suitable device may then be used to read data from the electronically readable media and store the data on a computer system. The information provided by the prospectus therefore contains both human-readable and electronically readable information. The data may be provided in a summary form, in a standardized form, or in any other suitable form in order to facilitate subsequent analysis of the data. The data may also be encrypted while stored in the electronically readable media.

Abstract: Different minimum prices are assigned to different ad serving constraints (such as keywords, geolocations, serving times, etc.). A single auction minimum price may be determined for an auction using the minimum prices assigned to satisfied serving constraints of ads participating in the auction.

Abstract: A networked system with a product finder associated with an expert system is used to assist a shopper in making a product selection. A shopper interacts with the server through a browser over the network. The system can be connected to a retail server in such a way as to allow a shopper to complete a purchase. The expert system presents a series of questions to the shopper. By answering the questions, the shopper drills down through a hierarchy to arrive at a recommended product. Alternately, the shopper fills out a screen of data which is then used as a filter to identify an appropriate product.

Abstract: A method of readily realizing electronic payment service at low cost with a high level of convenience and security for a consumer is disclosed. A personal information input terminal notifies a purchase price, an MSN (Mobile Subscriber Number) of an MS (Mobile Station), and personal information for identifying a purchaser through a public mobile communication network to request payment processing. A payment center device compares the information from the personal information input terminal with personal information stored in the device to determine whether the purchaser is qualified for electronic payment. If the purchaser is qualified for electronic payment, the payment center device notifies the MS of the purchase price with the MSN to request the purchaser to verify the purchase price.

Abstract: A method for facilitating sale of a loan by a seller to a purchaser where the seller and the purchaser have an agreement regarding the sale of loans including terms and the loan has a set of loan data. The method includes determining a price for the loan prior to selling the loan to the purchaser. The price is based on at least the set of loan data and the terms for the agreement. The method also includes applying a set of business rules to the set of loan data prior to selling the loan to the purchaser to identify compliance with terms of the agreement and/or errors in the loan data.

Abstract: A system and method for a retailer to sell merchandise over the Internet in affiliation with an Internet service provider. The co-branded Internet site is accessible through the Internet service site of the Internet service provider. The co-branded Internet site includes designations of both the retailer and the Internet service provider. The co-branded Internet site including one or more links to the Internet shopping site of the retailer. Client software for accessing the co-branded Internet site is distributed at retailer locations. Members of the co-branded Internet site are provided with incentives to access and shop on the Internet shopping site of the retailer through the co-branded Internet site.

Abstract: An automatic cash accounting system for use in a healthcare enterprise includes a message processor and a data processor. The message processor receives message data including an income amount value, representing cash income received during a time period, an associated income source identifier, and a patient identifier. The income source identifier identifies a department internal to the healthcare enterprise providing the associated income amount value. The patient identifier identifies a patient. The data processor processes the received message data to identify an income account associated with the department based on the income source identifier, and updates the identified income account with the income amount value to indicate the income amount value received by the identified income account during the time period.

Abstract: A ballistic laminate structure in sheet form, which includes a first array of high performance, unidirectionally-oriented fiber bundles and a second array of high performance, unidirectionally-oriented fiber bundles cross-plied at an angle with respect to the first array of fiber bundles, and laminated to the first array of fiber bundles in the absence of adhesives or bonding agents. First and second thermoplastic films are bonded to outer surfaces of the laminated first and second arrays of unidirectional fiber bundles without penetration of the films into fiber bundles or through the laminate from one side to the other.

Abstract: An article which includes at least one layer of a network of high strength fibers, preferably extended chain polyethylene fibers. The fibers of the network are coated with a very low modulus elastomeric matrix material, preferably an acrylic ester copolymer, which has a tensile modulus of less than about 100 psi, a tenacity of less than 450 psi (3105 kPa), a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of about -10.degree. C. to about -20.degree. C., and an elongation-to-break of at least about 2000%. The article can further include a second matrix material, preferably made of polyethylene, adjacent to the fiber network layer.

Abstract: A thrust vectoring panel which is a hybrid ceramic/ceramic composite consisting of three layers of lightweight materials, the anisotropic properties of which are manipulated such that the properties of the materials, i.e., the coefficient of thermal expansion, the strain energy release rate, and the tensile and flexure modules, either match or gradually transition from material to material. The three layers include a face layer which is of a high temperature capable material that can withstand temperatures within a range of 2300.degree.-25000.degree. F. for an extended period of time and a temperature as high as 28000.degree. F. for a short period of time. The middle layer simply is an insulating layer for providing adequate thermal insulation for the activator mechanism for the thrust panel. The third layer is a skeletal structure or layer which is of a lightweight material having sufficient strength to support all the integral interfaces, such as the activator mounts and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to fiber-reinforced composite resin pultrusion products of circular and noncircular cross-sectional contours, manufactured by impregnating fiber tows or rovings with a resin, drawing them into a die, and forming them into an article of predetermined size and shape, and then curing it, and relates also to a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Method to produce a roofing membrane for use in the construction of roofs which comprises mating of at least two plys of fiberglass scrim fabric to form a substrate for the roofing membrane. At least one of the plys of the substrate is a triaxially wound scrim fabric to provide additional strength to a standard open mesh rectangular formed scrim fabric.