Abstract: The present invention is a computer-implemented method for calculating the relationship between concepts, comprising: generating, a map of a plurality of nodes; assigning, activation values for a set of exogenous nodes; establishing, a set of causal relationships between nodes; iterating, the map until a convergence state is reached by the set of non-exogenous nodes, wherein the convergence state represents a temporary equilibrium condition between the connected nodes; assigning linguistic terms to the node states and causal relationships based on a mapping between word index values and linguistic terms; and calculating the states of the set of non-exogenous nodes based on the linguistic terms associated with all of the connected nodes.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer-implemented method for generating a cognitive map, comprising: identifying, by one or more processors, a subject matter node, wherein it is determined if the subject matter is pre-exiting in a cognitive map; incorporating, by one or more processors, the subject matter node into the cognitive map; establishing, by one or more processors, a relationship between the subject matter node and the pre-existing nodes, where the relationship is determined based on the subject matter node relative to the pre-existing nodes; categorizing, by one or more processors, the subject matter node as an exogenous or a non-exogenous node; and generating, by one or more processors, a graphical representation of the cognitive map.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a credit default futures market. A system providing the credit default futures market includes a processor, memory and an interface. The interface is configured to display credit default futures contracts that subscribe to a set of standard terms and conditions. The processor is configured to settle certain credit futures contracts in kind and other in cash, depending on, at least in part, the maturity date of the futures contract. A method is presented for electronically clearing and settling probability of default futures contracts.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a credit default futures market. A system providing the credit default futures market includes a processor, memory and an interface. The interface is configured to display credit default futures contracts that subscribe to a set of standard terms and conditions. The processor is configured to settle certain credit futures contracts in kind and other in cash, depending on, at least in part, the maturity date of the futures contract. A method is presented for electronically clearing and settling probability of default futures contracts.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for creating a new hybrid financial instrument, which addresses key concerns of investors and meets the financing requirements of investee companies. An embodiment of the present invention describes a new type of security called an “in-kind participating preferred security” (IPPS). The IPPS contract entitles the holder to a contingent in-kind dividend, payable periodically in the commodity produced by the issuer or in cash, which ever is of greater value. At expiration, the IPPS is redeemed by the company at its in-kind par value upon origination or in cash, which ever is greater.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a credit default futures market. A system providing the credit default futures market includes a processor, memory and an interface. The interface is configured to display credit default futures contracts that subscribe to a set of standard terms and conditions. The processor is configured to settle certain credit futures contracts in kind and other in cash, depending on, at least in part, the maturity date of the futures contract. A method is presented for electronically clearing and settling probability of default futures contracts.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a credit default futures market. A system providing the credit default futures market includes a processor, memory and an interface. The interface is configured to display credit default futures contracts that subscribe to a set of standard terms and conditions. The processor is configured to settle certain credit futures contracts in kind and other in cash, depending on, at least in part, the maturity date of the futures contract. A method is presented for electronically clearing and settling probability of default futures contracts.

Abstract: A system calculates the mutual satisfaction between negotiating parties and maximizes their mutual satisfaction over a range of decision variables and does so without requiring the parties to identify themselves and their positions to each other. For automatically negotiating agreements between multiple parties, a computer accepts a satisfaction function from an offering party who defines his degree of satisfaction to agree to a range of terms upon which the party is desirous of negotiating as a function of the relevant decision variables. The computer then accepts input from all other parties regarding their degree of satisfaction to agree to each of the terms as a function of a particular relevant decision variable. The computer then calculates a satisfaction function for each of these terms based on all of the individual inputs.

