Abstract: A method for providing customer sales information includes sending a request for customer sales information associated with a customer from a member of a business organization to a customer sales information processing and communication (CSIPC) server associated with the business organization using a terminal that is remote from the CSIPC server. External credit rating information associated with the customer is retrieved from an external credit rating agency (ECRA) system using the CSIPC server. The ECRA system is not associated with the organization. The customer sales information is sent from the CSIPC server to the terminal. The customer sales information is based on the external credit rating information. Related systems and computer program products are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically processing financial transactions involving corporate checks. A front end device at a location associated with a merchant and a check processing service configured to detect and process corporate checks. In one embodiment, the detection of the corporate check is achieved at the front end device by reading of an auxiliary on-us field in the check's magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line. Such information denoting the check as a corporate check is used by the check processing service to at least partially base its assessment of whether to approve and process the corporate check electronically.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systematically assessing an enterprise's security risks in view of a set of security patterns. Each pattern that is applicable to the enterprise's operation is then considered against the backdrop of a set of common attributes that are used, in turn, to further distinguish each pattern from a risk and security solution perspective. Using the disclosed techniques, specific security risks can be identified and appropriate security products can be selected to address those risks in a systematic manner, thereby assisting information technology decision makers across a wide variety of enterprises in deriving security solutions. These security solutions will typically be more effective and efficient from a functional perspective, as well as being more cost-effective, than security solutions created using prior art ad hoc approaches. The disclosed techniques may also be leveraged to create a requirements list for function to be included in a security product.

Abstract: Financial transaction and due diligence management convergence platforms, systems, methods and articles of manufacture to retrieve, analyze, validate and communicate a community of users' data records (or workspace templates). Specifically, methods for real time managing of information and records related to users' content created, edited, modified and housed in unique, disparate or federated holdings in centralized or distributed environments.

Abstract: An online loan delivery system for receiving delivery of a mortgage loan from a seller of the mortgage loan includes an Internet-enabled user interface permitting the seller to access the online delivery system by way of the Internet or an Intranet, the user interface configured to provide web pages to receive the loan data, to receive a request from the seller to submit the loan data for processing in accordance with a delivery process and to display a set of results from the delivery process. The system also includes delivery logic configured to receive at least the loan data from the user interface, to process the loan data in accordance with the delivery process and to provide results of the delivery process to the user interface.

Abstract: A method and system for automated bargaining is disclosed. The method and system are used in testing non-equal values in normal rounds for satisfaction of a condition. If the condition is not satisfied in the normal rounds, power round values are tested for satisfaction of a power round condition. If the power round condition is satisfied, a binding bargained payment is calculated. Additional options involve an automated facilitator, windfalls to initiators, automatic payment initiation, multiparty aggregation and automatic agreement document generation.

Abstract: The present invention provides the ability to solicit and obtain updated information about a customer or person. The present invention can be incorporated into a service provision system and thus, request updated information from a customer attempting to access the service. In operation, when the customer requests a service, the customer either provides or is requested to provide sufficient information to identify the customer. The system then extracts a customer profile based on the identity of the customer. Portions or all of the customer profile is then presented to the customer to verify for correctness. If the information is incorrect, the customer can provide updated information immediately to the system. The system can force the customer to either update the information or affirmatively indicate the information is correct before providing the service.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a bank account. In this, a deposit is received into the account and a preselected percentage of the deposit is transferred to a second account. Alternatively, a part of the deposited sum corresponding to a preselected percentage can be allocated to at least one fund within the account.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing a financial account in which account information is maintained for the financial account on a host system. The account information includes a set of account parameter values and a specification of a base account processing strategy. An entry in a lookup table is maintained on a storage device in communication with the host system is accessed. The entry is defined by at least one of the account parameter values. An operation specified by the entry and inconsistent with operations specified by the base account processing strategy is implemented to override at least a portion of the base account processing strategy. The base account processing strategy is reverted to with the host system in response to satisfaction of a predetermined trigger condition.

