Abstract: The present invention relates to a master resource planning systems and related methods for optimizing resource plans across multiple networks. In particular, the present invention optimizes constrained resources across multiple networks and produces an optimized plan to allocate and coordinate the obtaining, shipping and procurement of limited resources based upon user-defined strategies and supplier/shipper preferences Aspects of the disclosure include creating planning data and planning rules. Planning data contains information regarding constrained resources in the multiple networks. Planning rules are based on user-defined strategies. Additional aspects include generating a plan based on the planning data and the planning rules and revising the plan in real-time. The generated plan optimally allocates the constrained resources according to the user-defined strategies.

Abstract: The invention includes three primary methodical tools. The first tool implements a job recruiting toolkit. The second tool implements a method of generating referrals based upon a virtual community of people, who relate to the job description. The third tool implements an enterprise recruitment toolkit.

Abstract: A sales tracking and forecasting system and method for integrating and manipulating data from two or more sources and then allowing a user to forecast the demand for a range of products, a specific product, a part utilized in a product, or raw materials used to manufacture a product. Possible sources of data retrieved by the system include sources internal to a seller and external to a seller.

Abstract: A secure election system provides a downloadable ballot viewer object for the casting of ballots. The ballot viewer object authenticates the user, permits user interaction in the casting of ballots, seals the cast ballot image by encryption, and transmits the cast ballot to election headquarters. The ballot viewer object may be used to perform secure voting on the Internet.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for promoting entertainment programs. A request relating to an item is received from a user utilizing a network. The inquiry is mapped to a promotion for a media program of a similar genre. The promotion is output to the user utilizing a network.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of doing business and a security instrument. An exemplary method includes creating an equity pool with a plurality of equity interests; and compensating an associate, who has completed a milestone of a project, with a portion of the equity pool. An exemplary security instrument includes an equity pool and a security interest in the equity pool.

Abstract: The advertisement of inventions as a means to protect, access value and attempt to market them. The inventions would be described and a percentage of ownership would be offered in the advertisments. The inventor would be identified and a copy of the advertisment can be retained by the inventor for protection. The percentages can be (very small) (so that they are) (affordable).

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for generating a personalized list of items for a user are disclosed. The method includes the steps of storing inter-item relationships, adaptively identifying and storing users' interests based on behavioral patterns of users and generating a personalized list of items for a user, based on the user's stored interests and the inter-item relationships. The method optionally includes the additional steps of identifying and storing attributes of items and defining the inter-item relationships on the basis of the degree of similarity between item attributes. A user's interests can also be categorized on the basis of item attributes. The system and computer program product disclosed are for performing the steps of the foregoing method.

Abstract: An incentive mechanism for encouraging the adoption and use of a communally useful entity. Use of the communally useful entity is tracked. An incentive payment to be paid by an incentive provider to a recipient is calculated, the recipient being the designee of a user of the communally useful entity, and the incentive payment proportionate to a measure of the user's use of the communally useful entity. The incentive provider is directed to distribute the incentive payment to the recipient, and an amount of rights to participation in the communally useful entity is distributed to the incentive provider's designee, where the amount of rights to participation distributed is proportionate to the value of the incentive payment made by the incentive provider. Thus, the user is given an incentive to use the transaction platform, and the incentive provider is given an incentive to encourage others use of the transaction platform. A software program and computer-based system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for an allocation system that sells marketing over geographically delineated units using a computer communications network. Merchants can use computer servers to set up an automated online allocation system that allows potential marketers to buy or lease marketing rights for geographical areas. The individual units are assigned to a marketer, who begins advertising the online site. The merchant pays a commission to the marketer based on sales in the marketer's unit.