Abstract: A crossing network that matches buy and sell orders based upon a satisfaction and quantity profile is disclosed. The crossing network includes a number of trader terminals that can be used for entering order. The orders are entered in the form of a satisfaction density profile that represents a degree of satisfaction to trade a particular instrument at various (price, quantity) combinations. Typically, each order is either a buy order or a sell order. The trader terminals are coupled to a matching controller computer. The matching controller computer can receive as input the satisfaction density profiles entered at each one of the trading terminals. The matching controller computer matches orders (as represented by each trader's satisfaction density profile) so that each trader is assured that the overall outcome of the process (in terms of average price and size of fill) has maximized the mutual satisfaction of all traders. Typically, the matching process is anonymous.

Abstract: A computer-based system for determining a set of opening prices for a number of series of options traded on an options exchange and for allocating public order imbalances at the opening of trading. Market makers input a current position, a desired target position and market maker orders for options series from market maker terminals. An order entry system receives public orders for options series. A controller determines a set of implied volatilities (prices) for each options series that will maximize a weighted volume of trades across all option series at the opening. Contra orders that can be matched at the opening price are then executed. If there is a residual imbalance of non-executed public orders, the residual imbalance of non-executed public orders is assigned to individual ones of the plurality of market makers so as to minimize a cumulative measure of deviation between the desired target position and the current position of each market maker.

Abstract: A crossing network that matches buy and sell orders based upon a satisfaction and quantity profile is disclosed. The crossing network includes a number of trader terminals that can be used for entering orders. The orders are entered in the form of a satisfaction density profile that represents a degree of satisfaction to trade a particular instrument at various (price, quantity) combinations. Typically, each order is either a buy order or a sell order. The trader terminals are coupled to a matching controller computer. The matching controller computer can receive as input the satisfaction density profiles entered at each one of the trading terminals. The matching controller computer matches orders (as represented by each trader's satisfaction density profile) so that each trader is assured that the overall outcome of the process (in terms of average price and size of fill) has maximized the mutual satisfaction of all traders. Typically, the matching process is anonymous.

Abstract: A crossing network that matches buy and sell orders based upon a satisfaction and quantity profile includes a number of trader terminals that can be used for entering orders. The orders are entered in the form of a satisfaction density profile that represents a degree of satisfaction to trade a particular instrument at various (price, quantity) combinations. Typically, each order is either a buy order or a sell order. The trader terminals are coupled to a matching controller computer. The matching controller computer can receive as input the satisfaction density profiles entered at each one of the trading terminals. The matching controller computer matches orders (as represented by each trader's satisfaction density profile) so that each trader is assured that the overall outcome of the process (in terms of average price and size of fill) has maximized the mutual satisfaction of all traders. Typically, the matching process is anonymous.

Abstract: A periodontal probe system for measurement, storage, and display of periodontal pocket depth, gingival level and periodontal attachment level of the teeth. In the system, a periodontal probe instrument includes an elongate tip with a measurement arrangement that simultaneously measures periodontal pocket depth, gingival level, and periodontal attachment level at each of a plurality of probe sites around a tooth. The measurement arrangement provides depth signals indicative of the pocket depth and attachment level measured. Gingival level is computed as the arithmetic difference between the attachment level and the pocket depth. A pressure sensor in the probe provides a pressure signal indicative of the pressure acting on the tip of the probe. A signal processing apparatus is connected to receive the pressure signal and the depth signals. A periodontal measurement is made by inserting the tip of the probe into the gum pocket and gradually increasing the pressure on the probe tip after insertion.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique reduces the data transmission rate required to ansmit acoustic signals from undersea sensors to remote monitoring locations without degrading the surveillance information content of the signals. The signals are digitized and fed to an adaptive line enhancer (Wiener filter) which processes them so that a fast Fourier transform (Karhunen-Loeve approximation) coefficient generator can feed representative signals to a programmable quantizer and a signal averager. When significant shifts are detected in the fast Fourier transform coefficient variances, responsive signals are generated by the programmable quantizer for adaptive bit allocation. An interconnected multiplexer transmits multiplexed signals to the remote monitoring station where the inverse of the foregoing allows an analysis of the acoustic signals being monitored.