Abstract: Product providers are able to liquidate goods via a transacting entity such as a liquidation broker which acts to exchange a user's reward points for the liquidated goods in a manner that is transparent to both the redeeming user and the product provider. A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points, held by a reward account holder in a reward point account on the user's behalf, are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product in whole or in part. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in the user's reward account, as either designated by the user or by a third party, by the required number of points. The reward account holder conveys consideration to the transacting entity equivalent to the par value of the reward points.

Abstract: Methods are described for accounting, administration and processing of transactions utilizing a stored value card utilizing an EFT service gateway and providing balances for the cards across a plurality of point of sale devices. One method includes receiving a message generated by the point of sale system of a merchant and parsing the message into data elements. The method also includes routing the message through a switch controller to an account holder database based on an institution ID and a branch ID, accessing an account within the database utilizing the account key, and determining if an account holder's monetary balance in the account is greater than or equal to the transaction amount. A message is formatted and one of an authorization approval or a denial based upon the determination is transmitted within the message.

Abstract: An improved system for accessing account sufficiency information relating to checks, in order to enhance the success rate for clearing bank checks, including receiving at a service provider electronic records from a plurality of sources and ascertaining by the service provider account sufficiency information from the participating banks in regard to at least 1000 checks per business day, on average, relating to said records. The system may include economies of scale such as at least partial automation of callers, opening service provider accounts at banks and/or batching checks for callers from different sources or holders.

Abstract: A credit card management system and method wherein a customer with an account is provided a primary credit card with a credit card number and a security code thereon. A secondary presentation instrument associated with the primary credit card is issued for use in conducting on-line transactions. A database stores account information, including the security code associated with the primary account and a secondary account number associated the secondary presentation instrument. When an on-line transaction is conducted, the customer enters both the secondary account number and the security code from the credit card. The secondary presentation instrument is a paper card, a key fob, a printed record or any other virtual credit card.

Abstract: The Sarvatra™ system provides an apparatus for conducting banking transactions including depositing and withdrawal of cash by an account holder in a branch of a bank. The system consists of [i] a data center having a “sarvatra” cluster [ii] an operations center for maintaining records of all operations; [iii] POS terminals; [iv] account data storage means; [v] Network Interfaces linking: the data center to the operation center, the POS terminals to the data center and the said account data storage means to the data center via a network; [vi] a sarvatra card on which is recordable account information of an account holder; [vii] an electronic financial transaction switch adapted to send and receive information from the POS terminals and send and receive information from said account data storage means in the branches and further adapted to selectively route transactions to and from bank branches.

Abstract: A system is described for enabling a user to make Internet purchases utilising a transfer of a pre-determined credit to an on-line account from an existing service provider to that user. In use, a user dials a telephone number from a telephone and authorises a charge onto their utility or service provider bill in consideration for the transfer of credit to their account associated with the Internet payment system. The customer can then go to a participating merchant's website, make their selections of goods and/or services and complete the transaction by clicking on a payment button associated with the system of the present invention and the credit is transferred between accounts. An instantaneous communication is issued to the merchant and to the user to advise that the transaction has been successfully completed. An associated system for age verification to vet access to an Internet website is also described.