Abstract: A method, and system for increasing the efficiency of customer contact strategies is disclosed. Customers are analyzed based upon historical criteria; a promotional plan (a group of promotion events implemented or to be implemented over a particular time period) is analyzed to determine the effect of each promotion event on the other promotion events in the promotional plan; and, based on this analysis, the optimal promotion stream (a specific subset of the promotional plan to be sent to customers or a group of similar customers) is determined so as to maximize the ROI of the promotional plan as a whole.

Abstract: With greater frequency, POS (point of sale) devices are being deployed for retail loyalty applications. The current process is for each of these applications to be custom programmed for each merchant. Such custom application development significantly increases the cost beyond the reach of small to midsize merchants. This invention is an “out-of-the-box”, turnkey retail marketing solution that empowers individual merchants to set up and configure their own customer loyalty applications using their own unique cards or tokens, or by enrolling compatible cards and/or tokens from other programs. Now smaller merchants can benefit from the same powerful marketing programs that were previously only available to the larger national chain stores.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is directed to promoting a merchant comprising providing merchant-specific configuration software for specially configuring a user's computer system and/or computer peripheral device, such as a computer mouse or keyboard, to access a website and/or an advertisement by the activation of at least one switch by the user.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) is operatively controlled from a front consumer user station (12) and a rear maintenance user station (14). The machine is operative to output a consumer user interface (28) through a front display device (16, 80). The consumer user interface includes interactive options for performing transactions with the machine including dispensing cash with a cash dispenser (32). The machine is further operative to output a maintenance user interface (30), through a rear display device (18, 82). The maintenance user interface includes options for configuring, troubleshooting, servicing and maintaining the machine. The operating system of the machine is operative to generate a desktop environment (84) that spans both the front display device and rear display device, such that a first portion (86) of the desktop is output by the first display device and a second portion (88) of the desktop is output by the second display device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system provides secure distribution of value-bearing instruments, such as coupons, tickets, gift certificates, money orders and traveler's checks. The distribution system involves three parties which are the consumer of the instrument, the supplier of the instrument and a security party which is referred to as a secure transaction service. The consumer registers with the secure transaction service for identity verification either before or after a transaction is initiated with the supplier of products or services. Verification of the consumer's identity can be established at any required level. In one aspect of the system, the supplier provides the consumer with a confirmation token which the consumer must then provide to the secure transaction service together with identification information of the consumer, so that only the valid consumer can complete the transaction.

Abstract: A system for trading commodity futures contracts and options is provided. The system includes a user account system that has user-entered trade data, such as to buy a commodity futures contract for copper. A user information system is connected to the user account system and provides commodities trading data to users, such as a description of what a commodity futures contract is, and how copper prices have historically fluctuated. A trading controls system connected to the user account system receives user account data from the user account system and inhibits the user-entered trade data in response to the user account data.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for conducting an online auction of a plurality of heterogeneous items between a plurality of selling and potential purchasing parties. The method includes the the steps of accepting an offer in respect of an item, accepting one or more subsequent offers that is/are preferable to a previously accepted offer, and rejecting the previously accepted offer. While the offer/s is/are binding on a party making the offer, acceptance of the offer/s is/are not binding on a party accepting the offer. Classes of “seller strategies”, for offering items to potential purchasing parties, and “buyer strategies”, to decide which offers to accept, are also disclosed. As a result of the interaction of the buyer and seller strategies, the auction mechanism converges to an allocation of items to buyers at particular prices and assists in discovering a free and fair competitive equilibrium price.

Abstract: A portable computing device for assisting a person to locate a food retailer in view of a food preference of the person comprises a display; a wireless transceiver for communication with a communications network; a position location device; and a software application program adapted to transmit the food preference and the location of the person to a remote computer system over a communications network, to receive data from the remote computer, and to display food retail locations and menu lists complying with the food preference to the person on the display of the computing device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to online purchasing via interface surfaces printed with information and coded data. The coded data, encoded visibly or invisibly, may be queried by an appropriate sensing device. The sensing device communicates with a computer system. Together, the interface surfaces, sensing device and computer system are capable of effecting purchasing transactions over a network.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention facilitate in sending a package (112) to a customer at a physical address via a shipper (106) while preserving customer privacy. In accordance with an embodiment, an order is received from the customer (102). The order may include a unique identifier corresponding to the customer. A package (110) is sent to the shipper (106) in fulfillment of the order, the package including the unique identifier. Then, the customer's physical address is derived from the unique identifier and the package is delivered (112) from the shipper to the customer's physical address.

