Abstract: A system and method for grouping and selling products or services using a computer system, potentially connected to a network. The computer system includes a computer with multiple terminals, potentially instantiated as a server computer or computers and distributed client computers. The computer system presents a sales interface on some terminals. The sales interface shows products or services and groups of products and/or services that are for sale. The computer system presents a back end interface on some terminals, which can be used to enter new products, services and groupings of products and/or services to be offered for sale on the sales interface. Descriptions of the products or service offerings are entered into the computer system either by data entry operators using the back end interface or by a program reading product or service descriptions from external computer systems. The method groups these products or services according to an affinity algorithm.

Abstract: A system and a method is shown for conducting electronic commerce. The system includes a mobile station (10) containing a user interface (15) and an application (27A), which could cooperate with a user authentication module (13A); and a computer (1) coupled to a data communications network (2). The computer includes a browser (1A) for contacting a site, such as a commerce related site, and a browser plug-in module (1B) and/or a browser extension. The browser and plug-in (or extension) cooperate to detect a presence of a received message that requires a response from the user, such as an authentication of the user, or a digital signature, or a payment request, etc. The computer also includes an interface (1C, 1D, 1E) for sending a message from the computer to the mobile station over a bidirectional link (3).

Abstract: A benchmark portfolio is provided to be customizable to an investment portfolio where the customization is dynamic. Each customization can be recorded as a historical event, and the investment return of the benchmark portfolio is based on the recorded customizations. The benchmark portfolio includes select asset classes, which include a sweep account, where each asset class includes at least one security that is representative of a set of specifically screened securities within the asset class.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and one of a plurality of sellers via the Internet. Product information relating to a plurality of products meeting product criteria specified by the buyer is presented via the Internet. One of the plurality of sellers is associated with each of the products. A first bid from the buyer for a first one of the plurality of products is made available via the Internet to a first seller associated with the first product. A first bid response is presented via the Internet to the buyer according to response criteria specified by the first seller. Where the first bid response is an acceptance of the first bid, consummation of the transaction is facilitated. Where the first bid response is a counteroffer, further negotiation via the Internet between the buyer and the first seller is enabled.

Abstract: A computer system and method for providing an on-line mall. An on-line mall environment is provided. The on-line mall environment is partitioned into at least one community and having at least one store in each community. Each store is made available to a merchant to occupy. The merchant may customize the store by providing for storage on the on-line mall sight design data and merchandise data. Customers access the on-line mall through a remote location. The customers may connect with the on-line mall website through direct connection to the on-line mall or through links provided by other websites. Customer specific data is stored on the on-line mall allowing the customer to enter purchasing data one time for the many stores in each community. Customer purchasing selections are stored and submitted to the mechant on standard intervals.