Abstract: A method of purchasing digital content over the Internet is based on embedding necessary information called attributes in or with the digital content (such as the price and who is the seller), then preventing the user from accessing the content until the user is authorized to do so. The concept of a self authorizing self destructing digital content eliminates the need for Merchant sites to support payment processing as a function or extension of their web server applications. Instead of relying on a web server based payment processing method, the digital content itself is modified to invoke software resident on the users computer. When a user selects an item of digital content that they wish to purchase, it is downloaded to the users computer. There the instructions and or software programs embedded in the digital content will interact with a third party software to authorize the purchase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trading a standardised contract. The contract obliges the seller to make delivery to the exchange of a standardised debt product on the delivery date of the contract for a price given by the exchange determined settlement price and a conversion factor. The contract further requires to take delivery from the exchange of said debt obligation for the same price. The contract further requires the buyer or seller to make margin payments to the exchange on each trading day, or with a longer period, based on the price movements of the contract during that trading day or period if so required by the trading rules. The contract further obliges the exchange to make similar payments to the buyer or seller if they are entitled to such payments under the trading rules.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: A consumer-based bill management and payment system is configured to receive, analyze, manage and pay electronic billing statements received from the biller over the Internet. The system includes a notification manager that detects when the electronic bill arrives and notifies the consumer. The bill is stored in memory with other unpaid electronic bills. According to another aspect of the invention, the system has a cashflow analyzer that enables the consumer to coordinate the unpaid electronic bills according to different payment schedules for a bill payment cycle (e.g., a month). The goal of the manipulation is to permit the consumer to analyze how the different payment schedules affect the consumer's cashflow with an aim toward minimizing overdraft during the bill payment cycle. The cashflow analyzer can automatically compute an optimized payment schedule that minimizes overdraft of the consumer's account, while maximizing the balance to generate the most interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the process and system and process for converting cash sale transaction residuals (change—the coin and currency returned to a retail cash purchaser as the excess balance due to the purchaser for a transaction) into an electronic form for electronic transfer and deposit into interest bearing accounts at the point of sale through the combination of magnetic cards, magnetic card readers, automatic magnetic card dispensers with identity verifying capabilities and linkage to financial institutions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically processing financial transactions involving corporate checks. A front end device at a location associated with a merchant and a check processing service configured to detect and process corporate checks. In one embodiment, the detection of the corporate check is achieved at the front end device by reading of an auxiliary on-us field in the check's magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line. Such information denoting the check as a corporate check is used by the check processing service to at least partially base its assessment of whether to approve and process the corporate check electronically.

Abstract: A system and method providing for a service provider, acting as agent for one or more community banks to offer indexed certificates of deposit (ICDs) at an upfront, fixed cost, which have the benefits of an upside return opportunity, no downside risk, and FDIC insurance for qualified accounts. Customers' funds are deposited with the banking institution, then a portion of the funds are directed through an escrow agent to a hedge provider in exchange for an option to pay the portion of the appreciation of the index, if any, on the ICDs. At maturity, the hedge provider pays the proportionate appreciation, if any, to the escrow agent, who in turn sends the appropriate portion of the appreciation to the participating bank institutions. The bank institutions then forward the appreciation, along with the initial purchase price of the ICDs, on to the customer.

Abstract: Prospernomics is a method of allowing new work to create new money, to keep consumption equal to production and to eliminate taxes and government fees. Workers are paid with a Special Money Creating Check by employers. This newly created money keeps the nation's money supply equal to the nation's production thereby insuring that consumption will always equal production. Such a system prevents recession and inflation and provides for maximum growth of the economy. Each time an employee is paid his or her employer's account is debited by a clearing house a like amount of money equal to his or her pay and sent proportionally to the four divisions of government eliminating the need for taxes and government fees. Such funding gives government approximately 5 times the revenue it gets under conventional taxation and provides that no division of government shall depend on any other division for funding.

Abstract: A system and method providing for a service provider, acting as agent for one or more community banks to offer indexed certificates of deposit (ICDs) at an upfront, fixed cost, which have the benefits of an upside return opportunity, no downside risk, and FDIC insurance for qualified accounts. Customers' funds are deposited with the banking institution, then a portion of the funds are directed through an escrow agent to a hedge provider in exchange for an option to pay portion of the appreciation of the index, if any, on the ICDs. At maturity, the hedge provider pays the proportionate appreciation, if any, to the escrow agent, who in turn sends the appropriate portion of the appreciation to the participating bank institutions. The bank institutions then forward the appreciation, along with the initial purchase price of the ICDs, on to the customer.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (12) is operative to conduct transactions in response to HTML documents and TCP/IP messages exchanged with a local computer system (14) through an intranet (16), as well as in response to messages exchanged with foreign servers (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 96) in a wide area network (18). The banking machine includes a computer (34) having an HTML document handling portion (76, 80, 82). The HTML document handling portion is operative to communicate through a proxy server (88), with a home HTTP server (90) in the intranet or the foreign servers in the wide area network. The computer further includes a device application portion (84) which interfaces with the HTML document handling portion and dispatches messages to operate devices (36) in the automated banking machine. The devices include a sheet dispenser mechanism (42) which dispenses currency as well as other transaction devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described that prevents viewing or other type of playback of unauthorized copies of media files, whether received through a network or retrieved from a magnetic or optical disc. The apparatus uses data in a metadata field that forms a part of the media files. Viewing or playback is allowed only if the data meets certain predetermined criteria. An apparatus is also provided that can be used to generate a new metadata field if a media file has a metadata field with unacceptable data.