Abstract: A computerized system is disclosed for facilitating the transactions between a buyer of credit (Member) with a seller of credit (Lender) (see FIG. 1). The method and system builds a credit marketplace web site that allows Members and Lenders (14) to interact in a secure and neutral environment. Members receive credit reports and may use these reports to extend anonymous credit requests. Lenders may filter the credit requests using criteria by which they will determine which offers are suitable for potential review. The extension of a credit offer by a lender to the Member causes the Lender to be charged a transaction fee, which may be shared by other Lenders who likewise extend credit offers to the member.

Abstract: A method and system for providing item sales and delivery service (see FIG. 1) consistent with the invention includes arranging over a communications system (170) a sales transaction of an item (110) between a seller (105) and a buyer (155), sending the item through a delivery system directed toward the buyer, and making a payment for at least one of the following: a purchase price of the item, a delivery fee, and a fee for any other buyer-selected delivery-related services.

Abstract: A method and system for providing item redelivery services sends an item through a delivery system (130) towards a first address (150), receives an indication that the item cannot he delivered to the first address, determines an alternative address (160) utilizing a code on the item (120), and sends the item through the delivery system (130) to the alternative address (160).

Abstract: An online shopping system is provided for: minimizing transportation costs by using a plurality of prestandardized delivery containers so as to eliminate waste in product delivery; and enhancing the convenience of the users by automatically selecting a delivery container in accordance with the size of a selected product and clearly denoting information about an order closing time, a delivery source location, etc. When the user inputs the type and the quantity of a product, (the type of) a delivery container 61 which is optimal for storing the ordered product is automatically selected based on the volume of the product and an internal capacity of the delivery container. At this point, a price 62 of the selected delivery container 61 is displayed. Thereafter, each time an additional product is ordered, (the type of) a new delivery container 59 which is optimal for storing all of ordered products including the additional product is selected.

Abstract: The use of electronic signatures, bar codes or digital serial numbers to link objects and belongings to owner information contained in an electronic database. A small identifier device, which stores or represents a digital signature or serial code, shall be affixed to any object. Through use of this signature a person's, corporation's or entity's information can be retrieved to identify the owner of the object and provide a mechanism for return of that object to the proper owner.

Abstract: A method is described for updating information relating to an item of stock in a supply chain that resides in a storage facility of a custodian of the stock when the ownership of the item of stock passes from a first owner to a second owner. The method includes providing a first data structure representing the custodian of the item of stock, providing a second separate data structure representing the owner of the item of stock, and passing the ownership of the item of stock from the first owner to the second owner. Passing the ownership includes changing the name from the first owner to the second owner in a field in the second data structure.

Abstract: A part sequencing system is shown that can receive requests for a plurality of inventory items to be supplied in a specified order. The specified order is related to the order in which the inventory will be consumed in a selected manufacturing process. The system may utilize object oriented programming to reduce input errors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for monitoring and billing beverage preparation equipment and product. The system includes a controller for monitoring the use of beverage preparation equipment. The beverage preparation equipment or apparatus includes a dilution source and a product source connected to the controller and controllably dispense a dilution component and product component to mix these two components to produce a resultant combination. Information is provided from the dilution source, product source or both to the controller which relates to the dilution material or water, product or both used by the apparatus. The information is provided to a data collection portion, also connected to the controller, which uses the information for billing purposes. The method includes a method of billing, servicing and resuppling of the apparatus and product in relation to the water, product or both used the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a standardization and commoditizing the process of technology contracts and creating method for assessing, scoring, ranking and rating technology vendors for the purpose of comparing vendor bids on a project and for structuring and pricing insurance/surety contracts. Intrinsic and two-way vendor ratings are established for each of the vendors in a particular project. This two-way rating is used to provide a risk adjustment to the nominal bid of each of the vendors. The two-way rating is also utilized to structure and calculate an insurance premium based upon the probability that the vendor would fail/default on the delivery of a technology project.

Abstract: A system and method for performing Electronic Check Presentment (ECP) processing. The system and method employ digital imaging techniques to digitally image the physical checks as they arrive subsequent to posting of the ECP items. The images are electronically linked to the data records that represent the checks. During the proofing process, in which the data records for the ECP items are validated against the data records for the physical items, the records are updated such that the posting date and ISN number for the data records for the physical items reflect the posting date and ISN number of the ECP items. As the digital image of the check is electronically linked to the data records, the image is thus carries the posting date and ISN of the ECP item.

Abstract: A system and method for decomposing risk factors that are embedded within accounted, underwritten exposures, and monetizing a selection of these risk factors for trades with a counterparty in a risk management environment. Each risk factor has a quantifiable contribution to an overall exposure, measured by the financial result of a subpopulation within the exposure sharing a qualifying data element value, such as an attribute, or outcome. Some subpopulations are disproportionately responsible for a high share of exposure losses, shortfalls, or uncertainties. These subpopulations can be identified by their risk factors, and their future prospective results selected for monetizing and trading with a willing counterparty, in exchange for financial consideration.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and device which uses a computer system for raising and managing contributions. The system is designed to first issue a solicitation seeking contributions to prospective contributors. When funds are received they are agregated. Next, the system is designed to invest the contributions to generate income. The income generated is provided to the cause. Upon some predetermined refund trigger, the contribution is returned to contributor.

Abstract: A method for displaying values specified in a number of offers for a number of offer variables with respect to price includes receiving data for multiple offers that reflects values specified in the offers for multiple offer variables and generating a display of the received data. The display includes multiple offer variable windows that are each associated with an offer variable. Each offer variable window includes an offer price axis representing a range of offer prices and an offer variable axis substantially perpendicular to the offer price axis that represents a range of values for the offer variable associated with the offer variable window. Each offer variable window includes multiple bars. Each bar represents a value specified in one or more offers for the offer variable associated with the offer variable window and is positioned with respect to the offer price axis according to an offer price specified in the one or more offers.

Abstract: A slip image obtaining unit obtains image information on a slip on which character information has been entered. A character recognizing unit recognizes characters entered on the slip on the basis of the image information obtained by the slip image obtaining unit. A determining unit determines whether assistance by an assistant is necessary in an inputting process with the slip according to whether a result of recognition by said character recognizing unit satisfies a predetermined determination condition. An assistance requesting unit requests assistance by the assistant when the determining unit determines that assistance by the assistant is necessary. Whereby, a load on the assistant can be diminished.

Abstract: An investment structure and method including a fixed component and a contingent component for investing funds. The fixed component invests a portion of the funds in fixed income securities and generates principal plus fixed interest. The contingent component invests another portion of the funds in non-fixed income investments and generates contingent interest. The fixed interest is selectively distributed or re-invested in the fixed component, and the contingent interest is re-invested in the contingent component in order to boost the trading pool for that component and potentially increase the return on investment. One or more limited partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations or other limited liability entities invests the contingent component.

Abstract: A web-based investment advisory system and method to assist financial advisors in delivering personalized investment advisory services to investors. An advisor assesses a client's investment profile (112) for evaluating the risk dimensions of the client's current portfolio holdings (118), compares investment risks classification based upon portfolio holdings (122), recommends specific portfolio changes (132) based on asset classes to create an optimized portfolio for the client's investment profile and suggests specific investment products available through the advisor and integrates with the advisors trading platform for executing purchase and sales orders (134).