Abstract: A content management system, wherein a series of websites connected via links is formed and whereby the revenue which the whole of the websites earned viewing fee, advertisement income etc. as sources are properly distributed to masters of the websites according to their respective rating of contribution calculated by the number of viewers etc. to their websites. The websites employ re-encryption technology. A founder who establishes an original website and affiliates establish websites below. Each affiliate provides a link to the website on the up-line. The linked websites are protected/managed by application of re-encryption technology and the number of viewers who have visited the websites and the frequency of viewing are accurately calculated to facilitate payment of secondary-use copyright royalties to secondary-users who process content as well as payment of copyright royalties to original authors.

Abstract: Electronic licensing of a device tester is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that comprises sending an electronic license to enable a device tester, receiving at least one log file having resource use information for one or more tests executed on the device tester using the electronic license, and generating a bill from the at least one log file.

Abstract: A public licensing infrastructure (PLI) for a digital rights management (DRM) system is described. In an implementation, a method includes generating a formal license for content. The formal license includes a decryption key for decrypting the content and access rules for accessing the content. A plurality of license authorities is configured to provide a plurality of partial licenses. The plurality of partial licenses is combinable to form the formal license. Each license authority provides a respective partial license.

Abstract: Multiple secure transactions are provided through use of a method that uses customer one-time unique purchase order numbers (“Coupons”) generated by an algorithm that uses a permutated user key and a user insertion key as input variables. A user key (such as a Personal Identification Number, or “PIN”) is combined with a permutation variable that is correlated with a customer sequence number to create the permutated user key. A random number generator is used to generate the user insertion key correlated with the customer sequence number. The algorithm can insert the permutated user key into a user account number through use of the user insertion key. A Coupon is validated by confirming that it is contained in a set of money source Coupons generated by a money source using the user key and a random number generator that is synchronized with the random number used to generate Coupons.

Abstract: An intermediated electronic payment system and method. Electronic payments are made to an agent and a brokerage for a transaction involving a customer via a card, with the intermediation of a payment coordinator. A payment terminal is operated by the agent which transmits payment information and agent information via a telecommunication session to a receiving processor. The receiving processor captures the said information, obtains electronic authorization for the card payment, and sends a confirmation . The information are then sent to a payment processor operated by the payment coordinator. An amount of funds is transferred to a payment coordinator electronic fund transfer account through a brokerage trust account and a payment coordinator clearing account. Electronic fund transfers from the electronic fund transfer account are made to accounts of the agent and the brokerage for effecting an allocation determined by a split settlement processor in accordance with allocation rules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing a plurality of mail pieces that is able to make appropriate class of service determinations during processing based on a first class of service received from a user and a measured weight and dimension(s) of each mail piece. If the first class of service is determined to not be appropriate, a second, appropriate, class of service is determined for the each mail piece using the measured weight and dimension(s). A postage amount is determined for each mail piece using the measured weight and dimension(s) and the appropriate class of service. The method may further include determining whether each of a number of requested special services is applicable to each mail piece so that special service fees may be applied in a discriminate manner. More accurate transaction information may thus be stored for each mail piece.

Abstract: Automatically determining the cost to complete a printed job on a digital printing press. A Job Control Component in the Digital Front End of the printing press collects and stores the processing information from the job processing components after each has completed its step in the sequence of steps required to complete the printed job. A Job Reporting Component displays the stored processing information and, when the press owner has stored the predetermined cost of each processing step, automatically computes and displays the cost of the job.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method for postage stamp generation. The apparatus includes print module configured to print a customized image or text based stamp, and a communication module for receiving verification from a server. The apparatus may include a creation module for creating an image or text based stamp, and a selection module for selecting a stamp from a pre-approved selection of stamps. In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a personal computer configured for postage stamp generation. Alternatively, the apparatus may include handheld electronic devices, notebooks, or the like. The system may comprise the apparatus, a verification server, and a printer operatively coupled to the apparatus. The method comprises selecting or creating a stamp, sending the stamp to the server for verification, receiving verification, previewing the stamp, purchasing the stamp, and printing the stamp.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle sharing system for managing motor vehicles are parked in a parking area and renting the motor vehicles to users, the motor vehicle is provided with a detector for detecting a start of motor vehicle rental and end of the motor vehicle rental, and an usage data measuring section for starting a measurement for a motor vehicle usage data when the detector detects a start of the motor vehicle rental and completing the measurement for the motor vehicle usage data when the detector detects an end of the motor vehicle rental. The detector contains a position detector for detecting the parking area.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for and method of providing instruction sequence compounding by (1) the virtual machine monitor's (VMM) looking ahead when an initial trap (exception) event occurs and recognizing traps within successive nearby instructions, combining and virtually executing the effects of multiple instructions while remaining inside the VMM's trap handler, and thereby minimizing the number of individual traps that would otherwise occur at each instruction and/or (2) the VMM's looking ahead when an initial context switch event occurs and recognizing context switches within successive nearby instructions, virtually combining the effects of multiple instructions and handing off this combined instruction to the host operating system, and thereby minimizing the number of individual context switches that would otherwise occur at each instruction. As a result, the number of processor cycles is reduced for exception handling and context switching in a virtual machine environment.

Abstract: A communications device for fetching data received from some other device from a receive buffer into a memory managed by software, responding to an occurrence of a receive interrupt or a timer interrupt. A frequent occurrence of the receive interrupt or the timer interrupt leads to smooth establishment of a communications link with the other device, but results in reduction of the communications efficiency unless adopting a CPU higher in throughput or additional hardware. In the communications device, determination is made whether a communications link has been established or not. If established, the data is fetched in response to only the timer interrupt. If not, the data is fetched in response to either the receive interrupt or the timer interrupt. Consequently, the communications efficiency can be successfully improved, and the link can be smoothly established, without depending on CPU or hardware throughput.

Abstract: A virtual intermediate data is prepared between the input data and the output data by an operator himself. The operator defines a first conversion rule for converting the input data into the intermediate data and a second conversion rule for converting the intermediate data into the output data on the basis of the first and second conversion rules. This makes it easy to define and maintain the data conversion rule for transmitting the data among a plurality of systems and further improve the processing efficiency of the conversion.

Abstract: A forms engine allows data sharing between customizable on-line forms, such as college admissions applications. Before applying, an applicant opens an account with a third party application servicer. After the applicant completes an application for one institution, the data is saved in a data base and automatically populates fields in subsequent application forms. The form for each institution is created from a form description file. Each form is branded for its institution and forms for different institutions differ in appearance and content so that the presence of the third party servicer is transparent to the applicant. The system is extensible without programming, allowing new applicant attributes to be readily incorporated into the system and allowing the content and appearance of the application to be readily changed by changing the description file.

Abstract: There are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing hierarchical reference data. There is a Web page for access by a user, where the Web page includes (i) data representing a hierarchy and (ii) rules defining modifications that are permitted to be made to data. The user is enabled to make a real-time modification to the data based on the rules.