Abstract: A method of solving the inverse problem through an iterative process is provided whereby each iterative effectively solves one forward problem without having to sample the entire non-linear space. This method is a selective and iterative process for optimizing many variables that substantially achieves a global optimum solution. One particular process utilizes a neo-Darwinism method. Under this method, the sample space is iteratively analyzed via “mutations” to the value of the variable involved. Starting from a basic structure, assumed sub-optimal, we apply small variations or mutations are applied to each variable in turn, and those that are determined to improve the outcome value are kept. A better outcome value is determined to exist when a set of ratings is closer to the required set. Because the average rating is an invariant, the variable space is operated on throughout the process of looking for the combination of factors that will lead to the better outcome value.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and system for managing a portfolio. More specifically, the present invention includes a variety of means to calculate probabilistic risk/benefit measures of portfolios as well as extensive data visualization tools, several group decision-making tools, powerful optimization and tradeoff analysis tools, and customized simulations of projects and portfolios.

Abstract: A method for providing a bid price and/or an offer price of an option relating to an underlying asset, the method including the steps of receiving first input data corresponding to a plurality of parameters defining the option, receiving second input data corresponding to a plurality of current market conditions relating to the underlying value, computing a corrected theoretical value of the option based on the first and second input data (110), computing a bid/offer spread of the option based on the first and input data (116), computing a bid price and/or an offer price of the option based on the corrected theoretical value and the bid/offer spread (118), and providing an output corresponding to the bid price and/or the offer price of the option.

Abstract: A method for assessing and dynamically rating transactions (180) for structured finance transactions. The method assesses the deviation (170) from a payment promise to be expected from securities backed by pools of assets of various forms (100), the securities being issued in a plurality of tranches (125). The liabilities of the transaction, including triggers and external form of credit enhancement, are taken into account precisely to compute the deviation from the payment promise to be expected by liability holders. Data representing the structure of the transaction and the current state of the asset pool are received (100). A Markov chain formalism (150) is applied on the received data, and a cash flow model is constructed to predict the cash flow performance (180) of the asset pool.

Abstract: Smaller investors can create and manage on a cost-effective basis a complex portfolio of securities using a mechanism that enables the investor to provide to the system the investor's preferences regarding his portfolio, to generate a portfolio, including fractional shares, that reflects the investor's preferences. The system then permits aggregation of the orders, and netting of orders, generated by multiple investors at various times during the day for execution. In addition, the structure of the computer-based system of the present invention allows its cost to be based on access to or usage of the system (such as a monthly fee) as opposed to by securities orders entered into the system as per common brokerage. The result is that the investor can create a portfolio of directly owned securities with attributes, such as diversification, similar to a mutual fund.

Abstract: A system and a method to implement a three sectored business model that facilitates the trading of bandwidth as a commodity. One sector includes resource entities that require or generate the resource or commodity to be traded—bandwidth. Another sector includes bandwidth enabling entities that neutrally provide a pool of bandwidth that can be obtained from a variety of resource entities in a competitive manner. The last sector includes trading companies that interface with resource entities, bandwidth enabling entities, or traders, and facilitate the trading of the bandwidth based on the availability of the bandwidth from one or more bandwidth enabling entities or resource entities. A core engine operates as the central controller and data exchange source for facilitating the execution of trades between and for all entities, provisioning of connections, monitoring of the network, sharing and feedback of data to relative subsystems, and provide data control abilities to subscribing entities.

Abstract: An on-line system and method for analyzing proposals received in response to a request-for-proposal for highly specialized or engineered goods. The system comprises a purchaser terminal and a vendor terminal. A processor is coupled to the purchaser terminal and to the vendor terminal via Internet. The processor is configured to receive a bid from the vendor terminal, wherein the bid comprises a plurality of bid sections. The processor automatically transmits, via e-mail, the bid sections to predetermined users of the purchaser terminal. Advantageously, each one of the bid sections corresponds to a sections of a request-for-proposal generated by a purchaser, and is transmitted to the RFP team members that created the RFP section. The processor may also comprise a negotiation module which is configured to display to users of the purchaser terminal and the vendor terminal offer and counteroffer information.

Abstract: The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, provides a system and method for creating, managing and tracking Requests-For-Proposals in an on-line environment. The on-line system comprises a vendor terminal and a buyer terminal. A processor is coupled to the vendor terminal and to the buyer terminal via the Internet. The processor comprises a template module configured to provide a proposal template to a user of the vendor terminal for creating a proposal in response to a request-for-proposal created by a user of the buyer terminal.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed which allows the aggregation of the demands of various buyers, providing an incentive for suppliers to bid to supply those demands in an auction. The system and method operates by scanning a database which contains a listing of goods or services sought by various people or entities. Thereafter, similar goods or services are grouped together and presented to various vendors. The vendors are given the opportunity to bid on the group of similar goods or services. Such a bid may vary from the originally purchased goods or services as long as the bid is within a predetermined range. The vendor which presents the optimum bid within a predetermined period of time is selected as the provider of the goods or services and proceeds to supply the goods or services at the bid upon amount.

Abstract: The basic idea is to present bids and offers from several geographically distributed markets to a market participant as if they were all in a single market at the location where the participant wants to deliver or take delivery.

Abstract: To this end, in one embodiment of the present invention, a consumer financial transaction system is provided by a lending institution enabling a consumer to make transactions via a transaction device. The system is comprised of a database storage device for maintaining several databases which are configured to store information corresponding to accounts held by each of the consumers. A server is also provided which maintains a compute interest qualify module configured to calculate a credit interest rate corresponding to number of accounts maintained by the consumer. Additionally, the server is provided which maintaining a compute interest pledge module configured to calculate a credit interest rate corresponding to the number of accounts maintained by the consumer pledged by thc consumer as security against the consumer's credit account.

Abstract: A system and method of providing one or more user selectable transaction limits (soft limit) for an associated account, generally within the constraints of fixed transaction limits for the account. The soft limit may be adjusted by the user in response to anticipated transaction volume to reduce fraudulent charge risk. By way of example, the soft limit remains at a low default transaction limit that is generally sufficient for covering daily expenditures when utilizing the account, and may be temporarily set to a higher limit by the user contemplating making a purchases which may exceed the soft limit. After a time period has elapsed or a given number of transactions have occurred after user selection of the soft limit it drops back to the default value. The inventive system and method may be practiced within or interfaced to “card processing centers” of transactions cards or other account tokens.

Abstract: An international payment system, where a payment instruction is communicated from a customer in one country to a local currency account in another country. A payment is then provided from the local currency account to a destination/beneficiary account of an intended beneficiary. Separately, a payment request is communicated to a funds account to ensure that sufficient funds to cover the payment are provided to a treasury account. The funds at the treasury account may be exchanged for the foreign currency of the local currency account, and payment made to the local currency account either by transferring funds directly to it, or by providing a credit entry in a general ledger on behalf of the local currency account in the first country. The system enables direct access to transaction status information at the local currency account. A customized international payment transaction user interface is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system using a communication network such as the Internet to allow registered users the flexibility to pay a bill by using traditional non-electronic payment methods after receiving an e-mail notification. The e-mail notification contains at least summary information which is formatted in the form of a remittance which can be included with the non-electronic form of payment allowing a user to retain the ability to pay a bill non-electronically while still being electronically notified that the bill is coming due. Additionally, a registered user has the option to pay a bill electronically after receiving the e-mail by clicking on an appropriate web address embedded within that e-mail. The registered user will either be directed to a biller website or a Customer Service Provider (CSP) and/or a Business Service Provider (BSP) website and given the option to pay the bill electronically.