Abstract: A value is obtained from one or more values from one or more nested procedures, for a variable that is undefined within one procedure that is nested in one or more nested procedures.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture, implementing the method, interfaces a messaging system to a database management system. The database management system has at least one database command to access a table. A messaging system has at least one messaging system command to access a message queue. The message queue is accessed as a table in accordance with the database command. In another embodiment, a virtual table is associated with the message queue. The message queue is accessed through the virtual table in accordance with the database command.

Abstract: A method of adding an element to a data structure may include atomically associating the element with the data structure if the element is not associated with the data structure. The element may be prepared for insertion into a location in the data structure. The method may also include atomically inserting the element into the location in the data structure if another element has not been inserted into the location.

Abstract: An apparatus for security applications, e.g., encryption. The apparatus has an interface (e.g., MAC) coupled to a fiber channel. The interface is adapted to receive a frame from the fiber channel. The apparatus also has a classifier coupled to the interface, which is adapted to determine an information type associated with the frame. The type is selected from at least an initiator, data, or terminator. The classifier is adapted to determine header information associated with the frame. A content addressable memory is coupled to the classifier.

Abstract: A file storage apparatus capable of restoring integrity of file management information even when a power supply abnormality occurs without lowering the write speed. When updating meta data stored in an HDD, log data for reconstructing the meta data after update from the meta data before update is written into a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), then, after this writing is completed, the update is executed. Accordingly, even when the update use meta data temporarily stored in a cache memory is partially lost due to trouble such as a power supply abnormality and when update of the meta data of a hard disk is incomplete, the log data corresponding to the meta data for the update is held in the NVRAM, so it becomes possible to restore the integrity of the meta data on the hard disk by using this log data.

Abstract: The invention teaches an integrated and dedicated log monitoring object development environment which teaches use of regular expressions, logical expressions, and the truth states of those regular expressions, and also allows self-testing of the objects as they are developed. The invention teaches that a five step process may be used to create log monitoring software objects. In a first step, identifier/regular expressions may be added to the object from a list or menu or manually entered. In a second step, a line pattern is established by ordering the identifiers. In a third step, logical expressions are constructed in accordance with a logical expression grammar; in a fourth step, an action item to invoke upon a “true” value is associated with the logical expression. In the fifth step, a file to be monitored is selected, along with file attributes such as offset position and EOF disposition.

Abstract: In an information providing system, an information providing server comprises an assigning unit for configuring multiple fields containing at least one field block, and assigning keywords to each of the field blocks of the fields according to predetermined conditions, a setting unit for selecting at least one assigned keyword from the field block of each field, and combining these to set a combination keyword, and a placement unit for placing contents components equivalent to the combination keyword, according to the positions assigned to the selected keywords. Also, a user terminal device comprises a reception unit for receiving information to be displayed on a screen, generated by keywords being assigned to the field blocks of the fields according to predetermined conditions, and the contents components being placed at positions respectively assigned to the selected keywords, and a display unit for displaying on a screen, based on the information for screen display.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture for data processing and, more particularly, for managing execution of complex data access operations in a data processing system. One embodiment provides a method of managing execution of query operations in a data processing system. The method comprises issuing, by a requesting entity, a request to perform a composite query operation defining an initial query operation and a subsequent query operation to be executed against a data repository of the data processing system, executing the initial query operation, determining an operation status of the initial query operation, and managing execution of the subsequent query operation on the basis of the determined operation status.

Abstract: A system with multiple data stores receives a data access request that includes one or more variables. The system determines which data store can service the data access request by using mappings of the variables to the data stores in order to evaluate whether partition expressions for the data stores overlap with the variables in the data access request. The data access request is then sent to the data stores corresponding to the partition expressions that overlap. The partition expressions can have one or more variables. The present invention supports multi-dimensional partitioning.

Abstract: The user requesting the search is enabled to analyze the list of excessive hits in a manner organized through a Web content manager on the user's display screen, and reduce the excessive hits through the elimination of extraneous domains or subdomains captured by the search. An implementation for reducing an excessive number of hits in a search result received at one of the receiving display stations on the Web comprising conventional means for displaying at said receiving display station, Web documents received from sources on the Web, and means for conducting keyword searches on the Web.